Dan,

Get ready to walk some stairs.......many of them at Maho, but it's a nice place. Take either ferry the one from Charlotte is a little longer and $7 each way opposed to $3 from Red hook, but you will save some money on taxi fare.

Pack light..............we have been many times and still bring more thatn we need.

As far as food goes, to tell you the truth I haven't had many bad meals, But we like the Lime Inn, Morgan Mango, Cafe Roma, Duffys and The BBQ place on the corner can't remember the name are all good and located in Cruz Bay.

Ship Wreck, Skinny Legs (for burgers), Mrs. Lucy's, Island Blues are out in the Coral Bay area.

Wife just reminded me to tell you not to miss a band called Inner Vision (they Play at Freds on Wednesday) and the all you can eat shrimp at Lime Inn (also Wednesday)

Maho is great. Bring a flashlight -- it gets dark at 6 pm and there are lots of stairs and winding boardwalks. And if you like reading in the evening you might want to bring a clip-on book light -- lights in the tent are of the bare bulb on the wall variety.

It's been a while since I was there and things may have changed, but each unit had a cabinet with a hasp for a combination lock -- if you want to lock up valuables while you're at the beach you need to bring a lock.

Bathrooms are in communal wash houses, so bring something to carry your toiletries -- and some shower shoes if you're sqeamish. You are provided with bath towels, I believe, but not beach towels.

You can rent snorkel gear, but it's nice to have your own.

Dress on St. John is super-casual (except possibly at the two big hotels), so you don't need anything more than shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits, etc. The sun is strong, so a hat and a light weight long-sleeve shirt or coverup -- and good sunglasses -- are a must.

Have a great time!