USVI-On-Line

Can anyone tell me the difference in price when using Rachael vs a regular taxi? There will only be three of us and wondered if she's alot more expensive. We have someone in the group who gets car sick pretty easily and I thought maybe riding with Rachael may be easier on her stomach.

Also, would it be possible to share her services with someone else who may be arriving the same day?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.....Cindy

We have never used Rachel - or any private taxi service, for that matter - but have heard mostly wonderful things about Rachel.

We have always taken a taxi (van) with strangers and have never ever had a problem. I've heard a few others report that the others in the van were smelly or loud, but I've never experienced anything like that. Most times, they are fairly quiet and talk amongst themselves - but sometimes I get lucky and am able to chat with someone who is more like me & enjoys sharing their love of St. John (or STT) .

As for the ride itself - I have never been nauseated or sickened by the drive- (and I am prone to sea sickness) - The vans have always been clean and comfortable - no complaints from me.

I have only been to STJ once, last year and we rode with Rachel on the way home, and her helper Sinclair on the way there.

I'm not sure about prices, although my husband didn't act like he thought it was too expensive. Also, we did ride with two women who were friends with someone from the forum and we arranged in advance to share the cab.

I just wanted to say that your friend may want to bring the dramamine, the roads are so curvy, and they try their hardest to get you to the ferry in time and the ride is a bit like a roller coaster! Sinclair especially seemed to take the windiest road he could find from the airport to Red Hook.

We've used both a regular taxi and the last 2 trips we used Rachel.

The regular taxi is $13/person + $2/bag. Rachel is $25/person no charge for bags.
You can share with others but the price is the same per person.

We use Rachel when we want a better chance to catch an earlier ferry. Plus she is a delightful person and it's such a pleasant way to start our vacation.

That being said, we have no problem with the regular taxi but they do wait till the taxi is full and sometimes make stops on the way to the ferry.

I don't think there would be a major difference in the drive being easier on the stomach.

Rachel is pretty accomodating so if you told her that you don't mind sharing and that you'd like her to take the route easiest on the stomach she'd be able to do that for you. Rachel is also pretty particular about how she loads your luggage. Some of the other drivers have really tossed it around, especially when making multiple stops. She also takes the time to point out landmarks along the way which makes the ride a little more interesting and can help take your mind off the curviness of the roads.

Your friend needs to get the motion sickness wristbands sold in most drug stores. The roads in STJ will also be a problem and the motion while snorkeling may also be a. Issue. I have used them for 28 years...much better than drugs, they put me to sleep.

We used a private taxi once (5 years ago), then the regular ones on all other trips. My husband gets motion sickness easily and wants to sit in the front seat. Haven't had a problem getting a front seat, but we decided this year to go with the private taxi. I think I will give Rachel a call.

He uses a device that really works for his motion sickness. It looks almost like a watch because you strap it on your wrist. It gives little electrical pulses, which seems to break up that sick feeling. It has 5 settings, but the upper settings give you quite a jolt, so he uses the lower settings. Recently I had vertigo and was super nauseous. He convinced me to wear this thing and it worked for me too. We read it had been invented for chemo patients.

Haven't ever used Rachel but if you have someone prone to motion sickness definitely get the front seat if you can so you can roll down the window for fresh air, or next best get the row right behind. I've taken taxis/tours on various islands and have found that even though I didn't think I was the car sick type, if you're in the back row the motion is much more pronounced especially if you can't get fresh air. Since they pack someone into every seat it can get quite warm in there which doesn't help, often their ac doesn't work so well.

We like to use Rachel. Not only does she get us to Red Hook faster, but she's such a nice lady. I enjoy catching up with her. She helps start our vacation out right

I have used both over the years. My recollection is that the public taxis cost $15 per person and $3 per bag. I am certain that Rachel charged us $20 each last summer.

My experience is that the drivers of the public taxis are OK but not great. I have never been in one either to or from RH where we didn't have to make other stops first. A couple of times we made five stops.

We made arrangements with another Forumite to share the ride to RH when we arrived. We dropped them off at the Ritz and went on to RH.

JIM