Questions for SOTB members

[aroobagirl]

Hi Ladies, I am planning a trip for 2010 for a group of 5 ladies from work. 3 of the 5 are newbies. I wonder if you have any tips or suggestions for "rules" based on your past trips. I have already determined there will be 2 cars and that all must have trip insurance. We are all 40+ years old, and have known each other over 10 years. How did you all manage cooking and groceries? How did you determine room sharing? We will be an odd number so someone will get their own room. Any suggestions or warnings appreciated. PM if you would prefer.
Thanks!!!

[sailorgirl]

Im not a SOTB girl, but have travelled with a group of girlfriends to STJ. Some were newbies, some not, but most of us have travelled together before. I think the best advice I can give is to get together before hand, maybe dinner or cocktails and talk about peoples travel styles and expectations. Who are early risers, who likes to sleep in. Who likes to cook and who feels its not vacation unless you eat out. Some talk about the fact that everyone gets to have they vacation they want and no one is compelled to do group activities and that's OK.
As for money there are two ways. Everyone throws say $100 bucks in a kitty and joint food and drink is purchased. When the kitty runs out its replenished. This works if all are fairly equivalent in terms of food and drink. If you have a non drinker and someone who lives to party some adjustments have to be made, but that's what the pre trip meeting is for.

The other way is to keep track of what is spent and even up at the end. With a new group I would opt for No. 1., so there are no misunderstandings.

Have a blast!

[sea-nile]

We had a kitty once and we always had an "accountant" who made a spreadsheet of the expenses and it worked out great. Since we all love STJ we got along great and really had no issues.

[b-as-u-r]

Happy to report, no warnings necessary. You can figure out the rooming ahead of time. Ours just seemed to fall into place last year (2 had roomed together the previous year, two had become diving friends, one brought a friend from home, 2 joined in a little later on so they roomed together). Since you're all already friends, I would think the rooming part would be easy to work out. Who knows, maybe somebody wants their own room. I can't recall how we actually chose which room who got, but I think everyone was happy with their space. I guess rock/paper/scissors if it comes to that. Since some are newbies, they'll be looking to the non-newbies for guidance on what to do (beaches, daysails, restaurants, hikes,) so you can just lay out the options the night before and see what everyone's up for. We usually work up an initial list of staple groceries ahead of time and the first to arrive usually take care of that, which includes the initial shop for alcohol. Someone will pay or two can split depending on how much and that slip goes in a jar with their name(s) on it. Any additional items picked up during the week get added to the jar and at the end the week, the excel sheet tallies it up. (As mentioned, if someone doesn't drink, then her share is adjusted. Of course the alcohol is not what's expensive anyway, it's the mixers.) Some of us try to bring some things from home too (coffee, splenda, trail mix, cereal etc. If everyone takes on something expensive, there's not a whole lot to settle up on at the end of the week. Someone can rent one car, someone another, someone can pay a daytrip sail deposit, the others can share in the initial shop. Sometimes we cooked in, not so much and sometimes we split up, some went out to dinner, some not. One night we got pizza delivered. One day we all stopped and did a late lunch/early dinner at Woodys on our way home from the beach. One night we got take out from Candi's. It's okay to not do everything together every single second of every single day. Some of the ladies went diving while others went to the beach. Most went to Jost one day but 2 did not. Some went to a forum's house for sunset and cocktails and some did not. Having multiple cars was definitely essential. Some people like to buy sandwich food at the store and some preferred to stop at the deli and get their lunch for the beach or share a wrap from Starfish. If there's anything special that someone wants they usually just buy that themselves. Same with the alcohol for the most part after the initial shop. This year we've decided to team up (3 teams of 3) and do 3 dinner nights in since we're going to be in coral bay. The cooks can buy what they need at the store and then just put their slips in the jar. Nothing fancy, so far we're planning one mexican night, the first night will be something easy, maybe grilled chicken, rice & salad, but our villa seems really nice and we're not going to have all that many restaurant choices. We may get very sick of Skinny's burgers otherwise. If you're doing carry-on, you may want to get together and send down one communal box to your management company (i.e. shampoo, conditioner, lotion, floaties, ....) I think having the common bond of loving St. JOhn really makes it impossible for things to not work out, which is why I think so many forum folks can travel together and it works. We're thinking we may even host a full-moon forum party this trip. You all will be fine! Just remember how fortunate you all are to be there, remain flexible and agree that it's okay to disagree some times. Majority rules on the beach of the day and go to the one that lost out the next day, or split up for the day. I have no doubt that you will have a fantastic time!!!!!

[VaGirl]

Ali seems to wrap it up pretty well; we were from all over the US and one from Sweden, so getting together beforehand didn't work for most of us. We found email helpful - for the 1st SOTB we each wrote a self-description and shared with each other. Have to admit, we did burn up the email but that was fun; we sent out our pictures to each other. We usually take one day trip, and everyone is involved in planning that. I think the best thing about our trips is that no one is forced, or made to feel like they have to do what someone else is doing. You feel like shopping, you go shopping. You want to stay at the villa, no problem. There was always the option of "we'll call around 3 pm and let you know where we are headed next". Of course that worked in the past, but this year since we will be in Coral Bay I have a feeling any major bar-hopping will have to be done before dark!! Things just seemed to fall in place - you'll have a great time.

[cypressgirl]

You mentioned that you have 5 in your group. I'd advise dividing the cost of the villa evenly. You won't spend that much time in your bedroom, and everyone uses the common areas, pool, etc. If there is a smaller bedroom or one with a queen instead of kings, that would be the obvious choice. It's really fun having a roommate, but maybe there's someone in your group that prefers more privacy (or snores a lot). I just don't think it's fair for one person to pay more for the villa because you have an odd number in your group. We have 9 in SOTB this year and the last lady to decide to go is actually sleeping on an air mattress in a room with 2 other ladies and we divided the cost 9 ways.

[RickG]

Dinner Theater in Coral Bay sounds like fun! If the road gets too exciting I can stop at Carolina Corral for a trail pony.

No whiners! The rest takes care of itself.

Cheers, RickG

[Ksea]

You are going to have a great time! How can you not on STJ? Since you already know each other very well, there should be no surprises. It helped me to go with the attitude of "go with the flow". I thought the receipt jar / settle up at the end was a perfect way to keep track of the money part. All our bedrooms were fairly equal and I enjoyed having a room mate. The last person to join had her own room which was smaller than the rest...but worked well for her. I usually opted to go with the last car headed to the beach since I don't like to be rushed, so the multiple car arrangement was perfect as well. We usually stopped at a grocery store every day, so we always had an opportunity to get whatever we wanted to eat or drink, or whatever. It was a great time and I would absolutely do it again!

[crasherino]

On our last trip (the first with friends), on all "villa purchases" or other significant group purchases, we simply saved the receipts and did some rough math at the end.

If, as RickG put it, you don't have whiners, it shouldn't be too difficult either way. If someone is concerned about overpaying, at most, $50 over a week's trip to St. John, I don't think I want to travel with them in the first place.

[aroobagirl]

Thanks, all! The group is made up of primarily Business/Financial Mgrs so I just want the rules laid out up front so no misunderstandings. I'm sure no one would balk, but would like to avoid anyone getting miffed. We are all similarly inclined or we wouldn't be planning this. I'm sure we'll have a grand time. Just hope I can convince the newbies to not overpack!