If you click on "St Thomas" at the top of this page you'll find the listed cab fares. Ditto for St. John. In addition to the passenger fare you'll also be charged for each piece of luggage.

From the airport you would take a cab from there to the downtown (Charlotte Amalie) ferry (not the Red Hook ferry) over to St John and then take a cab to the Westin.

You can figure out from the posted rates what would be the best bet for you.

I assume the Westin ferry picks up from downtown as well as Red Hook but you should contact them for specifics. The downtown ferry terminal is only a short taxi ride from the airport.

With three youngsters plus luggage after a probably quite long 'plane trip, you probably want the transition to be as painless as possible (i.e the Westin ferry service) and you might need at least one of the welcoming rum punches at the airport!

The Westin transportation has been smooth and painless for us the last 2 years.

There is a waiting area in the airport just past the baggage claim, where you can wait if necessary...oh yes, this is also where you officially check-in for your stay at the westin. That will be the last time you see any of your luggage til if magically arrives in your room shortly after you do.

A short van ride (5 min) will take you to Crown Marina (not CA or RH)and then you will perhaps have some time to grab a bite to eat at the little bar/restaurant there before you take the private ferry ride directly to the dock at the westin.All times are scheduled by the westin people...I think the ferry comes back and forth 3 or 4 times/day...so they schedule you on an appropriate timed ferry according to your arrival/departure times.

Once off the ferry at the dock, more rum punch awaits you and then you will be taken to your room by an employeee in one of their little carts. Your luggage will arrive shortly thereafter.

It is a well worked out transition and most definately stress free IMHO. Having children and luggage I'd say if you can afford the cost, you will NOT have the stress of handeling luggage, and managing to keep track of kids also.

Hope this helps!

Have to agree with Carolyn. Even if you're not interested in the unlimited return trips to STT that they offer, the extra $$ is offset by less stress, IMHO. Last year, our bags actually beat us to the room!

We thoroughly enjoy the Westin and the service that we get there. I know alot of people on this forum prefer a villa, but with three kids to keep busy, the Westin is probably a better choice. Lots for them to do there.

Have a great time!!

WW

STT Resident -

Why not the Redhook ferry? (over the CA ferry)

We (just 2 of us) are coming in 6 weeks to WSJ and decided to take a cab to Redhook and a ferry to Cruz Bay to pick-up our 4WD from Conrad Sutton.

As we are packing light and are pretty flexible - we choose this route and not the Westin ferry (and we are not planning on going back/forth to STT) - plus it is half the cost.

So... Why not the Redhook ferry? (over the CA ferry)

I posted a similar question a few weeks back and those who responded thought this was reasonable.

The person who asked is traveling with 3 small chlkdren. That makes quite a difference.

Yes - I saw that, but wanted to know if there was another reason to go to CA vs. Redhook.

Our family stayed at the Westin over Easter and I thought the Westin ferry was great. After being up since 5:00AM it was the least stressful way to get the children there, and my youngest is 9. I saved the schedule but can't find it. When I do, I'll post the times. I know we caught the 2:30 ferry from St. Thomas to the Westin and left the Westin for St. Thomas on a 1:00 ferry.

The Westin Ferry Schedule is:

Depart Crown Bay Marina (St. Thomas):
12:00 Noon, 2:30 PM, 4:45PM, 6:45PM (last boat for shoppers)
There is a restaurant right at dock if you have to wait for the ferry.

Depart Westin Dock:
7:00 AM, 9:00AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00PM

Adult: $85 RT, $45 one-way
Youth (ages4-12): $65 RT, $35 one-way
Children 3 and under - free

I also think we got $10 off each adult price because we stayed in a timeshare. I don't know why they didn't take it off our one child fare.

Thanks for the advice - it definately sounds that with 3 young kids and the luggage, it would be worth the cost to take the Westin ferry...

blujahz: the reason I suggested the downtown CA ferry to STJ versus the Red Hook Ferry was based on logistics. The downtown ferry is on the waterfront a very short distance from the airport. Going to the Red Hook ferry which is on the opposite end of the island entails a long drive.

My personal thought on CA v. RH is that the CA cab ride is shorter, with a longer ferry ride. Why would you want to be in a cab for over 1/2 an hour, when you can be on the water instead?

In my mind, the ferry ride is what completes the transformation to Island time and I would rather spend my time on the water, rather than the road --even if it does take a couple o' minutes longer (which im not sure that it does).

Just my $.02