What's the latest on Car barge?

Travelinmom · Post by **Travelinmom** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:59 pm

I need to rent a car today as we will be arriving
on Wednesday. Can someone please update me on the
car barge situation. How long will delays last.
Thanks so much for your help.

This will be our second trip to St John after 8 long
years when our kids were in college. The whole family
is coming including our 18 month old grandaughter.
We have gotten some wonderful information from this
forum and appreciate the help.

Thanks again.
Travelinmom

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:10 pm

First welcome back to STJ

If you scroll down on this page about 10 threads it was discussed yesterday.

The Mr B will be out for 2 weeks but we are back to 2 ferries - at least for the time being as the Roanoake appears to be out of service more often than in service these days and it just started running yesterday after a break. Still "prime time" there were long lines - at least yesterday when we drove by at 5pm - I'll let you know if I go to town today what it looks like.

Pia

ps: if you have not reserved a car do so asap - I am surprised how many people are on island right now - Maho has been packed the last 3 days - remember Hertz does not allow their cars to STJ.

RonUSVI · Post by **RonUSVI** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:02 pm

Has the Hertz ban changed since there is no longer an agency in STJ Pia?

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:23 pm

I called Hertz, but it was a few months ago, just to check and was informed of the $1,000 fine for taking the car to STJ as it is not allowed, so I don't think anything has changed unless it's changed within the last 8 weeks or so.

hockeymom · Post by **hockeymom** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:44 pm

Arriving in a week - just wanted to know about the barge situation. Cars are avaialble at STT but I was worried that I'd run into issues if there was a delay with our flights (and then long lines for the barge). We are supposed to get into STT at 2:30. I assume that's plenty of time (if all goes well with flights)to get to the ferry. But, some posts on the forum make me worried. Lots of opinions on renting on STT or STJ. pros/cons? We'll have 4 people and probably more luggage then we need. LOL

Travelinmom · Post by **Travelinmom** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:34 am

Our family of 7 just returned yesterday and wanted to
update everyone on the car ferry and rental situation.

We rented from Budget in St Thomas (they are located
in the baggage return area of the airport). We rented
a 7 seat Ford Explorer that had a luggage rack on the
roof. I was prepared and brought a rope to tie down
the stroller and luggage to the roof. The rental
pickup is across the street from the terminal and very easy. On the ride to the ferry we stopped and bought soda, beer and snacks at the grocery store. If you have room in your car you should load up on groceries as they are cheaper in St. Thomas.
The line at the ferry was quite long but after an hour we got on the second ferry named Roanoke, and I laughed since I remembered reading on this site that it has been called the Sloanoake. It sure was slow compared to the General II.

The return trip was a longer wait. When we arrived
at the ferry terminal at 9:20, the General II was loading and we missed getting on by 2 cars. We finally boarded the Sloanoake at 10:40 and would you
believe it, the General II was returning to the dock
at the same time as we were leaving. We arrived in
Red Hook at 11:45 and drove straight to Wendys for
a quick hamburger before catching our 4-hour, no food, flight back to NY.

By renting a car in St Thomas we save $144 on cab
fare round trip and $44 on the difference of the
passenger ferry. We saved time and energy because
we didn't have to load and unload a taxi and ferry
and then a car rental. All around, I think it was
worth the wait.

Thanks to all the information I received here
before our trip, everything went smoothly.
I hope this helps all those who are still debating
the car situation.

Travelinmom

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:05 am

A friend was on STT on Thursday and arrived at Red Hook at 12:10pm and was the 5th car there - finally got on the ferry at 2:30pm as they loaded the trucks/trailers that kept arriving before her (normal pratice here) - she finally made it to STJ at 3:20pm.

Having said that, we were there Tuesday and had no problems - had planned on being on the 4pm Slowanoke" and made it with no problems.

Sorry this probably has not helped but situations change hourly as far as the barge is concerned and even when all 3 are running you can never tell what might happen later in any day.

Pia

papabou · Post by **papabou** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:21 am

pia,

is mr b back in service? arrive stt monday afternoon around 2 and had planned to stop and stock up at cost u less before heading for barge. maybe need to forego grocery savings to get in line. know that's what we'll do if flight is delayed.

never an issue in past since traveled late fall and winter with early sunsets and we had to rush to get to stj for the event.

thanks for all your great input.

papabou

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:44 am

As of yesterday no

It was due last Friday ? (I think) but is still out and have not heard when the new date is. We still have only the General and Roanoake

Pia

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