Spotted: a Cooler Person
Captured on camera at the Cyril E. King Airport, one of the Cooler People. You know them. You read about them. The much-maligned, oft-ridiculed St. John visitors who load up coolers full of frozen food and bring them down.
Mind you, we have absolutely no opinion about Cooler People. C’est la vie. We even have Cooler People friends.
We’re all for saving a buck and we’re all for bringing down stuff you really want and may not find. (A frozen, 10 pound Virginia ham for example which was actually a forum post we saw a couple of years ago and heaven forbid that family go a week without a Virginia ham.)
But now there’s a Cooler People conundrum. The airline is now going to charge you for that cooler. Maybe 15 bucks. Maybe 25. If it weighs too much, maybe 50. At what point does the math reach the tipping point?
We think it is time for tough love intervention. If you know a Cooler Person, hug them. Love them. Then remind them the spiral sliced ham will be waiting for them when they get home.
May 27th, 2008 06:46
Hi. My name is Rob and I’m a cooler person.
Here’s our plan for August:
We’ll bring my rolling suitcase and probably fit all our clothes and snorkel gear in it.
We’ll have our cooler, weighed the night before to make sure we’re under 50 lbs. We weighed in at 48 in 2006.
Small rolling bag to carry on with a change of clothes…in case of luggage woes.
Backpacks for each of us.
It’s my job to cook and feed 4 adults all week. With our budget, we have the choice; bring the food and save $hundreds by not eating and buying on island or rent a crappy house and not do a cool day trip.
My name is Rob.
I am a proud cooler person!
May 27th, 2008 06:46
We are flying down Wednesday morning and I got a kick out of the picture. My wife packs so much xxxx when we travel, the very last thing I would even think of bringing with me is a cooler.
The rum is cheap, limes are next to nothing. So the coke costs a little bit more than home. What else is there to bring?
May 27th, 2008 07:58
First time Cooler Person, last year! 3 couples, each cooked a meal – what a savings! Will be a Cooler Person this year too!! We had collapsible coolers so coming back they fit right in the suitcase, no hassle at all!!
May 27th, 2008 08:36
When we arrive on St. John for two weeks every year, we have FOUR coolers, as we have thirteen people.
ONE time we went out to dinner and it was $700. Can you imagine paying that every night for two weeks? We have five children and, as you know, children don’t even eat what they order.
It’s way too expensive and takes too long to go out to eat. We think we are sooooooooo smart and cool to cooler it.
We will sacrifice clothes to bring our coolers! You only need a couple bathing suits anyway!
PROUD to be a cooler vacationer!
May 27th, 2008 09:49
Being from across the aisle in the “carry on only” party, I made one brief foray this year into cooler-land by packing 4 pounds of frozen steaks in my “personal” bag. I was just enough volume to be a severe pain in the rear. I was ready to toss the 10×10 cube out at our Atlanta layover!
On STJ I prefer to
-limit my cooking to a blender and cheese slicer.
-support the local restaurants (Stone Terrace closing is a real loss) and grocers.
-avoid the structure of having to be back at the villa by x:xx to start dinner.
-keep by back healthy; the last thing I need is an injury on the way to vacation in order to save $60 on groceries.
Jeff and Russ – you can count me in your corner here.
May 27th, 2008 10:34
Cooler person chiming in.
Our cooler is packed with the men’s precious specialty breakfast meats (one pound, per man, per day – it is vacation after all), homemade smoked cheeses (again, a rare treat), and the odd whole tenderloin for 4 pm happy hour snack.
We eat lunch and dinner out every day so no restaurant is losing money on our cooler.
For us, the cooler contains the “treats” we don’t consume at home and can’t (reasonably) obtain on island.
May 27th, 2008 10:36
I will say, the hard-sided coolers baffle me. Why not use a light-weight zipper soft sided?
May 27th, 2008 11:00
I love to cook and Bring things down that I won’t get there. so it isn’ a break even thing for me it is how I like to spend my vacation time
May 27th, 2008 11:39
I don’t understand the “lets haul our food down” crew. I have NEVER been in a position where could not buy what I wanted on-island, and yes a little more cost wise….but worth it. Jeff and Russ,you guys rock, and count me in your corner!
