Another ferry question- sorry guys

We are taking the 1:29 flight out of Stt- I know we should try to be on the first ferry which is 7:00 AM- what time should we get to the ferry dock? Thanks everyone

30 minutes prior is fine.
G

Another ferry question. I have seen people here say NOT to purchase round trip ferry tickets. Is there a reason or am I mistaken.

You never know the best return as the ferrys are not terribly reliable. Evan a return ticket and a reservation does not guarantee you a ride. I have seen people with return tickets and reservations denied boarding a full ferry.

Watched a couple screaming at the ticket window at Smith's ferry for a refund because the midday boat was canceled and Native Son is not obligated to honor the ticket. Lousy way to end a vacation.

Note: Last couple trips have used Native Son (always go to West End so RTFF not an option)each way and "0" issues.Smith's appears to be a complete disaster with constant breakdowns/cancellations.


One thing I can tell you, all bets are off on the last boat of the day to Tortola on Saturday and Sundays. Better have a Plan B if that is in your travel plans.

NEVER EVER buy a round trip ticket..as everyone has said you need to leave you options wide open and go with the ferry company going next.Agree with Bruce..Native Son has been far more reliable than Smith's..although I have seen the Bomba Charger (Smith's)coming and going out of Soper's the last couple of weeks..

Something else I've notice Mal, can't say it is "Official", but every time I have arrived into downtown CA on a Native Son boat, didn't matter if Smith's or RTFF was in the harbor before them, they stand off and Native Son berths first. I'm thinking they must have an arrival schedule at the port that they stick to, and even if you show up first, there is a boat scheduled before you and you are going to wait.

Arrival processing priority at STT is based on which company has the next scheduled departure not scheduled arrival. It doesn't matter how much time before that departure or even if it will be the same boat. Usually Native Son's 2:30 departure gets them to top of the pile on mid day arrivals.

Buy One way only. Just came back Friday from WE to CA on the 10:00. Native Son did the run. Smiths was at 12:00. If I had bought Smiths round trip -- well you can see.

If you have the choice, stay away from Providenicetown II. Yes it is nice, MUCH nicer than all the rest. But, if it is crowded, It can add a fair bit of time to the trip. They often carry ALOT of Island freight, which offloads before the first passenger leaves. That coupled with the heavy passenger load, locals go first, . And if the lady with the LLOONNGG ornately painted nails is working customs.....

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I find it very rude and annoying that locals are given preference at C&I. I pay my ticket just like everyone else.
They should have 2 lines one for locals and the other for non-locals.
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I honestly can say I learned here after many years to take your advice and never but a RT ferry ticket. They change their schedules as the wind blows and don't post schedules well in advance on line, therefore we have "intentions" of which one to get and return on and decide definitely a day or two in advance for return so we know when to show up and where.
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Also agree on not buying RT. also smiths is very rude and have actually tried to grab our luggage implying that they are the only ferry to take when I know darn well that I can take native son.

Is that the same problem when returning and clearing into the USVI C&I ?? Or is it all one line in STJ or STT? Thanks!

On St. John, it's all 1 line. At Charlotte Amalie, there's 2 lines.

In my post on the ferries a couple weeks ago, I did not mention the company name but since they have been named by others, I would agree with those posters who say Smiths is very unreliable (luggage for Roadtown and West End all piled together creating havoc for passengers going to the different stops, waiting on the ferry at the end until luggage was all taken off and we had to wait longer to disembark because there was a ferry ahead of us unloading - even though we had been scheduled to leave before them but we were late getting away).

I bought a ticket with them because there was no line up at their counter -- now I know why.

When you arrive at the dock size up the situation by looking at schedules, look at what boats are tied up at the dock and how many people are mulling around waiting.

cs