St. John Days End Sunset Sail Open Bar & Hors D’oeuvres – Westin

Sunset looks better from the water. This relaxed St. John cruise leaves the Westin aboard a 55-foot catamaran, giving you broad views across Cruz Bay and Pillsbury Sound while champagne, cocktails, beer, wine, and nonalcoholic drinks flow from the bar. I especially like the easy Westin departure and the friendly crew, two details that make this a simple way to end a beach day.

The included drinks add real value at $109 per person, and the boat gives you a fine view of the setting sun without asking you to plan a complicated evening. The main caution is that the food is light, and the sailing time may feel shorter than expected. Some people describe a proper cruise of about an hour and a half, while others say the boat spent much of the outing sitting in the water before returning.

Key Points Before You Book

• A 55-foot catamaran leaves from the Westin St. John in Chocolate Hole, so you can reach the boat without arranging a separate transfer if you are staying there.
• Champagne and a full open bar are included, along with nonalcoholic drinks, which helps justify the $109 price.
• Hors d’oeuvres are served during the cruise, but portions are snack-sized rather than a replacement for dinner.
• The sunset view is the star of the trip, with open water views toward St. John and St. Thomas.
• The boat has a no-shoes policy, so wear footwear that slips off easily and consider bringing wipes for your feet.
• The group can reach 49 people, making this a social cruise rather than a private, quiet sail.

Leaving the Westin for Pillsbury Sound

The meeting point is the Westin St. John Resort Villas at 300B Chocolate Hole Road in Cruz Bay. Free parking is available at the Westin, a useful perk if you are staying elsewhere on the island and have a rental car.

This departure point keeps the evening easy. You do not have to cross to St. Thomas, find a marina in an unfamiliar part of the island, or arrange a water taxi. You simply make your way to the Westin, board the catamaran, and settle in for the cruise.

Arriving early is smart if you care about where you sit. One useful tip from the experience is to get there with enough time to find a comfortable spot and a clear view. There is no need to save seats for the sunset, since the captain reportedly positions the boat so people can watch from different areas.

The no-shoes rule is worth knowing before you arrive. Soft-soled shoes are allowed, but the crew may ask you to remove them. Easy sandals or slip-ons are better than laced shoes, and a small towel or foot wipes can make the return to shore more pleasant.

A Smooth Ride on a 55-Foot Catamaran

The catamaran is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It is described as beautiful and kept in excellent condition, with enough room for a large group to spread out. A catamaran also tends to feel stable compared with a smaller single-hull boat, though any boat ride depends on the day’s wind and water.

The cruise heads out into Pillsbury Sound, the water between St. John and St. Thomas. From the boat, you see the islands from a fresh angle. Instead of looking out from a beach or road, you watch the shoreline pull away while the bays and hills form a wide backdrop around you.

The sailing itself may be active or modest, depending on the conditions and the captain’s choices. Some accounts describe a smooth ride with just the right amount of wind. Others felt the boat spent too much time stationary, waiting for the sunset, and not enough time actually sailing.

That difference matters. If you want a serious sailing excursion with long stretches under sail, this may not satisfy you. If your main goal is a comfortable sunset outing with drinks, scenery, and a gentle ride, the format makes more sense.

The captain is an important part of the mood. Captain Freeman received special praise, while other accounts describe captains as skilled, personable, and attentive to giving people a chance to see the sunset. Captain names can change, but the crew’s warmth is a consistent strength of the experience.

Sunset Views Around Cruz Bay

The best reason to book this cruise is the view. St. John is lovely from land, but the water gives you a wider picture of the island and nearby St. Thomas. As the sun lowers, the light changes across the bays and hills, making the ride especially good for photographs.

The sunset is not guaranteed, of course. Cloud cover can hide the final colors, and one otherwise positive outing had perfect wind and a good crew but no visible sunset. That is the risk with any sunset activity. The boat, drinks, and scenery still provide an enjoyable evening, but you should not treat the sunset itself as a sure thing.

The captain’s positioning also matters. The boat is meant to give people a fair chance at the view rather than forcing everyone to compete for one side. That is helpful on a group cruise, particularly when the boat is close to its maximum of 49 people.

You can expect a social atmosphere. Couples, families, and people on separate vacations share the boat, and the relaxed setting makes it easy to talk with people around you. If you want privacy, quiet conversation, or a special moment with only your own party, a private charter would be a better match.

Champagne, Cocktails, and the Open Bar

The open bar is included in the $109 price. Champagne is part of the offering, along with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Several accounts praise the drinks as plentiful and well served, with the attendants checking on people and keeping the mood comfortable.

This is where the price begins to make sense. A sunset boat ride alone may feel expensive, but the package includes the catamaran cruise, crew, drinks, food, fees, and taxes. If you would normally order several drinks during an evening out, the included bar can make the cost reasonable.

Still, do not book this as a drinking party unless that is your plan. The appeal is more relaxed than rowdy. You can toast the sunset, enjoy the scenery, and meet other people without the experience being described as a loud nightlife cruise.

The drink selection may not cover every preference. One person specifically wished for red wine, so you should not assume that every type of wine will be available. The supplied details promise a full open bar but do not provide a complete drink menu.

If you do not drink alcohol, the cruise still works. Nonalcoholic drinks are included, and the scenery remains the main attraction. You simply lose some of the financial advantage that the open bar provides.

Hors d’oeuvres Are Snacks, Not Dinner

Food is served during the cruise, and the amount seems designed to hold you over rather than feed you fully. Some accounts praise the snacks, including fresh ceviche, while others describe the selection as average, underwhelming, or too limited for the price.

