TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Dropping off / picking up passengers in STT

Will be on a 2 week cruise in October/November on Sea Tiger. I will be staying for the entire 2 weeks, but 5 passengers leaving mid trip with 3 -4 more coming aboard on same day for the last week.

Since visiting St John for a day or 2 would be desired by both groups , I am investigating the possibility of meeting point in STT. Preferably with laundry facilities.

On the start and finish, likely flying out of Beef Island with connection in SJU.

Any thoughts? Places? Unexpected expenses?

American Yacht Harbor in Redhook, and Crown Bay Marina in Charlotte Amalie have on-site laundry service, plus chandleries and upscale groceries for topping off provisions.

We use American Yacht Harbor as out USVI drop off point. To complete your list you will need a slip reservations and instructions on how to approach that very busy channel. The trip back from Crown Bay Marina in Charlotte Amalie can be a long way upwind for some. Taxi's cover the distance much easier. In the BVI we use Scrub and have had success politely asking for laundry service at Scrub.

The topic has always received many responses you could easily search for some on the forum for ideas too.
It will take 3 visits to Customs:
Check out of the BVI
Check in to the USVI
Check back in at the BVI again.

Much easier for them to arch a ferry..met them in St John out of Red Hook or West End out of Charlotte Amalie..

AYH charges a $35 dropoff fee if you do not take a slip, even if you buy fuel/water/ice. We drop our laundry at the Crown Bay laundromat on St. Thomas (expensive); a week's worth of boat laundry comes in at $40, but its on the way to the airport for us.

Cruz Bay is where we will change crews in January. We've taken laundry for drop off to Kilroy's in Cruz Bay. Its a walk down South Shore Road past the Inn at Tamarind Court; taxi is $5pp each way. It has been a while and its worth call ahead of your interested - 340-693-8741.

Cheers, RickG

For a crew change in St John we picked up a ball at Caneel Bay and our crew came on ferry then cabbed to Caneel. Made a great place to meet and a short dinghy ride to the boat for the new crew. We also were able to start the new crew's trip off with a really nice meal that night at Caneel Bay. The staff at caneel was very friendly and very helpfull.

Was anchored and snorkeled in caneel bay a couple weeks ago. Had a security guy sitting on a four wheel thng watching us the whole time. I guarantee you that they will not let you on the dock or a taxi into the resort while they are closed. Without someone staying there or dinner reservations, I would not take a chance on that as a meeting place.

Again unless St John is a planned destination, it is easiest for all to simply ferry to and from west end. Dock at Fish n Lime is great spot to get crew and send crew..can see the ferry coming with a nice beverage..only people going and coming need go thru customs.
If plans are to spend time on st joHn ..it's probably easiest to meet them there rather than STT.

Will,
My experience the last 2 trips this Jan and Jan of 2015 was just the opposite. We tied up to dinghy dock at Caneel and I went to desk and asked if it was ok to meet incoming folks there by cab and they were 100% accommodating and helpful. I did end up having dinner there but that was not a requirement. We also swam to shore several times and walked the beach with no issues. Maybe different managers on duty, I dont know but I had 2 very good experiences with the resort staff.

Oops never mind . Should not multi task. I was working and typing. I was talking about the sister resort on Virgin Gorda...now closed until next fall. Haven't tried it at Caneel on St. John but have heard of people being turned away from their dinghy dock a few years ago, so always dinked to Cruz bay to check .

Sorry for the confusion.
It still would not be my first choice in case they did wave you off or deny the taxi of your crew the right to do so.

Members of our group been shadowed like common criminals when dropped off at the Caneel Dock to catch a cab into town.

Given the cost of a cab both ways, do yourself a favor and just pick up a ball in western Caneel and dingy south around Lind Point and drop them off at the Dingy Dock. People that stay on the boat can snorkel the rocks while others make the run into Cruz.

If like to hear what happens when you return to the BVI with a different crew list. When I check out of the BVI the form I fill out lists all the people on the boat. When checking back in, they get the copies of the original form. What new forms are needed for new crew?

The same forms are used. It’s just like checking in originally. Of course you'll have your copy of the clear out. It goes easy at Jost, pack some extra cash at Sopers or plan on spending the day in Roadtown.

Last time we checked back in at West End, by the time we waited for the ferry to finish customs, there were 5 day- charters plus me.?it was a Sunday, and Customs announced that they were going to charge an extra $20 per boat just because. Customs is an interesting place to visit

Twanger posted:

" People that stay on the boat can snorkel the rocks while others make the run into Cruz. "

If you are clearing into the USVI at this time ALL the passengers must appear at C&I.

LocalSailor:
The above was in context of dingying around to ferry to pick up passengers. Not clearing the boat/ passengers into BVI... But good point.

Slightly different scenario - I cleared out with more crew than when I cleared in - they just had me write in the additional crew info on the copy I had in hand. YMMV.

jagmansr, we always get charged $20 overtime on Sundays in cash at Sopers Hole. We've had that skipped at Jost.

Cheers, RickG

I think you might have been in the wrong line. When we check into Soper's we check in on the west end of customs where there are 2 doors, one for checking in and one for paying, ferry passengers do not check in with private or charter vessels. If there is one or two people ahead of us, it's a lot.

That's where we were. Must have been bad timing. In March we did the same thing, on a week day, only 2 other captains in the room so was much faster. and total costs were $24 less. Checking in a boat as captain is so different than getting off the ferry I don't mind it, it's just different with some of the custom staff.

however, ferry passengers check in on the other side. You said you were behind ferry passengers.