packing/shipping/renting!

[bethwoff]

Two quick questions: we are reluctant to pack our fins, because they require a carry-on bag for transport, and we really want to travel very light this trip. Can we rent fins? We can fit our masks/snorkels in the carry-on bags.
I would appreciate a list of wine shops; we plan on buying actually more spirits than wine, but can't remember the name of that shop on the corner in Gustavia, on the right as you pass the big grocery on left. Also, information on Le Cave, just as you enter Gustavia, on the left. It had a website, I thought. Any names would be appreciated. I am hoping we can ship a box of gin, armagnac, etc, home rather than carry on. Anyone had any luck with shipping wine or spirits back to the US?
27 and counting!

 

[stbartshopper]

It may be La Gout du Vin. There is also Les Grand Vins de France.

La Cave du Port Franc. 590 590 27 65 27.
Have never shipped spirits back from SBH.

WE carried fins etc our first time and were sorry we did. We found that if you rent a villa they are often supplied. Hotels seem to have them also. We have talked to others who rent them on the island but can't help you on this. Probably one of the other members of the Forum can tell you.

 

[JEK]

Just across from the AMC is Cellier du Gouverneur. Excellent wine shop.

 

[JoshA]

You can rent snorkel equipment at Hookipa in St. Jean next to the Glacier and across the road to Saline from Andy'd Hideaway.

Cave du Port Franc in Public and Cellier du Gouverneur in Gustavia are great wine and liquor sources with knowledgeable proprietors. Jean-Baptiste from Absolutely Wine used to run an import-export business. He may have some information if you catch him at Txerri Gorria tapas bar or just ask at the wine shops.

 

[andynap]

If you ship a box or 2 of spirits back to the US be prepared to pick them up at US Customs after you pay the duty on them.

 

[elgreaux]

The one on the way into Gustavia is the Cave du Port Franc, part of CCPF, and our personal favorite...

 

[bethwoff]

Many thanks! I'm glad to have the correct names for the wine shops. We have purchased wonderful wines and brandies at both, with great success. The guys at the Cave du Port Franc are so friendly, and treat our little purchase of Calvados just like the big boys buying the Petrus.
I may check with our villa owner on the fins; we can bob about in the water just fine with masks/snorkel alone anyway. I believe skipping the checked bag issue in St Martin is worth packing light. USAir rarely will check our bags all the way to SBH, and now with the loss of the "code share" agreement I don't want to risk getting stuck in customs when we land. Now I can start planning our lunch and dinner reservations.....

 

[andynap]

Code sharing between USAIR and Winair has been resolved. If you book both thru USAIR or Expedia/Orbitz at the same time your bags can go all the way thru to SBH.

 

[stbartslover]

Andy is right---just have the Winair code and confirmation with you, have the agent slap the SBH tag on you're set.
Our people did it a couple of weeks ago---"voila"
Yes, do check with the owner---we, like I'm certain other villa owners keep many sizes of fins in the Guest closet.
Jicky Marine in Gustavia is another place that will rent high quality gear.

 

[TPunch42]

We rented just fins at Hookipa in St. Jean and brought our own mask and snorkel and it worked great! Much cheaper to rent just the fins... we planned our week to do our snorkeling all at once and didn't rent for the whole time which saved some too.