Do you have to go to Red Hook for all Catamaran Sails To St. John?

[honeycutt264]

I am hoping that someone can explain the process of pulling into Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas..we would like to book a catamaran sail/snorkeling to St. John. We get in at 10am and leave at 8pm. Most companies are saying that we can only do a half day sail. We really want to enjoy a full day, but wonder what all the extra time is for? Can you leave from Charlotte Amalie for a sail or from what I hear, you have to go to Red Hook? Can someone explain this? Thanks!

[Ms411]

Sailing/catamarans don't go very fast, whereas power boats do, so it takes longer to get to St John on a sail boat/catamaran than on a power boat. That's why most of them leave from either Sapphire or Red Hook, because they're closer to STJ.

 

Even the ferry from Charlotte Amalie to STJ, which is a power boat, takes at least twice as long to get to STJ than from Red Hook.

 

Since most ships are in port by 8 a.m., most excursions cater to an 8-5 docking schedule since they offer the tours on more than one cruise line.

 

Hopefully my explanation answered your question.

[sail7seas]

deleted

[honeycutt264]

Thank you, that makes sense.

[blue_water]

You will do a 4 hr excursion on any island unless you book a "private" excursion. There are also excellent options with your time in port to go to the BVI if you are interested.

[honeycutt264]

Thanks..I also know that you have to tip these people..do you do a 20% tip on top of the fees you paid for the excursion?

[seagypsea]

We usually give $5 tip as a couple on a Catamaran trip unless it's been really really good and sometimes I buy their Tshirts too.:)

 

St. Thomas has 3 docks (well 2 docks and the 3rd one is tendered) so you need to know where you are docking to find the best trip and timeframe for your cruise.

[blue_water]

You can find great 1/2 day sails through your cruise ship or on your own out of Red Hook and Sapphire Marina, just depends on what experience you want. We've done the cat sail to STJ and now we (and many others who have done that) prefer to taxi to Red Hook and take the ferry to STJ and grab a taxi there. But if you want the sailing experience look at a 1/2 day sail. Also if you do go there look at Cinnamon Bay rather than Trunk Bay because Trunk and Magens are the primary cruise ship destinations in the USVI.

 

Yes do tip per the experience you have, 20% or $10 min is a good rule.

[kcparrothead]

Our friends went on the VI Cat & were picked up at the ship and dropped off at Yacht Haven Grande (right next to the ship in Havensight) Not exactly sure where they left from, Yacht Haven or somewhere else, but it was closeby.http://thevicat.com/tours.php

[heavenlysea]

It depends on how far out your cruise is. Search the boards and google shore excursions at St. Thomas for private daysails that take 6. Some will alter their schedule to match yours if they don't have passengers booked already. And, if you post on the roll calls you might be able to find others on your cruise that will come along and fill the charter.

[honeycutt264]

Thanks! Great information!! What would you tip for a full day sail with a family of five?

[blue_water]

Nothing changes, figure 20% of the group cost if you are extremely happy with the performance of the operator and crew. If you are booking a private excursion for the group only and are not sharing the boat with others 20% may seem like a huge amount. But you are still on the hook for an acceptable tip for 5 people being pampered for 8 hours on the water. So try to be fair, at least you are taking the tip into account. We've seen too many weasel out while others tipped.

Have an excellent day!