Charlotte Amalie Ferry

[Churchill]

Does anyone prefer the CA Ferry over the RH Ferry? I have time between when I land in STT and when I can get into my villa. I'm thinking I might be able to save a few dollars by not having to get a private taxi over to RH....thoughts?

Thanks!

[gwaine]

Would much rather take that ferry but it seems like it doesn't run that often.

Ferry Schedules

[pipanale]

I've used it twice to go back to STT on the last day and enjoyed it over Red Hook. Mainly because we hate the ride to Red Hook. get me on a boat sooner than later! I'm hoping that I can make one of its runs this July...otherwise, unless we get lucky at the airport, I have a long sit at the new (and thankfully-improved) Red Hook Ferry terminal. At least they have beer!

[tjwgrr]

Hands down we prefer the CA ferry if the schedule works. Crammed in a van with sometimes multiple stops on the way to RH sucks IMO. Rather be out on the water.

But wouldn't you rather kill time on STJ instead of STT?

[Pia]

And cost is the same..........CA ferry, cheaper cab more expensive ferry and RH ferry, more expensive cab and cheaper ferry = same price (unless you have a private cab to Red Hook then obviously it will be more)

Pia

[bnsilly]

ALTHOUGH....the cab fare on STT is sooo much lower than Tortola...a $15 fare is like $40 on Tortola...it is crazy...I agree with the others though, would do CA instead of RH if I could..

[Churchill]

Looks like there is a 1:00 ferry leaving CA so I think that's what I'm going to do. I was originally going to call Bazile or Rachel for a private taxi until one of the posts refreshed my memory of how expensive it is to get to RH. Probably need to go that route on the way back.

[Churchill]

Is it reasonable to assume that it will be easy to get a regular taxi from RH to the airport that doesn't make a ton of stops along the way (versus arranging for a private taxi)?

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Wknd.

[Gromit]

Churchill-

IMHO a private taxi is really unnecessary unless it's something you truly prefer.

You just tell the guy coordinating taxis that you are going to STJ and he will get you on the right taxi to get you there the fastest. If you prefer to get to STJ from downtown CA just tell him and they'll coordinate that too.

Private taxis certainly make more sense if you're in large group and don't really want to hassle with other folks in your cab but in all honesty you will still get to where you are going.

They won't put you in a cab with a bunch of stops if you are trying to make a ferry. Just be clear about where you are going and what ferry you would prefer and they will tell you if they think you can make it.

I have always taken the regular taxis (always vans) and have NEVER missed the ferry I wanted even with a couple of stops.

All this said, I GREATLY prefer the CA ferry vs RH. As Pia said the cost works out virtually the same and I much prefer my time on the water vs. a cab.

Bear in mind though that there aren't any creature comforts or even much shelter at the CA ferry. So be prepared with water, sunscreen and a hat!

[Pia]

They won't put you in a cab with a bunch of stops if you are trying to make a ferry. Just be clear about where you are going and what ferry you would prefer and they will tell you if they think you can make it.

I have to disagree with that statement (sorry Gromit) - I have lost count of how many ferries I have missed by 3-15 mins because they put me in a cab with multiple stops even after being polite and trying to explain I am trying to catch a ferry - it was no fun after a 18 hour travel day from England to have to wait because we stopped at the Wyndham and missed the ferry by maybe 30 seconds

Pia

[Gromit]

Pia-- Of course your potential/percentage for this is much higher given your frequency of use

Let me clarify : Since I have been travelling down to the VI's (1996) sometimes twice a year, I have never had a problem making whatever ferry I was trying to make as long as there was a reasonable amount of time and was clear with the guy coordinating the taxis.

On the last two occasions we were taking the ferry to STJ I was SURE we wouldn't make it to the RH ferry on time (we had 30 mins both times) and we did.

[Churchill]

Thank you for sharing. Going to use CA when I arrive and will make sure I leave plenty of time to get to the airport from RH...of course I wouldn't mind missing my flight and being forced to stay in STJ for an extra week.