USVI-On-Line

Hi

We are taking an unexpected trip to St John at the end of November this year. Twice in one year is a first for us! We would like to try carry-on only, but I am a worrier and am now obsessing about sunscreen. Since we won't be able to carry on much we will have to buy on island. Which store do you think has the biggest selection of toiletries and sunscreen? I normally pack several bottles of suntan lotion with different SPF levels and try to find unscented ones. My husband seems to have an allergic reaction to sunscreens with coconut scents/ingredients and so I would like to find somewhere that has a good selection. We are renting our jeep in St Thomas, so we can shop there. Any suggestions?

I heard there was a K Mart in STT. I would think they would have a pretty good selection of sunscreen and other toiletries. The only drug store I shopped in on STJ was Chealsea Drug Store upstairs from Starfish market. Expensive! But they had what I needed.

I expect you will be fine. I noticed that even Peace Pone ahd a good selection. Any of the markets, dive shops, the Westin, should have more than you need.

PS... I made two trips too this year..Its great!

Starfish has an excellent selection of sunscreen, including hawaiian tropic in most SPF's. The swim shop at Trunk and the camp store at Cinnamon had many varieties too, as did Hurricaine Hole--the snorkel/book/clothing store on the ground floor in the front of Mongoose Junction.( near Mongoose Deli)
Great to hear you are doing a second trip to paradise!!

Where is Chelsea now? is it still at the Marketplace?

Thanks everyone. I'll try to stop obsessing now.

Karen

You can also pack 3oz. tubes (we found some at Walgreens). That way, you'll have something for the first morning/afternoon and you won't have to run straight to the store...

I don't know if you have a Toys R Us near you, but they did have these 1 oz tubes that were on clearance. Or at least they did have at the one here!

You know, I was just thinking about the same thing as I was cleaning out the linen closet at home and saw all our sun products.

I also take down "progressive" spfs, which end up taking a lot of room and adding weight to the suitcase.

The past three trips, I found big baskets of new, nearly full lotions at the villas. It was almost like people didn't want to drag the bottles home.

This year I may go without, inventory at the rental, than hit the drug store.

I left all our un-used sunscreens and bug sprays, shampoos and lotions at the villa for the next guests. I didn't want to drag them home. I needed room for our new t shirts and beach cover ups and hats and .....
Something did leak in my suitcase though, I think it was hairspray (that I NEVER used on STJ) and it ruined several clothing items. Will not be bringing hairspray next time!

I don't bother with progressive SPFs. I wear 60 and still have a nice sunny glow. I don't do well in the sun. I just packed (in my checked bag) my bottle that I've been using all summer because I have been working so much lately that my sunscreen has been going bad before I can use it all. I figured that it'd be best just to use up what I have and not worry about it until next spring.