It's not usually rainy during Christmas but when you're dealing with Mother Nature, you can't really predict.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the barge on STT as depending on day, time of day, number of cruise ships, there can be traffic to deal with.

The barges generally run on time but we're down to 3 out of 4 car ferries that normally run and sometimes one of the 3 will go out of service for whatever reason which creates long waiting times to get on a barge so best to check and get there early as well as it's a busy time of year.

All the mosquito sprays generally work well whether it's Off, Cutter, Deet Deep Woods, etc.

Mosquitoes, no seeums generally increase with the amount of rain we get. We do have Zika here as do most Caribbean islands.

Please use a coral and reef friendly sunscreen when visiting.

Have a great vacation.

thank you for the information, I really appreciate it, we will be arriving on Saturday the 24th around 1240 in the afternoon, I would hope that would be enough time to make it to the car barge? thanks again.

That should give you enough time.
Make sure they give you a road map at car rental.
Sometimes they forget.
The barge departs from Red Hook on the east end of STT and the airport is in south west end of island. On a good day, 30-40 minutes, lots of traffic, longer. Stay left.

Last barges leave STT for STJ @ 6PM and 7PM.
You really don't want to wait to take the very last one if you can avoid it. Plus, then you'll be struck trying to find where you're going in the dark when you arrive in STJ, on not very well lit roads with minimal signage.

Are you staying at a resort or a villa rental?
Be sure to get good driving directions.

Here's the barge schedule.
https://www.vinow.com/travel/virgin-islands-ferry-schedules/

Here's info on barge and ferry pricing, etc.
https://www.vinow.com/stjohn/getting_there/

At the Red Hook Ferry terminal in STT, they have 2 separate entrances. 1 for ferry passengers and 1 for barge passengers.
On the STJ side, the barge and passenger docks are in separate locations.

We are coming into St. Thomas on Dec. 25th and would like to spend the day in St. John. Will the ferries be running on a normal schedule as it is Christmas Day? Also, will the restaurants and shops in Cruz Bay be open?

Can't say about shops and restaurants for lunch but the ferries
will be running normal schedule. It is our busy season so I'm sure some places may be open.

Hello and Good Morning,

thank you for the response, I really appreciate it, we did rent a place in cruz bay, about a mile from the car barge from what I was told. we don't plan to stop anywhere in St. John upon arrival, I understand starfish market may be cheaper for grocery , however I am more concerned and stressed about finding the barge first and getting settled into the villa. jeep rental is confirmed and Christmas dinner has been confirmed . YAY!!!

It would probably be even cheaper to stop at Food Center on your way to Red Hook. They are open every day of the year.

Think you can order turkey/ham dinner and sides from Plaza Extra and Food Center on STT as well as Star Fish market on STJ for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Call in advance. You have to pick up as none deliver.

Due to you're early arrival time, STT, you shouldn't have any issues with making the barge.

Enjoy your holiday and have a great time.

thank you for the response. i appreciate it. made a reservation for xmas dinner already in STJ.

wohoo , guess we got lucky, we get to leave Saturday instead of Sunday, so we will arrive in st Thomas around lunchtime , plenty of time to get to the barge from what alana33 told me. getting excited and cant wait to be there. cruise ship schedules look pretty laid back for sat and Sunday especially xmas day, Monday and Tuesday will be pretty busy. Any suggestions on what to do on the days the ships are in port? we do have a vehicle rental and I was thinking skinny legs for lunch and one of the beaches on that end would be good on Monday. any thoughts or recommendations?

thanks.

Cruise ship passengers usually impact STT more than STJ tho some tours are offered for STJ but not the numbers STT gets.

Shipwreck Landing is great for lunch if you're out on east end STJ. There are many beaches on STJ to enjoy.
On east end STJ you have Salt Pond but there's no shade there. I prefer Lamesure but if it's been raining don't go unless you have 4WD. They have the VIERS
http://www.thestjohnfoundation.org/nonprofit-agency-directory/environment-and-animal-welfare/119-viers
there, shade, deer in mangroves, porta potties, picnic tables and great snorkeling. Not a large beach.
There's also a hiking trail that goes down to ruins and petroglyphs at Reef Bay. Good shoes, bug repellent, water, hat, reef friendly sunscreen, cover up are recommended.
Leave your valuables at home if going to any beaches.

Check with National Park in Cruz Bay and get some information about STJ, the tours, trips and activities they offer. Also hiking trail maps, etc.
https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

There's a free booklet with map you can pick up that has lots of great information. You can get at various places. NPS, Starfish Market and on commuter ferry dock should have these.

Fun to go into Cruz Bay, walk around and check out all the great shops and restaurants. Finding a place to park
can be challenging.

My favorite beaches are Cinnamon Bay, hiking trail across from entrance. Francis Bay, with a stop at the Annaberg Ruins, (note: if you pay admittance st Trunk Bay, you get in free at Annaberg and vice versa on same day- Trunk has a snorkel trail.) Lamesure and Leinster Bay below Annaberg is a rocky beach but great snorkeling.
So many beaches, so little time!
Enjoy!

thanks everybody