Hello everyone and happy Thursday!
We have quick news to share with you all today. It’s quick, but good nonetheless!
Varlack Ventures, one of the two ferry operators, announced Wednesday that they will be expanding their scheduled beginning October 1st. As of then, the last ferry will leave St. John at 11 p.m., and the last ferry will leave Red Hook at midnight. Both companies have been running a reduced schedule through 10 p.m. since last year.
Also, for those of you curious about the Charlotte Amalie ferry, it still is not running. According to the ferry operators, the route is “financially crippling.” That route accommodated mostly tourists, and tourism has been down since last fall’s storms. It was proposed last week that the route be seasonal, although no decisions have been made.
And in our last ferry “news” of the day, the temporary rate increase from $7 to $8.15 will now be permanent for non-residents.
News you can use today, folks! Have a great one!
Thanks for the update! Was wondering if any of the ferry services to the BVI have resumed yet and if not, has there been any word on whether or not that will happen any time in the near future? Any news that you can provide would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you much for keeping us all informed!
Yes, I would like to know more about that too. I’m coming down in November and need to get to Tortola to pick up our charter. We can’t wait to visit the USVI and BVIs again.
Are there any forecasts for expected tourism #s based on bookings for the Dec 2018- May 2019 season?? If so, How does that compare to pre Maria. I am sure the average visitor will spend less as Caneel Bay attracted people with serious $
also, don’t forget to buy a round trip ticket at red hook so you don’t have to stand in line at c.b. dock. i think the round trip tic is good for 10 or 12 days?
Hi ! The non-resident price set by the VI government is too low ! Do they really think that families,and others, who are spending five,ten, maybe $25,000 on their SJ vacation care about ferry fares ? When the ferry operators go out of business and no one comes to SJ what happens ? It is hard to believe the taxi owners are allowed to make ten times the profit margin of ferry owners ! I get to the Red Hook dock and a ferry ticket is $8.15 and a Corona is $6.00, think something is wrong here ?
I could not imagine spending 25k on vacation. A lot of people do St John for much, much less, including myself. So yes, ferry rates do matter. Supply and demand; fares too high? Nobody gets on the ferry.
The ferry service is a joke even before the gates were put on the dock not visitor friendly at all
Can you update us on the car ferry? We are coming in early December and rent our car on STT, get less expensive groceries there, and take the car ferry over. To a point above, indeed some of spend FAR less than $25,000 for our amazing time on STJ. The reason we rent our car on STT is cost, both for the car and for the groceries we can get there. This will be our 7th visit.