3 weeks out - what should I be doing?

Just looked at the calendar and realized we are leaving in 3 1/2 weeks! The trip seemed so far away for so long that I feel like it crept up on us while we were busy with the holidays. What are some of the things I need to be doing now? I was reading the Caribbean cellars thread and saw people saying it is best to provision closer to the date of the trip.

How far in advance should I do these types of things:

Book Kevin
Book safari jeep at Leverick
Provision (probably using a few places)
Order fishing license

Anything else you can think of that you do in advance?

Thank you!

Check your passport expiration dates?

We are a month away and have our provisioning just done, we used Riteway and Tico's this time. Dealing with both places was completely painless. Hopefully it will be the same way once we get there. We will contact Kevin 1 week out. Hope that helps. Have a great trip!

Order fishing license early -- that's dealing with the government. use one of the island retailers that do it as a matter of course for their clients, but get it going.

The rest of it is in < soon come> category.

Give Kevin a week, he'll understand if your flight arrival changes. He'll probably know the same time you know. Maybe before you know.

provisions.. a week to 10 days. That way you don't get " lost".

rental car at Leverick-- shoot Nick a PM and have him write you in. If you have to change close to the date, well, thats the way things go in the BVI.

Go over your packing and be sure you have the TSA carry-on rules covered, but still cover your own butt if your checked stuff gets delayed in transit. Shirt, swimsuit and shorts, some personal care items ( including any RX meds), that never leave your hand.

REcheck your flights. But that, too can change between now and wheels up

Other than that, why stress ?



Breeze

Haha - thank you! That was done months ago because my kids didn't have passports yet.

I do think I will grab a plastic bin and start gathering all of the things I have ready for the trip so it will be nice and easy to find everything when it gets closer to packing time.

Thank you both - great information! I don't want to be stressed when it gets closer that's why I wanted to get things out of the way now while I have free time.

Good to know about the car rental - I was wondering how that worked when we don't know our exact itinerary. Is it OK to get the car from Nick if we stay at BEYC. My friends really wanted to stay at BEYC - I am hoping to do two nights, one at BEYC and one at Leverick.

Momx3 - I think we're down the same week you are.
I just reserved my car with Nick and truck/car on Anegada. Placed my CC order. Have my self-provisioning grocery list all ready to go so when I get to Riteway I know what I need. This week, I prepared and vacuum sealed & froze our taco meat, steaks, sausage, etc. Made my playlists last week. Laura is working on our custom t-shirts & koozies.
I'll contact Kevin the week before we leave for St. Thomas pick up. Next up for me: email our kids & crew their packing orders. :-)

As for a bin to gather things? Heck, I've got the entire bed in our guestroom COVERED with everything from our Ohio State flag, to sunscreen, snorkels, right down to a colorful bandana to tie to our dinghy (so we know which one is ours!). Passports are ready too. :-)

who did you rent from in anegada

Ahh - now I feel so behind! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> I do want to freeze some meat but want to borrow a friends vacuum sealer thing first. Shoot - totally forgot about the shirts- wonder if it's too late?! I have a bright scarf for the dinghy and solar lights to hang on the boat so at least I have something done!

I want a flag from our school as well (3 out of 4 adults went to same college, other one had half their family go there) but it is a small college so they only have a big felt like banner I think. May have to just go with a Patriots or Red Sox flag...

dont forget to contact your credit card companies ..might put a stop on your card if they think it is fraud cause they dont know you are travelling

Get some sun on the body so you don't turn into a french-fry after the first two days!

Second Gailgs advice about contacting your credit card companies. You don't want to find out on vacation your card won't be accepted.

I don't think you can drive to BEYC. If Nick is doing the leg work for you, you should spend a night at Leverick.

Credit card - thans for reminding me, they were supposed to send me a new one a few weeks ago and it never came so I need to call them anyway.

Don't have to worry about sun, we live in FL so we have a year round base tan.

I thought the same thing about Leverick - I will tell my friend!

We start setting asside things like batteries, etc, so we don't forget them.

Make sure and bring every connector that you can think of for the boat. We have had boats that don't like iPod's and have had to use an FM space modulator.

Playlists are a must. Fun to do while hanging out.

Have a couple back-up plans if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Get ready to have a GREAT time!!!

Patriots AND Red Sox <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Good year to fly both <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Anegada rental car is with Dean Whitley 284-495-9677
Momx3 - contact Laura on the forum here. Might not be too late if you know what you want.
Also, order your water toys if you want floaties or noodles. Bviwatertoys.com

I wouldn't fly the Patriots flag. BUT I AM A DISGRUNTLED COLTS FAN <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

But I might fly my Chelsea flag <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

About a week ago you should have started your Liver conditioning... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Well, your planning must me pretty good. The only thing I can think of is maybe bring some extra clothes pins. Have a great time!

HI guys, email me for shirt ideas anytime sales@customsailingshirts.com <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> 3 weeks is a great time frame. We will definitely come up with some super cool and memorable shirts for your trip that are fun, customized mementos AND functional as they are UPF 50 rated sun shirts! we can even incorporate the college flag graphic into the shirts for those it applies to, so many fun ideas !

