Getting here isn’t getting easier
You can’t swim to or from St. John, so airline stories are relevant. More so these days than ever.
Latest example. We just spent 9 hours in Philly, getting on, and then off, not one, but two mechanically deficient planes. That’s right. TWO canceled flights. There were a lot of unhappy vacationers whose STJ trips were cut at least one day short.
Last ferry: Midnight. Last car barge 7 pm. Remember that if you end up on a seriously delayed flight. And start calling hotels on St. Thomas as soon as you figure out arrivals will be too late. You’re competing with all of those other grumpy people around you.
Lower the stress level. Expect the worst. Do not check bags. Avoid connections and keep the airline’s number programmed in your phone. The free rum punch at the STT airport will be waiting for you. Even after dark.
April 17th, 2008 06:40
Jeff gets am A+ for good advise. Travel light and flexible is the key.
April 17th, 2008 07:17
How many of those little rum drinks can you have before it becomes “PIG”? I’m not sure one or two (or a dozen) would come close to pacifying me after a day like that. I don’t even want to think about it, so I’ll keep looking at Trunk today.
April 17th, 2008 07:17
Don’t expect the free rum punch I got in at 2:00pm last weck on a saturday and the stand was closed so it was red stripes as we waited the hour for our luggage
April 17th, 2008 07:39
“Do not check bags”
How am I supposed to get my 47lbs of frozen food down there if I don’t check the cooler?
If it were not for the food, I could put all I need for a week in my backpack.
What?
April 17th, 2008 07:50
9 hours in the Philly airport? ACK!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2008 08:11
Here’s an idea…plan on staying the first night and last night in St Thomas. We stay next to the airport at the Emerald Beach. Gives us a day on either side of our 7 day rental in STJ to decompress from the travel and to be refreshed and relaxed for the trip back…and the $200/night is alot less than a night missed at your $500+/night villa…plus the beach bar and burgers are great! And why not spend 9 days instead of just 7?
Dave
April 17th, 2008 08:17
The stand or whatever was closed- No ladies handing out free rum, in fact no nothing. Ok follow up comment- If I don’t check one bag which contains 4 tubes of sun block and bug spray. It will cost me like $600 in the Starfish. Well you know…
Suds
April 17th, 2008 09:13
The punch ladies were not serving on our last trip, I guess they were off mixing up a new batch or something. It was really weird not seeing them. We also had a cancelled flight, but it was on the STJ end so it made it alright!! A few more hours in paradise was much better than the missing rum punch.
April 17th, 2008 10:21
note to self: confirm order of private jet.
April 17th, 2008 11:41
good afternoon guys
i have been lucky here in jersey flying to stj.
i always go to atlantic city airport. its quit,
a small airport, and only 2 flights leaving in
the morning. small lines for security checks, plus
the bar is open a 6:30am.
have a grest thirsty thursday
qball
April 17th, 2008 14:35
Send all your gear UPS insured. It’s stupid expensive, but great to have waiting on you at the house or condo. And that also allows you to instantly go boozing when you get off the ferry dock with no luggage.
Yum, rum drinks are goooood.
April 17th, 2008 16:11
This same thing just happen to us the day before Easter. Same reason - mechanically deficient plane. It being a holiday weekend and spring break didn’t help things either. Had to cancel first day of vacation and go back home to fly out next morning. But on the bright side we did make it to STJ. Some travelers may not have made it to their vacation destination (We were on American Airlines):(
April 17th, 2008 18:14
Followup….
We all know people that fly US Air…..now they will get to pay extra for one of those “aisle or window CHOICE seats”. Whattaya mean you don’t like the middle seat…
April 18th, 2008 06:38
You know, if you moved to Charlotte, you could have a DIRECT flight to STT. DIRECT!!!
April 18th, 2008 20:51
I would like to find out how Rob keeps his frozen food frozen? We are planning to bring our frozen meats this year and we were curious if you had any suggestions? Please let us know - July, here we come! 22nd Year and the first time bringing frozen food. Thanks!
April 18th, 2008 20:54
I would like to find out how Rob ships his frozen food. We are planning to take frozen meats this year for the first time in 22 years. Any suggestions on how to keep the food frozen? I thought dry ice is unable to be used? Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!
April 19th, 2008 14:13
Well, free rum stand: CLOSED! But our luggage was on the conveyer by the time we got there (and we were hustling). So we made the 4:00 Charlotte Amalie ferry to STJ with plenty of time to get our jeep at Cool Breeze.
The one time we stayed at the Holiday Inn on STT the first night to avoid the crazy hustle, all I was thinking was, “We could have been on St John right now… ” When you’re SO CLOSE, it’s frustrating not to be there. So I’d rather do the crazy all-day hustle, knowing that a big rum drink is waiting for me in Cruz Bay.
And if you don’t check luggage, then you can’t even take one bottle of Blind Betty’s Hot Sauce home– they’ll confiscate it at security and throw it away (it’s more than 3 ounces)!
And transferring at Ft Lauderdale airport? If your connecting flight is in another terminal, good luck! you have to go through security AGAIN! For real fun, fill your carry-on with flashlights, portable DVD players, 12-packs of spare AAA batteries, bundles of headphones and wires, and watch them scratch their heads and phone their supervisors.
All of this used to stress me out, but now we’re used to it and we know it’s SO worth it…
April 23rd, 2008 08:19
We were canceled on US Airways on 4/12 and split up from our traveling couple. They didn’t get in to St. Thomas until the NEXT DAY! I will NEVER as long as I live fly US Airways again! I know exactly what you meant in previous posts. It was the most BS I’ve ever dealt with and I travel about 6 times a year. BTW - Bongo Bongo ROCKS!