USVI-On-Line

most liquar store around here carry it or check the yellow pages

cool! I never thought of that!

During the 2008 trip, I packed the cooler in the morning Friday. We spent the night at a hotel and arrived at our villa the next day around 4pm. All meats were still frozen solid 36 or so hours later.

How I did it -

I ordered from butcher shop and had them vac-pack and freeze the meat for me.

I used a polar bear cooler and techi ice.

I surrounded the inside (sides and bottom) of the cooler with full sheets of techi ice. I also put another layer in the middle and one on top.

(This was a 48 pack cooler that was checked baggage)

I've never had any issues with bringing down frozen foods before, and we've also done the night before the flight at the hotel thing in Newark, too.
No issues, whatsoever. Didn't need dry nor techni ice. Everything sort of insulated itself and kept it all frozen.
I would tend to agree with the other poster about planning meals, if possible. You don't want to bring too much.
We usually bring steaks, burgers & dogs & chicken from Omaha Steaks. It's already frozen solid & seal-wrapped. If you have one nearby, I'd recommend it. They always have great deals, and the food is deelish. That with some STJohn Spice rub & your golden!
We also bring frozen concentrated oj, bacon & porkroll for breakfast. Don't forget pancake mix!
LOVE cooking at the villa!
Good luck, and hope to hear about your trip!
Smiles-
MJ

MahoJim!

I did just that yesterday! I went to our local Omaha Steaks store and bought burgers, dogs, steaks, chicken, and pork! Yum!

Still not sure if I will use techni ice or what yet....I suppose I could use it for the night at the hotel and then leave it in the car...the food should be fine for the morning till we get to the rock!

I could be wrong but I think I read where you can bring water as long as its frozen. I plan on throwing a cpl of frozen bottles in the cooler...I guess all they can do is make me take them out..and it will have helped keep whats in there cool til that point...we'll see how it turns out...

Hey, good for you! Can't beat it, if you ask me.
Now, a lot of folks use the techni ice & other things to keep things frozen, I never had to. I'm sure I'm wrong, but that gives me weight limit concerns. Don't they charge you if your bags are too heavy?
I've also never 'carried it on', usually check it in. We use a soft sided cooler, and after we've emptied it while on vaca, we DO, however, just stick our snorkel gear (which is my carry-on bag, in the cooler and carry it on for the flight home.
On a different thread, someone mentioned that they donate any/all foods that they haven't eaten and,or, didn't feel like lugging home to the firehouse. GREAT idea! Don't forget to save room for Uncle Joe's bbq for lunch or when you don't feel like cooking...YUMMMMM...
Your trip is SO close! I'm both jealous and very excited for you!!!
Let us all know how it works out, eh?
Smiles-
MJ