TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Upcoming SVI Charter

Heading down to PR Oct 18-Nov 4 for 2 one week charters with 2 different crews,Dream Yachts says we are still a go. Does anyone have first hand knowledge of how Culebra and Vieques
are post Maria?

Here's post-Maria satellite imagery https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/maria/index.html#15/18.2832/-65.6322

Looks like many buildings along the Esperanza waterfront at Vieques lost their roofs. North shore appears to have fared better.

Culebra appears to be in pretty good shape.

Puerto del Rey marina in Puerto Rico looks to be in surprisingly good shape compared to the images of post-Irma yacht destruction from BVI.

Miraculously, the entire Sail Caribe fleet (based at Puerto del Rey) survived intact, and they will be starting their charter season in October as planned. Obviously, the places to sail will be limited, but it's an opportunity to contribute to the local economy.

I have a charter with Island Yachts Charter January 15th 2018 were off to the Spanish Virgins.............
cash down on flights and charter........
best I can do is be VIstrong and work out a reschedule....
as soon as Island Charters are back up and ready!

Aleta Skipper
We in same boat as you so to speak. Our charter was going to start about a week after yours. We feel so bad for all the people living down in the islands at this time.

Good morning, we have a house in Vieques rented November 15-20. The owner of the house ( he lives in the states ), has spoken to the caretaker who said " ferries resumed. roads open, food in stores, gas in stations, cell service spotty, electricity may take months to restore" . I hope this helps some.

That is very helpful,I will give full report when I get back

Stay on top of your flights. I don't believe the airports will be fully operational by then.
G

Kort, will SJU be open by Oct 18?

SJU is open now, no a/c in the terminals yet, as far as I can tell, but it is open. There are several flights listed from SJU to Miami today, including one in the air right now. Several cancelled, but some still going.

good to hear, but I heard they had no air controller tower and only medical and flights of necessity were flying in as they have no electricity, water, or fuel

I don't know, but I saw several flights just to Miami for today, so I don't think that's true.

Commercial flights are operating. Getting back to full operations will take time. Monitor your flights for possible rebooking. Another consideration is personal safety. There are a lot of desperate people in Puerto Rico. Be careful out there.
G

Please delay your charter.

Puerto Rico and the SVI's are not ready to accept tourism. We are still very much in recovery mode. Culebra probably won't have electricity until next year. PDR is operating with limited services and there are a lot of damaged vessels sitting in the marina. My best guess is that it will be December before anything is functioning at a level where it would be responsible to send a bareboat charter out.

Delta is up to 7 flights a day to SJU. Passengers on flights inbound to SJU are limited to 3 checked bags to preserve space for relief supplies. Passengers into STT and SXM will be limited to 2 checked bags due to runway length.

Runway length at SXM??? Huh? SXM can land and take off 747's. Regardless, as of today, SXM is not open for regular commercial flights yet. The terminal was destroyed, the fence was destroyed, as well as the instrument system.

Airport is getting better. FAA brought in new radar equipment and it seems to be working now. JetBlue stood up on Friday and released an initiative program to help Puerto Rico - in unison they added a bunch of flights over the next three weeks, capped fares, and are not charging luggage fees in or out. This was an amazing act and I wish the other airlines would follow suit.

Delta and I believe American have done all the same things.

STT has a 7000 foot runway, SXM is 7400 feet. SJU is 10,400 feet.

OK. But, as I said, SXM is not open to commercial flights yet. Supposed to be 'soon', whatever that means..

Culebra fared better than the main island of PR. No fatalities, very few homes destroyed, and had restrung 75% of the power grid. However, most electricity comes from the main island, via Vieques, as does most of their water. Currently, the barriadas near Dewey receive power from 6pm-6am from an aging diesel generator. A few restaurants have reopened with limited menues cooked by private generators. I am in touch with the folks who run the largest vacation rentals business. They are presently not taking any bookings through November, or until the actual reliable restoration of power can be predicted.

Will send updates as they come in.

