USVI-On-Line

In trying to figure out our itinerary for our next trip, I have a question...

If we don't arrive to St John until 7:30 or 8 on a Sunday night, will any of the food markets be open for the necessary first night provisions?

Also, once we're settled into our Coral Bay area villa it could be 9 before we can get out to dinner. Are kitchens going to be open late enough for us?

Thanks everybody!

What month are you traveling? Certain months, restaurants stay open later than others (in season vs. off season).

Also, unless you are planning on hanging around STT for several hours after flight arrival, I don't see how you would be getting in so late. The latest flights (that I know of) are usually around 3-5 pm in the afternoon. In any event we always plan to be on STJ no later than 6pm.

Also, there is the issue of a rental car. All of the rental Co's on STJ are closed at 6pm. So unless you make some kind of special arrangements you will need to take a cab and pay for them to wait for you at the store. Then of course get a cab back in the AM to get a vehicle.

Honestly, I have never heard of anyone getting on island so late-- although I guess it's possible.

One other option is to opt for one of the provisioning services to provide you with the basics. This service has sprung up on island and while I've never used it myself, I've read many reports that speak highly of the service. This may take some anxiety out of the process.

Anyway, double check those flight times again to make sure, but most of us try to aim to get on STJ before 6pm.

Hope this helps!

thanks for the info...

It's a last minute type of trip-- end of April. We'd have a 5 pm Cape Air flight arriving on STT at 5:30. I'm skeptical that we'd make the 6 pm ferry so that'd put us on STJ at 7:30.

Cool Breeze will leave a car for us in their lot, so that's not a problem. But I would like to know if we can get groceries and/or eat. Anyone know hours during that time of year?

grommit, what about the flights we arrive on at about 9.30 on. They don't come in at six. We also arrive on STj at about 10.30

/just saying

Starfish Market is open until 10PM. I'm
pretty sure that is 7 days a week.

Wow! They are getting flights in later these days! I was totally unaware.

I just think with the ferry schedule and potential flight delays folks should have a back up plan to stay on STT coming in that late in case you are delayed and miss the last ferry out of Red Hook at midnight. Certainly if you're arriving after 6pm or so you are definitely not going to make the one out of C.A.

The issue with car rental co's are still the same and you probably need to make special arrangements. Seems like the original poster has done that.

Looks like someone else has provided the hours for starfish.

Good luck!

Grommit, it's very rare that we arrive earlier than 9.30, the last AA flight arrival from Miami. This isn't recent but has been happening for years. It is rare that we arrive any earlier. We fly from Los Angeles and the LAX to Miami flight catches that particular flight. So it's not something new. I also believe it's the last flight arrival and there is never a problem catching the ferry to STJ.

I have been flying down since 1996 and haven't encountered too many questions on this board or the old (over the past several years) mentioning getting in that late and trying to get over to STJ.

But it sounds like you are the authority on this, so I'll just let you take it from here.

Promoguy -- since you've pointed out that you too get in late every time you go perhaps you could actually answer her questions.

What do YOU do for groceries, car rental, restaurants when you arrive late?

Gromit, you are not the only one that was confused about these really late flights.

I did villa pick ups for almost 5 years, and never picked up anyone after 7:00 and we had owners from the West Coast that would come in often.

Lulu - I think just in case I would have a few provisions packed in your bag (I always bring some snacks!) or ask your villa rental agent about getting provision service to get you through at least the first night and morning.

Christy's will do villa provisioning but I am sure there are others. http://www.christysofstjohn.com/.

I have used them for kid items and been very pleased!

I would not expect much to be open after 9pm on a Sunday. If you get your jeep and head straight to Starfish that may work out too!

Grommit, I was actually comment on your comments about the late arrival issue. I didnt' want anyone to think that there weren't any late arrivals. That was the direction of my comment.

Others have noted that Starfish closes at 9.00.

But to answer your question of what we do when we arrive late........we go to bed, since it was a long trip from Los Angeles.

Gromit wrote:I have been flying down since 1996 and haven't encountered too many questions on this board or the old (over the past several years) mentioning getting in that late and trying to get over to STJ.

But it sounds like you are the authority on this, so I'll just let you take it from here.

No expert on the matter at all, just happen to know when we've been landing for the past ten years. But none the less thanks to deferring to me.

We were on the 10:00pm ferry week before last and Dolphin was open until 11:00. Woody's also serves food until midnight.

Is a villa rep meeting you or are you going out to Coral Bay on your own (say to Concordia)
If you are on your own, I would pick up some groceries first in Cruz Bay and have dinner there also.
If you are being met by a villa rep they (usually) will always offer to stop for a few groceries and if they don't just let them know this is what you would like to do (as long as you don't do a weeks worth of shopping while they wait on you )
As far as food on the Coral Bay side you should be fine but some places do start closing down the kitchens early so I would not "dawdle" at the grocery store or putting things away in your villa
Another option would be to call an order in to Uncle Joes BBQ in Cruz Bay (340-693-8806) when you get on the ferry (or alittle before as it can take up to 45 mins or so) that way you can have it waiting for you when you arrive, take it to your villa and enjoy on your deck while having a 'cold one" (or two)

Pia