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I am going with a party of six to St. John in June. We will be taking a taxi from the airport to Red Hook and then taking the ferry from there. Should we buy our groceries at Red Hook or wait until we get to Cruz Bay? I am assuming it will be cheaper on St. Thomas, but I am trying to see if it's worth the hassle to carry them with us on the ferry. Thanks to anyone who can help! Melanie
Melanie...
I've not tried buying groceries in St Thomas then ferrying them over...I suppose it would work - you would likely need to get your taxi driver to wait while you shopped -perhaps negating any savings...shopping with your luggage would be interesting otherwise. My experience has been that the travel day is long enough and the hassle of too much luggage along with the groceries would do me in. Be interesting to see what others say.
Once you get on St. John, Starfish Market has the best selection but is higher priced. Try Marina Market for better value and pick up the extra's at Starfish.
FWIW
bob
Buy them once you get to St. John. It would be easier. Otherwise you will be weighted down
If you really want to shop on St. Thomas, send four along with luggage to St. John. Two stay behind and shop - put groceries in boxes rather then bags. And then catch a taxi to the dock and ferry over. OR just buy the stuff over in St. John.
If you take a taxi to the store and then tell the taxi to wait here is the charge
"After the first five minutes of waiting, a rate of $0.50 per minute would be charged. "
That will quite possiably work out to be more then you saved!!! unless the taxi driver is willing to negotiate a different price for waiting.
--Islander
It isnt worth the hassle unless you buy a lot of groceries in my opinion.
You dont want to buy any meat, dairy, or chilled type items because even if you time it perfect and hit the ferry as it leaves, the stuff will be in the hot tropical air for 20 minutes before you get it in another taxi or rental to get it in a fridge. Wouldn't food poisoning ruin your week? Milk and other things lose its chill pretty quickly. Just get settled and figure on spending few extra dollars on STJ. Marina is cheaper but Starfish has more.
There is also a new gourmet deli near the Westin(Simple Feast) where the Tropicale used to be. They are even more high end than Starfish but you can get more prepared foods there.
Most people don't know about it because it opened a month ago but I highly recommend it for a quick bite or just some good bites.
I
