usvi-on-line
The countdown begins .... packing panic ensues
The countdown begins .... packing panic ensues
Not quite sure why I feel any form of stress or tension. St John will be right up my family's alley- low key, casual and friendly. Plus, you all make it sound so simple. Many of you even manage with carry-on only. Plus, this large family group of mine are staying in the Westin Villas so we have washer & dryers.
I have read, re-read and even printed out a couple of my favorite posts related to what to bring. The list is simple. A couple bathings suits, cover-ups, several t-shirts, couple pairs shorts, and a few days worth of undies, maybe one casual sundress to throw on and 2 pairs of footwear .. Keens & one other option. Then the obvious items of sunscreen, bug spray, baby powder, aloe, first aid stuff, Advil, etc etc etc.
why then am I feeling any tension at all???
Maybe I have read too much for too long on this forum and I now have forum facts overload?? There have been so many great ideas, suggestions or "wish I had brought" lists. Maybe that's my problem. Right now I know what I don't have ...
- rash guards. Do we all need them?? I almost ordered something from Solumbra but now it's too late. Not to mention the expense for something we won't use frequently.
- snorkel gear. Looks like we are just going to rent. Not sure where is best. Hope I don't regret not making time to find a place to buy a well fitting set.
- An otter box or whatever it's called to keep car keys cash, etc. safe and dry with us while snorkeling.
- Polar Bear cooler. Since we are such a large group and will have 3 different cars, it's hard to say exactly what the routine will be and how many folks will be going in how many directions. Is this a must have and I really should make it a point to find one around here?
- Kipling backpack. I thought of Gromit the other day - Macy's has them!!! They seem wonderful, lightweight but which one???
- Haven't gotten a disposable underwater camera yet.
- etc
- etc etc
Does anyone else's head spin the week before you leave????
I have read, re-read and even printed out a couple of my favorite posts related to what to bring. The list is simple. A couple bathings suits, cover-ups, several t-shirts, couple pairs shorts, and a few days worth of undies, maybe one casual sundress to throw on and 2 pairs of footwear .. Keens & one other option. Then the obvious items of sunscreen, bug spray, baby powder, aloe, first aid stuff, Advil, etc etc etc.
why then am I feeling any tension at all???
Maybe I have read too much for too long on this forum and I now have forum facts overload?? There have been so many great ideas, suggestions or "wish I had brought" lists. Maybe that's my problem. Right now I know what I don't have ...
- rash guards. Do we all need them?? I almost ordered something from Solumbra but now it's too late. Not to mention the expense for something we won't use frequently.
- snorkel gear. Looks like we are just going to rent. Not sure where is best. Hope I don't regret not making time to find a place to buy a well fitting set.
- An otter box or whatever it's called to keep car keys cash, etc. safe and dry with us while snorkeling.
- Polar Bear cooler. Since we are such a large group and will have 3 different cars, it's hard to say exactly what the routine will be and how many folks will be going in how many directions. Is this a must have and I really should make it a point to find one around here?
- Kipling backpack. I thought of Gromit the other day - Macy's has them!!! They seem wonderful, lightweight but which one???
- Haven't gotten a disposable underwater camera yet.
- etc
- etc etc
Does anyone else's head spin the week before you leave????
My head always spins before any trip. I'm constantly 2nd guessing my list of things to pack & things to do. I don't have a lot of advice to offer but here goes anyway... We don't have rash guards, if we are worried about the sun we throw on a t-shirt. We always rent snorkel gear from Cruz Bay Watersports & they're great, but so are the other businesses there. We never bring our own cooler, and in the past we've purchased disposable underwater cameras when we rent our snorkel gear. (I've since purchased the Canon D-10 so no need for disposable).
I'm sure it will all be fine, just wanted to say you're not alone in worrying. Have a great trip!
I'm sure it will all be fine, just wanted to say you're not alone in worrying. Have a great trip!
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
If you don't have rash guards, throw in extra t-shirt for snorkeling and long beach days
Rental snorkle gear will be fine and will serve you well. We like Low Key, but Cruz Bay Watersports is good and I think they are at the Westin.
