A Handy Guide for Changing Your Latitude

​We’ve all been there, counting down the days, then the hours until vacation begins. If you’re a first-timer to St. John, you’re probably wondering exactly how to get here and what happens when you step off the plane. If you’re a St. John Addict, you know the drill and can help the newbies on your flight ease into island mode. Here are our suggestions for an easy transition to paradise.

1. Pack half the stuff and twice the cash.

2. Expect to lose sleep the night before departure due to excessive excitement.

3. Head for the airport earlier than necessary.

4. Start celebrating on the flight.

5. When you step off the plane in St. Thomas, take a moment to inhale the Caribbean air.

6. Slip into island time mentality and embrace a slower pace as the norm.

7. Indulge in a free rum shot at the welcome booth.

8. Change into shorts and flip flops.

9. Have a Tropical Mango Pale Ale while waiting for luggage.

10. Marvel at the vistas and soak up the sun on your adventurous taxi ride to Red Hook.

11. Have a Painkiller at the ferry terminal while waiting to board.

12. Enjoy a 15 minute ferry ride to heaven. Practice deep breathing upon approach.

13. Skip down the dock and bury toes in sand.

14. Let your Catered To greeter introduce you to your favorite villa and answer all of your questions.

15. R-E-L-A-X.