owa - STX to STT Seaborne or Cape Air?
 

owa

We are going to STJ after STX, too. Wondering if you are taking Seaborne or Cape Air?

Thanks

Ghengis--

First, be sure to see my note on your other thread re: sand toys.

Second, if the price is the same, I would think that going the Seabourne route is more convenient. They take off from the Christiansted Harbour (it's a sea plane) which is less than 10 minutes from the Buccaneer. Cape Air is at the airport--30 minutes away and much more security I would think.

ccrosner

I got it. Don't need to bring sand toys.

I will book Seabourne.

Thanks!

Ghengis, We are taking the 1230 flight from STX to STT on Cape Air on the 4th. I had problems with Seaborne's online site, and never did call them. Maybe I should have. See you soon. Owa

It's really nice to just get on the plane without all the security hassles. I've taken Seabourne twice from STT to STX (without luggage) and just had to put my purse in a big Rubbermaid container.

We booked with Seabourne. The website wasn't working, I had to call. The price is slightly higher than Cape Air. But we look forward to try an airplane that would take off from the water.

OWA -
we are arriving the Buccanner on 11/02 and heading to STJ on 11/07. I see that you are leaving STX on 11/05, but hopefully, we will at least be able to say hi.

Ghengis, I've taken the sea plane myself, and it's an easy connection to St. Thomas. My only concern is that Seabourn is notorious for leaving luggage behind for the next flight, so if you are moving on to St. John immediately, that might be a problem. For that reason (and that reason alone), I think you should actually book Cape Air. If you were staying on St. Thomas, I'd have no hesitation. Of course if you don't mind walking around Charlotte Amalie for a couple of hours if you have to wait on your luggage, then it's not an issue at all.

Doug -

Thank you for telling me that. :( but I already booked with seaplane. Normally we don't pack a lot. but with the baby, stroller and car seat alone are something already. Now, you really make me worried...... Could the luggages arrive so late that we would miss the last ferry to St. John?

Ghengis,

Don't beat yourself up over your decision.

I've taken Cape Air several times. Every time, the plane was full with passengers they had to leave off bags. It's just a trade off when a pilot has to consider take off weight for a small airplane.
In other words-don't sweat your decision, it can happen on either airline.

Caper Air, bumped my bag once, it was the last flight of the night so they put it on the first flight the next morning…then walked it to the Caneel desk so it would make their ferry.
Remember you’re going to an island to vacation, and as a friend of mine who’s a local from the USVI always teases me when I over pack, “ other then flip flops and a swim suit, what more do you need?”

Delayed luggage also happens a lot on American Eagle.

I'm afraid there's no guaranty with any airline regarding luggage. American Airlines (American Eagle) inexplicably left our baby stroller/carseat in San Juan last time. They did get it to us the next day, but it was a hassle. With the smaller airlines, I imagine you may be able to get more attention paid to the luggage/essential luggage if you get to the flight well in advance, and try to monitor the situation a bit more carefully. I should have known when they deviated from normal procedure (letting us take the stroller all the way up to the entrance to the airplance) and instead had us leave it at the departure gate, there was going to be an issue. Next time, I'll cite what happened before and insist that the stroller is properly accounted for. Still, there's only so much one can do regarding luggage. Good luck. Please post a report on your Seaborne trip and any tips you might have.

The flights are frequent enough that you would rarely have to wait more than a couple of hours for the luggage that's been left behind. At worst, you might have to have lunch or do some shopping in St. Thomas, which won't be the end of the world. The ferries between Charlotte Amalie and St. John don't leave as often---and the last one leaves at 5:30, I think---but the ferry from Red Hook goes until late (perhaps even as late as midnight), so I can't imagine you'd not be able to make it. It's not like they'll make you wait 6 hours for your bags; they almost always come on the next flight.

I have never had a problem with Seaborne. I fly it 2 times a month from San Juan to St. Thomas to St. Croix. No luggage problems ever.


I find Cape Air inconvenient and scary with only one pilot.

Seaborne has captain and co pilot.

Seaborne has absolutely NO hassles with customs or screening.

Cape Air is a real pain in butt...gotta use airport and all that security screening crap---basically arrive in diaper to get through.

When flying to St Croix...I have to double back to Christensted...simply not convenient.

When Seaborne cancels a flight, they book a charter to honor their flights...what does Cape Air do?
Nothing.

editors Stallings in my opinion is wrong about Cape Air.

Seaborne lands at ferry terminal with easy connection with Smith ferry and others to get to St John, Tortola and other isands.

I dont waste my time with Cape Air.