Bringing own provisions to USVI

[Captain Max1]

We are doing a charter cruise to the USVI’s. We are thinking of bringing some provisions like steaks Etc with us on plane as the costs seem very expensive there, plus quality may be lacking. Any experience doing this?

[Pete7]

Welcome to CF

Which country are you flying in from?

Pete

In England

[Captain Max1]

Guess that would be helpful! Flying from USA.

[SilentOption]

The USVI is America and they have quality food available. It may cost a little more and maybe you'll find something other than steak, maybe some different indigenous fruits. That said my wife has flown down with suitcases of various non perishable snack items at times and she grew in St Croix. When you start packing foodstuff that must be kept cold think about added baggage fees, lost bags, manhandled damaged bags etc. I really think you would be money ahead traveling light and shopping locally. Adjust your diet and menu and keep it simple!

[dangerfield55]

If you can afford the charter in the USBVI’s which is way more than in the BVI’ you can afford the food. Believe it or not, the standard of living in the world is comparable to the US. You need to travel more.

[Stu Jackson]

We've had four or six trips to the USVI & BVI since 1986. We haven't starved yet. This is truly a ludicrous post. Travel more doesn't even begin to deal with it, 'cuz he may have traveled all around inside the USA. He needs to get out of the country more often.
The reality is that what you get from your local butcher, that you're used to at home, simply will NOT be available elsewhere.
They call them NY steaks in Kansas, and Omaha steaks in NY. Same cut.
There's not a whole lotta beef in the Virgin Islands.
Guess where it comes from?

[Hoosierdoc]

when we flew to Georgetown, Exumas several couples had entire suitcases full of food, including a large cooler.


That's not needed in USVI. If you want something special then bring it. Have you looked to see if there are import restrictions on beef? It's legal to bring live lobsters in your luggage, so that's something to consider

[Captain Max1]

This is my first post on this site. If the comments like dangerfield55 are typical, then I may need to find another site. I have traveled extensively out of the USA, and have been to St Thomas before. I would appreciate helpful feedback on an honest question and not some jerks comment.
I do appreciate the other constructive comments very much.

[contrail]

There are excellent steaks and most everything else in both the USVI and the BVI. Just remember, in both places it is high end tourism, so there is a market for this stuff. I happen to run a high end charter boat in the BVI, so this is personal experience.

[Captain Max1]

Thanks for replying, we chartered out of Nanny Key last fall and had a wonderful time. It may of been misleading of me in my wording. We were kind of blown away at the COST of things like steaks, bacon, and frankly, everything. We provisioned out of BVI’s for $600 for 6 people. It was going to cost a lot more for just 4 out of USVI’s. Call me cheap, but our group thought we might as well bring our own, minus of course things like water. No problem according to TSA site. We were just wondering if anybody had any experience doing that in the USVI’s.

[nibj]

Originally Posted by Captain Max1

We are doing a charter cruise to the USVI’s. We are thinking of bringing some provisions like steaks Etc with us on plane as the costs seem very expensive there, plus quality may be lacking. Any experience doing this?

We have done two BVI charters and both times carried a good deal of frozen or refrigerated food (steak, chili, cheese etc) and specialty food items with us via the USVI. We were not stopped in the USVI. This year we will charter in the USVI and plan to do the same. But we will do most of our provisioning at local grocery stores.

Thanks for the interesting question.

[SilentOption]

Originally Posted by Captain Max1

This is my first post on this site. If the comments like dangerfield55 are typical, then I may need to find another site. I have traveled extensively out of the USA, and have been to St Thomas before. I would appreciate helpful feedback on an honest question and not some jerks comment.
I do appreciate the other constructive comments very much.

It can get pretty rude here...But there is a lot of good information to be had. I was pretty raw when I first started posting, some innocent questions can't get you a blast of ****. Think of those guys as lake sailors in the middle of some continent with very little to do except tell you to search the archives or don't be stupid!



Who really gives a crap what you ask.. If you need valid technical help it's here. Travel help it's here. Advice on anything or a good laugh, it's here. Unfortunately no matter what you ask there will be those who don't have a constructive thought to offer so..you get insults.


I must have said it 50 times..If you just want a laugh ask about weapons onboard you are sure to get 20 ugly responses before the thread disappears because some people just can't read and ignore...Don't be that guy.. Cheers and enjoy your trip! Don't fly with steaks..That really is silly.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Max1

Thanks for replying, we chartered out of Nanny Key last fall and had a wonderful time. It may of been misleading of me in my wording. We were kind of blown away at the COST of things like steaks, bacon, and frankly, everything. We provisioned out of BVI’s for $600 for 6 people. It was going to cost a lot more for just 4 out of USVI’s. Call me cheap, but our group thought we might as well bring our own, minus of course things like water. No problem according to TSA site. We were just wondering if anybody had any experience doing that in the USVI’s.

You are going to a small group of islands near 1000 miles from the continent so most everything has to be imported... that costs and you have to cover that if you want to eat like back home..
Your on holiday, eat local food.. roadkill chicken is great.

[evbeck]

Check with the airline. You can bring frozen beef or chicken in a freezer bag, but only certain number of ounces. We have friends who did it coming in to St. Thomas and it worked well.

[sailcrazy]

We've cruised here (USVI, BVI, Spanish Virgins) for the past 5 seasons. Some things are more expensive....some are less. The hassle is NOT worth the trouble....buy here!. In STT Mo's, Pueblo (2), etc are both excellent and good sized. Roadtown has a very good store, and so do other places. And Cruz Bay has an excellent grocery(2 actually). You're making this way harder than need be. Puerto Rico does have a 11.5% tax, but they also have a Sams, and several other groceries.....not an issue!! Save yourself the hassle!!!