getting to Trunk bay

[cruizecrazygramma]

Ive avoided going to Trunk Bay on every cruise because each time we are in St. Thomas that are sooo many ships in port that Im nervous about making my way there without an excursion but none of the excursions appeal to me. What is the easiest way to get there and does anyone know the cost per person?

[C&F]

Not sure what NCL offers, but on Celebrity, the excursion was basically a ferry to the island and then we got an open air bus on our own. We agreed on a time to be picked up. It was very easy and relaxed. I think it was only $40. If NCL offers something similar, it's a good deal.

 

 

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[asubaru]

Ive avoided going to Trunk Bay on every cruise because each time we are in St. Thomas that are sooo many ships in port that Im nervous about making my way there without an excursion but none of the excursions appeal to me. What is the easiest way to get there and does anyone know the cost per person?

 

It is very easy to do on your own and an added plus is that you will arrive before the excursion masses. The park has a small entrance fee ( approx. 4$ adults, 1$ kids) and rentals are reasonable. Very nice and easy self guided snorkeling trail. Great beach.....

 

2 ways to ferry over. I did Red Hook and it was fine. Here is some good info from vinowdotcom

 

Cruise Ship Guide: Getting Around

 

Cruise Ship Guide

Cruise Ship FAQ's

Things To Do While In Port

Getting Around / Dock Info

 

Planning your day on the island is often affected by the numbers of other folks who will be visiting the same day as you. Find out how many ships will be in port the day your ship is in. Cruise Ship Schedules

What is considered a busy day?

 

On St. Thomas 0-2 ships is a slow to good day. 3-5 is busy and 5 and up is real busy! St. John often gets one ship at a time only a couple times a month; because the island is small one ship makes the island's favorite spots / attractions very busy. Busy ship days on St. Thomas also affect St. John because many ship passengers day trip over to St. John on an excursion or on their own. St. Croix is the largest USVI so with one or two ships there is still lots of room to play!

Docking/Pier Information

 

On St. Thomas ships most commonly dock at the West Indian Company Dock (WICO) in Havensight. They also dock in Crown Bay and some large ships remain at anchorage in the Charlotte Amalie harbor. Passengers are then tendered into the Waterfront in Charlotte Amalie. On St. Croix ships dock at the Frederiksted Pier. Ships that call on St. John remain at anchorage off the St. John shore; passengers are tendered onto the island. More information and monthly schedules are available at USVI Cruise Ship Schedule

How to get to St. John from Ship

 

Ferry Service is available between St. Thomas and St. Croix; St. Thomas and St. John, St. Thomas and Water Island and St. Thomas/St. John and the BVI Islands. For details on ferry schedules, prices, operators and length of ferry ride per destination visit Ferry Schedules. Visiting close neighboring islands on your own while in port is possible through the use of these inter-island ferry services.

 

St. Thomas - St. John Ferry

Ferry (STT-STJ) Cost Length Taxi from Ship

Charlotte Amalie Ferry $13.00 45 min. $4, 5 min.

Red Hook Ferry $7.00 20 min. $10-$13, 17 min.

 

Note Cost and time are one way, and are based on the ship docking at WICO dock in Havensight. If your ship docks at Crown Bay the taxi figures will be a couple dollars more.

 

Many cruise ship visitors to St. Thomas want to visit St. John and rely on the ferry. You should note that there are two passenger ferries; one in Charlotte Amalie and one in Red Hook. There is only one car barge that takes passengers and their cars over to St. John; it leaves from Red Hook.

 

Which passenger ferry should you take depends on you, here is a comparison.

 

Time comparison; the Charlotte Amalie ferry will take longer by a little over 10 minutes, if there is traffic going to Red Hook the total commute time might work out to be the same in terms of taxi + ferry commute. View the Ferry Schedules to find out which ferry service works best for your plans.

 

You might consider; would you rather spend more commute time on a ferry/water or on taxi/land. By ferry you will see a bit of the islands coastline and by taxi you will see a bit of St. Thomas while you drive. If you are prone to seasickness it is best you take the Red Hook ferry so that you are spending less time on the water. Some visitors take both; going to St. John on the Red Hook ferry and then returning directly to Charlotte Amalie on the Charlotte Amalie ferry from St. John. This is an option as you can purchase one way tickets. Both the Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook ferry arrive and leave from Cruz Bay, St. John at the same dock. Taxis are always available in Cruz Bay to take you to Trunk Bay, Annaberg or wherever you would like to go on St. John.

Taxis and Rates

 

Taxis are everywhere, literally. When you disembark from the ship you can be assured that there will be taxi drivers and tour drivers waiting for you. Popular destinations like Magens Bay, St. Thomas and Trunk Bay , St. John also always have taxis waiting to take you back to the ship or ferry. Rates for taxis are not metered they are per person and per destination. Below you will find a table with rates between popular destinations for cruise ship visitors.

Popular Destinations on St. Thomas

From To 1 Person 2+ People (each) Time

Havensight Magens Bay $10 $8 15 min.

Havensight Charlotte Amalie $4 per person 6 min.

Havensight Red Hook $13 $10 17 min.

Havensight Coki/Coral World $12 $9 12 min.

Havensight Mountain Top $11 $8 17 min.

Red Hook Magens Bay $12 $9 20 min

Crown Bay Dock Charlotte Amalie $5 $4 8 min.

Crown Bay Dock Magens Bay $12 $10 25 min.

Crown Bay Dock Coki/Coral World $14 $10 26 min.

Crown Bay Dock Mountain Top $12 $9 30 min.

Crown Bay Dock Red Hook $15 $11 31 min.

Popular Destinations on St. John

From To 1 Person 2+ People (each) Time

Cruz Bay Caneel Bay $6 $5 6 min.

Cruz Bay Trunk Bay $8 $6 12 min.

Cruz Bay Cinnamon Bay $9 $7 14 min.

Cruz Bay Hawksnest $6 $5 8 min.

Cruz Bay Annaberg Plantation $13 $9 22 min.

Cruz Bay Maho Bay $13 $9 18 min.

Cruz Bay Salt Pond Bay $20 $14 40 min.

Popular Destinations St. Croix

From To 1 or 2 people 3+ people (each)

Frederiksted Christiansted $20 $9

Frederiksted Estate Whim $7 $3.50

Frederiksted Carambola $22 $9

Frederiksted Mt. Washington $12 $6

Frederiksted Divi Carina Bay $30 $15

 

For more detailed taxi schedules and taxi information please visit: St. Thomas Taxi, St. John Taxi or St. Croix Taxi.

Renting a Car

 

Renting a car or van is a great idea for large groups or families. Rental cars range in price from $55/day to $95/day on St. Thomas and St. John. Prices depend on size of car and time of year. On St. Croix rental cars range in price from $38/day to $70/day. Taxis charge per person per destination so beach hopping or an island tour can quickly add up to over $100 in taxi fares for a small to medium size group. Renting a car will allow you to see more of the island at your leisure and for the same price or less then you might have spent on taxi fares. If you are a couple you might also consider renting a car to beach hop, go to St. John or just to feel the freedom of sightseeing at your pace. On St. Thomas there are offices conveniently located a short walk from the Havensight cruise dock area and some rental car agencies have special arrangements for cruise ship passengers. St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John have car rental agencies in the main towns, hotels, airports, close to the dock and you can arrange to be met at the cruise ship dock. More information: St. Thomas Transportation, St. John Transportation, St. Croix Transportation

Edited January 11, 2015 by asubaru

[sullyd]

no matter how you get there, get there it is well worth it we did the snorkel tour it was fantastic, best excursion i ever did!!!