RickG's group travel rules for St. John

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:30 pm

We have close friends that are pestering us to come along on a STJ trip but they would take issue with rules 1, 2, 3, AND 9 so no STJ for them!

Noreen · Post by **Noreen** » Tue May 05, 2009 4:06 pm

We've had to develop our own set. My FIL dicates the family trip, and my husband and I go to St. John alone, lol.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue May 05, 2009 4:36 pm

These are words to live by.

I think my only changes are one Jeep per couple (don't like sharing liability on something like this) and to have an itinerary in place whether you follow it or not so that everyone is on the same page and generally has an idea where folks are.

I think the biggest thing for us is making sure people know that we are not attached at the hip and to feel free to do their own thing. I'm always surprised how hard this concept is for some people...

LMG · Post by **LMG** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:25 pm

These are great rules, and at the very least if you know them and choose to not listen to them you shouldn't be surprised.

I might add, though, to not take new people along without considering the risk. Maybe do a practice trip somewhere else, first? I found this out recently on a 4-day trip with someone I was going to take on a week-long STJ trip. No longer is that my plan, and I couldn't be more thankful for those awful four days!

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:29 pm

LMG wrote:These are great rules, and at the very least if you know them and choose to not listen to them you shouldn't be surprised.

I might add, though, to not take new people along without considering the risk. Maybe do a practice trip somewhere else, first? I found this out recently on a 4-day trip with someone I was going to take on a week-long STJ trip. No longer is that my plan, and I couldn't be more thankful for those awful four days!

I hear you on that! It wasn't an actual trip that made me swear off but it was hearing about their last trip that made me realize .. oh no .. this will NEVER work!

toni · Post by **toni** » Tue May 05, 2009 6:31 pm

Great rules that can apply to many travel locations-I'm definitely printing them out. Thanks!

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:27 pm

Gromit wrote:

I think the biggest thing for us is making sure people know that we are not attached at the hip and to feel free to do their own thing. I'm always surprised how hard this concept is for some people...

Are you saying I have to go to the bathroom alone???

piscesgirl0314 · Post by **piscesgirl0314** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:19 am

chicagoans wrote:Good stuff Rick!

We have done several vacations with other families (usually 10 - 12 people including kids. Lucky for us no whiners in the bunch!)

If I may be so bold as to add a couple family-related rules...

- Don't be afraid to tell someone else's kid to... get his own breakfast/put his dishes away/pick up his stuff/put on sunscreen/say please...etc.

- Welcome it when another adult tells your kid to ... (list as above)

Everyone watches out for each other's kids, and the kids know that they have extra parents for the trip. Traveling with a group can be so great! And Rick's #1 rule is a really good one.

I totally agree with this. We have the only child on our trips but she is so well behaved that we forget we have a little kid with us...I feel like she has two other moms and one other dad while we're on St John...everyone looks out for her...I actually feel like I'M on vacation too...

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:31 am

add another rule:

tell Newbies:

"If you go where we go, you are going to get wet, cold and dirty, you are going to get hot and stink to high heaven , you are going to walk a long long way to the beach."

This ain't no Hilton Head!

It is pretty hard to get that across to people.

We were very very lucky we had multiple discussions about this type of thing the time we brough newbies-this was during the BIG power outage where we had no power for at least 24 hours. I think it was 2 evenings. We were so lucky our friends were great sports about it.

We also have another friend whose husband keeps hinting about going. The wife is a bitch. She is afraid of the water, hates just about every restaurant she has ever been to, is overweight and refuses to put on a bathing suit. Her husband is the nicest guy ever but he can do nothing right. The son does nothing but video games and goes to movies and putt putt every night when they go to the beach. Needs constant entertainment.

And they think we are taking THEM?

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Wed May 06, 2009 1:33 pm

Yo....great items to make your trip the way it should be. Another great game that was at our last villa was Pictionary. Add in pain killers and you have the making of a laugh fest that had my sides hurting..God bless...Bill

Schnell · Post by **Schnell** » Wed May 06, 2009 1:55 pm

Our upcoming trip is with my wife's father and his wife. I have a suspicion that someone is going to get pissed at someone....mainly FIL and myself. We don't always see eye to eye and he doesn't drink....therefore I am a drunk. Sweet, if I am going to be called one then I might as well live up to the name and enjoy it

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed May 06, 2009 1:57 pm

Hey Schnell-- see my December TR with my IL's especially my MIL. Prepare thyslef.

Hey, soemone has to man up and support the local economy. Just own it. And if you're drunk enough it won't matter

Schnell · Post by **Schnell** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:00 pm

Gromit wrote:Hey Schnell-- see my December TR with my IL's especially my MIL. Prepare thyslef.

Hey, soemone has to man up and support the local economy. Just own it. And if you're drunk enough it won't matter

Yeah, I read that report. He is not quite as bad...at least I don't think. We did vacation once together before my wife and I were married and it was middle of the road. Not good, not bad

And Gromit, Amen....that last comment is my motto

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:06 pm

We probably need a whole separate thread on traveling with the ILs. I haven't even done a TR on last year with the MIL. Couldn't bring myself to do it. My personal advice is avoid it at all costs.

jclampet · Post by **jclampet** » Wed May 06, 2009 3:43 pm

Damn, I had to just tell Mamma she can't come....LOL...JUST KIDDING...Wheres my lawyer...

Actually the plan is Me, My wife, Our Villa, Our Snorkle Gear, Our Jeep, No schedule, act like rabbits, drink like sailors, relax like porch hounds....and the rest is bonus.

usvi-on-line