Here are your options:

1- Take Westin Ferry, they will move your bags,have cold water for you, AC lounge to wait in, etc.
2- Get off plane, get in taxi to the downtown Ferry, only if it works for your flights. There is no terminal so you will be hanging out until the next one, get to STJ, take a taxi to the Westin
3. Get off plane, take taxi across the island to Red Hook, every hour on the hour a ferry goes to STJ. Get to STJ take a taxi to the Westin.

I think it depends on how many people are traveling, how many bags, and what time your flight arrives.

You might want to check to see if the $95 fee for the Westin ferry includes unlimited ferry use back and forth to St. Thomas during your stay. I have a vague memory of that benefit from the past.

The Westin Ferry makes it very simple
They meet you at the airport and wisk you away - no thought - no adventure
The good side you arrive at your location and life is good

The other route takes you over the mountain - great views
Hit the terminal at Red Hook quick Beer or Pain Killer
Jump on the boat with the common folk
Arrive at Cruz Bay
Quick Stop at Woody's and then a taxi

Your Call - The both end at STJ

Thanks so much for the helpful info, I really appreciate it! Haven't decided yet but might pay the $ for the convenience. We will have unlimited use of the hotel ferry for the rest of the trip. Although, I do like Tom's plan! Maybe I'll do that for my second trip to STJ!
Thanks again, everyone!

the ride from red hook to cruiz bay is about 11.00, rt for one..

THe ride from the airport to red hook is about 30. one way for two.

billd

.

save your money for drinks and go the inexpensive route. Once on STJ you will have no desire to go back to STT until your departure day. good luck! jp

Gee, jpen...and I was about to answer your question about bareboat charters. My desire to do so just disappeared! 😉

jpen - Actually many people do find a trip to St Thomas during their STJ vacation stay, a worthwhile destination,
especially on a light or no cruise ship day.

The Westin ferry is extremely convenient when traveling with luggage - Tickles Bar at the STT end does have great drinks and views so you won't miss out on that part - and a quick shop at Gourmet Gallery there as well for some wines, liquor, food items, snacks or staples.
The Red Hook taxi -- ferry --- taxi to Westin route will cost about $60 round trip [overall] plus the extended time involved and the luggage moving.

I stick with my recommendation

It is a wash
$s are not the question
When you do the math considering $s vs Time
everything is equal

BTW -
When staying on STT a day trip to STJ is a must
When staying on STJ a day trip to STT is a must

I am a STJ person, but have some great stories of experiences on STT

ok ok - I don't mean to bash STT - I just absolutely love STJ and have found that when given the choice to stay on both I always go with STJ. STT does have it's fair share of beautiful beaches, great shopping and incredible aerial views at night. Smiles to all............
🙂 jp

Thanks again! It's a quick trip for us (arriving Sat. night, leaving Wed. morning) so we'll probably stay on STJ. We're going there for my friend's wedding, she is getting married on Monday evening at sunset.

It's going to be a relaxing vacation, enjoying the wedding and the beautiful beaches. If anyone could recommend their favorite restaurant, I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!
Patty

Here is a list of restaurants that may be closed during your visit:
http://stjohnspice.com/stjohnrestaurants.htm

Cafe Roma-reasonable prices and great Italian Food
Rhumb Lines-more expensive but great drinks and food.
The Lime Inn-great seafood
Paradiso
Zozo's-very expensive but excellent food
Woody's-great happy hour specials and inexpensive food.
Uncle Joe's BBQ-cheap BBQ. located across the street from post office.

There are many others too. You can talk to someone at the concierge's desk and look at the menu's before deciding where to go. You can also have the concierge make reservations or recommendations also. They are very helpful.

I would just add that it is much more convenient to take the Westin Ferry for above reasons. If you are tight on money or on a budget, St. John is not an inexpensive venture to begin with. It is nice to be luggage free and enjoying your trip from arrival.

Reefrunner,
Thanks so much, that's great info and I appreciate your response. 24 hours from now I'll be in St. John sipping on a nice cold cocktail and enjoying the beautiful island!

I know this is an old post, but zekieboo, if you are still on the boards, I was just wondering if you ended up using the Westin ferry or the public ferry?
Thanks.

So sorry for repeating but I want to make sure I'm getting this right because I have never heard of it before. Once landed on St.T you get your own taxi to Red hook. THEN a Westin boat is waiting to take you to the Westin if staying there? And also have there own rental cars on Westin property to rent and return back to the Westin at end of vacation? Then Westin boat takes you back to Red hook for taxi to airport? This sounds to easy and to good to be true....So if I was to come alone all this would work for me if I stay at the Westin? I assume there's a Westin boat fee, would the fee be for both ways there and back to Red hook? Again sorry for the repeat just want to make sure I had this all right before making any reservations..Thanks in advance

The Westin ferry comes/goes out of Crown Bay Marina/STT to STJ. So, "once landed on St. T" the taxi takes you to Crown Bay Marina (in an area called "subbase"....formerly US Submarine Base....on STT) to catch the ferry....about a 5 minute taxi ride from the airport. The Westin ferry will then take you from Crown Bay Marina/STT to the Westin on STJ where you could take advantage of car rental service which the Westin makes available to you on premise.

http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/westinstjohn/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_SEC_Google_Query_westin_st_john_021909_NAD_FM

Just a quick mention of what we found personally.

If you are going to STJ and NOT staying at the Westin, it may be more convenient to rent a car in STT, load up your luggage, drive on to the ferry at Red Hook with the car. When you take the car ferry, you don't pay per person. You pay for the cost of the car to be ferried and can ride over in your vehicle. Just drive off with your luggage intact and on to wherever you are going.

The car will need to be returned to the agency in STT of course, but the airport is there anyway.

It make life easier with less luggage floppin'.

FL Barrier Islander thank you so much for the link. I had not been able to find information regarding the ferry service. It also provided an email for questions. Thanks again!

This is all last minute planning for me. My wonderful husband surprised the kids and I on Christmas with the trip to St. John 1/29-2/3!

ica99, You're most welcome! Enjoy your time in the US Virgin Islands!