That mixed response is easy to understand. Passed hors d’oeuvres can add a nice touch to a sunset sail, but a few small portions will not satisfy everyone. You should plan dinner afterward, especially if you are hungry after a day at the beach.

The exact menu can change. Items described in the experience include assorted hors d’oeuvres, and one person found the ceviche particularly fresh. Another person with restrictions involving shellfish and pork could eat only one of the offered items.

If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, contact the operator at least 72 hours ahead. Alternative food can be arranged, but additional costs may apply. Do not wait until boarding and expect the crew to create a full substitute meal at the last minute.

For me, the food is best viewed as part of the atmosphere. It gives you something to nibble with a drink while the sky changes color. It should not be the main reason you pay for the cruise.

The Crew Makes the Evening

The crew receives the most consistent praise. People describe the attendants as friendly, helpful, efficient, and accommodating. That matters because the service shapes the whole outing: drinks are easier to enjoy when someone is attentive without hovering, and a sunset cruise feels more special when the crew keeps things moving smoothly.

Erin, Carter, and Matt were singled out for making one sailing memorable. Carolyn and Brandon also received praise for taking good care of the group, while Freeman was noted as a capable captain. Crew assignments can change, but these comments show the level of personal service you may encounter.

The captain’s role is not limited to steering. A good captain helps with timing, boat placement, and the overall pace. Several accounts describe the captain as making sure everyone had a chance to see the sunset, which is especially valuable on a full catamaran.

There is one service gap to keep in mind. The cruise may not include much narration about the sights, local history, or the islands around you. If you want a guided tour with a running explanation of bays, landmarks, and island stories, you may find this too quiet.

You can request music, and the selection can be adjusted to some degree. The mood is casual rather than formal, so this is a good setting for people who want to relax with a drink instead of listen to a detailed lecture.

Timing: Expect Some Uncertainty

The timing deserves careful attention before you commit. The supplied booking information describes the duration in a confusing way, from 1 to 30 minutes, while several accounts describe the outing as about an hour to an hour and a half. Another description calls it a couple of relaxing hours on the water.

Because of that mismatch, I would not schedule a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward. Give yourself breathing room for boarding, the cruise, the return to the Westin, and any delay caused by weather or harbor conditions.

The most useful expectation is this: plan for a short evening cruise centered on sunset, but do not assume the exact time will feel identical on every departure. Some people found the length perfectly pleasant. Others felt the boat returned too soon or spent too much time waiting in place.

This is also why the cruise suits an easy evening better than a packed itinerary. You can come from the beach, board the boat, enjoy drinks and views, then continue to dinner. You should not use it on a night when you need to catch a ferry or meet a strict reservation time.

Price and Overall Value at $109

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to watch the sun go down. You can see a sunset from land for free, and a casual dinner in Cruz Bay may cost less than the cruise.

The value comes from combining several expenses into one outing. You receive:

• Catamaran transportation on the water
• Champagne and a full open bar
• Nonalcoholic drinks
• Assorted hors d’oeuvres
• All fees and taxes
• Free parking at the Westin

If you enjoy drinks and want a special setting, the price is fair. The boat is attractive, the crew is widely praised, and the view gives you something that a restaurant terrace cannot quite match.

The value is weaker if you care most about sailing time, a large meal, or a private setting. You may also want to compare prices close to your departure date. One person paid $20 more by booking ahead, while another booking made the day before cost less. Promotions can change, so check the current rate before paying.

Gratuity is not included. Plan to tip the crew separately if the service meets your expectations.

Who Will Enjoy This Sunset Sail

I would recommend this cruise to couples looking for a romantic final evening, families wanting an easy group activity, and anyone who likes the idea of seeing St. John from the water without organizing a private charter.

It is also a good choice for a last-night activity. The cruise gives you a clear ending to a beach vacation, and several people found it a memorable way to close a longer stay on the island.

You will probably enjoy it most if you value:

• A polished boat
• Friendly service
• Included drinks
• Light food with a sunset view
• Meeting other people
• An uncomplicated departure from the Westin

You may want another option if you need extensive narration, a full dinner, serious sailing, or solitude. The group size can reach 49 people, and the experience is built around a shared social setting.

Most people can participate, but contact the operator with accessibility questions before booking. The boat’s no-shoes policy and the conditions on the water may matter for your party.

Should You Book the Days End Sunset Sail?

Book it if you want a comfortable, social sunset outing with a good boat, attentive crew, open bar, and light bites. The strongest parts are the catamaran, the views, and the service, not the food or the amount of sailing.

I would book this for a relaxed evening, arrive early, wear shoes that come off easily, eat a little beforehand, and leave room in the schedule afterward. At $109, it is a fair splurge when you plan to enjoy the drinks and the setting. It is less compelling if you expect a full meal or a long, active sail.

The experience earns its strong reputation through simple pleasures: a clean boat, a friendly crew, a glass of champagne, and the sun dropping behind the islands. Just set realistic expectations, and you are more likely to find it a fine way to end the day.

FAQ

Where does the sunset sail begin?

It begins at The Westin St. John Resort Villas, 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at the Westin.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $109 per person.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Champagne, alcoholic beverages, a full open bar, and nonalcoholic drinks are included.

Is food included?

Yes. Assorted hors d’oeuvres are included, but gratuity is not.

Will the food replace dinner?

The hors d’oeuvres are light snacks, so plan to eat dinner separately.

Is parking available?

Yes. Free parking is available at the Westin.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 49 people.

Can food alternatives be arranged?

Yes. Alternative food items may be arranged with at least 72 hours advance notice. Additional costs may apply.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the cruise is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.