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

Review maps and anchorages you intend to visit. Will make it easier to adjust and go with the flow.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Best deal in the BVI is a slip at Leverick. Reserve early with Nick.

Pack in a duffel. Much esier to store onboard.

Once packed in your carryon remove 50% of the clothes. (we both pack in a carryon duffel apice for a month stay).

Photocopy your passports and keep separate.

The other things you will discover soon enough and you will be writing on the subject next year.

I started a list of things to do, pack, etc. years ago, and I always add something to for the next year. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> The list started as a reminder to bring the plane tickets, passport, money and expanded to drivers license, credit cards (call card co.) and then went through insect repellent, sunscreen, hats, medications, boat shoes, sandals, flip flops, a portable alarm clock, batteries, etc. Then I added some suggestions I got off of some posts here at TTOL, such as turn off the water to your washing machine and fridge ice maker. Seems someone had a hose to the washer get a crack in it and their house was flooded. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> I leave spare house and car keys with my neighbors, as well as our contact info while in "de ilons." One year there was no fly swatter on the boat or in the cottage we rented on the tail end of the trip, so that's on the list. I wear contact lens, and one year there was no contact lens solution at any of the stores/pharmacies on Virgin Gorda. Not Bucks, Rosy's, SupaValu, Oma's, Leverick, so extra bottles of that go in the quart plastic carry on bag. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> So I guess I saying to actually type out a list, think it through, add to it, and start crossing off items as you do them/pack them. Oh, and add "have a great time" to the list. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

You guys are the best!

I did forget clothes pins! Laura, I will e-mail you in a little bit. I have gone over and over the maps but I am not the captain (thank god - I have had zero boating experience since summer camp days other than being a passenger!) so the real work goes to my friend.

We were just talking this morning about which bags to bring. We have some good LL Bean duffels, my only concern was that they are hard for my kids to carry through the airport. I guess we will just have to suck it up.

I would like to get a slip at Leverick but our plans as of now have us there on our second night. My friend who is the captain was hoping to get a little more used to the boat (the size and the twin engines) before having to get into a slip.

I went online and bought a few more things today and my husband was going to send in the fishing permit forms.

As for my liver, it is in a constant state of readiness! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Oh, I just added one more thing to my list: a black or blue ink ball point pen. The C&I forms are not accepted if filled out in red, green, purple, etc., ink. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Just got something nobody has thought of, (a little bit specific to our week Cottage Girl) St. Patrick's Day supplies! I was at Party City and walked right by the display thinking I didn't need anything since we wouldn't be home. Then I went straight back and decided it would be fun to have some stuff on the boat to celebrate! I just got a few small things - green bead necklaces, some green garland, an Irish flag and two shamrock decorations. I'm going to surprise the kids with all of it when we get down there. I wanted to go really crazy and get hats, plates, cups, etc. but realized that it would be too much of a pain to pack.

Momx3 - fun! I've packed birthday napkins and balloons - to celebrate my daughter's birthday while we're there. As to the slip at Leverick, Stoney on this forum has assured me that the dock hands at Leverick will guide you in. We're giving it a shot!

The Leverick dock hands are the bomb. They will FOR SURE help you out!

with a cat, no problems with leverick. so many places to get into. the guys on deck are used to SO MUCH.
I freaked them out one time, since they did not know I had a bow thruster

those guys know their stuff.

I'm two weeks out, and haven't done a darn thing...nothing...nada....

Everyone will have excellent ideas on the items. But my main suggestion is to put out a box or bin somewhere and every time you think of something, or buy stuff, put it in the box. Do it the minute you think of something. It really reduces the stress knowing that everything is in one place.

Re: Credit card: don't forget to put down any stops or layovers you might have scheduled. If you overnight somewhere or have a flight cancelled you may make purchases in that city and want them included. I had a flight change in Chicago from Denver to St. Maarten and had a card refused in an an airport shop while waiting for my flight. I called them and they said "We show you making a purchase in Denver this morning and a couple of hours later in Chicago which doesn't match your habits! I told them I was in the airport (you idiot!). They had my flying dates and itinerary but I had not included Chicago! Oh Well. at least the system works!

Thanks again! I e-mailed Nick about a slip and a rental car. I have a box that is already overflowing with stuff - need to get another one out already. I will call the credit card and bank before we go - luckily it's a direct flight to STT so that should be pretty easy!

I just skimmed thru and may have missed it, but if needed/desired...
change phone plan to international for a month???

vacation stop on mail and newspapers

try on summer clothes..ugh

Once you get your box full, randomly take 3/4 of what you put in out and bring what is left. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

half the clothes, twice the money!!

Sit at work and stare at pictures while you try to fight off DIF. Then give up and find youtube videos of sailing in the BVI and get more DIF.

If the cost of sitting around wishing it was time to leave were factored in these trips would be mighty costly!