I know there have been many posts regarding sailing in the BVI's. We have been booked since February for a charter in Appril of 2008. We decided to book through Ed Hamilton up in Maine. he had told us it was too early to even look at flights, however I plan on using American Airlines frequent flyer miles, and it is a holiday week. I just spoke with AA and I do not think I have much time to waste in booking flights. Many have suggested flying into St. Thomas and taking the ferry into Tortola, others have suggested flying directly from San Juan to the BVI's. We will be traveling with an 8 and 10 year old, and this is our first charter. AA suggested a direct flight into San Juan, then an overnight and early flight into Tortola. The only out of pocket expense would be the hotel, as I have enough free miles for the flights. I am leaning toward an early morning flight into St. Thomas and the ferry into Tortola. I am not sure about the return, as I cannot find my itinerary for the Sunsail trip. I know we spend the first night board, check out the next morning and then we are off. I do not remember what day or time we return into the Sunsail Base. I plan on contacting Ed Hamilton on Monday, but I am itching to book some flights based on the conversation with the reservation folks at AA. Any advise as to the best route into and out of Tortola from New York.
- Status
travel
hi chief, we did same trip last year from kennedy. we are going back in november. a.a. from jfk to san juan `, and then to tortola was great for us. we only spent a short while in san juan so travel time was quick. on the base by 1:00.enjoy
hi chief, we did same trip last year from kennedy. we are going back in november. a.a. from jfk to san juan `, and then to tortola was great for us. we only spent a short while in san juan so travel time was quick. on the base by 1:00.enjoy
Trip to BVI's
Do you remember what flight you took? Most schedules remain very similar year-year. I asume you are booked for this year, what are your flight numbers? Are you flying into Tortola or taking a ferry?
Do you remember what flight you took? Most schedules remain very similar year-year. I asume you are booked for this year, what are your flight numbers? Are you flying into Tortola or taking a ferry?
It really doesn't matter
San Juan isn't a whole lot of fun unless you have time to get into town and see the city - the airport's a drag. The ferry trip is fun, but you still need to get from the ferry to the base. Flying into St. Thomas requires a trip from the airport to the ferry. Flying into Beef Island Airport on Tortola IS a lot of fun and a shorter trip from the airport to the base. Your life, your family, your choice. There is NOT one better than the other choice here. Lots has to do with what flights you can get anyway. Either way, you ARE going on a GREAT adventure - have fun.
San Juan isn't a whole lot of fun unless you have time to get into town and see the city - the airport's a drag. The ferry trip is fun, but you still need to get from the ferry to the base. Flying into St. Thomas requires a trip from the airport to the ferry. Flying into Beef Island Airport on Tortola IS a lot of fun and a shorter trip from the airport to the base. Your life, your family, your choice. There is NOT one better than the other choice here. Lots has to do with what flights you can get anyway. Either way, you ARE going on a GREAT adventure - have fun.
Ah contraire Chief...
...it is never too soon to look for flights. In fact if you try Travelocity now, it could very well save you tons of $$$$ over what it will be later on. You would be surprised! Jack
...it is never too soon to look for flights. In fact if you try Travelocity now, it could very well save you tons of $$$$ over what it will be later on. You would be surprised! Jack
We had trouble in St Thomas
The trip in was fine. We took the ferry to Tortola from St Thomas and it was a great trip. Getting out was another story. We stood in lines for customs at ferry into St Thomas, airport check-in, airport customs and baggage check-in for hours. About 6 hours. I hope I don't ever have to go back through St Thomas again. I would by-pass St Thomas. C A
The trip in was fine. We took the ferry to Tortola from St Thomas and it was a great trip. Getting out was another story. We stood in lines for customs at ferry into St Thomas, airport check-in, airport customs and baggage check-in for hours. About 6 hours. I hope I don't ever have to go back through St Thomas again. I would by-pass St Thomas. C A
Keep it simple
I fly to St Croix and have done different routes and the best way is to go to San Juan and then take a shuttle to Tortola,getting stuck waiting for ferrys,flights from other airports with luggage is a major drag and with security tighter its even more reason to keep it simple without leaving the airport. study the flight times from NY to San Juan and the shuttles to Tortola trying to keep it as short as you can.
I fly to St Croix and have done different routes and the best way is to go to San Juan and then take a shuttle to Tortola,getting stuck waiting for ferrys,flights from other airports with luggage is a major drag and with security tighter its even more reason to keep it simple without leaving the airport. study the flight times from NY to San Juan and the shuttles to Tortola trying to keep it as short as you can.
RADs right, except
what luggage? If they bring more than one small carry on bag per person they are WAY over packed!
what luggage? If they bring more than one small carry on bag per person they are WAY over packed!
Tell that to my wife!
