Sunscreen/bug spray bringing me down!

[riley1319]

Two weeks until departure and I'm working on the minutia. I'd like to pack carry on (although DH has preferred status so there would be no fee for check in), but am getting stuck re. sunscreen (I need a lot of) and bug spray. Is there some trick for these items or is it a numbers game (cheaper to buy in STJ than pay for carry on)?

I should know the answer to this, but...if I stick with carry on, can I bring down powder creamer and ground coffee in ziplocs or do they have to be in their original packaging?

What is/are rash guards? Sounds like something my husband might need.

Anyone take those waterproof bullet things for cash, keys, etc. when out snorkeling or do you leave that stuff on the beach?

Any special STJ souvenir suggestions I should shop for?

That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'm watching the Golden Globes while I do this so I might be forgetting something.

[bnsilly]

Since no one has chimed in yet, I will give you my 2 cents til you get some better advice..
~If bug spray and suntan lotion is giving you grief for doing carry on only, then I would just buy it when you get there. Others pack several of the 1 oz bottles of it and put it in their baggie for TSA.
~I think powdered creamer and cofee is ok, just label it.
~Rash guards are those thin tshirt like things you wear over your swimsuit to prevent rashes as well as sunburn, etc..you can google them. Not necessary, but some like them.
~If no one is going to be around to keep an eye on things on the beach I would get something to carry money, id, etc in while snorkeling. We usually have someone snorkeling, but then others just chillin in the water, etc that can keep an eye on things, so we usually just leave our stuff on the beach.
~If you see a souvenir you like, and think you will get it later, or that maybe you don't need it, but you keep gravitating toward it. Get it. I am currently wearing a tshirt that I just received from Big Planet, because I saw it 3 years ago, didn't get it, and have wanted it ever since, so I ended up calling them and ordering it.
Have a great trip!!!!

[California Girl]

Hi Riley -

If it's worth the cost of the postage, a lot of people ship a box ahead to Connections with the things they can't carry on. Most sunscreens and bug sprays are available on St. John, but will likely be more expensive than at home. When you figure in postage, you have to decide what's more cost effective for you. You can fit quite a lot in a flat rate box, and you still have time to send one ahead if you do it now. Figure about 10 days for Priority mail to reach the island.

I bought a rash guard to keep me from getting too sunburned while I was snorkeling. You can get short-sleeved ones and long sleeved ones, and I think they're worth every penny! Look for them at a local surf shop, if you have them in your area. Dive shops probably also carry them, and if you have time there are a lot available online.

For taking your money, keys, etc. into the water with you, I recommend an Otter Box. http://www.otterbox.com/waterproof-cases/ They have them to fit your cell phone and iPod, as well.

I am the souvenir queen! For taking home little gifts to people, I usually stop at St. John Spice (upstairs next to the ferry dock) and get the “sampler packs” of spices and/or a box of 8 “airplane size” different flavors of Cruzan Rum. For yourself, stop in at Freebird downstairs from St. John Spice and get a hook bracelet! In my opinion, you cannot get a souvenir more unique to the Caribbean! If you have it in your budget, get the bracelet with the Petroglyph symbol on it. That’s unique to St. John!

You are going to have a blast!

[Greenskeeper]

I bought all my sunscreen on island last year. I remember thinking the price was not ridiculous and shipping was not necessary. (We were a family of four only there for 10 days) We don't shop alot but we did make some purchases. We LOVED STJ Spice and the National Park Store. At STJ Spice I bought a pretty pillar candleholder with embossed starfish and some great spices. At the National Park Store, my sons bought VI maps that we had framed for their bedrooms. We also made some purchases at the Anaberg Ruins which was hosting a community event and at downtown Cruz Bay where there was an artisans fair.

[riley1319]

Thanks for the feedback. I could carry 1oz sunscreens for my face, but not my body (I'm big and pregnant).

USPS's flat rate boxes are $14.95, correct? Does Connections charge a fee for holding boxes?

The flat rate box might be a good idea b/c I could cram it full of dry goods as well, we could pack carry on only and then check everything on the way home.

Is bug spray necessary in February?

[mindehankins]

Mosquitos are a possibility any time of year. They get very bad about a week-10 days after big rains.
Connections charges a small fee that I found very reasonable (maybe $5-10?)

[liamsaunt]

Connections does charge to hold your box. Last time I shipped it was $10/box. I think if your box is really light they only charge $5/box but I am not sure about that.

