What do you ship to STJ in advance?

[DuxDweller]

All - Counting down to takeoff in a few weeks. My family of 6 (4 kids) and I are going to attempt carry-on only for out 2 week escape from New England. I am planning to ship our snorkel gear (pretty extensive for 6 people), bug spray, citronella and sunscreen via USPS to Maho in advance. What do you all box up and send down in advnace of your trips?

Thanks for your input!!

[Pia]

Can't help you with that question but just wanted to point out that if you are here in a "couple of weeks" you better get that box in the mail - Priority Mail - now
The average time all of my Priority Mail packages arrive to me anyway, is between 7 days and 10 days (just had 8lbs of coffee sent to me from my friend who owns a restaurant and it was 10 days exactly) the shortest time a Priority package has arrived to me was 5 days and that happened only once and the longest a package (actually a Priority letter) was 6 weeks !!! You also have to factor in any holidays that might occur (Monday is MLK day).
Good luck

Pia

[dejavu]

On Saturday January 10th I mailed 3 boxes to Connections priority mail. I checked online Monday the 12th and they were there!! I called connections and apologized. I was able to get our villa rental company to go pick them up for me. The gal at connections told me to allow 5-7 days for priority mail. Guess the good ole USPS was on it's "A" game last weekend!!!!

[MistB'Haven]

Mine arrived quickly as well. I sent down all my liquids (shampoo, lotions, sunscreens, etc.)as well as snorkle gear, swim shoes, Tevas, books and whatever. It cost $40 but I already am reaping the benefits. We leave tomorrow, and packing has been a breeze!

[XOXO]

I didn’t ship anything but I think it is a good idea. Because you can’t have big bottles of liquid in the carry-on, and because you are already shipping the snorkel gear I would add a few things:

• sunblock
  bug spray
  shampoo; other hair products
  extra shoes
  maybe a first aid kit or a few things like tylenol, something for bug bites,
  lotion
  boogie boards if you have them
  water toys (depends on you 4 kids ages but my kids always like to have something extra for the pool when we are hanging out)
  flashlight
  family games/dvd's for when hanging at the villa
  favorite snacks
  extra books

If I were going to ship I would ship as much as I could and just have clothes, a book, and makeup in my carry-on. I know that snorkel gear weighs a lot. Will you let me know what it costs to ship it?

Have a great trip!

Gina

[Nancy_B]

Gina, I shipped my package today - includes sunscreen, after sun, paperbacks, snorkel gear, shower gel, moisturizer and my husband's toiletries. I always us the LARGE Flat rate priority box and jam it full. With tracking, it was 13.60. Tip from Connections - include NO punctuation except hyphens. Periods through a wrench into the Puerto Rico machines and throw them to hand sort which is where the delays occur.

Loving my ticker! I mailed the package and it was 7 degrees here - hoping it's 87 degrees when I open it

[dejavu]

MistB'Haven- we are leaving sunday- cannot wait- it's time to leave the frozen tundra of chicago for the sun and sand of St John. Maybe we will see you- we are 2 couples of 50 somethings- we will be on island til the 28th.

[XOXO]

That is money VERY well spent. Now that the airlines are charging for checked baggage is really nice to know that we can mail it and forget it.

Have a great trip! I will do that on our next trip for sure.

Gina

[crasherino]

Gina, I shipped my package today - includes sunscreen, after sun, paperbacks, snorkel gear, shower gel, moisturizer and my husband's toiletries. I always us the LARGE Flat rate priority box and jam it full. With tracking, it was 13.60. Tip from Connections - include NO punctuation except hyphens. Periods through a wrench into the Puerto Rico machines and throw them to hand sort which is where the delays occur.

Loving my ticker! I mailed the package and it was 7 degrees here - hoping it's 87 degrees when I open it

That's something I've always meant to look into. How does that work from the Connections side? Do you need to have a box/account with them? Do they charge you for holding/receiving your packages?

Shipping a whole bunch of stuff would be really helpful considering we are traveling with a 2 year old and will probably have a stroller, car seat, etc.

[nancyg]

I would like to ship a box for our trip too. I was thinking of just putting things I will either use up or not care if we leave them there. Since alot of you ship your snorkel gear, how do you bring it home again?

Nancy

[dejavu]

Yes, you will need to call connections and tell them you are shipping a package(s). They charge you per box. I paid $10 per box. Mine weighed about 17 pounds a piece. They don't really want to hold your things for too long as they are a small space so try to determine how long you will need to get your package there and plan accordingly. They will also tell you exactly how to address your package so it will get there in a timely manner.

[dejavu]

Nancy- you ship it back home when you leave.

[nancyg]

Thanks,

Shipping home would not work for us because we leave on a Sunday and I would not want to be without our snorkel gear on Saturday. We will just carry our snorkel gear as personal item and ship the stuff ahead that we plan on using up or leaving behind.

Nancy

[MistB'Haven]

Just a note -- mailed my Priority box on Jan. 2 with assurances of 3 days. It was received at Keep Me Posted in Coral Bay on Jan. 10. (It was rather large tho.) However, only having to take my clothes and a toothbrush was awesome!! The whole air travel thing just took on a new meaning - one as a pleasant experience.