I can get away with shorts and tee shirts, and I'll never forget travelling with my 4 year old when she was an infant schlepping a carrage,car seat,luggage and STUFF but she's just like her mom so I need to get use to it. When we head out to the boat for the weekend you would think were going for the week with all the stuff they bring
I can get away with shorts and tee shirts, and I'll never forget travelling with my 4 year old when she was an infant schlepping a carrage,car seat,luggage and STUFF but she's just like her mom so I need to get use to it. When we head out to the boat for the weekend you would think were going for the week with all the stuff they bring
Go through Puerto Rico
We just did the exact same trip in April and went through Puerto Rico for the first time. I would highly recommend going through Puerto Rico and spending the night in the airport Best Western Hotel. Yeah, it is a Best Western, but it is in the airport. You don't even have to go outside. Plan on staying the night in PR because almost every flight in to PR was late the day we went. If we didn't already have our reservation at the BW, we would have been sleeping on the floor in the airport as AA was booking rooms for everyone on our flight that missed their connections. When we went in 2004, we went through St. Thomas. Not bad, and the ferry was fun. If you go, use Island Son ferry company. Nice locals and their boats are the fastest. We actually passed one of the "fast" catamarans in the Island Son monohull ferry. BTW, hopefully you got the postcard from Sunsail that the charter base moved in to Road Town. Much better location if you ask me. Easy access to town and groceries. April 2008, sounds like Easter... If that is the case, go to the market early when you get in to town as almost everything closes early during the Easter holiday in Road Town. Once you get out and about, most places are open as everyone that has a boat comes over from PR to the BVI for the holiday week. If you want, shoot me a line at armortec at comcast dot net. Hope this helps, Clayton s/v Walkabout Hunter 26.5
We just did the exact same trip in April and went through Puerto Rico for the first time. I would highly recommend going through Puerto Rico and spending the night in the airport Best Western Hotel. Yeah, it is a Best Western, but it is in the airport. You don't even have to go outside. Plan on staying the night in PR because almost every flight in to PR was late the day we went. If we didn't already have our reservation at the BW, we would have been sleeping on the floor in the airport as AA was booking rooms for everyone on our flight that missed their connections. When we went in 2004, we went through St. Thomas. Not bad, and the ferry was fun. If you go, use Island Son ferry company. Nice locals and their boats are the fastest. We actually passed one of the "fast" catamarans in the Island Son monohull ferry. BTW, hopefully you got the postcard from Sunsail that the charter base moved in to Road Town. Much better location if you ask me. Easy access to town and groceries. April 2008, sounds like Easter... If that is the case, go to the market early when you get in to town as almost everything closes early during the Easter holiday in Road Town. Once you get out and about, most places are open as everyone that has a boat comes over from PR to the BVI for the holiday week. If you want, shoot me a line at armortec at comcast dot net. Hope this helps, Clayton s/v Walkabout Hunter 26.5
The Problem with Travelocity...
...is that you will be forced to pay with a credit card as soon as you make the reservation, if that isn't a problem, then that is OK.
...is that you will be forced to pay with a credit card as soon as you make the reservation, if that isn't a problem, then that is OK.
Paul, you are right...
...about having to pony up the $$$$$$$ on the credit card now. However the way I look at it if I can save $400.00 to a lot more for the two of us doing it now, I go for it. Jack
...about having to pony up the $$$$$$$ on the credit card now. However the way I look at it if I can save $400.00 to a lot more for the two of us doing it now, I go for it. Jack
Gotta jump in here
on a couple of things. We did the flight into St. Thomas and the ferry over to Tortola when we went. If you can get into St Thomas early enogh (the last ferry leaves St Thomas at about 4 p.m) you can do it but you need at least an hour or a little more. Here's a tip. After you get your luggage, get a porter and have him take your luggage to the taxi line (give him at least $10). The reason for this is that the porter will take you to the front of the taxi line otherwise you will wait behind everyone else. Also you can go online and buy your ferry tickets. Just google Tortola ferries. There are at least three or four to choose from. Just make sure you pick the one leaving from Charlotte Amalie Harbor and make sure it goes straight to Road Town without a stop at the West End. Regarding provisions, go online to Bobbys Market. They have an order form you can download and fill out. Once you send to them you can call or fax your credit card info to them and let them know where and when to deliver your stuff. They have a HUGE selection but if there is something you want and can't find, ask them. They are very good about that. One last flight tip-try to travel on Tuesday or Wednesday if you can. Those are the cheapest travel days down there. For good up to the minute BVI info, check out the travel talk online forum. Great folks, great help. Packing tip: take half as many clothes as you think will need and twice the cash you think you will need and you'll have a great time.
on a couple of things. We did the flight into St. Thomas and the ferry over to Tortola when we went. If you can get into St Thomas early enogh (the last ferry leaves St Thomas at about 4 p.m) you can do it but you need at least an hour or a little more. Here's a tip. After you get your luggage, get a porter and have him take your luggage to the taxi line (give him at least $10). The reason for this is that the porter will take you to the front of the taxi line otherwise you will wait behind everyone else. Also you can go online and buy your ferry tickets. Just google Tortola ferries. There are at least three or four to choose from. Just make sure you pick the one leaving from Charlotte Amalie Harbor and make sure it goes straight to Road Town without a stop at the West End. Regarding provisions, go online to Bobbys Market. They have an order form you can download and fill out. Once you send to them you can call or fax your credit card info to them and let them know where and when to deliver your stuff. They have a HUGE selection but if there is something you want and can't find, ask them. They are very good about that. One last flight tip-try to travel on Tuesday or Wednesday if you can. Those are the cheapest travel days down there. For good up to the minute BVI info, check out the travel talk online forum. Great folks, great help. Packing tip: take half as many clothes as you think will need and twice the cash you think you will need and you'll have a great time.
- Status