A new belt?
The big news at Cyril E. King Airport this month is the new luggage belt. Whoopee. Yes, this is a welcome thing, considering one of the two luggage belts has been off-again on-again out for the past two years…but really we’d all just like our luggage to actually GET to Cyril E. King airport.
Best plan? Don’t check luggage. There are acceptable exceptions. Expensive gear, or food stuffs (don’t get us started on that) or big gifts you’re bringing to somebody…okay. But if you’re checking luggage because you have lots of clothes you’re bringing, F! Seriously. You can get all the clothes you need for a week on St. John in a carry-on.
Wanna improve things at the airport? Start with bigger rum drinks at that welcome stand. Throw in a stale cracker and it’s like taking communion.
June 11th, 2007 06:21
You are so right about the carry-on. We go to St. John for near 2 weeks with carry on bags! I mean really how much room does a couple of bathing suits and t-shirts take?
June 11th, 2007 07:11
You are soooo right….could not have said it better. People haul way to much stuff to STJ.
A carry-on and your good to go.
June 11th, 2007 09:04
Wanna improve things at the airport? Start with bigger rum drinks at that welcome stand.
Wanna improve things curb side at the airport? Drink up heavy on those bigger rum drinks it helps with dem taxi men!
June 11th, 2007 09:58
Your communion comment is so right! For us, those small cups are a cruel tease. Thank goodness there is the “luggage bar” around the corner.
June 11th, 2007 13:44
What kind of cooler is best to fly a planeload of frozen food to St John? Advice?
June 11th, 2007 14:08
Rob
like my polar bear cooler and tech ice
http://polarbearcoolers.com/
June 11th, 2007 17:45
rob
Any softsided cooler on wheels will do. I got one at Costco last year for about $20. I freeze staeks, chicken, and pack it with frozen water bottles. Stays frozen solid for at least 12 hours.
June 11th, 2007 18:28
I am astounded at how much stuff people bring with them on a St. John Vacation. I see them coming and going on the ferry dock and I always want to ask all the people with several giant trunks a-piece if they really needed all that they brought.
My main luggage comment is always this, though:
If you do check luggage, when you are packing, always imagine what you would need to get through one day comfortably on St. John if the checked bag gets lost. ALWAYS pack essentials such as medication and clothes for one day including a bathing suit in your carry-on. Don’t worry about fancy dinner clothes, just a day at the beach. I see people every day in jeans and long-sleeved shirts and state-side shoes whose luggage was lost who don’t even have shorts or a bathing suit. Bathing suits are NOT cheap on St. John!
-Ruth
June 12th, 2007 07:53
(I was kidding)
I have a good cooler and know how “the boys” feel about packing food.
Thanks for the advice anyway.
Good points by Ruth…just remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquid carry on.
June 12th, 2007 14:55
I was pretty happy when we got off the ferry and the villa rep said, “you guys really packed light for 16 days”
I know some of you followed our packing saga on VIOL…so that comment from the villa rep was quite a compliment