I am planning my first trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands and I want to make the travel day as smooth as possible. I will fly out of Boston, and I usually start with a reliable airport drop-off so I do not stress about timing. I was recommended to hire chauffeur service from Blue Nile Livery for a past early-morning run to Logan.

Now I want advice for the islands. What works best after landing in St. Thomas or St. Croix?

• Do you prefer taxis, a rental car, or a pre-arranged ride for the first day?
• What should I expect for luggage, wait times, and costs?
• If I stay on St. John, which ferry and transfer plan saves the most hassle?