USVI-On-Line

OK, I know that we have had this conversation a bluezillion times, but I cannot find the threads I am looking for despite an exhaustive search.

I am getting to the OCD portion of my trip planning, and it's time to start thinking about packing and, since I'm doing carry-on only, what I am bringing ahead with me.

What do you guys send in your box with you? I know I will send sunscreen, bug spray and my neat sheet plus maybe a few snacky type things, but I am sure I am forgetting things.

Along with what you have on your list, we sent snorkels, flippers, toiletries, books and filled in the spaces with sunhats and a t-shirt or two.

If you are shipping to Connections, be sure to call Cid ahead of time. She will give you very specific directions on how to address the package. Ours only took 2 days to get there from upstate NY.

I ship anything either banned in carry-on, consumable or disposable.

For this trip we shipped sunscreen, bugspray (I'd look into some high powered options), aloe, shampoo and conditioner (larger than the 3 oz but not huge), neatsheet, pool/beach floats, diapers, swim diapers, wipes, paperbacks, and snacks.

I think that was about it. The only thing that I brought back was my neat sheet and a few diapers.

Be sure to send it in the USPS flat rate boxes. They really are a bargain because it can weigh alot but still cost about $13 to ship it. I mailed hard back books, sunscreen and other toiletries so my box was pretty heavy.

We've wondered about doing this. Who do you send the box to? We thought about our rental agent but hated to bother her. I would love to send ahead books and things. We stay on St. Croix for a month each year and end up taking alot.

We are always sending something ahead - an email to forum friends to arrange to meet up for drinks.

RickG says, "It's a vacation not a migration."

I know the story, send things ahead so you don't have to worry about finding them on island. But, what can't you find at Chelsea Drugs or the markets? I need bug spray and DEET is a dangerous chemical that causes mutations, miscarriages and melts bathing suits, but I can find the good stuff at Chelsea Drugs. Sun screen? Cheap and easy. Expensive makeup? This is St. John, not Las Vegas. 40 pounds of reading materials for a 17 day vacation. Okay, ya got me, I'd ship books.

If shipping works for those things that CANNOT BE ACQUIRED on STJ, then cool. But, don't do it because you think you need to. Unless you really do.

Cheers, RickG

We want to do try the carry on only route this time, it will be interesting to see how we manage. We'll be staying for 10 days, as opposed to 7 on our last trip, but having been there, now Leslie really believes me when I say that we don't need to bring many clothes *AT ALL* - that will help.

I want to bring my laptop, I have a backpack that it goes in, and I can probably get my camera, in it's U/W housing in there as well - that's one "personal item".

My carry on bag will be the cooler with frozen foodstuffs in it, so that's my allotment.

Leslie can probably get the snorkle gear in one bag (we did last time), and maybe a few clothing items as well - that would leave her "personal item" for the balance of the clothes and some toiletries.

Originally we planned to ship a lot of things ahead, but after reading Rick's post I realized that most of those were to save money, not because we couldn't get the equivalent on island.

The food I plan to bring is stuff that I couldn't be reasonably sure that I could buy there, and we'll certainly be doing a good deal of shopping locally to supplement what we bring.

Does that sound do-able?

augie wrote:We want to do try the carry on only route this time

What about your:
- dive computer
- BC
- regulator
- weight belt
- wet suit

For November, I just wear a swim shirt since the water is so warm. Some folks get chilled.

Are you still planning on going out with Chris Sawyer on 11/4?

Cheers, RickG

We usually bring all of our gear (except tanks!) on a dive intensive trip. Since we'll only be diving two days on this one, we'll rent everything but the masks, fins, and computers (which are wrist mount so they can easily go in one of the bags). It should be warm enough that a rash guard will be sufficient. Les may want to rent a wetsuit - I'll leave that up to her since she doesn't have as much "insulation" as I do...