If you are arriving on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, there is a public ferry that runs to JVD for around $50 per person. Leaves St. Thomas at 8am and leaves JVD at 3 pm. BUT - you'll be way too close on your 5pm cruise departure. Last time we took it, they left JVD at 3:30 - had to stop at STJ for immigration, and didn't get back to Red Hook until around 4:30. Just not much room for error on this option.

If money is not a consideration, you might check out this link: http://www.doitinstylecharters.com/St_Thomas_boat_rental.html They might be able to help as they have much larger boats.

With 14 of you, you're going to struggle to find the JVD trip, I'm afraid.

Most daysails will only be able to accomodate 6 passengers, as well.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Thanks. We will be arriving on a Tuesday. I'm worried about taking a ferry since I've heard they are sometimes unreliable and if we would happen to miss it, we would be in big trouble since we would end up missing the ship and paying for our own way to the Dominican Republic.

We would be open to taking a group charter to St. John. Do you know if anyone offers a catamaran day sail to St. John?

Thanks!

Mary

Here's one that has a maximum passenger capacity of 18. I've not used them, but you might check them out.

http://www.stjohndaysail.com/

VI

Mfinn:

You're trying to do too much in a short period of time. While JVD is very nice the logistics are a problem. (And if you miss your ship you'll really have a problem.)

Suggest that you and your group do a St. Thomas or St. John Tour or beach visit instead.

Then, return in the future, and stay in St. Thomas or St. John ......and visit the B.V.I.'s.

F.I.

F.I. is right - this is just not "doable" on a one day cruise stop. Even if there were an 8AM ferry available on a Tuesday there's no way you could make that with a ship arrival of 7AM as you don't disembark right on the dot. And coming back would also be a problem time-wise. If you go to the top of this page and click on "St Thomas" under the photograph you can scroll down to "daysails" and find a variety of options. New Horizons or Daydreamer would probably fit the bill very well indeed as they accommodate more passengers than the general "six pack." Have a wonderful day here!

For the JVD trip --- If you ask them you may be able to charter the smaller New Horizons 2 powerboat for just your group - it is a power boat USCG inspected for about the # of people you have -- many boats are uninspected and can only carry 6 - there is another level that can carry 12 [non SOLAS class] - You will have to leave from a MARSEC port since it is an International SOLAS [Safety Of Life AT Sea] trip and it will be a long day - doable - but pushing the envelope on cost and time versus enjoyment. A stop at Customs and immigration will be involved both ways.

It would be better to try STJ.

Thanks for the replies.

We have been to St. Thomas four times and St. John a few. We actually spent 10 days on St. John in Jan. and went to JVD during our stay. We thought we would love to go back for a day. I think we'll either go to St. John or spend the day around St. Thomas. A catamaran sail to St. John would be great. Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

Mary

try the majac at nauty mymphs. the do day things every now and then.