Would it be a good idea to bring my laptop with me to our villa on St. John for a one week vacation? Obviously there are concerns such as having it stolen or any issues with the airlines, but I think it would be useful to use the internet for maps and activity & restaurant info. Have you ever done it?

Also, when bringing electronics you would want to consider them as carry-on luggage right? Even if I dont take my laptop, I will be taking my SLR camera and camcorder.

First, in this day and age people bring their laptops with them to the Caribbean (and to St. John) all the time. It's nothing unusual. As for taking them on airplanes,, thousands, if not millions, of travellers do it every day - there are no "issues" to be concerned about - some airlines even offer "in-flight internet service" for a fee. People routinely put their laptops in their carry-on luggage or use a standard laptop carrying case. You should know for "carry-on luggage" purposes at "laptop carrying case" is considered a "personal items" so you'd be allowed one carry-on and one personal item (i.e. purse, laptop, small shoulder bag, etc).

As with any valuable, if you take the same normal safety precautions you do at home while you are at your villa your laptop should be safe.

Yes, bring all your valuable electronics in your carry-on luggage. Do not put any valuables you cannot afford to lose in your checked luggage. This applies on flights to anywhere, not just the Caribbean.

Having said all that make sure the villa you are staying at has internet service that you can access with your laptop otherwise you may not be able to use it for much. If you are planning to use a "network card" for your internet connection then check with your card provider to make sure it will work on St. John as not all will.

I bring my laptop to St John. I find it relaxing to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view while spending a little time on the computer. Some people shun technology on vacation. I enjoy it but then again, we like a TV in the condo also. There isn't a right or wrong, whatever suits you. I agree though to definitely check if your villa has internet access, not all do. We carry our laptop in our backpack.

It's worthwhile as long as your villa has fast Internet service. Not all the villas do, but I'm assuming you've already verified that.

Under no circumstances put a laptop or camera or any valuable in your checked luggage. That goes almost without saying.

Unless you have a TSA approved case, you have to take the lap top out of its case and put it through screening separately.