Departure Date Quickly Approaching

Berkfamily · Post by **Berkfamily** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:17 pm

First, let me thank everyone who has posted their experiences because it has really helped in our vacation planning. We leave for St. John on the 22nd (if our middle son makes it home from St. Louis on the 21st)and the entire family is counting down the days. One (well, probably one of many!) final question. We are 5 adults with probably 5 carry-ons and one checked bag (scuba gear and toiletries). Is it worth trying to book a private cab, or should we just pile in and head to Red Hook in the first available taxi? We arrive on the non-stop from NYC at 12:25pm, so I doubt we'd make it to the CA ferry. As I figure it the taxi to Red Hook will cost $14pp (including luggage). Is this right? Any opinions or suggestions for private taxis? Thanks.

Splasher54 · Post by **Splasher54** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:30 pm

We use Christopher Taxi and highly recommend it. He is waiting for you at the airport and it makes everything easy. It's $75 minimum with 5 and $15 for each person over the first 5. We also use Dohm's water taxi and that is also well worth it. Christopher works with Dohm's so you can book them at the same time or separately. The water taxi is more expensive than the Red Hook ferry, but the people we had to deal with at the docks made that experience very unpleasant. We booked the private ferry as soon as we arrived at the villa in St. john last year.

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:55 pm

Save your money. With that many people you'll probably have a taxi van all to yourself. There are plenty of vans at the airport. You'll get a chance to take your time getting to Red Hook. And take the Red Hook ferry and save more money. Money saved will give you more to spend on nice drinks.

It'll get you into the island mood. Just relax and go with the flow. It's not that complicated.

After 10 years we have never taken anything but the vans at the airport and the red hook ferry. We have never had a bad experience.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:15 am

I go along with promo guy

Genral · Post by **Genral** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:39 pm

Here's another vote for just going with a regular taxi and the regular ferry. We like the regular taxi because we get to meet fellow travelers and find out where they're going, etc. Splash - you must have been there on a bad day. I can't imagine being uncomfortable at the Red Hook Ferry. Just understand that the ferry company does not have someone selling tickets at both Red Hook and Cruz Bay at the same time - so don't get scared, the ticket booth will not be open until the ferry comes in. The lady selling tickets comes in with the ferry. It's gonna be a blast!! Genral

Berkfamily · Post by **Berkfamily** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:08 pm

Thanks all. It was really just a matter of cost for us, not anything else. Looks like it'll be close either way and we'll probably "play it by ear". I'm sure I'll be back with more questions before we leave!

Splasher54 · Post by **Splasher54** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:28 pm

My reluctance to use the ferry is because of the rude behavior of the people loading and unloading the ferry and the middlemen between the taxi and the ticket booth who want $$$ for moving your luggage 4 feet. It was much more enjoyable to all of us (8 adults) to be greeted by courteous people who were happy to load and unload our luggage and treat us well. The ferry ride was fine on our way to St. John -minus the rude staff getting on and off the ferry. Everyone has their own preference and this is mine. It's worth the extra money as far as I'm concerned. Also Christopher taxi was $15 per person- $1 more than the original poster had estimated they would spend. He went above and beyond on our return trip dropping us to shop and taking two of our party to the airport to secure our luggage, return them to us for shopping and then pick us up for our flight out. I found it very helpful, making our vacation that much easier.

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:40 pm

As they say To each his own.

That being said, if they come up to us and we want to move our own luggage, I just say no thanks. No one has ever hassled me. And if you want them to move your bags, they'll take them all the way to the end of the dock.

I'm not sure I would call them rude but rather a bit detached, but I guess I would be too if I was chucking baggage all day.

My only point is that it really isn't necessary to add to the cost of your vacation.

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Departure Date Quickly Approaching

Departure Date Quickly Approaching