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New Year's Cheer in the Caribbean

© Carol O'Donnell

How can one year pass so fast? The older one gets, the faster time seems to go. Already it’s the holidays and New Year is right around the corner. Wow, 2002! Seems that only participation in a special event will make the New Year a reality and bring it in with style. In the Virgin Islands there are many options and depending upon your style you could choose a quiet dinner with champagne to an all out blow out party on a Caribbean beach.

Many island restaurants and hotels will be offering dinner with champagne and the all too familiar noisemakers, confetti and Happy New Year garb. For a price not too out of touch with reality you and your companion could choose to stay at one of the hotels that will include a New Year’s Eve package. This is the best of both worlds as you can trip down from your room to the party and back to your room in the wee hours of the New Year.

There will be many entertainment options. Many restaurants will host steel pan bands, piano players, Caribbean dancers and the like. Its always best to check with your hotel concierge for the happenings and then choose the activity that most fits your style.

By far the biggest and most popular activity (for the party animals) is to venture to Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. Call it crazy, call it weird but every New Year’s Eve everyone who is anyone in the party world find their way to this tiny island for a night of music, dancing, drinking and socializing. It is often difficult to find transportation to the island as many charter yachts have gracefully bowed out of the arena to give way to private vessels. But if this is your thing and you must do it, plan early as the options dwindle the closer you get to December 31. Expect to pay around $115 per person for a non-private charter, plus customs fees of $15 per person plus on shore drinks and food. You must bring proof of citizenship, which means either a valid passport or original birth certificate with a valid picture ID.

Getting about is easy. Taxis are readily available at all the hotels, restaurants and other venues so don’t sweat getting around and about. If you have a rental car please do not drink and drive. Opt for a taxi or have one person in your group as the designated driver. Remember that we drive on the left in the Virgin Islands and the roads can be quite narrow and tricky so its best to take it slow (or island pace as we call it). If you have a large group and plan to visit many places you may want to opt for the car and driver rental. A van complete with wet bar and driver will take you and your group to the bars all around the island so you can bring in the New Year in style.