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Flights (St. Thomas or Beef)
#103497
07/23/2016 11:49 AM
07/23/2016 11:49 AM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 248
steve74
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 248
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Hello all! We are booked for June 13 to June 24, 2017 after having a great family trip this June. We flew through St. Thomas and rented our boat from MarineMax. They were great, but we are booked with Moorings this year. Also, we learned the lesson to do the sleep aboard the first night the hard way, so we will be staying onboard next year.
On the way down this year we missed the last fast ferry and instead caught the slow ferry that stopped at Sopers before Road Town. The ferry ride was not the best experience due to warmth in the cabin and bumpy seas. On the way home, we had to catch the 10:00 am fast ferry to catch our flight and we got there pretty early. We got tickets, but they stopped selling tickets a minute or so after we bought ours! Lucky and scary! I have heard from others who travel to the BVI frequently that flying to Beef is much better. However, one of the people I trust the most, who has been traveling to the BVI since the 80's, recently told me that he is starting to fly through St. Thomas again.
When we flew out of St. Thomas on Saturday this year, there were no seats in the terminal. It was overflowing with people. For a number of reasons, we will be flying home on Saturday again next year.
The flights for next year are about to go on sale and I plan to book them early if the prices are reasonable. Before I do that, I would appreciate the thoughts of the people on this board about flying through St. Thomas vs. Beef. We live in Raleigh, NC, so we typically connect through Charlotte, Atlanta or Miami. It would be 3 flights if we fly to Beef, but we are okay with this. What do you prefer, St. Thomas or Beef? Thank you!
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Re: Flights (St. Thomas or Beef)
[Re: steve74]
#103498
07/23/2016 12:05 PM
07/23/2016 12:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,423 New Jersey, USA
DanS
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,423
New Jersey, USA
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You're likely to get a variety of opinions on this. We fly via St. Thomas, because: - It's one flight for us from Newark.
- As soon as we land at STT, we feel like our vacation has started.
- We usually enjoy the ferry ride. Not so much if the weather keeps us inside the cabin -- can get me seasick.
- Flying on a small plane, while fun, is statistically a bit dangerous -- at least compared with a big jet.
We ferry back to St. Thomas the day before our flight, spending the last evening and morning on the beach at Lindbergh Bay. This alleviates a lot of pressure on the trip home. Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Flights (St. Thomas or Beef)
[Re: Deepcut]
#103501
07/23/2016 05:17 PM
07/23/2016 05:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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I think it all depends on where you are coming from, preference (some don't like the San Juan Airport, others don't like the Ferry) and cost.
For us, it's two flights to St Thomas. 2 Flights to Tortola. So unless cost is significantly different, flying to Tortola is a no brainer. We also like the San Juan airport, especially with all of their renovations now and haven't had any issues going through there.
We also use Cape Air and their commuter book, so we have a fixed cost SJU to EIS.
Matt
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Re: Flights (St. Thomas or Beef)
[Re: maytrix]
#103502
07/23/2016 05:34 PM
07/23/2016 05:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213 GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
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"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."
This can be construed as somewhat sexist. My wife, who's a mom, does not do any of that except pack her own bags.
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Re: Flights (St. Thomas or Beef)
[Re: sail2wind]
#103503
07/23/2016 05:53 PM
07/23/2016 05:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306 Tustin CA
d_fish
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
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I agree about it depending on where you are coming from and total elapse travel time.
For us it is 2 flights to STT or 3 flights to EIS. The 3 flight trip often taking 20-26 hours travel time.
To alleviate the ferry issue we stay one night in STT pre and post charter. This simply takes away all stress and anxiety of making or missing the ferry.
In addition I find it rather exhausting arriving same day for sleep aboard, provisioning and unpacking. Too much for one day after flying a red eye.
With that said our last trip was a party of 8, when I factor in the cost of an over night stay in STT along with lodging, ground transportation, food & beverage,and the 2 extra days of travel one front and and one back end, it may have been more cost effective to take a private water taxi to and from STT.
Our next trip, I always check fares into both STT and EIS. If I feel comfortable with connection times and travel time to EIS I will travel there. If not will plan on one night pre charter in STT, but coming home use a private water taxi saving time and $$, but only if I have a group 8 persons or more.
Also one other thing I will take into consideration before I book a boat will be to check the fleets in STT. Never chartered in STT, but I believe there are a few solid companies with good ratings and nice vessels.
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