USVI-On-Line

Next Saturday, we pick up 2 vehicles at STT and then drive over to Red Hook to take a barge over to St John. Is it necessary (or possible) to book a spot on one of the barges or is they first come, first served?

Any recommendations on the barge operators? Is one any better or different than the others, or are they basically the same? Just with different departure times?

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

Stampede Chuck
I would PM RickG, He's done this a number of times and is an expert at it! Pia also has the best directions to Red Hook for 1st timers.

no reservations, ist come ist served. barge companies have different schedules but all leave from same place just different times and not always per posted schedule. my recommendation is to take 1st barge you can get on and pay for one way fare since tickets are not interchangeable.

for more info on others thoughts and suggestions see this post from yesterday on trip advisor on using the barges.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1 ... lands.html

good luck.

papabou

If you have a choice of barges when you hit Red Hook, try to take the Roanoke. This one just always starts the island vacation out on the right note for us. We leave the vehicle and sit up on one of the two observation decks, grab a couple of Caribs from the little snack window, enjoy the view, the breeze, the island music they play and the palm trees waving. (Yes, there are palm trees growing in pots on the Roanoke.) This crossing is just a nice wind-down from the long day of travel, the STT airport craziness, the fast shopping on the way to Red Hook, and the stress of making sure we make the ferry. According to On St. John, the Roanoke has been in PR for awhile being refurbished but is back in service now. For a short video of the barge experience and a quick view of the Roanoke crossing back, go to On St. John and view a video from Oct. 8, 2007, titled "Jeep Cam: Getting There". This link should work, just scroll down to find it:

http://www.on-stjohn.com/category/recent-videos/page/4/

Have a great time!

- Margy

traveler 22 - thanks, I've already got PIA's directions (can't remember if I got them here or on Trip Advisor), and they seem pretty straightforward.

Margy Z - I think I saw the video a little while ago, but will check it out again.

Thanks.

Uhhh, one time and I'm an expert!? It's easy, with help from Pia and FlaGeorge.

Drive down the main waterfront drag and keep turning right until you hit Red Hook. There are little starfish signs pointing the way.

Cheers, RickG

Sorry Chuck, Don't listen to anything RickG has to say! Just kiddin Rick, Your still the group guru.

Hey, having never been, I'll listen to anything ... once!!

DELETED

Jorge wrote:

stampede chuck wrote:Hey, having never been, I'll listen to anything ... once!!

OK, Salt Pond is clothing optional.

C'mon, be nice to the newbies! But I think I'll pass that on to the OTHERS in our group ... we'll just go somewhere else that day!!

We always take the car barge so I can definitely tell you which one is the best:
the first one available because it gets you to STJ the quickest

We just got back yesterday and had our first experience with renting on St. Thomas and taking the car ferry. We found it very easy to find Red Hook, it was easy to back on the ferry and a great way to go. Much less stress - especially on departure day. We just took whichever ferry was there and drove right on.
We did see the Roanoke with Palm trees and such but weren't on that one. Be sure to buy a one way ticket so you can take whichever ferry is available on your return.


Tracy

Margy Z wrote:If you have a choice of barges when you hit Red Hook, try to take the Roanoke. This one just always starts the island vacation out on the right note for us. We leave the vehicle and sit up on one of the two observation decks, grab a couple of Caribs from the little snack window, enjoy the view, the breeze, the island music they play and the palm trees waving. (Yes, there are palm trees growing in pots on the Roanoke.)

While we always take the first barge we can get its always more pleasurable if you take the Roanoke. Bob on the barge drinking a Rum & Coke (diet) by one of the palm trees: