which ferry for a newbie

[kjguye]

We are finally getting to go to STJ in May. This is our fist trip. We have found this forum helpful. Was wondering if we land in STT @ 1:45PM, approx. when do you think we could be on STJ. and which ferry would you take.

[waterguy]

I'd go with the 3:00 downtown one but I like that one better love being on the water longer.

[piscesgirl0314]

I would probably do the Red Hook Ferry...down town is a little crazy especially if you've never been. Plus Red Hook has a LOT more ferrys running than Down town....

[toes in the sand]

Personally I prefer the Charlotte ferry whenever I can make their limited schedule. Much shorter taxi ride, more time on the water, you get to see the south end of St Thomas. If you get in on time the 3:00 would be perfect for you. Time to collect the luggage(15 to 30 minutes), grab a taxi (5 to 15 minutes to wait for it to fill), get to downtown (10 to 25 minutes depending on traffic) with a little time to spare.

The one advantage that Red Hook has over Charlotte now is the ferry terminal. It keeps you out of the weather while waiting. In Charolotte you have to find someplace to sit across the street to stay out of the sun.

[Lulu76]

I'd probably take the CA ferry too. I prefer the shorter cab ride.

If you need a place to kill time while you wait, the bar in Drake's Passage makes a mean lime & coconut. Great way to get on "island time."

[byado18]

Definitely downtown for all the reasons stated ...... plus, the cab ride to Red Hook is not my favorite way to start the trip to STJ!

[Lex]

We usually take the Red Hook ferry. Some folks don't like the ride across STT, but we enjoy it. We think of it as a tour and if we've got a friendly driver I like to sit up front and chat him up. Some really enjoy talking about the island, some don't. We've also met some very nice people in the van who are as excited to be there as we are. But if the dispatcher at the airport wants to steer us to the CA ferry for one reason or another, we're happy to go with the flow. It's not a critical decision. Either way gets you to STJ. And we're also in no rush. When there's nowhere I have to be by any particular time for a week or more, I'm certainly not going to hurry anywhere. I try to savor the whole experience---from the first hit of tropical air as I step off the plane. It really is all good.

If we miss a ferry, we really don't mind. Another will come and it gives us chance to slow down, shift to Island Time, sip a Carib and just take time to enjoy how beautiful everything is. Life's sweet and slow in the VI.

It's funny---we started going to STJ before the era of computers and forums. It never crossed ny mind that ferries ran on a schedule. We'd just get there and get on when one came---sort of like going to the subway station and waiting for a train. We still sort of operate that way.

[kjguye]

Thanks for all the info. We are so excited about going to STJ. I have wanted to go since I first saw an add for Cinnamon Bay, about 9 years ago. We have never been to the carribean,Hawaii many times mexico once, so we are looking forward to new places and sites. Karen and Steve

[Pianogrl]

kjguye....be prepared: you will be hooked! Hardly any place else on this earth compares to STJ. You're gonna love it!

[jimg20]

Let us know how it goes. We are coming in at 1:45 in June. I too would like to catch the CA 3:00, but missing it would not kill the buzz. We're coming in on a Monday so it's not like we have any place like the Beach Bar gathering to go to.

JIM