Sounds like you are a large group, unless you think that everyone will be snorkeling at the same time, you will have someone on the beach to watch your stuff.
You only need to bring a cooler if you are bringing food with you. I suspect that the Westin Villas have coolers.
I love Kipling backpacks but I like a tote bag for the beach, just take what you like and what you have.
You can grab an underwater camera just about anywhere.
Don't worry about any of it. Do a trial pack...take out half, then go to the ATM and take out more money...that is what I do!
Rental snorkle gear will be fine and will serve you well. We like Low Key, but Cruz Bay Watersports is good and I think they are at the Westin.
Sounds like you are a large group, unless you think that everyone will be snorkeling at the same time, you will have someone on the beach to watch your stuff.
You only need to bring a cooler if you are bringing food with you. I suspect that the Westin Villas have coolers.
I love Kipling backpacks but I like a tote bag for the beach, just take what you like and what you have.
You can grab an underwater camera just about anywhere.
Don't worry about any of it. Do a trial pack...take out half, then go to the ATM and take out more money...that is what I do!
el- I HATE "packing panic" ....I get that, too!
Rash guards- I have an opinion on those- we use them. I go to Academy and get the Under Armour tight fit shirts. They are not the REAL rash gaurds, but work great. Made of the same material- that quick dry stuff. We snorkel a lot and our backs would be so sunburned without them. I had a pink one that I loved that I accidentally left on a branch of a sea grape tree at Hawksnest , a week ago -on our last day. If you see it you can have it- hehe.
The blue and red versions of the shirt keep the sun out better than the light color.
Mine was sleeveless and I loved it b/c I could wear it as a cover up shirt with a pair of shorts. Anyway, they DO help keep the sunburn away.
We have rented our snorkel gear from a place in mongoose junction and Low Key Sports. Both times we had good gear. I like Low Key because on that last day, when you turn them in, you can exit the door and be IN the Beach Bar ready for a cool drink/lunch!
Rash guards- I have an opinion on those- we use them. I go to Academy and get the Under Armour tight fit shirts. They are not the REAL rash gaurds, but work great. Made of the same material- that quick dry stuff. We snorkel a lot and our backs would be so sunburned without them. I had a pink one that I loved that I accidentally left on a branch of a sea grape tree at Hawksnest , a week ago -on our last day. If you see it you can have it- hehe.
The blue and red versions of the shirt keep the sun out better than the light color.
Mine was sleeveless and I loved it b/c I could wear it as a cover up shirt with a pair of shorts. Anyway, they DO help keep the sunburn away.
We have rented our snorkel gear from a place in mongoose junction and Low Key Sports. Both times we had good gear. I like Low Key because on that last day, when you turn them in, you can exit the door and be IN the Beach Bar ready for a cool drink/lunch!
Regular t-shirts are fine instead of rash guards, but I'd still apply sunscreen beneath them -- don't rely on them completely for protection.
I used to have a waterproof bag that I'd take with me on snorkels, but now most of the rental car keys can't get wet at all because of the electronics in them, so I just leave mine on the beach in a shoe or under a towel -- not worried about someone stealing a rental. I usually only bring a minimal amount of cash and one bank/credit card, which I usually leave in the car. If someone's ingenious enough to find the keys, walk all the way to the parking lot and locate the car, open it and steal the cash, then they deserve the $40.
I have a little foldable soft-sided cooler that we use for sandwiches and drinks (but it's just two of us, so it's small).
There's not much that you might forget that you wouldn't be able to find on-island, so don't stress!!
I used to have a waterproof bag that I'd take with me on snorkels, but now most of the rental car keys can't get wet at all because of the electronics in them, so I just leave mine on the beach in a shoe or under a towel -- not worried about someone stealing a rental. I usually only bring a minimal amount of cash and one bank/credit card, which I usually leave in the car. If someone's ingenious enough to find the keys, walk all the way to the parking lot and locate the car, open it and steal the cash, then they deserve the $40.
I have a little foldable soft-sided cooler that we use for sandwiches and drinks (but it's just two of us, so it's small).
