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Hello all! My husband and I were married on St. John this past December and were fortunate enough to spend over a week in paradise. We are pretty familiar with the island and the ferry system. This October we are planning a cruise that stops one day in STT for 12 hours (8-8). We will only be on STT as long as it takes to get over to STJ for the day and want to maximize our short stay here as long as possible without coming close to missing our ship! What I would like to do when we arrive in Cruz Bay is pre-pay for our trip back that evening. Does anyone know if this is possible? Since it would be ideal for us to catch the 6:00 ferry giving us 2 hours to get back to the ship, can we purchase our ferry tickets in advance when we arrive? Thanks for your help!
I don't think you can do this. Upon my return trip from St. John to St. Thomas, they wouldn't even let me buy my ticket 1/2 hour ahead of time! We all had to wait until 10 minutes before boarding.
All you need to do, and no one really does, is to buy a round trip ticket when you buy the first one. They just give you double tickets so you don't have to stand in line. Now, if you are leaving from CA, it could be different. Sometimes they only take the cash. Lately, however, they have been selling tickets.
RL
Ron is right. We just asked for a round trip ticket and that was it, all three times we went over to STJ. Now...this was from Red Hook.
We never had a problem except for when we were coming back from STJ on the 5:00 Ferry...it was PACKED and we almost didn't get on. They closed the gate right in front of us to see how many people were on the boat before they let more people on and all I could think about was standing out in that heat for another hour. It was packed because people were getting off of work and going back to STT.
I would just make sure to keep your eyes on how many people are waiting for the ferry on your way back to the ship.
Are the return tickets with the round trip good at any time? Meaning, If we arrive on a Wed. and leave the following Wed., the tickets will be good, and for any ferry we choose?! Thanks!
Hello LMarie,
For Red Hook-STJ ferry, when you get round trip you are getting two of the same identical general tickets which are good for 10 days. (Thats what I have been told at the ticket booth; but I'd recommend double checking when you buy your ticket to be sure.) They are not for a particular time so you can use it on any of the Red Hook-STJ departures/returns. The price is the same; one way is $5 pp, round trip is $10.
--Islander
Can you also buy a round trip ticket for the CA ferry? Also, does the 2.00 charge per bag apply to the wheeled carry-on type bags and totes, or just regular suitcases that you would check?
Thanks!
Hmmmm... our ship leaves at 8 PM from Charlotte Amalie... I am wondering if catching the 6:00 ferry is cutting it too close... if the 5:00 ferry is packed full, chances are the 6:00 could be too. I would not want to catch the 7:00 and worry about getting back to CA from Red Hook on time. What do you all think?!
You have to be on the ship 30 mins before sailing time so that would be 7:30 pm therefore the 7:00 pm ferry would be out. The 6:00 pm would be ok providing 1) it is not running late (usually is on time but there have been a few times when it has been 10 mins or so late) and 2) you can get on - the 4pm and 5pm are the most crowded so you should be ok. If you are concerned you could always catch the 5:30pm downtown ferry and you would be in CA by 6:15pm or so and to the ship by 6:30 - 6:45 and you could enjoy more time on the water and a very short cab ride.
There is no 5:30 ferry to downtown. It leaves from downtown at 5:30. The last town ferry leaves at 3:45 from Cruz Bay. The 3 and 4 o'clock Red Hook ferries are usually the most crowded. You will probably come back early anyway, as most guests I have always say they will spend the whole day, but get burnt out on it and come back earlier. There is only but so much fun and sun one can take in a day!
RL
Ron - thanks and sorry, sorry, sorry don't know what I was thinking 🙂
Hello cypressgirl,
You can buy round trip for the CA ferry as well, unless like Ronnie mentioned they happen to not be using tickets that day and are just collecting cash.
You are allowed one carry on item that is small enough to stay on your lap during the ferry ride; it can't interfere with other passengers sitting by you or getting around you. The bags/boxes the ferry crew people have to handle are charged the fee.
An additional note: I've heard that some folks have gotten confused at the Red Hook ferry as there are sometimes porters there that offer to load your bags on a dolly and take it from the parking area/taxi to the dock... these folks aren't the ferry crew people. The porters are looking for tips for helping you. You pay the bag fee to the ferry ticket people when buying your ferry ticket.
--Islander