May 27th, 2008 12:38
I know I am not the first one to suggest this.
If airlines are going to charge us for our baggage (less for the light weight bags, more for the hefty ones) due to higher fuel costs (more weight, more expense, higher fuel costs for the airline) why not be completely fair about it?
Take me, my luggage, my cooler full of Virginia ham and put us all on a scale. Charge me my cost for burning extra fuel because I had a milk shake last night and I’ve got a half a pig in tow.
It is kind of frustrating when you get to the counter and see you are over by a pound on your bag (must be the extra flip flops!) but the guy sitting next to you on the plane weighs way more than one pound than you.
Charge us by weight. Trust me, the beaches will look better if everyone goes on a flight diet before the trip!
May 27th, 2008 12:41
While I am not a cooler person – I have put items in my checked luggage…usually some snack stuff and that’s about it.
This November when we come down I’d love to expand to being a cooler person but seeing we’re coming down to get married – having to carry my dress and all other wedding related items there’s no way to fit a cooler in to the equation.
May 27th, 2008 13:13
I’m not a cooler person. Frankly, if you can afford to go on vacation, you should be able to afford everything that goes along with it…be it high priced restaurants or high priced starfish meats.
marcia: i’m with you. i’m not a small guy by a long shot, but it makes sense to consider “total weight”, person included, instead of just “luggage weight”. i wonder how much the airlines factor in as “human weight”. It would be interesting (sad, to me, since i’m probably a person and a half since last year’s tangent into laziness) to see how they account for heavier/lighter people.
robbo
May 27th, 2008 13:42
For years, I have been a “cooler person” (soft-side, insulated red Coleman that looks like a squarish carry-on). I bring steaks, frozen OJ, Stouffer’s big lasagnas, etc. In the regular suitcase, I even pack coffee. Sorry about that, but STJ food prices are outrageus. That said, we do patronize mostly Pine Peace and also Starfish, and “do” lunch or breakfast every 2 or 3 days… which should help the Island’s economy.
May 27th, 2008 13:45
I like bringing food down. I enjoy cooking, it’s a hobby, and for some items I can get better quality stuff at home than on St. John. Especially stuff like chicken and beef. I only like to cook organic/free range meats, and you can’t buy them on St. John.
I also bring my (sharp!) knives and spices–the villa knives are always dull, and I use a lot of different kinds of spices. To fit up my spice kit on the island would be expensive and wasteful. I still shop at the markets and spend a lot of money there. And, we still go out to dinner/lunch/breakfast, whatever. I’d wager that even with our cooler, we spend a heftier amount on food/drink than many other couples that visit the island.
Bringing the cooler is not a cost issue, it’s a quality/enjoyment issue.
By the way, I think having everyone pay by total weight is a terrific idea.
May 27th, 2008 14:05
See…and I’m not arguing with anyone…to each their own.
I don’t like going out to eat. I’m far happier sitting in my house at night and either grilling up some steaks or pork chops and then having them as leftovers for other nights.
All the work-related travel has given me a permanent case of restaurant-induced nausea. When we went to StJ in 2006, the meals we had there were the first home-cooked ones I’d had in forever.
The 4 of us who travel together have come to expect me to whip up fun creations for dinner. Since we moved to NC, we only see our 2 other friends at Thanksgiving and on vacation. I’m no longer cooking for us on a monthly basis, so it’s expected I pull out all my tricks for the week.
And, it’s something I really enjoy doing. So, dragging my soft-side cooler to the ferry on the first day is worth the hassle…if you ask me.
Doesn’t stop me from running a daily tab at JJ’s either.
May 27th, 2008 16:06
I say to each his/her own…but…whew…
For the life of me I cannot imagine hauling food to STJ. I barely want to haul my carry on and my own self…let alone my groceries!
However…if I didn’t cook for a living…perhaps I would better understand…
But…no…then again…I don’t think so!
