Working through final details..have questions...

[riley1319]

First off I want to thank you all for your participation in this forum - the information I've garnered is invaluable. Now for a little more I'd like feedback on...

We're flying into STT on a Sunday with a 4:10pm arrival. We're planning to pack carry on and head straight to the ferry from the airport. While I'd prefer Red Hook, I also don't want to sit around if avoidable. With this arrival time would the 5:30 CA ferry make more sense or is there a chance we'd make the 5pm at RH?

We're staying at Grande Bay on Cruz Bay, but will need to grab just a couple of grocery items to get us through the night/morning. We don't get our car until Monday so should we grab a cab and ask them to swing us by a grocer (will one be open at 6pm or later on a Sunday) before taking us to the villa? Or just walk to the villa to drop off our stuff and head out from there.

Walkability - we were planning to walk to dinner that night - is it safe and doable from our location to go and grab a bite? The only caveat for me is that I'm 5 months pregnant, not afraid of a little walking, but not interested in walking where there are no street lights/side walks and it's too steep.

[dejavu]

We arrive Sunday on the 4:40 flight from Miami, we always just count on the cab driver to take us to the correct ferry depending on the time they are leaving, RH is farther in the taxi but a shorter boat ride and CA is much closer to the airport but a longer boat ride so they work out about the same. Yes, you can walk to dinner completely safe and close to Grande Bay. I know Pine Peace is open Sunady nights but you will need a taxi to take you there. Starfish may be open but I think you need someone else to answer that. There is also another market near the round about which you could walk to from your location (dolphin?) but again I am not sure. Have fun and prepare to fall in love with STJ. IMHO no better place on earth.

[chicagoans]

Hey dejavu, that ticker is looking mighty nice!

[StJohnRuth]

Congratulations on your first trip!

Gallows Point has a shop on the premises that will have the basics for the first night and breakfast Monday morning. Very close by, just a few yards up the hill. Open until 8 or 9, I think.

There are also two convenience stores within walking distance, both open until at least 10pm, I think. You could definitely get what you need without a taxi ride on Sunday evening.

Regarding the downtown ferry, the schedule is currently very limited. Please take my advice and don't bother with it, just go to Red Hook. You won't wait that long, the new ferry terminal is comfortable enough and it's not worth taking the chance on being stranded downtown with no ferry in sight.

Enjoy!

- Ruth

[byado18]

Definitely you can walk from Grande Bay to town and not worry.

There is a small "convenient" type store right downtown at the entrance to Rhumbline's for some basics that would probably get you through a day or 2 and you can walk there when you go to dinner. They are open until 10 or 11 pm!

[msgcolleen]

If you can, pack those little grocery items in your carry-on and bring them with you! We always bring our own coffee & breakfast snack items to get us through the first morning!
Since you are so close to the restaurants, you might want to have breakfast at JJ's Texas Coast Cafe or Deli Grotto in Mongoose Junction.
Enjoy your vacation!!

[byado18]

Breakfast at JJ's is a treat ---just don't be in a hurry!

[riley1319]

Thanks for all the well wishes.

So is walking with carry on luggage to Grande Bay doable? I'd much rather just walk there, get settled, go out for dinner and pick up a couple items at that late night convenience store by Rhumbaline's (what is Rhumbalines?) on the way back.

[baseball0717]

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK WITH NO PROBLEM .A VERY GOOD PLACE TO GRAB SOMETHING TO EAT IS AT THE BEACH BAR.IT IS JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM GRANDE BAY.PLEASE POST PICS
AND A REPORT ON GRANDE BAY .I WILL BE STAYING THERE IN MAY / JUNE . THANKS

[mahojim]

Rhumblines is a wonderful little outdoor patio type restaurant tucked back in between two buildings. Easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Incredible swanky caribbean atmosphere, and I've personally never had a bad meal there. Deelish...!
As stated on my Rhumblines t-shirt;
1)-a line on a sphere that cuts all meridiansat the same angle
2)-the path taken by a ship or plane that maintains a constsnt compass direction
3)-the most direct route to your next rum
One of my top 3 favorite spots to eat. Tropical ambiance,obviously, and quite the hidden gem!
Gotta' agree with the JJ's comments. I love their Bloody Marys! (Good food, too...)
smiles-
MJ

[toni]

We were on a USAir flight that landed about 4:10 and we had just carry on. We squeaked onto the 5pm Redhook ferry as they were closing the barricade. Usually the taxis stop at several places on the way to Redhook so depending on that you might/might not be able to make the 5pm. But you're on island time, so no worries, mon.

Grande Bay is just a very quick walk from the ferry dock to the right (past the stores and start up the road-it's on the left).

Pretty easy walking around -you're right near several restaurants.

Have a wonderful trip!

[byado18]

The walk is doable IF you are in pretty good shape and can pull your suitcases up a moderate hill!

Rhumbline's is one of our family's favorite restaurant!

Check it out! http://www.rhumblinesstjohn.com/

[UF Prof]

With a 4:10 arrival it will depend a lot on luck if you can make the 5 PM ferry. However, since you do not plan to pick up a car until Monday, a later ferry should not interfere with your plans. Personally, I like the CA ferry to avoid the ride to Red Hook but as pointed out, the CA ferry is pretty iffy. I would take the van to Red Hook. The wait should not be bad.

[bnsilly]

DO NOT COUNT ON THERE BEING A 5:30 SUNDAY FERRY~
We were there a couple weeks ago and they decided the 5:30 ferry would be a 5:00 ferry that Sunday so we missed it by like 10 minutes...
Luckily, there was a 5:30 running out of RH that day so our cabbie busted his butt to get us over there in time to catch it, and I was on the phone with the ferry at RH a couple times while we were en route just to make sure they would wait for us...
Have a plan B and put both the CA and RH ferry numbers in your celly in case you need to give them a call..
We tried to call and verify ferry times earlier that am and couldn't get anyone to answer..
Just wanted to give you a heads up, as it caused us alot of stress because we were headed to Tortola and did not want to have to spend the night on STT~

[sinkinsoon]

DO NOT COUNT ON THERE BEING A 5:30 SUNDAY FERRY~
We were there a couple weeks ago and they decided the 5:30 ferry would be a 5:00 ferry that Sunday so we missed it by like 10 minutes...
Luckily, there was a 5:30 running out of RH that day so our cabbie busted his butt to get us over there in time to catch it, and I was on the phone with the ferry at RH a couple times while we were en route just to make sure they would wait for us...
Have a plan B and put both the CA and RH ferry numbers in your celly in case you need to give them a call..
We tried to call and verify ferry times earlier that am and couldn't get anyone to answer..
Just wanted to give you a heads up, as it caused us alot of stress because we were headed to Tortola and did not want to have to spend the night on STT~

Are you saying this schedule is not really followed?

Leaving Red Hook, St. Thomas
6:30 am, 7:30 am then hourly from 8:00 am to Midnight

We arrive this Sunday at 4:40. I have no problem waiting, but some of you make it sound like that's the last boat?! It does run until midnight right?