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Another trip report from a St. John lover - final install
Another trip report from a St. John lover - final install
On a few of our past visits to St. John we have taken snorkel trips and have thoroughly enjoyed them. We think of this more as a splurge because we have found the snorkeling from the beaches so wonderful. But this time we thought we would book a trip. I found on line coupons (http://www.couponstjohn.com/) for St. John activities (yes I am a bit cheap- but I keep reminding my hubby that my cheapness means more trips!.
One of the coupons was for the Wayward Sailor so I gladly booked a day event. What I liked about the trip was that it was definitely for the snorkeling and not the boozing. Don't get me wrong- I love a cold one and can hold my own! But what makes our trip to St. John special is the warm water and the beautiful life beneath the sea. This trip was perfect for us. We loved learning from Captain Phil and enjoyed the company of the others on the trip. We booked a full day trip while the others came for only the 1/2 day. This meant that we had to take one group back at lunch time and pick up another group for the afternoon. While the Captain was off transporting the groups we had a lovely lunch on board the sailboat. My only complaint about the trip was that I would have loved to get in one more snorkel stop!
Our trip went amazingly well in spite of the airline snafus. This must be the summer for poor airline travel. Everyone has a story to tell- and we are no different.
We started our trip off by rising early (3 a.m.) checking the plane schedule to make sure things were running on time, and then driving the 1hr.+ trip to the airport. When we arrived we found that our flight had been canceled. The next flight- 11:00 am getting us in at 9p.m rather that the 3:30 time we had selected. But, what do you do? They have you! I did a wee bit of whining and lots of sucking up and finally got us on an earlier set of flights- getting us in at 7p.m.
On the return- more problems. The flight was over booked (as all of them seem to be) and they were looking for people to take a deal. Of course I was ready to grab it - but hubby is anxious to get back to work ( I may be cheap but he is a workaholic!). Finally get on a packed plane to find that their count is off by one. 45 min. later they figure out the problem (someone miscounted - duh) and we can finally leave. Our seats are way in the back so we know we will be the last off- and will have barely enough time to catch the next leg of our journey. The other sad note was that we had not packed any food (except a rum cake from Cuzzin's in St. Thomas- yum!) because we thought we would have some time at JFK before having to catch the next flight home. But, that plan is now history. SO we decide to buy the airline delights. Unfortunately, by the time they get to us in the back there is no food left! Barely even got a full can of soda. The other bad news- the movie system is not cooperating. Guess we will just read and listen to our stomach's growl.
Finally made it into JFK but with only moments to spare. The airport was a mess and we had to go out and then come in again (through security and all) to get to our gate. Hubby went ahead to stall the plane while I grabbed some barely edible items from a stand. Made it to the plane in the nick of time. All goes well until we get home- no baggage. We had packed 2 small suitcases, a snorkel bag and a box of rum. We didn't want to carry things through the airport and since you have to check your alcohol now, we figured we would just check in all but an overnight bag. Not to worry the airline told us- they were sure they would be on the next plane and they would deliver them to our doorstep the next morning. Three days later we had 3 bags delivered. One is still missing. Can you guess which one they can't find? I bet I know how to find it- do a breathealizer on the baggage handlers and see who smells like some expensive rum! Still waiting on the airlines to solve the problem of the missing bag. They promised I would be hearing from them in the next 48 hours. That was 5 days ago. I am getting tired of that pleasant computerized voice machine politely telling me how sorry they are and how they are working so diligently at locating our lost luggage! Yeah, right. Drink up baggage claims handler. Hope you are enjoying the gifts we were bringing home to family.
I refuse to let the airlines get to me. I only wish that those of us on the forum could pool our resources and start our own little service to the islands!
One of the coupons was for the Wayward Sailor so I gladly booked a day event. What I liked about the trip was that it was definitely for the snorkeling and not the boozing. Don't get me wrong- I love a cold one and can hold my own! But what makes our trip to St. John special is the warm water and the beautiful life beneath the sea. This trip was perfect for us. We loved learning from Captain Phil and enjoyed the company of the others on the trip. We booked a full day trip while the others came for only the 1/2 day. This meant that we had to take one group back at lunch time and pick up another group for the afternoon. While the Captain was off transporting the groups we had a lovely lunch on board the sailboat. My only complaint about the trip was that I would have loved to get in one more snorkel stop!
Our trip went amazingly well in spite of the airline snafus. This must be the summer for poor airline travel. Everyone has a story to tell- and we are no different.
We started our trip off by rising early (3 a.m.) checking the plane schedule to make sure things were running on time, and then driving the 1hr.+ trip to the airport. When we arrived we found that our flight had been canceled. The next flight- 11:00 am getting us in at 9p.m rather that the 3:30 time we had selected. But, what do you do? They have you! I did a wee bit of whining and lots of sucking up and finally got us on an earlier set of flights- getting us in at 7p.m.
On the return- more problems. The flight was over booked (as all of them seem to be) and they were looking for people to take a deal. Of course I was ready to grab it - but hubby is anxious to get back to work ( I may be cheap but he is a workaholic!). Finally get on a packed plane to find that their count is off by one. 45 min. later they figure out the problem (someone miscounted - duh) and we can finally leave. Our seats are way in the back so we know we will be the last off- and will have barely enough time to catch the next leg of our journey. The other sad note was that we had not packed any food (except a rum cake from Cuzzin's in St. Thomas- yum!) because we thought we would have some time at JFK before having to catch the next flight home. But, that plan is now history. SO we decide to buy the airline delights. Unfortunately, by the time they get to us in the back there is no food left! Barely even got a full can of soda. The other bad news- the movie system is not cooperating. Guess we will just read and listen to our stomach's growl.
Finally made it into JFK but with only moments to spare. The airport was a mess and we had to go out and then come in again (through security and all) to get to our gate. Hubby went ahead to stall the plane while I grabbed some barely edible items from a stand. Made it to the plane in the nick of time. All goes well until we get home- no baggage. We had packed 2 small suitcases, a snorkel bag and a box of rum. We didn't want to carry things through the airport and since you have to check your alcohol now, we figured we would just check in all but an overnight bag. Not to worry the airline told us- they were sure they would be on the next plane and they would deliver them to our doorstep the next morning. Three days later we had 3 bags delivered. One is still missing. Can you guess which one they can't find? I bet I know how to find it- do a breathealizer on the baggage handlers and see who smells like some expensive rum! Still waiting on the airlines to solve the problem of the missing bag. They promised I would be hearing from them in the next 48 hours. That was 5 days ago. I am getting tired of that pleasant computerized voice machine politely telling me how sorry they are and how they are working so diligently at locating our lost luggage! Yeah, right. Drink up baggage claims handler. Hope you are enjoying the gifts we were bringing home to family.
I refuse to let the airlines get to me. I only wish that those of us on the forum could pool our resources and start our own little service to the islands!
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traveler22
- Posts: 853
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:17 pm
- Location: New Jersey
