Will there be time on St. Thomas?

[DISNEYFAN3260]

We're on the Fantasy Eastern in August and I've booked the St. John Island Tour that is scheduled from 8:15-12:45 that day. We'd also like to try to the sky ride to Paradise Point, but I've read elsewhere that it can be a really crowded, slow process to get up and especially back down so I'm concerned about timing. We'd like to get some lunch in the area first and maybe shop a bit after our tour and before the sky ride, but will we end up without enough time to do it all and get back on the boat by 4:45? I don't want to be too rushed. I know I can buy tickets that day, as well, but do they cost less in advance? Any advice and experiences with this would be much appreciated!

 

[OKW Lover]

We just did the St. John Island Tour on Tuesday (5/5/15) and were back at the ship about 12:30 - 1:00. The Fantasy doesn't depart St. Thomas until something like 4:30 so you have plenty of time to do the sky ride that day. Its practically right across the street from where you'll dock.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're on the Fantasy Eastern in August and I've booked the St. John Island Tour that is scheduled from 8:15-12:45 that day. We'd also like to try to the sky ride to Paradise Point, but I've read elsewhere that it can be a really crowded, slow process to get up and especially back down so I'm concerned about timing. We'd like to get some lunch in the area first and maybe shop a bit after our tour and before the sky ride, but will we end up without enough time to do it all and get back on the boat by 4:45? I don't want to be too rushed. I know I can buy tickets that day, as well, but do they cost less in advance? Any advice and experiences with this would be much appreciated!

As noted, the Sky ride is about a block or so from the ship. The trams run continuously, so the line pretty much keeps moving. Yes, at times the line will be longer than others, but certainly not a huge amount of time. I will point out there is food available at the top, also, if that would work for you. You really don't need a whole lot of time at the top. There are a few shops and a great view, but that doesn't take much time.

I'd say you have time for it.

 

[saintrob]

We did the later St John tour which was a mistake as we had very little time on St Thomas. You'll be fine with the earlier tour.

A word of caution with the tour - take plenty of insect repellent!

 

[OKW Lover]

A word of caution with the tour - take plenty of insect repellent!

A couple more words of caution: if you are the least bit prone to motion sickness, take a pill before getting on the boat to St. John - the passage will be rough. Also, don't sit outside on the boat, you'll get soaked on the way.

 

[saintrob]

I agree!

We had a very rocky crossing and I'm a good traveller.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Thanks for your helpful answers! Does anyone happen to know if the sky ride tickets are cheaper if purchased in advance through DCL? Otherwise I'll wait and buy them that day at the sky ride.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for your helpful answers! Does anyone happen to know if the sky ride tickets are cheaper if purchased in advance through DCL? Otherwise I'll wait and buy them that day at the sky ride.

No, not cheaper through DCL. I believe it was actually the same cost.

 

[Connecticute]

My first post to ask this question. I've seen several times on this board that people say the crossing from STT to STJ can be rough. Is it something about the transition from cruise ship to small boat that gives people difficulty? We have family in St. John, and have made the trip many times. We've always flown into St. Thomas though; while we've always had an easy ferry over to St. John, we've never cruised. We're booked on our first cruise- an Eastern Fantasy- for later this year, and we'd definitely planned on getting over to STJ while we're there.

For those of you who have had a rough crossing, did you take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie? Or Red Hook? Or some other way to get over? We've taken the car ferry, the Red Hook, and Charlotte Amalie ferry, and never gotten sick or wet, so now I'm nervous! Not so nervous I would miss hanging out with my family and having lunch at High Tide, mind you, but I really hope our lucky streak holds...

 

[OKW Lover]

My first post to ask this question. I've seen several times on this board that people say the crossing from STT to STJ can be rough. Is it something about the transition from cruise ship to small boat that gives people difficulty? We have family in St. John, and have made the trip many times. We've always flown into St. Thomas though; while we've always had an easy ferry over to St. John, we've never cruised. We're booked on our first cruise- an Eastern Fantasy- for later this year, and we'd definitely planned on getting over to STJ while we're there.

For those of you who have had a rough crossing, did you take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie? Or Red Hook? Or some other way to get over? We've taken the car ferry, the Red Hook, and Charlotte Amalie ferry, and never gotten sick or wet, so now I'm nervous! Not so nervous I would miss hanging out with my family and having lunch at High Tide, mind you, but I really hope our lucky streak holds...

In our case the crossing was from Charlotte Amalie. Basically right from the cruise ship dock there. The roughness was certainly more severe during the first part of the trip, but I wouldn't say it was smooth as you approached St. John. This is much more than just the transition from a very stable cruise ship to a small boat. This was a small boat that is subject to significant wave action as it goes around the island.

 

[hardis5]

The last time in St Thomas, we did a morning beach excursion and were going to do this in the afternoon (having bought our tickets through DCL). A leisurely walk to the main shopping strip and community market after lunch (actually walking by the base of the ride) and a communal cab ride back, we ended up not even doing. Our next time around this summer, time we'll buy tickets when there given time allows, we still have interest in and the weather is nice.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

The last time in St Thomas, we did a morning beach excursion and were going to do this in the afternoon (having bought our tickets through DCL). A leisurely walk to the main shopping strip and community market after lunch (actually walking by the base of the ride) and a communal cab ride back, we ended up not even doing. Our next time around this summer, time we'll buy tickets when there given time allows, we still have interest in and the weather is nice.

This seems like good advice - sounds like I should play it by ear after our tour rather than buy tickets in advance. Thanks!

 

[Wenawen]

Besides the view-is is WORTH going to the top of Paradise Point? Are the restaurants any good? Good shopping or cheap junk?

 

[elphie101]

My first post to ask this question. I've seen several times on this board that people say the crossing from STT to STJ can be rough. Is it something about the transition from cruise ship to small boat that gives people difficulty? We have family in St. John, and have made the trip many times. We've always flown into St. Thomas though; while we've always had an easy ferry over to St. John, we've never cruised. We're booked on our first cruise- an Eastern Fantasy- for later this year, and we'd definitely planned on getting over to STJ while we're there.

For those of you who have had a rough crossing, did you take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie? Or Red Hook? Or some other way to get over? We've taken the car ferry, the Red Hook, and Charlotte Amalie ferry, and never gotten sick or wet, so now I'm nervous! Not so nervous I would miss hanging out with my family and having lunch at High Tide, mind you, but I really hope our lucky streak holds...

We did the St John Eco Hike on our cruise (same ferry departures as the Island Tour/Trunk Bay excursions) and you can add me to the list of people who definitely felt unwell on the ride back, and I've never been sea sick. For me, I think it was a combination of a VERY empty stomach (I always feel nauseous when my blood sugar crashes), physical exertion on the excursion and the bouncing of the boat on the way back.

To the OP, I imagine you would have enough time. We made it back on the ship by 1:30pm and after devouring half of Cabanas still had 2-2 1/2 hours before the ship left port (we personally chose to remain on board, but others can vouch for the amount of time you would need to venture back out).

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Besides the view-is is WORTH going to the top of Paradise Point? Are the restaurants any good? Good shopping or cheap junk?

I'm curious to see the replies to your question too. I've read alot on Trip Advisor, Yelp, etc about it and most seem to think it is a phenomenal view but definitely overpriced at $21 per ticket. I read somewhere that you can also get a taxi for a few dollars that will take you to the same/similar viewing point instead of taking the sky ride. Anyone know if that's true?

 

[happydisneymom]

We plan on using the Red Hook Ferry after visiting beach on St John, then a taxi to Mountain top. Anyone done this, is it an easy taxi red to mountain top?