There's not much that you might forget that you wouldn't be able to find on-island, so don't stress!!
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Definitely get a rash guard shirt, the real thing. Your post shows you're from NJ....head to the beach and any surf shop there will have them. They're rated for like SPF 50 or so, and this is a great thing to have when your back is exposed for a few hours in the water while snorkeling.
I'm sure you can rent snorkel gear, but we never would. Its always better to get really good gear, because after your first time on STJ you'll return like everyone else. You can use your gear for years, get it properly fitted at your local dive shop. Or, you can buy right in Cruz Bay. There is absolutely nothing worse than being out on a great snorkel in the middle of nowhere and one of your group is whining about a leaky mask or fins that hurt. You're spending alot on this trip, don't skimp on the snorkel gear, and you won't want to waste a minute of vacation trying to get everyone outfitted with gear when you could be on the beach. Time is precious on STJ, use it wisely.
I'm sure you can rent snorkel gear, but we never would. Its always better to get really good gear, because after your first time on STJ you'll return like everyone else. You can use your gear for years, get it properly fitted at your local dive shop. Or, you can buy right in Cruz Bay. There is absolutely nothing worse than being out on a great snorkel in the middle of nowhere and one of your group is whining about a leaky mask or fins that hurt. You're spending alot on this trip, don't skimp on the snorkel gear, and you won't want to waste a minute of vacation trying to get everyone outfitted with gear when you could be on the beach. Time is precious on STJ, use it wisely.
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
I recommend rash guards! The dive shop in Cruz Bay has them and prices aren't too bad. The Westin Dive shop also has them. Don't stress over them, you can get them onisland if you have no time prior to leaving for shopping. Nothing is worse than having a sunburn. Except perhaps being in paradise and having to sit in the shade because of it. Have a great time.
Hoping for a USVI ticker in 2013!
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Like others have said... yes to the rash guards! Regular tee shirts don't work as well -- too loose and heavy when wet. Our son got burnt on our "dinghy day" because his rashguard was too small and we/he didn't lube him up often enough. (We got him a new one on island but the damage was done.) Sunburn is a drag.
You can buy rashguards on island... but it's great to pick one up ahead of time. You can find them at places like REI and online.
I'm usually one of those carry on folks, but I still get some packing angst because of the 3 oz rule for liquids. It's just a pain, so when we do carry on I bring sunblock wipes and bug spray wipes and of course those mini bottles of shampoo etc.
This last trip we actually checked luggage because we had snorkel gear and brought 2 boogie boards for the kids. Had to suppress my inner luggage Nazi... then went crazy and brought a 3rd pair of shoes. Woo hoo!
You can buy rashguards on island... but it's great to pick one up ahead of time. You can find them at places like REI and online.
I'm usually one of those carry on folks, but I still get some packing angst because of the 3 oz rule for liquids. It's just a pain, so when we do carry on I bring sunblock wipes and bug spray wipes and of course those mini bottles of shampoo etc.
This last trip we actually checked luggage because we had snorkel gear and brought 2 boogie boards for the kids. Had to suppress my inner luggage Nazi... then went crazy and brought a 3rd pair of shoes. Woo hoo!
just got back and we used rash guards for all of us because we are snorkeling fiends and I did not want to get burned. I did fail to put sunscreen on my back one day and I got a thin line of sunburn on my lower back where the guard pulled up a bit. I never failed to lube up the back again.
Have fun. St John is the best!
Have fun. St John is the best!
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Rob- I am not sure how much you will end up paying on STJ, but Lands End has kids rash guards on sale for $12.50, might be smart to order one before the trip at that price
http://www.landsend.com/pp/ShortSleeveM ... gin=search
http://www.landsend.com/pp/ShortSleeveM ... gin=search
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luv2travel
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:26 pm
T-shirts
My husband, very prone to burning, has worn a t-shirt while snorkeling for years and hasn't had any sort of burn at all. It is slightly thicker than a regular Tee.
Lydia
Lydia
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shelli0001
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:03 pm
- Location: Indiana
