Arriving STT - need ferry advice

Hello,
Checking airfare for a January trip - holy cow! Ticket prices are really high!! Anyway - I usually fly through SJU to EIS and take the ferry to VG. Due to the high prices, I'm considering flying to STT and taking Speedy's ferry to VG. It leaves at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What should I use as a cutoff for STT arrival in order to catch that 5:00 ferry? Flying out of Minneapolis gets me to STT at 3:47 p.m. Is there any possibility I can land at 3:47 and catch a 5:00 ferry?

Thanks for your help.

Shari

It's definitely possible, but depending on bags you check, it could be a problem. The taxi ride to the ferry terminal is only about 10 minutes, and check in at the terminal is super quick (normally). The only hiccup could be a delayed flight (obviously) or late bags. If you aren't checking bags, that would help.

I would think that would work but would use Kevin Campbell to get you to the Ferry Terminal. We used him this spring for the first time and were glad we did.
Don't you love how much we have to pay for air fares out of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Dave

Something else to think about is the return flight. We always fly into and out of STT because I have loads of Delta miles. If you are returning from VG, it is a LONG day going home. We normally have to ferry to Road Town and then switch to another ferry to STT. Then, you have to go through immigration and customs before taking the taxi to the airport. The line at customs in STT at the ferry terminal is usually insane. You can certainly make it work in one day, but it is a really long day. For that reason, we usually return to STT the day before our flight and spend the last night there.

Dave,
Thanks for the tip on Kevin. Sounds like the man is pretty darn good!

Travel from Minneapolis to anywhere in the Caribbean is always expensive, and the schedules make for really long travel days. But, I keep going back. Are we gluttons for pain? Or are the islands just that good? (Yeah - we know - it's good there, and Minnesota winters have their own pain spots, right?) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Shari

Kevin Campbell is the man to help you get to the ferry terminal on time. Plus, he can/will call and have them hold the ferry. And, the ferry is on island time, so it will run anywhere from 10 minutes to half and hour late. One time the 5 o'clock Speedy's didn't even show up until 5:30. Coming back through STT airport use one of the porters/skycap/redcaps. Gave one my ticket and bag to check, got the bag checked immediately, and they led me right to the front of the line at C&I. The redcap literally lifted up the rope "fence" and led me straight to the check in desk. I think it cost me maybe $5., plus I gave her a tip. The whole process did not take 10 minutes. Try it, you'll like it... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

RCPlaneFan,

Thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated. We will have checked bags. I've tried to travel with carry-on only, but just can't make it work for me.

The return will be a long day, but it's a long day no matter which route we pick. We will plan for a Tuesday or Thursday departure and take Speedy's ferry directly from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas. The saddest part about that is that boat leaves at dawn. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> OTOH - that leaves us ample time to deal with customs and immigration.

Again, thanks for your advice. The folks on this forum are the BEST!

Shari

Thanks Charlie,

I appreciate your advice. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Shari

You can return on Sat. and the ferry doesn't leave until 8:30 am. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Tradewinds,

Forgot about that one. Thanks for the reminder!

Shari

We always spend the last night on STT that way you don't ruin your last day trying to make connections to finally get a flight.

Rick,
Thanks. Appreciate the thought.
Shari