USVI-On-Line

Good Afternoon everyone. For our upcoming trip to STJ our return flight is on a Sat at 1:15pm. I am trying to decide between the 9:15 CA ferry or 10:00 RH ferry. Any advice? Do we need to go even earlier? We will have luggage to check (too much effort to struggle with a 4 yr old, 7 yr old and carry-on between connecting flights) and I am not sure if we'll get around to going someplace to print our boarding passes. So assuming that we have to do everything the old fashioned way (check bags, get boarding passes), which ferry do you suggest? Is there a risk that we might not get on the ferry? Do we need to be there in time for the 8:00am Red Hook and have the other ferries as a back-up? We've never departed on a Sat before, so I don't know how much of a mess to expect. Thanks.

I would say the 9:15 also with the kids I'd get a porter for sure.

For our last 1pm flight we left St. John on the 10:00 RH ferry and it worked. We didn't have any children with us though. The lines are LONG on a Saturday departure at the airport. I think it's doable with either ferry. If you prefer to have plenty of time, I'd go with the 9:15. That also allows you to enjoy a longer boat ride instead of longer cab ride. I think that extends the vacation just a tad! You can get through the airport lines, have lunch to pass the time (we get sandwiches from Deli Grotto or Baked in the Sun the morning of departure to take with us for lunch) and not end your trip stressed about making the plane.

Yeah, I've read quite a few posts about the porters - sounds very convenient! We haven't used one before. How does it work? Are they just there when you arrive? What would the cost/tip be for four people (probably two bags)? If we use a porter, do we need to have our boarding passes in advance?
I truly appreciate the help with these questions. I am not an obsessive over-planner, but getting certain things worked out in my brain ahead of time really helps our vacations go MUCH more smoothly. When things get hectic or confusing everyone looks to Mom and if I don't know what's going on then we all start to yell pretty quickly - trying to avoid that scene - we are on vacation after all!

smilesfromMN wrote:Yeah, I've read quite a few posts about the porters - sounds very convenient! We haven't used one before. How does it work? Are they just there when you arrive? What would the cost/tip be for four people (probably two bags)? If we use a porter, do we need to have our boarding passes in advance?
I truly appreciate the help with these questions. I am not an obsessive over-planner, but getting certain things worked out in my brain ahead of time really helps our vacations go MUCH more smoothly. When things get hectic or confusing everyone looks to Mom and if I don't know what's going on then we all start to yell pretty quickly - trying to avoid that scene - we are on vacation after all!

Just bumping this up to see if I can get any info on how the porter service works and what the service/tips cost... thanks!

2 words...port ers..get them..tip them and you go to the front of the line

any questions..just ask