USVI-On-Line

We are 10 days from departure and are renting a car on St. Thomas for the first time. I wanted to know what the car ferry process is like over at Red Hook?
First of all, I assume the car ferry location in Red Hook is right next to the passenger ferry location correct?

When we arrive what do you do? How do the cars get loaded? Who do you pay? Basic questions I know that could be figured out on the fly, but it would be nice to know ahead of time.

Thanks to all.

Yes it is next to the passenger ferry terminal.
You pay $4 at the little hut when you come into the lot. Then park in one of the lined spots with your back to the water and when they are ready you will back onto the ferry. They collect money on the way over to St. John. They don't honor each others tickets, so just get a one way and purchase another one when you return.

Make sure you have cash!

And after you've paid the ferry attendant, get out of your car and go topside to enjoy the breeze and the view!!!

The whole backing in process can be a little intimidating if there are a lot of people. Just remember that you're on island time

There will be male attendants on the barge who will direct you where to back onto the boat. They can be particular so just happily do what they say. Then you'll need to wait in your car for a lady to come take your money. After you pay you'll be free to go up to the top of the boat. Depending on which boat you're on the set up is different and they can run out of seating. If you're up top make sure to get back to your car in plenty of time so that you don't hold up traffic getting off of the barge.

Before boarding the barge if you have time you can run over and get a drink at the bar at the passenger ferry dock. And if you're over there use the bathroom because the bathrooms on the barge aren't exactly fit for human use. Another option is to go to the Food Center grocery store (on the left before the docks). They have refrigerated beer so my husband always gets some there for the ferry ride over to STJ.

thanks for the tips..Terersa Rae....we arrive tomorrow...

we are stopping at Food Center to pick up a few supplies......will be sure to leave some beverages readily accessible...had not thought of that!

CBama wrote:thanks for the tips..Terersa Rae....we arrive tomorrow...

we are stopping at Food Center to pick up a few supplies......will be sure to leave some beverages readily accessible...had not thought of that!

I'm not a beer drinker but if I recall the refrigerated beer is not in the back with the rest of the beer at Food Center, it's on an end-cap toward the front near the hard liquor/wine section (my husband always wanders off when we're at Food Center and returns with cold beer...this has been his routine for 9 trips in a row). There are also non-alcoholic beverages like Snapple toward the front.

[quote="Teresa_Rae"]The whole backing in process can be a little intimidating if there are a lot of people. Just remember that you're on island time

There will be male attendants on the barge who will direct you where to back onto the boat. \


Could you imagine if it were female's directing the backing up cars onto the ferry? OMG. (it's a joke!)

DaveS007 wrote:

Teresa_Rae wrote:The whole backing in process can be a little intimidating if there are a lot of people. Just remember that you're on island time

There will be male attendants on the barge who will direct you where to back onto the boat.


Could you imagine if it were female's directing the backing up cars onto the ferry? OMG. (it's a joke!)

Unfortunately women are the only ones who can be trusted to handle money properly so they are too busy collecting fares to help people back onto the boat

Touche'.

But, seeing 8-10 cars, where 30 would fit, in the shape of 7's and Z's taking up the entire barge would be kinda funny.

The parking attendants can be pretty stern! I'm laughing out loud remembering the guy yelling at Blaine this last trip. Blaine was backing on and the attendant came up to his window YELLING:
"WHAT is the PURPOSE of you driving on the side of the RAMP?"

Blaine was trying to process his question, but the odd diction and the accent had him just stammering a "uh, uh, uh, I don't know!"