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Which ferry would you recommend? Seems like Charlotte is much closer to the airport (i know it's more expensive)
Koen
All depends on your arrival. It is much more convenient and cheaper to take the CA ferry.
my family and i have been going down to STJ twice a year since 1996. when we can, we always try to catch the Red Hook ferry. but honestly, it doesnt' really matter. it really just depends on when your flight gets in and the ferry schedules. also, if you have the option of both ferry's, it depends on how long you want to wait at the dock, how long a taxi ride you prefer and how long of a ferry ride you want. If you want a short taxi/long ferry ride, take Charlotte Amelia; long taxi/short ferry ride, take Red Hook.
also, you luggage has more of a chance of getting soaked on the CA ferry. we have actually had several zippers get nasty and stuck because of the luggage getting soaked with salt water. we have gotten a couple of them unstuck, but it takes awhile.
but the zipper thing really isn't that big of a deal.
We usually go with the RH ferry, but if the dispatcher steers us to the CA ferry for one reason or another, we're happy to go with the flow. It's not a critical decision. Either one gets you to STJ. We do usually try to take the CA ferry on our return. The cost averages out pretty much---taxi to RH costs more, but ferry is less expensive, and the reverse from CA.
The first time we went to STJ we went via RH and enjoyed getting a tour of STT. Some folks seem to have strong preferences about a shorter taxi ride or want either a longer or a shorter ferry ride. It's really not a big deal for us at all. We're on vacation in paradise and all's good.
What would be expected taxi fees to either location from the airport?
Under the blue banner at the top of this page click on St. Thomas and then under Transportation click on taxi rates.
I've taken both ferries and my preference is Charolotte. I am able to start relaxing once I am on the ferry. The taxi trip to Red Hook is not nearly as pleasurable as the ferry ride even if it is quieter. The cost is basically the same when you consider the increased cost of a taxi to RH or the increased cost of ferry from CA. Just wish the Charlotte ferry offered the later departures that RH offers.