More power to ya…cooler carriers! You’re a rare breed! My hat’s off to you!
Liamsaunt…your photos are fantastic! Quite a hobby! Just beautiful! Wish I could sample…
Jen
135 & Out
May 27th, 2008 17:56
Cooler person here. I would buy my cooler a seat on the plane if I had to. I can just see my buddy buckled into the center seat in coach while I’m sittin up front!
May 27th, 2008 18:11
We’re bringing a cooler this weekend. Have never done this before but I am picky about certain brands. Also bought some rib-eyes and bacon half-price so they are coming too. I posted on an earlier topic asking about prices of some everyday stuff down there – I require real half-and-half in my coffee, especially on vacation!! How much can I expect to pay for it? Don’t think it freezes well
Very excited to be arriving soon, and yes, we will spend some significant cash there even with the cooler in 6 days time, no worries about our effect on STJ economy…
May 27th, 2008 19:53
P.S. We have a slow cooker in our villa closet. Many mornings we make dinner and it’s ready when we come home from the beach!
May 27th, 2008 20:20
Hi. My name is Pam 2 (not to be confused with Pam above), and I’ve never been a cooler person.
I confess. I’m finding the idea appealing and fear I may yield to the temptation in July. I’ve been reading all the forums and bookmarking cooler websites trying to figure out if it’s right or wrong.
Right now I’m on the fence. What if I try it and don’t like it? Or, what if I try it and get hooked? Will it lead to stronger urges, like wanting to carry my Holland Grill to cook my cooler stuff on?
My name is Pam 2.
According to today’s ticker, I have exactly 1 month, 4 weeks, and 1 day to decide.
P.S. Hi, Pam 1. I didn’t know there were two of us.
May 27th, 2008 21:11
Hi folks – Greg here. Me, my wife Dale and 9 others will be coming to St. John on June 18th (for the 6th time…). We have never brought a cooler, but we have brought dry goods (pasta, cereal, side dishes etc.) – not because it’s that much cheaper, but because they’re much lighter – and it’s always been easy to. Plus, we get to eat the brands/flavors we enjoy. We were lucky and bought our tickets before the extra baggage fee, so we’ll be bringing an old suitcase full of dry goods again this year. Then we’ll throw the old suitcase away while we’re there. By the way – we’re not beneath bringing a couple of 3 liter boxes of wine. We’ve done that too, and we’ll probably do it again this year as well
May 27th, 2008 22:47
Ok, new regulations = one checked bag. This means for me one cooler with no room for clothes. Oh well. Who needs clothes?
May 28th, 2008 09:49
Cooler person here. We travel with a large group as well and have experienced those VERY painful dinner bills of $800! We try to eat in the villa for dinner about half the time. The rest of the time – we visit the AWESOME restaurants on St. John. I do feel bad that we’re not partaking of the restaurants all the time – but my budget just doesn’t allow it.
May 28th, 2008 10:49
Would it be bad form to ask for cooler tips?
May 28th, 2008 16:29
Hi Pam2! I’m with you – never done this before and sure don’t want to get hooked. I hate hauling extra stuff on vacation. But I like Coco Lopez (the brand) for my pina coladas so YES it’s coming in the suitcase. Didn’t want to spend too much time searching for it on the island. My gosh, that’s valuable drinking/sunning/eating time!!
Spirit Air still lets us take 2 bags, but it’s $20 for the second one, and their website is messed up right now. You keep clicking on “add a bag” and all it does is keep adding more and more charges to your credit card with no confirmation you’ve paid for your checked bags on the return trip. Calling them is useless with the 2+ hour wait time so I’m just disputing with my CC after I get home.
Have a great time Pam2, and everyone else. I’m open to cooler tips as well, though I’m not the official “carrier”. I’m only responsible for my Coco Lopez!
May 28th, 2008 17:58
About the weighing the total package thing-glad some people are speaking up. When I suggested that I be weighed along with my luggage I was nearly skewered on the forum as some people thought it was a jab (it was not). I work hard to maintain a certain weight and it is a vacation so why should people feel like bringing luggage is now taboo?
