Table Of Content
The two main cruise ports in St. Thomas are Havensight Pier and Crown Bay Cruise Port. Yes, you can walk to downtown Charlotte Amalie from the two cruise ports, but most people save time by taking a taxi, as taxis are easy to get, and fares are less than $5. If you're looking to sit back and relax on the beach instead of exploring, there are several beautiful beaches on St. Thomas to discover. Magens Bay, which is a 25-minute drive from the cruise port, is easily one of the most popular with its calm waters, stunning views and great facilities. Located about 13-minutes' drive from either cruise ship pier, Drake's Seat offers up a stunning vista of Magen’s Bay. Mountain Top is another great spot for hiking, which is a bit more grueling as it's 1,500 feet above sea level.
Cruise Ship Schedule for January 1-31, 2024 - St, Thomas Source
Cruise Ship Schedule for January 1-31, 2024.
Posted: Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Visit Fort Christian
You shouldn’t have to worry about rain, but you may want to pack a sweatshirt and light pants for the evenings. Although the weather is usually pleasant during the summer, the US Virgin Islands have a fairly lengthy hurricane season, with a risk of hurricanes and tropical storms from mid-May to the end of November. If you book during these months, regularly check with your cruise line for departure delays and itinerary alterations. You may have to make a purchase to request the Wi-Fi password in some places, but places like Jen’s Island Café & Deli and the Shipwreck Tavern near Havensight Pier have the password openly posted. Crown Bay is mainly used by Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean. Havensightis is mainly used by Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean (non-Oasis class ships).
St. Thomas Terminal/Port Facilities and Accessibility
5 Star Island Tour (Royal Caribbean) is an optional driving tour, which stops at St Peter Mountain's top (shopping), Magen's Bay Beach (2-hour stay for beach activities) and downtown Charlotte Amalie (2-hour stay for shopping). The capital city of Charlotte Amalie is a popular attraction in and of itself. For those history buffs, you have several places you'd like to see, as this historic district has over 500 ancient buildings. Blackbeard's Castle is one example, a 17th-century hilltop building offering beautiful views of the harbor. Fort Christian and St. Thomas Synagogue are also notable historical stops.
St John, US Virgin Islands
While the Havensight Mall is great for those not looking to go out of their way, you’ll want to head into Charlotte Amalie for the best shopping experience. You’ll find plenty of stores and boutiques on Main Street in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Vendor’s Plaza is another downtown highlight if you’re looking for locally-made goods. However, you’ll still find some basic convenience stores, several duty-free shops, and souvenir stalls selling locally-made items.
St Thomas Island USVI (Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands)
Then, either walk for 15 minutes to the pier or take a five-minute taxi. Read on for our breakdown of the St. Thomas cruise port, including address information, cruise line terminals, services and more. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.
In fact, it was once used as a United States naval base but has since been remodeled to accommodate three full-sized cruise ships along the same single-pier design found at Havensight Pier. St. Thomas has a public bus system called VITRAN, which does make a stop at the airport. Take the Route Number 201 bus from the airport to Schneider's Hospital, then take a 12-minute taxi to the Havensight Cruise Pier (aka West Indian Company Dock). If you're going to the Crown Bay Dock, take the same bus and get off at the Ulla Muller School bus stop.
Culture in the Islands
Car rental facilities are also located a short walk from each cruise port, so vehicle pickup and drop-off couldn’t be easier. Lindbergh Bay is just a five-minute drive from Crown Bay Dock and 14-minute drive from Havensight Pier, offering up a less-crowded beach right near the airport. For a more crowded spot, try out Coki Beach because it's popular -- and for good reason. This beach has plenty of food, drinks, shade and snorkeling and diving spots all amongst soft sand and calm waves.
The experience also includes freshly-made beach BBQ served on the boat. All USVI beaches (including on St Thomas) are public and free of charge (no entry fees required). Located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas is a small, beautiful, and the most visited of all U.S.
There are also plenty of restaurants within a short walk of the pier, including some port-of-call classics, like Senor Frogs and Hooters. You’ll also find some island exclusives, like Mojo’s, Barefoot Buddha, and the iconic Shipwreck Tavern. Part of what makes St. Thomas such an appealing port of call is the wide variety of amenities and attractions within walking distance of the island’s two main ports. With both ports located such a convenient distance from a major airport, you shouldn’t have difficulty finding your way to your ship if you fly into St. Thomas. Instead, areas steps away from the piers have Wi-Fi, especially in eateries and cafes. Just make sure you book your excursions through your cruise line, as these excursion providers have been vetted and will be aware of arrival and departure times for your ship.
Plus, taxi services operating out of the port are plentiful, especially if you go to the pickup zone just outside the cruise terminal. If you're able to venture a bit outside of the city, there is a lot more for you to do. Visit the Coral World Ocean Park, which is a 30-minute drive from Crown Bay Dock and 26-minutes from Havensight Cruise Pier, and meet various marine animals, like sea lions, sea turtles, stingrays and beyond. For those looking to enjoy more of the island’s natural side, there is also the Skyride to Paradise Point, just a five-minute walk from the Havensight Pier. This gondola is one of the most popular attractions in the Caribbean, as it quickly takes passengers 700 feet above the port, enjoying stunning views and even a fully stocked bar!
No matter where you end up going, make sure you try some rum cake at the end of your meal; it’s a must-try in St. Thomas. With designer shops, local craft markets, and plenty of duty-free malls and stores, there’s no shortage of places to find souvenirs and discounted designer goods. Daytime highs cool down and tend to stay in the upper 70° F range, but the winter is also very sunny and dry. This makes it a popular time to visit St. Thomas and the other US Virgin Islands.
Roughly two miles from either cruise port, you can get there in less than ten minutes via taxi. For those planning to rent a vehicle while they visit St. Thomas, plenty of parking spots are available near the two ports. It is particularly easy to find parking at Havensight Pier, as the Havensight Mall has a large parking area that is free to use.
Still, you’ll want to take a taxi into the city center if you’re going to enjoy more of what the island has to offer. There are bathrooms available at both piers at the St. Thomas cruise port. Daytime temperatures drop to the low 80° F range, with chances of showers also rising. Again, hurricanes can still be an issue deep into the fall, so you will want to watch weather reports and cruise line updates before setting sail. With the two welcoming over 1.5 million visitors annually, there has been a clear effort to make sure all visitors enjoy a comfortable experience. Both ports are all on ground level, so no need to worry about elevators or stairs.
The St. Thomas cruise port's main dock is the West Indian Company Dock, which is also often referred to as Havensight Cruise Pier. When it's a busy day at the port, overflow ships dock at the Crown Bay Dock. Crown Bay is a bit smaller, as it was not purpose-built for cruise ships.
Havensight Mall provides free Wi-Fi, and it is located just a five-minute walk from the Havensight Pier. Both ports use the same single-pier design, so passengers will exit and return to the ship via extended gangways. Havensight Pier is the largest of the two ports, with three main berths along a single pier. At seven miles from Havensight Pier, it is a bit of a drive, but it has some of the best snorkeling you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. Many available shore excursions will take you to Coki Beach, so it’s very popular with tourists.
No comments:
Post a Comment