USVI-On-Line

[quote="Margy Z"]

BTW, on STT in May we were able to get OJ in cartons, the "not from concentrate" kind. Is availability of OJ only in cans something recent?

NO, but its very pricy. If I recall a 1/2 gallon of Tropicana was almost $6, we can get it here for under $3.

I went back and forth on this issue this summer, about what and how much to bring. We don't have any food issues, so I wasn't too concerned about not finding something I needed. If you are not picky and can be flexible then you can buy what's either avaiable or on sale. For example, last trip in August Starfish had milk on sale 1/2 gallon for $1.50 because the dates were going to expire he next day. The regular price was closer to $4.00. Since we were going through milk pretty fast we grabbed it . Starfish also had Tilapia on sale so we made that one night instead of the snapper we had planned on.

We did our inital shop on St. Thomas as Cost U Less when we stopped to figure it out and divided among the five of us we realized we probably saved about $20 per person. Not really all that significant. If you are a single family unit the savings might be more significant to you.

There is really no right or wrong way to do this, you really just have to know yourself. Is having exactly the kind of food you are used to at home important to you, if it is then plan on bringing that with you, if not then you will be fine. Remember its vacation, hang loose. Plan on hitting the market frequently as perishables tend to go bad fast in tropical weather.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP

We eat 90% of our meals on the boat. The only things I bring, are things I can't get in STT. Specialty things like chicken souvalki, great on the BBQ.

If you ever want high end, gourmet supplies, the provisioning store at Crown Bay Marina has everything, and I mean everything, great produce,......but you'll pay for it.This is where all the mega yachts buy their supplies. You pass the marina, just after you leave the airport, but before Frenchtown.

The Food Centre,on the way to Red Hook, has just about everything you could ever want. They have a great selection of cheeses,and most Deli Stuff. Just as many selections of Juice as at home, fresh, and bottled, and cans as well (for back up). They also sell Beer, Wine, etc. A great selection.

The only thing I'm not keen on at the Food Centre is meat and fish, but it is well worth a stop at the Marina Market in Red Hook. They have great meat, and fresh fish.

Hope this helps!

I thought I'd read someone on here saying that all of the juice was in cans.

MargyZ says that cartons were available on STT, does anyone know if they're available in any of the markets on STJ?

What I'd REALLY like to have is Tropicana (or any fresh) pineapple juice.

Too right, Pia - eBay seems to have the best deals. I read all about it here:

http://www.techniice.com/

and then got a great deal on eBay. The seller where I got it offered a deal that included a little neck scarf that is kind of a tube thing where you trim a strip from the techni and put it in the sleeve to keep you cool. I had to get another one of those as they are great. BTW, we tried heating the techni ice - once it's activated and frozen once (and thawed out) you can also heat it in the microwave. Made up some hot pork sandwiches one day, wrapped them in the techni and and took them to the beach - heavenly.

- Margy