Caution: know who you book your excursion from

hangalen · Post by **hangalen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:01 pm

Many visitors like to skip the booking agents and book a day sail or snorkeling tour themselves. This can be a great opportunity to talk to your captain personally before you go and make sure you get the trip you want.

Most booking agents require the companies they book to carry insurance, a Virgin Islands Business License, First Aid and CPR training and a US Coast Guard Captain's License. These are important documents that show the company is not just a fly by operation or a cruiser out to make a few quick bucks on the side.

It's a great idea to book your own tour but be sure to ask whether they are licensed and insured. Legitimate companies will have these documents immediately available. Established companies will almost always offer a better tour because they have a reputation to uphold and it is their business. You don't want to end up on a poorly maintained boat with an inexperienced captain.

You also may want a company that holds a Virgin Islands National Park Permit. Only certain boats hold Park permits. Even on tours to the British Virgin Islands stopping in the park for a snorkel is a nice add on.

When sailing to the British Virgin Islands your tour company should require a current passport and should clear you back through US Customs. If they don't ask for this, choose another company to avoid hassles at the airport on your way home.

To get the best excursion you can be sure the company has an established on -line presence. A company that's been around a while should generate search results not only for their own website, but for press releases, travel forums like this one, blogs, etc.

To get the excursion you deserve do your research first, vacation only comes once a year. Good luck and happy sailing.

Capt. Han

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:13 pm

This is great information and I thank you for sharing it, but this board is not for advertising. You may want to remove your business name from your signature line.
I am referencing the rules and reg document for this site:
Rules & Regulations

In addition to the boilerplate you received during the registration process, please keep the following in mind:

Do not post advertisements or unsolicited links to other websites. Your message will be deleted immediately. We can't state this strongly enough - posting URLs that are not relevant, publicizing competing websites, or promoting businesses or products that conflict with our business or advertisers will not be tolerated. These forums are for traveler to traveler or traveler to resident travel advice and are not to be used as a medium for selling anything. If you are answering a question with a legitimate answer that involves a USVI business or product, etc. that you are a party to, that is fine, but please do disclose that fact.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:17 pm

X -- you beat me to it. I sent Anthony the link.

On the other hand I would invite the Captain to participate in the forum and get to know the folks here. If someone asks for advice that he can help with I'm sure this would be most appreciated. But this takes some time.

There are no shortcuts to building relationships and ultimately business through this forum.

I think I speak for all of us whenI say that we are loyal to and support those business owners that engage with us on a real level and don't just astroturf.

hangalen · Post by **hangalen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:22 pm

Thanks for your concern island girl. I hope everyone finds this information useful and important. It would be a shame if I had to take it down.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:27 pm

Like Gromit said, we are very faithful to the busines owners that are part of our community, those that come here just for free advertising are not around long.

Jump on in to the conversations, but lose your phone number and business name

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:34 pm

I have no problem with him having his website or # in he's signature line and Anthony's first post says the same thing as long as he posts here as regular poster and not just for his Business It would be better if you got your feet wet and got to know some of the regulars first though.
Tom

hangalen · Post by **hangalen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:38 pm

Fair enough. I'm used to other forums that welcome that info, sorry. I've updated my signature and deleted the "unsolicited urls"

I've lived on St John for a long time so if anyone has questions about the island, where to snorkel, etc.

In reference to my original post we've been having fly by night charter boats come in and not so much steal business but give folks a bad charter experience which hurts all of us in the long run.

We are considering starting an organization for established charter operations to protect visitors.

Thanks for the input.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:42 pm

hangalen wrote: In reference to my original post we've been having fly by night charter boats come in and not so much steal business but give folks a bad charter experience which hurts all of us in the long run.

We are considering starting an organization for established charter operations to protect visitors.

I had no idea that was happening. It is good to know that the charter companies on island are looking to be ensure that the tourists are taken care of. I will be sure to keep this in mind when people ask, it never occured to me that people would do that.
Thanks

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:27 pm

Good show Captain Han - we're happy to have your here and appreciate any advice that you may have on these and other subjects.

All that we ask is that it comes from a genuine place/perspective and that it's not just about getting more business. More business is the byproduct of the genuine exchange and relationships that you build here.

Someone who is great at this is Ruth from STJ Spice. Stop by her place and ask her how she balances it out.

Her participation on this forum generates into thousands of dollars worth of business through word of mouth recommendations, but not becasue she ever speaks about her business or issues related to it.

Welcome!

hangalen · Post by **hangalen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:36 pm

Thanks Gromit,

I know Ruth. She and her husband have a nice little sailboat in the harbor.

I always send folks up there to get the painkiller spice pack. You get fresh nutmeg (hard to get unless you pick it off a tree in Grenada), a little grater and the recipe:

Coco lopez, orange juice, pineapple juice, rum (I prefer Cruzan Dark) and fresh ground nutmeg.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:42 pm

hangalen wrote: Coco lopez, orange juice, pineapple juice, rum (I prefer Cruzan Dark) and fresh ground nutmeg.

I think Cruzan dark is the only way to make a painkiller!

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:42 pm

Now you are speaking our language!!

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:36 pm

Did somebody say "painkiller"?

I've done business with folks that I've known through this forum. I've also done business with folks and told them they need to come over here and build friendships that will lead to more business. I think some of them are doing that.

We love all the local folks. They give us so much perspective, and we're glad y'all take time to come visit our travel forum.

There have been people here who were ramming their businesses down our throat or downright rude, and that's a bit of a turn-off to me. Just be nice and play well with others. Feel free to let folks know that you are a boat captain without making it sound like you're the ONLY boat captain, and I'm sure you'll get lots of inquiries for your business.

Welcome. I will have a painkiller in your honor this evening.

If I can remember to buy Coco Lopez.

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:36 pm

hangalen wrote: I always send folks up there to get the painkiller spice pack. You get fresh nutmeg (hard to get unless you pick it off a tree in Grenada), a little grater and the recipe:

OK... now we're getting off topic, but it's right up my alley

I did not know that there was a Painkiller spice pack. I'm intrigued and excited! LOL

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:20 pm

Painkiller Spice Pack: http://www.stjohnspice.com/moregifts.htm

Scroll down about half way.

usvi-on-line