Thurston Howell III & Lovey

[Gilligan]

Does anyone know why they took so much luggage for a three hour boat ride?

[anath]

Oh I know the answer to that one. Rich people simply must dress appropriately for every occasion ... especially dinner time.

[Gilligan]

Below is one explaination I found:


Jeff Taylor from North Carolina


My explanation is the 3 hour tour was not a round trip. The 5 passengers
were originally enroute to a remote Hawaiian club med type resort. The
resort is owned in part by one of Mr. Howell's companies. It's a real
ritzy place that high society people go to just to get away from it all.
Some guests at the resort stay for several weeks at a time. Mary Ann won
the trip in a radio station sweepstakes. The Professor had been invited
to the resort to speak at a convention of Asian college professors. The
resort is very remote and not easily accessible by car. Guests use the
boat shuttle service that is provided by the resort. The SS Minnow is
one of several charter boats contracted by the resort to shuttle guests.
Guests enroute to the resort can choose the direct shuttle that takes
about 30 minutes, or they can choose an island tour shuttle that takes
about 3 hours. The 3-hour tour is very scenic and relaxing (usually),
many guests prefer it over the 30 minute direct shuttle.


A guest's wardrobe depends on their length of stay. Guests may be
attending parties or formal functions while at the resort, so they must
pack for these events too. The Professor had only planned to stay a few
days. He was planning to prepare his speech while at the resort, so he
brought along some of his scientific books, but not a lot of clothes.
Mary Ann's visit was supposed to be two weeks. She was hoping to
meet a rich man during her stay, so she brought a variety of modest,
but appealing outfits. Ginger and the Howells were staying at least a
month; with several respective parties and banquets to attend during there lengthy stay.


Mr. Howell had not planned to take the 3 hour shuttle with Mrs. Howell.
He had a business meeting the next day in Honolulu and was going to join
her later in the week for a long overdue vacation. Although he was not
taking the tour shuttle with Mrs. Howell, he did accompany her in their
limo to the marina to see her off. He had the chauffeur take all of their
luggage, including a large steamer trunk to the dock for Gilligan to load
onto the Minnow. The Skipper was preparing the ship for sailing. It was
a bustle of activity. Gilligan was having troubles stowing the luggage
because the Howell's had so many things. But since Mr. Howell was part
owner of the resort and the Skipper did want to lose the contract, he
ordered Gilligan to do what ever it took to get the Howell's belongings onboard.


When Mr. Howell got back in the limo to leave the marina, he discovered
that Mrs. Howell had left her fur stole. Thinking she might needed it,
he decided to take the fur to Mrs. Howell before boat sailed. He didn't
feel it would take long, so he instructed the chauffeur to keep the limo
running. All of the passengers were onboard but Mr. Howell didn't see
his wife. Mary Ann said Mrs. Howell had gone down to the lower cabin
area to freshen up. Gilligan was having trouble getting the trunk stowed
away and the Skipper was trying to help him. Mr. Howell was unable to
get the Skipper's or Gilligan's attention because of the noise of the
idling Minnow engines and other boats in the marina .


It didn't look like the Minnow was ready to leave yet so he decided to go
on board and take the fur to Mrs. Howell. He went down below where he
found Mrs. Howell. The Skipper and Gilligan were still struggling with
The Howell's heavy steamer trunk. Meanwhile Mr. Howell had given his
wife her fur and was leaving the cabin but found the door was stuck. The
Howells tried but were unable to get it open. They tried knocking and
beating on the door, but apparently no one could hear them. They tried
shouting but their screams were drowned out but the other boats in the
harbor. By now the Skipper was frantic because the the Minnow was over
20 minutes late sailing due to Gilligan's troubles with the luggage. In
their rush to get under way, they failed to realize the Mr. and Mrs.
Howell were stuck in the lower cabin, even though Mary Ann had tried to
tell Gilligan that she did not remember seeing Mr. Howell leave the boat
after taking Mrs. Howell her fur. They were well into the 3-hour voyage
by the time they discovered Mr. Howell was on board. The Skipper
offered to take him back, but Mr. Howell didn't want to spoil everyone's
trip so he agreed to proceed on to the resort where he would catch the
next return shuttle.


Well as luck would have it the Minnow's radio failed and then "the weather
started getting rough..." and you know the rest of the story.


That's my explanation for the events leading up to the 3 hour tour.

[ShilohRose]

I could definitely see it happening that way.