We are cooler people. We bring our favorite bacon and steaks. We are constantly running in our daily lives so enjoying time at a beautiful villa with beautiful views eating delicious food is alright with me. We spend plenty, ate out about half the time last year and I always end up buying gifts for people, not to mention our huge Mixology purchase and many happy hours. I also HATE grocery shopping and I do not want to be doing that while on vacation. Last year we brought a suitcase of dry goods too and I’ll do it again this year
I can’t believe you guys never heard of Homer Simpson’s special occasion hams?!
May 28th, 2008 20:02
Pam – When I first saw your post yesterday, I was worried for a few seconds. I was afraid it was mine, and I didn’t remember it. I’m getting old, but hopefully not that old. Anyway, have a good trip and take good care of that Coco Lopez!
Pam2
May 28th, 2008 21:24
We have been traveling to St. John’s for the past 21 years, the past 5 with our children. This year, we are going to be “COOLER PEOPLE”. We normally bring two boxes of dry food and 2 cases of water, along with all of our baking goods. We bake daily and treat the hotel staff with brownies, cookies and possibly cupcakes. We need to utilize the facilities in our villa, instead of spending all of our vacation time waiting to eat dinner – that is “Island Time” meaning at least two hours for dinner – tooooo long. we do enjoy about 4 meals out for our two weeks, but, you do enjoy a home cooked meal after a long day at Cinnamon Bay. Simply, put dinner on, shower, relax and eat.
Looking to get any suggestions on how to keep our meats frozen without using dry ice? Any help would be appreciated.
Look out – July is right around the corner!!!!!
May 28th, 2008 23:40
Sheesh. We brought a cooler down once, but it didn’t have food in it…
May 29th, 2008 18:16
I’d be ticked if I had to cook and feed myself while on vacation.
No coolers for me unless full of booze!
But that’s just me.
Rawk on cooler people- I don’t hate ya!!
July 2nd, 2008 08:14
We’ve been traveling to St. John on an almost annual basis for 32 years now. Funny, I think, that those who complain about the “cooler people” were nowhere around back then when there was barely water to buy in Cruz Bay. So, we have our trips down to an art and we refuse not to bring our cooler – not only is it cheaper, but the meat, which is what we pack in the cooler, is of much better quality. Besides, we’ve left enough money on that island over the years to justify a cooler or three.
December 23rd, 2008 11:04
Good Lord! I am NOT a cooler person, but i remember when you had to bring milk because the only consistent supply on the island was goats milk, which may or may not be sold out by 5 pm. Im with you maria!
May 19th, 2009 19:22
We have been going to St John for several years now. Never occurred to me to bring a cooler of food. I have spent a ton of cash down there and I think even if this time we do bring a cooler a ton of cash will be spent down there. What with booze, and booze and days where we just dont want to eat at home…which will end up being at least 1/2 of the 2 weeks we spend down there. We usually eat breakfast at home regardless, and have dinners in town. But this time there is 7 of us and its going to get quit pricey.
I think this trip, we will try this “cooler people” thing. Collapsible, small not too obnoxious for just some goodies, like chicken breasts and rib-eyes and maybe some lamb, and of course ground beef. I have seen chicken breasts at the Dolphin Market and quit frankly if your a little bit squeamish, the looks of it would have you turned off of chicken AND red meat completely! You know we do grill out hotdogs etc and purchase our eggs, butter, milk, veggies, pasta, booze and lots of it, laundry detergent, cheeses, breads, ice cream ( @ $10 a gallon ) etc…so we do our fair share of spreading the wealth down there. So I dont feel so bad bringing down just a few small essentials this trip. Two weeks is a long time and with most of us on a really tight budget ( struggled to make this trip happen this year ), we feel it will be okay.
I purchase St John items even when at home, like all the wonderful spices from the Cruz Bay Spice Shop, I spend hundreds of dollars when at home cause I run out constantly. I love to cook with those spices because it makes me feel like we have a little St John with us here in miserable Illinois.
We will see you soon St John, and dont worry, we will have cash in hand to leave behind.
Cheers!