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Ferry to take for 2:45PM flight?

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:31 am
by SuefromMA
Hi,

Yesterday we changed our scheduled FROM staying at Secret Harbour on STT our last night - to extending our stay at Estate Lindholm one more night! YIPPEE!!

But, we have a question. This will be our FIRST time leaving from St. John ON the day of our departure. We are lucky that we don't need to have our rental car back until noon. SO.....we are trying to decide how much time we can "allow" to hit some "beach time" before taking the ferry from St. John to St. Thomas in order to catch our 2:45PM flight.

This will be on Monday, April 30th - so, don't know if it will be a little less busy on Mondays as compared to departing on a weekend.

Do you think that taking the 12:00 ferry is cutting it too close? Or should we take the 11:00 to be "on the safe side"? We will have "checked luggage" and will need to wait for that to be unloaded from the ferry before we can grab a taxi to the airport.

I know that this question has probably been asked a hundred times before. But, first time for us... LOL

Thank you,
Sue

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:11 pm
by Lindy
I'd probably stick with the 11:00 to avoid any problems. Maybe you could get away with a later ferry as long it wasn't a Saturday or other high "turn-over" day or a day when a cruise ship was in port. See what Pia or some of the other regulars have to say about that.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:53 pm
by daytonpaul
This past Saturday we took the 10:00AM to Red Hook and walked through the last security check point at 11:45AM. This was for a 2:56PM departure. This may sound too early but the Customs line had probably quadrupled during the time we first got in line. The 11:00AM to Red Hook probably would have worked. Maybe even the 11:15 to CA????

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:01 pm
by jayseadee
There are 2 ships in port that day, so traffic could be heavy around town.

I like to be early and would stick with the 11am.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:01 pm
by jayseadee
There are 2 ships in port that day, so traffic could be heavy around town.

I like to be early and would stick with the 11am.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:45 pm
by SuefromMA
Thank you, all.

I didn't realize that there is an 11:15 ferry from Cruz Bay to Charlotte Amalie.

That looks like the one we should take.

Get's us that much closer to the airport and would much rather spend that extra 30 minutes on the ferry versus in a taxi!

Even with having to get our luggage off the boat, should get us to the airport by about 12:30 or so. So, a "good" 2 hours before our flight.

Looks like a plan.

Thanks, again!

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:55 pm
by jayseadee
Suggest you confirm the Charlotte Amalie ferry ahead of time - it seems to be 'iffy' on occasion.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:44 pm
by Pia
The 11:15 sells out quick and if it does they have been holding the 11am Red Hook until 11:15 so at least people who can't get on the CA will get to STT earlier than waiting for the noon (happened to me :( )

Pia

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:15 pm
by Kevino
Left St. John yesterday Monday for a 4:30 PM flight and customs line was one of the longest I have ever been in. It did move very well but glad I allowed extra time. Daphne and other porters were still doing their magic but I didn't need them this trip. Easter Monday is always busy and now you have low-season. The 11:15 CA does not always follow the posted schedule. Be prepared to jump on the Red Hook 11:00. Don't worry! It does always work out!!