You've never flown???? There's plenty of beer at all hours in the airports....good luck!

Matt,
You're going to have a great time! Even if there is something you forgot, its all good! you're in the islands! I can't remember where you said you were staying, was it Secret Harbour? As long as you have ID with you - you'll be fine because you can buy whatever else you may have forgotten. Make sure your trunks are in your carry-on, and you're good to go!

I hadn't flown before my (second) honeymoon at age 29, and we went to the Bahama's. It was exciting the first time. Altho, coming back, I let the attendant take my napkin that had my ortho retainer (just had braces removed) wadded up in it and throw it away! I spent the flight going thru the garbage in the back of the plane! Gross! anyhow that's how I remember my first flying experience.

Later, when going to Disney or anywhere with kids I realized its the ONLY way to travel with kids. Beats 16 hours in a car with them! A few years ago, when my entire family (28 of us) were doing a cruise, my brother who HATES to fly wanted us to charter a bus to Florida! NO WAY! Flying for 3 hours vs 20 hours on a bus with 14 kids???? Anyhow, you'll enjoy the flight, especially when you see the islands from the sky, all green surrounded by a border of white sand, out in the pretty blue ocean - its breathtaking!

Can't wait for those pics and your trip report!

Beer_Hunter,

Once you see the crystal blue water, you will forget all about how squished and uncomfortable you were on the airplane- if you're lucky, your flight won't be too full. Grab your rum punch at the airport and relax! I'm jealous!!!

New Englander

Connie....I will be drinking my share, but our flight is at 6am so I have to be at the airport around 4am. I don't think there are a lot of drinks being served for breakfast.

Mountaineer girl...The trunks in the carry on is a really good idea. Yes, we are staying at Secret Harbor, I assume from your name you are in WV where abouts? I live in Ohio on the WV border, plus I have done some white water rafting on the New River, also I have done some Scuba diving in Mt Storm. I am sure that I will have a great time on vacation, but it is long over due. I have been visiting this board for over a year, and it is finally my turn to write a trip report.

New Englander...I am heading into the flight knowing I will be squished. I am 6'7" 400 lbs man and I know that the flight is going to suck, but the destination won't. I drink a rum punch for you, then I have one for me, one for my dog at home, one for the neighbors, one for my dad......I think you all get the point. I will be drinking.

My best advice to you on your first trip is try your absolute best to get your mind on "island time" as soon as possible (even before the plane lands). So many people get to the airport and are all flustered because of the wait for luggage, rental car, or because the taxi won't take them directly to their spot first. Just relax - take it all in - it's as much a part of the experience as anything else! Great luck to you - I hope your trip is a positive lifetime memory --- oh and we'll be anxiously awaiting the report and pictures!

A 4 a.m. drunk CAN be the best kind of drunk! A must before all of my early morning flights to Vegas! Give it a whirl...you'll sleep like a baby on the plane! (And remember to put plenty of minatures in a 1 quart plastic bag to carry on!).

Beer...just a suggestion, but when you check in you may want to ask the attendant if they can upgrade you to 1st class. Not always possible, but if there are seats available, and you're very nice, they just may do it.

I hate flying. Wine and X*nax helps me. 😉 Have fun, you'll really enjoy it there!

"I have never flown, so I am a bit nervous"

Matt: Just keep flapping your arms, it'll be fine! 😉

Matt,
Yes I'm from WV, on the Ohio border. We live in Mason County, and our house is on the river - I look out back and see Ohio (altho its Meigs County - oh well - haha)

You will absolutely love Secret Harbour! We had a lower level unit, and we could mix drinks and walk right out the patio and onto the beach - awesome! try the conch fritters at the bar/restaurant for lunch one day. One morning my friend and I went to the bar and sat there with a mimosa, just looking out over the water - it was great, (hubbies were still sleeping) Altho, that was probably about the only morning it wasn't raining that week!