[djmom]

I would also add the option of bringing your own cardboard box, checking it and paying the $25 fee or whatever.

You can load it up with all kinds of things-ranging from sunscreen to snacks to things like rice mixes. We bring tons of stuff, even cereal (many things are going to cost twice as much).

You will probably come out ahead money wise, and not have to deal with as much shopping. To me it is really stressful to pay the St. John prices. Even if it ends up being even, I don't have to dwell over a $7 box of cereal and do we get it or not.

10 days is a long time.

[Teresa_Rae]

If you don’t have to pay to check a bag then that is definitely what I would do. We’ve started shipping down boxes of sunscreen, lotion, etc., but that’s only because of the new baggage fees....we used to take that stuff in checked luggage when there was no charge for it.

I haven’t used Connections, I’ve only sent packages directly to who we’re renting from and never paid a fee. But if you're leaving in two weeks I would not risk sending a package anyway...you might be back home before your package gets there

I’ve looked at the price of sunscreen on island and it tends to be about twice what I’ve paid at home.

Plus, if you have an extra bag that will be mostly empty on the trip home then you have more room for souvenirs

[toni]

Depending on where you're staying they might have a supply of sunscreen and/or bug spray on hand. We've had a couple rentals where people have left many bottles of stuff that we've been able to use. Call them and ask-wouldn't hurt Plus we have used the allowable travel size bottles that you can buy at walmart or wherever and filled them up w/ lotions.
Have fun!

[chicagoans]

We have gone carry on in the past and brought sun block and bug spray wipes - no 3 oz. rule to deal with and you don't have to pull them out to go through security because they aren't considered a liquid. I have also carried on small bottles of bug spray and put them in the zip lock bags. (Repel comes in a 4 oz container but I've brought it carry on a few times with no problem.) I would always bring bug spray just in case, regardless of time of year.

On our last trip we bought sun block on island (STJ) and the cost difference wasn't enough to make me worry about it. (I think we paid $12-15 for a can of the spray-on kind at Starfish and again at the shops by Skinny's. The lotion kind is probably cheaper. So it's a few dollars more than buying it at Target back home, but I consider that the cost of convenience.)

As answered above, rash guards are thin shirts that prevent you from burning. They are very handy for activities like snorkeling and boating, when you tend to burn more than usual. I found rash guards on island for all of us (adults and kids) and you can also find them at places like REI. I think they're a great idea.

Coffee and creamer should be no problem.

Souvenirs:My petroglyph bracelet, Cruz Bay Grill Rub, and Valley Doll Hot Sauce are all reminders of STJ that make me happy.

Ten days is awesome! Have fun and congratulations on your upcoming parenthood.

[Nic in KC]

I used to stress about sunscreen and bug spray, but realized it really isn't that expensive in the grand scheme to buy it down there. We usually buy two things of sunscreen, one aloe and one bug spray to get us through 8-10 days. It works and is pretty much stress free and costs about 10 dollars more than getting it at home.

We snorkel a ton and never get a rash guard. We sunscreen frequently and haven't had any problem with getting burned despite being out for an hour or two at a time in the water.

We leave most money in the car for the day, but if we are at Trunk, we'll have money in our bag for the snack bar. We haven't had any trouble with someone bothering our bags left on the beach.

My favorite St. John souvenir is my St. John Hook bracelet and a pair of Reef flip flops that I bought down there. Prices are so much better in St. John than back home with a good variety!!

Have a blast!!

[riley1319]

Thanks for all the feedback. Since we can check for free I think I'm going to do that and fill up with dry goods. I figure it will save $$ overall that way. DH keeps making fun of me b/c I'm spending so much time trying to plan instead of just buying each and every thing we'd need once we get there. After 12 years with me he still doesn't fully appreciate my more frugal nature.

Thanks for all the shopping ideas. That is where I would much rather spend my $$.

[RickG]

We buy 3 oz. squeeze and spray containers at The Container Store and repackage sunscreen in the squeeze bottles and bug spray (no DEET!) in the spray bottles. That works for us.

Cheers, RickG

[chicagoans]

We buy 3 oz. squeeze and spray containers at The Container Store and repackage sunscreen in the squeeze bottles and bug spray (no DEET!) in the spray bottles. That works for us.

Cheers, RickG

Hey Rick I'm sure it's been asked and answered before, but what kind of non-DEET bug spray works for you? (I use Repel, but I'm not convinced it works that well on a bug magnet like me. I kind of like the smell but the kids hate it.)