Thanks for the update Doug. Crossing my fingers and toes on a January 2018 sail to Culeba from Red Hook <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

List of Accomodations open on Vieques as of 11/14/17:
ACCOMODATION
Casa Amistad Isabel II generators email viequesamistad@aol.com
LAZY JACKS Hostel Esperanza-Operational

TROPICAL GUEST HOUSE on the north side. The have a generator that they run for a few hours in the morning and again all night. They also have functional Wifi when the generator is running. Ask whether they have water available as that situation is in flux. They are charging $60-75. Per room Best way to reach them is by email viequesgh@yahoo.com

SEAGATE Seagate has 2 comfortable apartments, one that sleeps two and another that can sleep 6, that have a generator that runs a total of about 8 hour a few in the morning and again at night.They also have regular rooms that sleep 2-4 guests and hope to have a generator connected in the next few days. Text Kelly Lennon at 201-450-8238

HACIENDA TAMARINDO is actively hosting aid workers but still have a few extra rooms that can be booked. They have a cistern for water , a generator that runs 14 hours a day, mostly at night for the fans and early morning for hot showers. They have toast and coffee available in the morning. The best way at the moment to communicate is to email Linda in Vermont at lwvail@gmail.com she is in constant communication with Burr who is on site.

ESPERANZA INN has clean rooms available and are awaiting a generator which should arrive soon. Lisa can receive texts at 787-435-2276 or she is checking emails daily esperanzainn@aol.com

EL BLOK Esperanza -
book by emailing Laine at lainegorman@elblok.com Restaurant open 6-9 for food/ 6-11 for drinks. Closed Sundays & Wednesdays

CASA TORTUGA in Esperanza is currently hosting aid workers who come and go. They have a generator that they run from 7-11pm. The pool is clean and usable. They have cistern water. They are in the process of switching over to solar power for this coming winter. You can text/call the manager at 303-941-9851

HIX ISLAND HOUSE Solar power 24 hours a day. Hot water, outdoor showers, full kitchens, and best of all peace and quiet. Stop by or email us: Info@HixIslandHouse.com
COCO LOCO, Esperanza limited generator power -half price, for volunteers! www.cocolocoguesthouse.com

List of businesses open on Vieques as of 11/14/17:

All the Colmados are open as are both Morales supermarkets.
The Vegetable stand on 997 is pretty well stocked.
The Viequense Bakery in Isabel II is reopening.
Salad lovers can rejoice, the vegetable truck from the big island was here at it usual location on 201 by the GE plant this week on Friday so we hope that continues.


Tsunami at the Wave Hotel is definitely up and fully operational with a full bar and good menu.
They have water and a huge generator and they have WIFI . They are open at 11 am and serve food until 9PM and drinks until 11 pm.
El Yate is open
El CotoRito-open
Subway is open at the same location as the Tsunami and is fully operational. Opens 6:30 am to 11PM
Coqui Fire is serving a very nice lunch menu including Chili, Hamburgers, steak sandwiches, Burritos, fish etc. Wednesday thru Saturday from 11-3pm. They will be serving a full generous Thanksgiving dinner from 2-4pm on the 23rd, no reservations needed $30
Coqui Fire will also be hosting the Spam cook off sometime mid November.

Mar Azul is currently open Sunday afternoons and serving a yummy small bowl of Jumbalaya for $4 and of course their usual bar drinks.
Kuhns has a lively crowd for happy hour most afternoons except Sunday from about 3-6pm.Buy your bottle of wine early the streets are pretty deserted after 6pm
Williams Pizza is open
Lighthouse Cafe is open
Mama Mia’s opening thursday
Auroras on Rt 201 is open with their regular menu 11-4
Chicken King is also open at 11 am until 4
Bigotes has taken over the space across from Morales supermarket. The make Quesadillas with pork, Churrasco or ground beef for $5. They have generous pork or Chicken Pinchos, Churrasco and Hamburgers and Cold beverages. They open 10 AM-5:30 PM
Gran Parada is open Monday thru Saturday serving local food , at the intersection of RT 200 and 201 from 8AM to 2PM
There are several food trucks operational including Rincon del Sabor, The pizza truck near the electric company office and others around the island.
Bananas has repaired and rebuilt and is open Wednesday-Monday with a good variety of menu items. They are serving from 12-6pm
El Blok open for dinner and drinks beginning November 4th. Drinks: 6pm-11pm. Dinner: 6pm-9pm. Updated menu, Wifi, and possible that credit cards will be accepted. Closed Sundays and Wednesdays.
Lazy Jacks has been operating since Maria--hours?