Which ferry to catch

[toes in the sand]

We are arriving STT at 4:10 on an AA flight from Miami. We will have checked luggage. It is a heavy cruise ship day on STT. We would prefer to be on STJ before 6 to get the jeep. Which is our best ferry option? Will we be able to catch the Redhook at 5 pm? Does the 5:30 CA arrive at about the same time as the Redhook 6:00? I guess my best bet is to contact the Jeep rental and have them deliver the keys to the Caribbean Villas. That way I can start to relax once we are on the plane.

[Nancy_B]

It takes about 45 minutes to get to Red Hook via taxi so you won't make the 5 p.m. You can try to catch the 5:30 CA - it's about 15-20 minutes taxi ride from the airport. The ferry ride from CA to STJ is about 45 minutes and about 20 minutes from Red Hook to STJ. I would definitely recommend contacting your property manager about the car.

Have a wonderful trip!

[Lulu76]

I don't see how you could make it to STJ by 6 p.m. It might be close, but I just don't think you'll make it. You should have no trouble getting to the 5:30 CA ferry or the 6 p.m. RH ferry. Even if you didn't check bags, you'd never make it to RH by 5 p.m.

You should get there around 6:15 - 6:20 either way.

[Pia]

Hey Toes

Here's my answer from the "other" forum where you posted

I really, really doubt you will make the 5pm ferry from Red Hook - we just had friends arrive with carry on luggage only on the USAir flight that arrives at 4:10pm and they had a private taxi and still missed the 5pm by about 3 mins due to cruise ship traffic and road construction

The 5:30pm CA ferry will arrive at approx 6pm (anywhere from 6pm to 6:10pm) as it is now a fast ferry The 6pm Red Hook will arrive at 6:20pm.

Make arrangements for your keys to be picked up and all is well

Pia

[toes in the sand]

Thanks all, I suspected as much. I will contact the jeep rental and villa mngmt company and get them together.

[Armchair Traveler]

I am curious about which ferry to take as well. It seems like the default one most people take is RH, why is that? Shorter boat ride? We will be getting in at 3:20pm and are considering the CA ferry. Are the only differences the longer road time/shorter ferry vs shorter road time/longer ferry? Thanks!

Amy

ps. This is also on behalf of two obsessive Patriots fans who firmly believe that on January 20th, the day we fly in, that the Pats will be playing for the AFC championship and we will need to make our way to Skinny Legs for a good seat!

[naturegirl]

What are the times of the CA ferry again? If we arrive at 12:30, what is the next CA ferry?

Is it 20 minutes to the CA ferry and a 45 min boat ride and to RH 45 minutes from airport and 20 minute boatride?

[Lulu76]

I think most people take the RH ferry because it goes every hour and the CA ferry seems to be a little more hit-and-miss.

I prefer the CA ferry, but it also seems like even when you do have time to make it there the cab drivers are more interested in taking you to RH and charging you twice as much. At least that's what happened to us in October.

[naturegirl]

How much more does the CA ferry charge. Also, where do you find the public taxi's at the airport?

[Lulu76]

I am pretty sure it was $12.50 for the CA ferry, but that included one bag.

[toes in the sand]

When I checked the taxi fares and ferry rates the total cost is equal. Timewise seems to be close also. The fact that the RH ferry leaves every hour on schedule is the big difference. You have to consider cruise passenger usage also. If you are traveling from STT to STJ in the morning I would imagine that you might find more cruise ship passengers fill the boat from Charlotte Amalie.