Need advice on a day in St. John from a cruise

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

We were thinking of doing something reasonable for spring break...We have never done a cruise. When we get to ST. Thomas we wanted to get the ferry over to St. John, Take a taxi to Hawknest or Maho and then the ferry back. Any one ever do this? Logistics? Advise?

[JJShaw]

Yes Mam' it can be done...thus all the day trippers to Trunk. Your cruiseline should offer an excursion...but..it will probably be much cheaper to do on your own..and with you being familiar wth the Ferry schedules..you should be fine...We took the CA ferry when we went just for the day..Its closer of course to where you will dock..assuming your docking in Havnesight. Im sure others here have done this as well..and I have no doubt..if I cruise again and dock in STT, we will head to STJ...Im also gonna send you a PM...

[Pia]

Taxi to Red Hook
Ferry to STJ - on the hour
Taxi to whatever beach (don't go further than Cinnamon as taxi's will be a problem)
Leave on the Red Hook ferry 2 hours (minimum) before you need to be on the ship meaning if you have to be on the ship at 5:30pm for a 6pm sailing you need to be on the 3pm Red Hook

Pia

[jayseadee]

We did this also.

When we got off the ship, there several cabs loading to go to Red Hook.

We taxied to Trunk and saved time for a couple of Bushwackers at the Beach Bar.

We had plenty of time to enjoy the day.

[Splasher54]

We catch the Red Hook ferry and go right to the Low key for a Dinghy rental. 1/2 day rental and we're back on the ferry by 3 to get back on the ship. We got all of the way to Francis and back and had a great day!

[cdrott]

Just to try a different idea -- why not stay on St Thomas? If you head for St. John you are going to eat up about four hours (over a third of your time on the island) just traveling. Grab a cab and head over to Magens Bay -- it has a restaurant, beach rentals, and is the favorite beach of locals. (it is a public beach but there is an admission fee.) Generally smooth water although not good for snorkeling.
Even closer is Brewers Bay, just east past the airport and at the foot of the hill with the University of the Virgin Islands on it. Cab fare is cheap or you can take the bus (hint, if you are standing at a bus stop, a cab is likely to stop and offer to take you on for the same charge as bus fare) Not much for amenities although there are generally a couple of lunch trucks there.
Nice shell hunting on the east end. We visit if we get to the airport too early of if we have to wait for friends arriving on a later flight.

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

These are all great ideas! JJ Shaw is even helping find the best cruise for us.