If you’re cruising from place to place with no fixed address, how do you get a shipment from Amazon, Defender or anywhere else?
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
A good summary Carolyn. You missed one of the easiest mechanisms for shipments, international and domestic: cruising organizations. SSCA has Cruising Stations, OCC has Port Captains, AGLCA has Harbor Hosts, MTOA has Port Captains. I’m sure CA and CCA have similar functions. Drop an email to the local knowledge person for the organization(s) you belong to ask for guidance. I get a steady stream of packages year round, more *cough* *cough* *ahem* around Boat Show here in Annapolis. *grin* Every local rep has their own limits but most all of us are happy to accept deliveries. We may be able to deliver to your marina or just provide pick-up at home or office. It all depends. You have someone who understands your issues and will protect your delivery and get it to you.
Peter Piper says
I remember many years ago you could send a package to someone by addressing it “GENERAL DELIVERY” with the name of the town, state and zip code. Then you would go to the post office to receive the package without renting a post office box. You just sign for the package. Of course this is not a permanent thing; you can’t get mail this way every day, in other words.
Carolyn Shearlock says
You can still do this, but with budget cuts, General Delivery is not at all a priority of the post office and I hear reports of packages being lost. I don’t recommend it.
Paula Biles says
• General Delivery in some towns has been a reliable and inexpensive way for us to ship our products via Priority Mail to cruisers in the USVI. However only a limited number of their Post Offices offer it.
• For cruisers in Panama it is possible to have your package sent to MailBoxesEtc and they will transport it to select Panamanian cities for a reasonable fee.
• BEFORE ordering something, always check with your marina to learn what kind of shipments they will accept and if they have separate addresses for USPS and couriers. Some marinas will not accept USPS packages.
• In international locations also check with local businesses to learn the best shipping method(s) and how to ensure packages will move through customs quickly. If possible see if they would be willing to have the package sent to them.
• Whenever possible, plan for your international shipments to be sent to friends and relatives who will be visiting. This is usually the cheapest and most reliable way to get packages.