1.) Adults who pack light and travel very easily may find more joy flying through STT.

2.) For the family Mom who does much of the packing and keeping track of everything the STT airport, to St. Thomas hotel, to the ferry, to a taxi to a boat, to doing the groceries... can be very daunting to only repeat the hurdles(logistics that some see as part of the "experience" and adventure") to get the family home.

3.) Some do not have or will not give up the extra time off flying through St. Thomas can take. How many on this thread have been trapped by the ferry dance on St. Thomas coming or going.

4.) The later your plane is scheduled to land at STT. The greater the chance you will be forced to spend the night on STT planned or unplanned.

5.) Before you think the STT flight is less make sure you do the math on all the taxis and ferry tickets with a consideration of the fully loaded costs if you end up forced to spend the night on St. Thomas coming or going.

6.) Most weekends in the St. Thomas airport are miserable.

To our own groups if we can fly direct to St. Thomas early in the day maybe we go that route. We almost always use flights to SJU with private aircraft taking us to EIS for the last leg. We do not cruise with guests planning to use STT for same day arrivals or departures. There is just too much anxiety and hassle for everyone else. If you want to arrive or leave on the days we are on a boat you must use EIS to be a part of our group.

Just like when it is time to move the boat again... the entire crew should be considered in any flight plans. In very simple terms if you can fly direct from the US with an arrival before noon maybe chance the ferry. Otherwise use a code share or private aircraft connecting in San Juan. The other options may very well cost you an unplanned extra travel days going and coming.