Car Barge

Rbaron721 · Post by **Rbaron721** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:34 pm

We usually rent a car on St. John. Has anyone tried renting a car on St. Thomas and using the car barge to St. John? Is it a hassle? Is it cost-effective?

Itsstraightparadise · Post by **Itsstraightparadise** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:45 pm

We rent on ST all the time. It's fine for us. The car people meet us at the airport. We jump in drive to Red Hook and right onto the barge. It helps to throw your luggage into the truck and only lug it one time from the car to the villa! We recommend.

psufan · Post by **psufan** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:54 pm

RBaron, we did it on our first trip to St John. It wasn't too bad except for being crowded in with several large commercial vehicles. We were novices with the keeping left thing so the drive to Red Hook was an adventure. This trip we have opted to try the passenger ferry so that we know which we prefer for future trips. Just need to beware of which rental companies allow for travel to St John and that you will be responsible for any repairs or flat tires that you may encounter while on St. John. We definitely thought it was the cheaper option if you don't take car problems into account.

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:06 pm

Baron - The biggest positive factor we have found is cost. For 2, the romanticism of riding the ferry and sailing into the Cruz Bay dock more than counters the taxi hassle to CA or Red Hook. When you are transporting 4 or 5 folks there is a serious $ difference. For the 5 of us last year it would have been $20 x 5 each way for people ferry vs. $30 each way for the car barge.

Patty · Post by **Patty** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:08 pm

Car barges aren't running as often...I don't believe so you have to make sure on your return that you know what time the ferries will be departing. We have rented from Dependable several times but may go back to renting on St. John this trip with the changes in the car barge schedule.

MistB'Haven · Post by **MistB'Haven** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:10 pm

We rented on St. Thomas with Discount for 3 weeks. It went perfectly. The Jeep was reasonably new and we had no problems. I choose them because altho they were just a bit more expensive, they stated that if I had mechanical problems (not simply a flat tire), they would come get the car and I would not have to get it back to St. Thomas. But most importantly, they allowed us to put the top down. Some other rental companies do not allow that. This was a biggie for me - I have to have my top off

when in the islands in the sunshine.

Cid · Post by **Cid** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:30 pm

We used Budget back in May and it was fine. We saved a few bucks and got to take a ride around STT on arrival. The driving on the left thing was easy...my wife drove. Heheheheheeee....

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:33 pm

With some great advice from RickG,we rented from Dependable on STT this past fall, and found it wonderful.
It was a '07 Vitara, and in great shape.
We landed at the airport, called them, and by the time we got our luggage they were there to greet us. We then went to their office to finalize some paperwork, and were set free to head to Red Hook. We stopped for some provisions on the way, and if you have the time, I'd also recommend stopping at Duffy's Love Shack which is not only right around the corner from the ferry, but is also the home of the best "Sweet & Tangy Fiji" wings. Too delicious!!!
We backed onto the ferry, and rather than sit in the car for the ride over like everyone else did, we got out and walked to the top deck. There was a young lady selling beer& drinks,between turns at dominoes, and we embibed with the sun on our faces, and wind through our hair! I'm really not sure why everyone else just stayed in their cars...
Simply put, it got us on "island time" as soon as we arrived at the airport. At the end of the lot across from the car barge ferry in Enighed on STJ is a trailer serving local foods, and drinks. it's called Hercules and that's where I had my first Johnny Cake which was delicious!
Back in November we experienced no issues with the car barge/ferry, and plan on doing the same thing this year.
Good luck, and
Smiles-
MJ

samoka · Post by **samoka** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:20 pm

We rented on STT and took the jeep to STJ - it was EASY - it seemed like a lot of work to try to get a taxi to the ferry and then get from the ferry to the rental car - samoka

chazz · Post by **chazz** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:14 pm

One of my guidebooks says the Boyson car barge does not allow rental vehicles.

I have never heard this before - is it true??

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:09 pm

chazz wrote:One of my guidebooks says the Boyson car barge does not allow rental vehicles.

I have never heard this before - is it true??

No, it isn't true, or at least it isn't enforced. We've taken an STT rental to STJ on Boyson several times.

Rbaron721 · Post by **Rbaron721** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:46 pm

Thanks for all of the great responses. I think I'll try to rent from Dependable. However, I am taking some first timers this time and I wonder if the ferry into Cruz Bay is a better experience for first timers? I definitely want them to be as mystified with St. John as I am and I remember my first time on the island I came over on the passenger ferry and arrived in Cruz Bay which was a great experience. Do you stay in your car on the car barge or do you get out and walk around on the boat on the ride over?

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:32 am

Well Rbaron721, that part is completely up to you. You're SO Right when it comes to the difference with arrival docks onto STJ.
This past fall my Sweet Amy & I took another couple (newbies) for their first week stay to STJ, and rented from Dependable on STT.
Not having to worry about constantly moving your bags around from airport to taxi, to ferry to villa greeter jeep, to your own car rental,etc...speaks volumes in itself.You just take them from the airport, and don't have to worry about them until you've reached your "home away from home." As exciting as that particular experience has been to me, it just worked out famously doing the car barge-thing. And yes,(didn't you read my response?) we got out of the car, walked up onto the top deck & enjoyed a few cold beers sold right there. I'm still not sure why everyone else stayed in their cars

. Anyway, we had a picnic on our way over! It was a great experience, and highly recommended!

Don't forget, you can always take a day trip over to STT and back, for that added bonus of entering onto the Cruz Bay ferry dock!
Such good times!
Smiles-
MJ

Fowst · Post by **Fowst** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:25 pm

I received the same information re: repairs as MistB'Havin above. Discount stated they would send someone to STJ with a new vehicle. I hope that's not needed, since they said their fleet is currently 2008's right now. We'll be renting from them for this coming June.

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:16 pm

The guy I just got off the phone with didn't make it sound as if it's a sure thing they will come get the car. Mentioned it and he said your on your own. Told him what I read on the forum, said in some cases they have done this but he doesn't advertise it. Just thought I'd throw it out there. We really would like to try the STT thing but the breakdown issue has stopped us. He did say they were new vehicles and ya should't have problems.

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