Tropical Shipping

I wouldn't put anything that you don't want or can't aford to lose in the car when you are shipping it - regardless of which carrier you use..

Juni, we shipped with Tropical out of Riveria Beach, Florida. They are good to work with. We did put a lot of boxes household goods in both cars and everything came through fine. I would agree however, not to ship anything this way that you would die if it was lost.

Torpical ships directly to the VI, no stopping in Puerto Rico. And they "containerize" - is that a word? Anyway, the cars aren't available to sticky fingers while they are actually being shipped.

Thanks for the info...I was wondering how long ago that was because I want to pack my trunk but they said only 30 cubic feet or a box about the size of 3X3X3...Was that the case when you shipped the car? That isn't much space...Thanks again

Juni

We shipped last August. We had a van and believe me, you CAN'T get 30 cf into the trunk of a car. We got boxes from U-Haul. Each box has its cubic footage stamped on it. That made calculating easy.

I think the main thing is to keep the boxes below the windows of the car. We had the van fully packed and the car's trunk and seats full. We did have packing lists taped to each box, jsut in case.

Juni,
I am also moving to the VI and had questions about cars... Where are you shipping your car from? How much does it cost to ship your car?

I hope you can help

Thanks!

And you used Tropical, right? I'm asking because on the phone they seemed kind of strict on the 30 cubic ft thing and I will be flying out from there after I put my car on the boat...I just can't get stuck with a bunch of boxes that I would have to fly with...Also...do you know how far the car port is from the airport? I'm assuming that I'll have to take a taxi but I'm not really sure...Thanks!!!!

I am using Tropical and I am shipping from Palm Beach,FL...The cost for my car is 790$ plus 50$ (a clearing customs fee). Thats only for shipping though...once you get it to the VI its a whole other ball game with personal taxes and road taxes etc etc..You should look on this site under car shipping on the home page. Hope that helps...

Juni

Another Question!! Does anyone know how far the airport is from the place where I pick up my car? Thanks

Juni wrote:

> Another Question!! Does anyone know how far the airport is
> from the place where I pick up my car? Thanks

Tropical docks at Sandfill dock at the west end of the harbor, 5 minute ride from the airport.

PH

Hello Juni,

You asked two questions that were similar... how far from car port to airport - do you mean in the states where you are shipping your car from?? And then you asked airport to where you pick up the car - you said you were shipping it the same day you fly in - is the car suppose to make it here in one day according to the shippers??? In anycase Subbase area is the general area for picking up the car and also where DMV is for registering although other offices like IRB for paying road tax is down in Havensight. Airport to Subbase area is just a couple minutes drive.

You might find out how much extra your airline will charge you for extra weight in terms of allowed baggage just in case - not sure how much you are trying to stuff in your car.

Good Luck.

--Islander

Islander...My question was just about how far the airport was from where I pick up my car.(I can see how that may have been confusing) Also, the shipping company said it is going to take 3 days to ship and then an additional 2 days before I can pick up my car. I was planning on staying in FL until the day I can pick up the car (or the day before) so I have transportation immediately. I know that plan may not be possible so I am just trying to gather all the info I can...Thanks again to you and PH for all your help...

Juni

Juni, you can't DRIVE a car in the Virgins until you have insurance and the car is licensed. This is going to take at least one day of running around. Look at car section of the moving guide.

What I'm saying is, you can't get off the plane, take a taxi to the port, pick up your car and drive away. Would that is were that easy!!

Do you have a job lined up? Maybe someone from there can help you get through this.

I am aware of all of the running around...I've been on this for months..I know it's not as easy as picking up my car but as soon as I get there I'd like to begin the process...and hopefully complete that process by the end of the day. I don't have a job lined up yet but I plan on visiting the Ritz and other hotels and spas for work in Massage Therapy...I know that it's easier to find a job (esp in MT) when I'm there...

Juni

As a Massge Therapist you also must have a professional license. Have you checked into that? VI requires a transcript from your MT school as well as other things. You can't just get off the airplane & start workijg.

PH

Hello Juni - thanks for explaining - I got it. Its a good idea, come in the day before perhaps so you are a bit rested and can take on the pick up, registration, taxes, insurance the next day.

Visit the Wyndham Sugar Bay - they have a spa. You actually might contact them before getting here and fax your resume - get them aware of you before you get here and then you can follow up when you are on island. Its called Journeys Spa - (340)777-7100

All the best.

--Islander

Islander...You have been so helpful and I am very grateful for that...Thanks again...

Juni

Can someone give me the phone number for tropical?

Thank you,
Lauren in Portland, OR
soon to be St.

The number is 1800 845 3951

Does anyone know or have they ever heard of Tropical allowing you to take passage with the ship your vehicle is on? I know cabin space is limited on these vessels, but thought they might have that option. If not, any tips from successful stow-aways might be helpful...LOL

Thanks,
Adam

I just talked with Tropical and the woman I talked to said that you can not travel with your car.

Thanks for asking Lauren. I guess I'll just have to review the ship's plans now and find my hiding spot onboard....just kidding,Tropical Agents--you too Customs :-/

I just spoke with Tropical (this is about the tenth time I've spoken with them) and they just told me that it may take TWO-THREE weeks until I can pick up my car. When I spoke with them every other time before this they told me that if my car is shipped on a Wed. I can pick it up the following Monday. Now they are telling me that customs has to hold the car for 4 days before it can be shipped-something they had said nothing about before and that it's based on space availablity...Question for anyone who has used Tropical...How long did it auctually take before you got your car??? Thanks again...

Juniper

We dropped our car off on a Monday morning, it shipped the following Thursday and we picked it up on St. Croix the next Monday. The did not garuantee it would only take a week. If there had not been room on the first Thursday, we would have had to wait another week.

Welcome to the islands!!