Hi all, I'm hoping that you can help me figure out to do. We had a reservation to travel to Caneel Bay in STJ for 11 nights in June. I asked my travel agent to look into the possibility of a split trip with Little Dix Bay in VG, and she worked out a schedule whereby we were to spend the first four nights at Little Dix and the next seven at Caneel. Her plan was for us to be ferried from the airport in St. Thomas to Caneel, and then to take the Caneel ferry to Little Dix that afternoon.

I knew from reading posts on this board that the Caneel to Little Dix ferry only runs occassionally, so I asked her whether she was positive that I could get from one resort to the other on the day we arrive (a Saturday). She said that she spoke to the people at Rosewood and it was fine, so I told her to go ahead and switch the reservation.

The next day, though, I got to thinking and figured I'd better double check that she was right about the ferry, so I called Rosewood myself. The reservationist told me right away that she had no idea where the travel agent had gotten that impression, but the ferry between Caneel and Little Dix only runs MWF. Therefore we have no way to get to Little Dix on our arrival date.

I told the travel agent this (she was unapologetic) and asked her to change our reservation back to what it was initially. Needless to say, the rooms we had booked for the first four nights at Caneel are now gone, and we can only stay in a more expensive room. (travel agent still unapologetic at this point.)

Basically my choices now are: go back to the same trip I had planned initially, but pay more money (which I don't think I can bring myself to do) or find some way to get to Little Dix on Saturday. I've been told my two options are: take the public ferry from STT to Tortola, and then from Tortola to Virgin Gorda, or reserve a seat on Little Dix's 5-seater plane that takes you from the airport at STT to Little Dix. I'm sort of terrified to get on that tiny of a plane, but at the same time the public ferry from STT to VG sounds like a nightmare. Has anyone done either? Does anyone have any advice? (I already tried to change my incoming flight to Tortola, but I am using FF miles and couldn't get a flight). I'm desperate! Please help.

First: Fire your travel agent. I hate it when they know they messed up but won't admit it. They act so entitled and are happy to take your money but won't fix problems. Second: Anyway..I know someone who took the 5 seat plane and said it was fine, no problems and they were never afraid. Your option just thought I'd let you know.

I know--I am so frustrated. She said, you're taking this out on me, and it's not fair. I changed the reservation because you told me to. (Keep in mind that I didn't even raise my voice--I just told her that I was disappointed and hoped she could help me figure something out.) Ignoring the fact that I changed it based on her misinformation.

Maybe I will consider the plane. The ferry sounds just terrible. Anyone else been on it?

I think the public ferries are just fine, although I suppose it's a matter of taste. My beloved wife, for instance. would rather swim from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda than climb aboard a 5-seat aircraft.

The trickiest part with the ferry is that there is only a St. Thomas-to-Gorda ferry twice a week, I believe, so the rest of the time you have to change ferries in Tortola. What you want is a ferry that goes from STT to Road Town. If you get a ferry that goes to West End (Tortola), you may need to take a taxi to Road Town.

You need to allow extra time for foul-ups, although the ferries are really pretty reliable. They do change their schedules fairly often, so you need to confirm times at the last possible moment.

There will be some guys who'll help you with luggage (tips are expected, of course). If your ferry has open-air seats on the top deck, those are a better choice than inside, provided it's not raining.

There's always the possibility of rough water - often it's very calm, but it's a crapshoot.

If you're OK with the idea of a small plane, it would certainly be a lot quicker.

Also keep in mind that the money you save by avoiding the more expensive room at Caneel will be partly eaten up by these extra transportation costs. Might not be worth the hassle.

Is there any way you would consider staying at Little Dix Until Monday? I would never get on a little plane like that, I am petrified to fly. I would look into the ferry option. I am sure the hotel could help you with that.
Above all I would fire my travel agent immedietly. Not to add to your anger but that info is right on their website. You dont need to be a TA to see that. Its says M-W-F. I would be afraid since they screwed that up, they could screw up other things as well.
Good luck and I am sure you'll find a way to reconcile this

First of all LDB does a pick up with their private ferry at Tortola at a dock accross the street from the Beef Island airport. They do a few runs, depending on your arrival. I have done that. It goes everyday. So I would catch a ferry from STT to Tortola, they do service both ends of the island, Road Bay is one, and Beef island the other. Native Sun was the one we used
a few years ago. And have LDB pick you up at Beef Island, as if you were coming by plane.
The other option would be to inquire at LDB, as I read they now have a ferry to Virgin Gorda from STT. I am not sure of the cost, but I know the MWF Caneel-LDB runs over $50 per person. I would catch the Caneel regular ferry,it runs frequently, over to Charlotte Amalie, and see if LDB is running the ferry service from STT-Virgin Gorda. The ferry ride to LDB is very nice. I am not sure if they are running this ferry!
It is different than the island hopper between the resorts. Again they might have stopped this service. I enjoyed my stay at both hotels. Each one has its own personality.

Thanks everyone. I think that the plane option might be the best--I'm scared of the tiny plane, but it's only a 12 minute flight. I don't want to waste our first full day of vacation stressing about cabs and ferries, etc. Cross your fingers that we make it okay!

A few years ago we flew from STT to Tortola on Cape Air. It was a little plane, with myself, my husband, another couple, their 2 little girls and the pilot. I am also scared of little planes, but really it wasn't bad. I had made it out to be so much worse in my mind before the flight that it was almost funny. The pilot had made that trip so many times he could have done it in his sleep. Now, you will feel more movement in the air in a little plane, but once you get over that first mountain on St. Thomas, it will be smooth the rest of the way. The view is amazing. If you have time, have yourself a cocktail before the little plane flight. Frankly, after flying all the way to St. Thomas, it will be a very long day to take the taxi to town and hop two different ferries to get where you are going.

If that were my travel agent, I would cancel the trip through her if I could, and re-book everything just through the Rosewood people. But that's just me. You WILL have a wonderful time, though.