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Ferry to St John

rkswartz

By rkswartz,
in St. Thomas/St. John

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Rubyleigh7

Rubyleigh7

Posted
Posted

There are ferries that run from Charlotte Amalie around noon but the easiest way to go it take a cab to Red Hook and ferry over from there.  The ferries run every hour. https://www.usvi.net/information/transportation/ferry-schedules/st-thomas-to-st-john-ferry-schedule/  then you would take a cab to Trunk Bay.  It is very easy to do and you have time just make sure you leave yourself enough time to get from Red Hook to cruise ship. 

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sgttami

sgttami

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The ferry no longer runs from Charlotte Amalie.  You have to use Red Hook.  Taxi from Havensight is about $15 to Red Hook.  There is no shopping there other than a few little stands.  Yes, you will have plenty of time to see STJ during your cruise stop.  I've been doing it for years...ENJOY!  It blows every other island away!

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coevan

coevan

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Red Hooks has tons of shopping, never seen any stands in Red Hook. If you have time get an appetizer at Fish Tails, next to the ferry dock.  Due to the heavy traffic, the coral is very bleached at Trunk Bay. A tip for you, Cinnamon Bay or Maho are much better and less crowded beaches then Trunk Bay.

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Host Anne "Live from...." Rare

Host Anne

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St. John is my "happy" place.  We vacation there once a year plus we always visit when our cruise ship stops in St. Thomas.  You didn't say what ship you were on so I'm not sure where you'll be docking.  If you dock at Havensight, you are closer to Red Hook than if you are docking at Crown Bay.  There is very little shopping at Red Hook itself (the majority of shops will be found at Havensight or in Charlotte Amalie proper).  But when you get to St. John, you'll find a nice array of shops to the left of the ferry dock and there is a wonderful shopping area (Mongoose Junction) about two blocks from the ferry dock in the opposite direction.

 

There will be plenty of taxis to take you to Trunk or Cinnamon.  If you just want a beautiful beach, Trunk is great.  It isn't the best for snorkeling any longer as coevan mentioned, but it's still a beautiful beach.  Cinnamon is very pretty as well (it's larger) and has good snorkeling and there are normally plenty of taxis at here and Trunk to take you back.

 

Maho is my favorite beach.  The photo in my avatar is from Maho although sadly, the kissing palms in the photo were destroyed by Hurricane Irma.  But it's still a very pretty beach and the sea turtles (and other creatures) found in this beautiful bay are amazing.  BUT, taxis do not wait at Maho.  It's a good drive beyond Cinnamon and doesn't get many cruise passengers (that's a plus) but if you go there, you need to ensure you arrange for your taxi driver to return and pick you up.  They are very good about that but don't think taxis will automatically be waiting here like they do at Trunk and Cinnamon.  

 

Services at the beaches on St. John are still limited due to last year's hurricanes although things continue to improve all the time.  It does sound like there are food concessions now available at Trunk and Cinnamon and Maho is slated to get a food trunk in the coming year.

 

Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful time and THANK YOU for supporting the island.  It's been a long road back from the devastation of Irma and Maria.

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GMoney

GMoney

Posted
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12 hours ago, coevan said:

Red Hooks has tons of shopping, never seen any stands in Red Hook. If you have time get an appetizer at Fish Tails, next to the ferry dock.  

 

Fish Tails is not currently open.

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GMoney

GMoney

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5 hours ago, Host Anne said:

There will be plenty of taxis to take you to Trunk or Cinnamon.  If you just want a beautiful beach, Trunk is great.  It isn't the best for snorkeling any longer as coevan mentioned, but it's still a beautiful beach.  Cinnamon is very pretty as well (it's larger) and has good snorkeling and there are normally plenty of taxis at here and Trunk to take you back.

 

Maho is my favorite beach.  The photo in my avatar is from Maho although sadly, the kissing palms in the photo were destroyed by Hurricane Irma.  But it's still a very pretty beach and the sea turtles (and other creatures) found in this beautiful bay are amazing.  BUT, taxis do not wait at Maho.  It's a good drive beyond Cinnamon and doesn't get many cruise passengers (that's a plus) but if you go there, you need to ensure you arrange for your taxi driver to return and pick you up.  They are very good about that but don't think taxis will automatically be waiting here like they do at Trunk and Cinnamon.  

 

Services at the beaches on St. John are still limited due to last year's hurricanes although things continue to improve all the time.  It does sound like there are food concessions now available at Trunk and Cinnamon and Maho is slated to get a food trunk in the coming year.

No concessions currently available at Cinnamon, and you will not currently find taxis automatically waiting there to take you back to Cruz Bay. 

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  • 2 weeks later...
shoesky

shoesky

Posted
Posted

11 am arrival means 1pm ferry to St. John(Noon ferry is a long shot) means 1:30 on island, 7pm departure means 6pm all aboard, so 5pm ferry back to St Thomas. Gives you 3.5 hrs on St. John(4.5 if lucky). We love St. John and spend multiple weeks there every year. That being said -- I don't think it is worth the effort and money for that little time on island.

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  • 5 weeks later...
PJ_Cruise

PJ_Cruise

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We have been to St Thomas many times but have never been to St John. We were looking at the Princess excursion

STT-830 | St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Has anyone taken this trip? It would end up being $130 for the two of us for a 4 1/2 hr trip. It doesn't give a time line as to how long we would be at trunk bay beach.  Does any one know the cost if we just did the water taxi and then took a cab to trunk bay. We will be in port from 10am-10pm. Thanks

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GMoney

GMoney

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Posted (edited)

Total Cost: $84.60

 

Taxi from Havensight to Red Hook is $13pp one way. Ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay. Ferries leave on the hour. Cost is $8.15pp one way. Taxi from Cruz to Trunk Bay is $6pp one way.

 

The ship excursion is convenient, but costs more and reduces your flexibility, especially since you are in port so late.

 

DIY. Spend the afternoon at at Trunk then stop in Cruz Bay for happy hour before going back to STT and the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by GMoney
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