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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: ecm56]
#241851
12/07/2020 09:00 PM
12/07/2020 09:00 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,725 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,725
GA/NC
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Ok, I have got to think at this point they just love screwing with tourists! How many people have purchased tickets based on the 8 Dec start of ferry service? Lucy, quit yanking the football! https://youtu.be/gqzA1VOiC-M
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 12/07/2020 09:04 PM.
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: RatmansWife]
#241863
12/07/2020 10:14 PM
12/07/2020 10:14 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 735 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 735
Redmond, WA
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And the night before - like twelve hours out! People are already in the air on their way. You mean they couldn't figure out yesterday that they weren't ready? This is an embarrassment, except they never seem to get embarrassed! I think the very recent spike in cases in the USVI was the main driver of making this difficult and unpopular decision, not just a lack of progress. Certainly it wasn't good for us - we are set to leave in 24 hours and had based our travel plans on the seaports opening tomorrow. But I'm a little surprised by the utter lack of sympathy for the difficult situation these officials are in.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: MrEZgoin]
#241865
12/07/2020 10:18 PM
12/07/2020 10:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,426 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,426
Central Florida!
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Sorry, no sympathy for officials, when they make decisions with less than 24 hours to go.. I'm somewhat surprised at your position, considering you are so affected by this.
Carol Hill
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: brewferg]
#241873
12/08/2020 12:01 AM
12/08/2020 12:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138 Folsom Lake, CA
Latadjust
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Folsom Lake, CA
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It sounds like we will have to cancel our 23-Dec to 5-Jan charter. I have worked really hard to try to make it happen and for a family of six rebooking through EIS on top of the extra $2k that I have already budgeted for testing (pre, Day 0, Day 4, and homebound) plus insurance is just too expensive. We are all very sad about this tonight. Check out Sleepychef's post, all is not lost.
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#241877
12/08/2020 12:57 AM
12/08/2020 12:57 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 735 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 735
Redmond, WA
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Sorry, no sympathy for officials, when they make decisions with less than 24 hours to go.. I'm somewhat surprised at your position, considering you are so affected by this. Every 24 hours brings new infection numbers, it's still an evolving situation that makes planning difficult for everyone. And I will admit that I was angry and frustrated when I first found out. It's been easier to be understanding once I had an alternative (charter flight) in place. I just don't think the last minute change is capricious or shows that they just don't care how it affects travelers and the population.
Last edited by MrEZgoin; 12/08/2020 01:05 AM.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: brewferg]
#241894
12/08/2020 09:18 AM
12/08/2020 09:18 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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There was a post on one of the online sites last night that someone on a yacht tested positive for Covid in their Day4 test. I cannot confirm this, but if true will shed more light on the quarantine protocol that will be required. Yes, they Minister of Health did announce that last night and all they specified was the guest and spouse were moved to a government quarantine facility. Most likely it is a room at Maria's by the Sea.
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: Husker]
#241899
12/08/2020 10:24 AM
12/08/2020 10:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 14 USA
CaptainVlad
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 14
USA
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One can always book flights into EIS. Just say'in. Says who? The way it's going - you can't assume anything. The only constant is spontaneous. All the facts say that they can do anything, at random. Like closing the borders completely if they detect few more cases among touritst.
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: ecm56]
#241903
12/08/2020 10:46 AM
12/08/2020 10:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,484 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,484
Memphis, BVI, CT
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I don't think this had much, if anything, to do with Covid cases in St. Thomas. They belatedly realized the testing infrastructure at the RT ferry terminal didn't exist. I have also seen reports of problems with testing logistics - unreliable taxis, delayed tests, poor communication - which would have been exacerbated by adding a site.
As most of us know firsthand, C and I isn't a well-oiled machine, so imagine adding the testing component to that! Not to mention the issues with the app and bracelets. And of course nothing was completed in time or given a dry run.
Re-opening the ferries today never made sense to me, it's just unfortunate it took so long to announce it.
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Re: Update - Ferry entrance delayed until January 21
[Re: CaptainVlad]
#242092
12/10/2020 08:49 AM
12/10/2020 08:49 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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I have found the most economical way to travel to EIS is on 2 tickets. In 2018/19 I probably made 60 trips between Tortola and either Ohio or Seattle. I priced it both ways on every trip and after factoring in the ferry/taxi game in STT the price was always within $100. Usually it was a little cheaper to fly to SJU than STT and then the price difference was the ticket to EIS minus the ferry.
While I enjoy the scenery and the journey on the ferry (and the Petite Pump Room), the overall travel experience is much easier in SJU. The airport itself is much nicer, there is real food/drink service available, the security is easier, they have a real TSA pre-check, a real Global Entry, and and airport lounge with food and wifi, etc, etc.
If you're serious about trying the EIS route, consider booking 2 tickets. The best options from SJU to EIS are Silver and Intercaribbean. Intercaribbean is usually a little cheaper and they have the last flight of the day so if you get bumped or are delayed you have an end of day option. Silver has nicer aircraft and their gate is in the main concourse (next to 2 bars), but you have to ride their short shuttle between the gate and planes. There is always the risk of flying on 2 tickets that a delay on the 1st segment will cause you to miss the 2nd leg but it has never caused me an issue. I did land late once and InterCaribbean had already moved me to a later flight at no cost.
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