Trip preparation 101

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:40 am

Forgive me but I just have to do this, its the insurance guy in me.
You are all packed and ready to go but have you done the following: Check your flight to see if there are any changes. Notify your credit card company that you are going to the islands. We take two different ones in case one gets lost/stolen/eaten by a donkey or iguana. If you are renting a car or boat and have that type of insurance state side see if it transfers to a rental in the USVI's.Most need to have your company name and policy number. Could save some bucks. Stop the mail/paper. You can do it on line. Turn off the water to the ice maker and washing machine. Have the number to your villa rental company handy so you can call them and tell them what ferry you will be on. Check to see if you have your dive card if you are going to dive. Take half the clothes and twice the money!!! God bless....Bill

sitter · Post by **sitter** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:01 am

GREAT advice Bill!!
Too add to the credit card info..we have always put the phone number of the credit cards in each other's bag somewhere in case his gets ripped off, or mine.
And I make a copy of each of our passports & put in each other's stuff somewhere.

Why do you shut the water off in the ice maker?

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:08 am

sitter, like so if a hose splits water doesn't spew all over the place for the entire time you are gone.
happened to my mother. she wasn't away but asleep when he washing machine hose split and water flooded her place during the night.

sitter · Post by **sitter** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:06 pm

OOOOOO....I get it!
That's if you leave your house un-attended!

Unfortunetly, I am leaving my adult children at home to keep watch on things....WAIT...I think I'll dis-connect it!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:09 pm

Bill, thanks for the good advice. Some of those things I think about, others never cross my mind as I'm racing out the door. I've copied your list and I'm putting it in my notes! Thanks!!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:20 pm

One more thought (or I guess it can be qualified as a "dumb question"...)

When you call the villa company from STT to let them know you've arrived, do you use your cell phone or find a public phone? Last time we were on STT, my cell phone didn't work. And now after all the discussion on the forum about cell phones recently, I'm not sure I'd want to pay the roaming for that call. I'm just curious as to what the majority of travelers do. Thanks!

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:48 pm

Hey Girl,

There are pay phones right near the luggage claim area. It's not a long distance call to the villa rep, I forget the $$ maybe .35??

I'm with Alltel and my cel phone doesn't work on Island, nor do I want it to. Only a couple of people back home have the number to the villa

BILL - it's a great list!

Jan (akaCharlie)
Toes in the Sand: 5 days

Bob & Anita · Post by **Bob & Anita** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:50 pm

California Girl wrote:When you call the villa company from STT to let them know you've arrived, do you use your cell phone or find a public phone?

Both times we been to STJ we used the payphone (25 cents) near the rum punch stand to call Dependable Car Rental to let them know we arrived. I think we used the same to call the villa company in '05. In '06 we prearranged to just met the villa rep at the villa (Bayview) since we stayed there the year before and knew its location.

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:34 pm

Yup, I had done just about everything on your list; but not sure I understand this one -

Bill in Va wrote: Notify your credit card company that you are going to the islands.

So, why do you do this?

Bob & Anita · Post by **Bob & Anita** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:31 am

jayseadee wrote:Yup, I had done just about everything on your list; but not sure I understand this one -

Bill in Va wrote: Notify your credit card company that you are going to the islands.
So, why do you do this?

Our credit card company (Citibank) has tight fraud protection standards and they seems to shutdown our credit card when we are using it a lot, especially when we are traveling. Its always a hassle to call them and have it reactivated when you are trying to pay for something; so it good to let them know when and where you are traveling so they know it's you using your card and not someone who might have stolen it and enjoying themselves on the VIs.

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:37 am

Oh yeah, the credit card thing.

Last December our cc got denied over on Jost at Foxy's Taboo. We called the cc company when we got home to get the scoop. The said that it was declined, more than likely - they couldn't confirm, because we don't normally charge anything outside the U.S. They said that next time we should call in advance, no problems then.

Learn something new everyday!

Jan (akaCharlie)
Toes in the Sand: 4 days

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