Where are you flying out of? We flew out of Columbus, thru Newark. Should've flew thru Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami, I'll know better next time to avoid all NY area airports.

I'm already making plans (in my head only for now!) for a trip in 2009. Next year I'm doing a girl trip to Aruba, so in 2009 I want to go back to the VI's (it will be our 20th that year also). I want to spend a couple nights on Jost, but will probably go back to Secret Harbour for the rest, we liked it that much.

I know you've got a couple weeks left, but the anticipation is half the fun! can't wait for your report!

VI Lover...I think I am already on island time. These last three weeks of work are going to kill me. All I do is sit and watch the live cam, or read these posts on here. My productivity has really went down in the last few days.

East Ender.....I am a big man and I get winded easy, so I have to slow down on the flapping. I don't want to be huffing and puffing when I get to the island.

Mountaineer girl.....I live north of you I am about 30min from Pittsburgh PA, and that is where we are flying out of. We head to Chicago first then to STT. I am not sure why we are going west to go south, but that is how they have it set up. I am glad that you enjoyed Secret Harbor. It is hard to pick a place when you have never been there. I did my research and it looked like what we wanted our vacation to be. They said it is quiet and it has good snorkeling, so that it what I wanted.

Connie.....I was told that in the past, but I would have to make sure that there are two seats, because my wife won't let me leave her. This is her first time flying also.

Well, I better try and get something done, but I will be back on here.

I was the same way as you...reading posts, watching the web cams from work. I still do it. 😉 I'm really jealous. We can't get there this year. But I told my husband that come h*ll or highwater, I'm going next year, with or without him. 😉

me too....staring at webcam.....reading through posts....making mental lists for packing/shopping.....was my last full day in office before i leave today tho!! monday i've a half day to tie up lose ends then i'm free to pack and count the seconds...only 4 1/2 days left!!!

We have a 6:00 am flight out of Wichita tomorrow morning and should touch down in STT around 3:00 pm. I might as well leave work and go home because I won't get anything done today. Been checking any new posts that we may need and making a list of last minute things we need to pick up. My wife was up until 4:00 am last night getting her stuff packed, I was packed a few days ago. We will be traveling with 3 other couples and one other couple will meet us at the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. They are supposed to have the fridge full of Red Stripe and a few bottles of rum ready to go. This trip is for our 30th wedding anniversary but I am sure we can always find an occasion to justify a trip to the USVI.

I will try and post a report when we get back. Can't wait to hit the beach with a cold beverage.

Hey Beer Hunter.... One important piece of advice. Be sure to take along some of those "coozies". The things that you put around a drink to keep it insulated and cold. If you don't have them you are forced to drink too fast b/4 the beer warms up too much.... Not a good situation....

Speaking of those beer koozies, I have seen them with the blue ice liquid in them that you put in the freezer. Works very well at keeping your canned or bottled drink cold longer. If you had two or three or more you could rotate freezer/cooler time amongst them and keep your beverage cold all day.

Patrick...good idea. We call them huggies here and I take them everywhere with me, but the regular ones really don't keep your beer cold for long when you're in places like STT or STJ. I'm going to have to try that.

Hmmmm...my beer never warms up before I drink it. 😉 Maybe I need to learn the "slow sip" technique.

I think I have the same problem (if you want to call it that) as Blu. My beer never seems to get warm. I go to parties with a twelve pack and no cooler, and I can usually get them down before they get warm. But since I am on vacation and a hangover is not really my idea of fun, I think I will invest in some of the can cover thingys. I have a Cleveland Browns one for bottles, but I don't have any for cans, so I will get a few.

I think I know how to slow down time....Count the days to vacation. Last week was the longest in history, I swear it was 9-10 days long. I have been planning this trip for over a year, and all of that time flew, now that it is just a couple weeks away it is dragging. Does anyone have a cure for this? I need help.

Are there any other last minute tips that will help me make the most of this trip?