Tuesday, April 2, 2024

St Thomas Cruise Port: Piers, Overview and What to Do

st thomas cruise

While the island is a sanctuary of peace for many, it simultaneously offers a playground for the daring. Certain cruise lines take the experience up a notch with themed voyages. With every cobblestone, every ancient wall, and every local story, you’re transported to an era where the New World was still unfolding. Blackbeard and Bluebeard, two of the most infamous pirates of their time, are said to have used the island as their base. Legends of their escapades still echo in the winding alleys and historic forts. Over time, this bustling port town played a central role in trade, especially during the pirate era, witnessing tales of swashbuckling adventures and treasures.

St Thomas and the 2017 Hurricane Season

And several of the notable things to do in St. Thomas revolve around pirates. The Pirate Treasure Museum provides a great family-friendly and interactive opportunity to explore the island’s pirate history. You can also pre-arrange tour packages that include beach stops at Magens Beach or other popular beaches with other St. Thomas attractions on-line. Larger ships such as the Oasis-class ships from Royal Caribbean must use the dock at Crown Bay. And, other Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships will often be scheduled to dock there as well.

Culture in the Islands

Wherever your cruise ship docks in St Thomas it will always be very easy to travel around by taxi. 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. Popular with scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts, this eye-catching beach is one of the island’s true hidden gems. Thanks to the surrounding timeshares and hotels, there are also plenty of restaurants, bars, cafés, and ice cream shops, so there’s plenty to do when you’ve had enough beach fun.

Night 7 Nt Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day

There are no attractions close to the Crown Bay cruise terminal, however, you can take a taxi to some of the nearby beaches. The most popular and beautiful ones are Lindberg Bay Beach (a 20-minute walk, or less than a 5-minute drive), and Brewers Bay Beach (a 5-minute drive or 40-minute walk). It's also an easy jaunt via 20-minute ferry to tranquil St. John from the town of Red Hook. Even this town has local character (this is where expat residents of St. Thomas spend their time) that's a far cry from Charlotte Amalie's shopping mall vibe. Just taking transportation to the eastern end of the island will give you emotional distance from the hectic pier. This Caribbean paradise is known for its stunning natural beauty, warm climate, and relaxed atmosphere.

The island has a 2 ½ miles long coastline dotted with many sandy beaches, secluded coves, bays, and peninsulas. Wildlife such as iguanas, turtles, and birds populate the island. And, in addition to the beaches, it’s a great location for hiking and biking. For those looking for more quiet things to do in a St. Thomas cruise stop, a trip to Water Island could be a great option for a peaceful day focused on sun and relaxation. 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.

st thomas cruise

Taxi prices at Havensight cruise terminal

Another popular snorkeling and scuba diving location is a wartime-era shipwreck, lying at a depth of around 40 ft (12 meters). Buck Island is a blast and easily accessible by catamaran, speedboat, or sailboat on a guided tour. If you seek a more secluded beach, Solomon Beach located next to Honeymoon Beach might be just a perfect pick for you!

The 10 Best Beaches in St. Thomas - Cruise Critic

The 10 Best Beaches in St. Thomas.

Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

More cruise ports guides

This small 100 yard beach is a slice of pure paradise and you will usually just have to share it with just a handful of others. It is worth noting that there are no facilities at this beach. Below we listed our top picks for the best things to do on this island of paradise.

Spend the Day at Beautiful Magens Bay

Whether you like to lounge on the sand or something more exhilarating like a zipline ride above the treetops, there’s something for everyone. Many hosts of the experiences create walking tours, food tours, boat tours, etc. They offer their views of the city and typically know a thing or two about the rich history. Your cruise ship will of course offer their “guaranteed” shopping guide.

Restaurants Near the St. Thomas Cruise Port (Plus Shopping and Other Services)

US Virgin Islands to Levy Fee on Arriving Royal Caribbean Cruise Passengers - TravelPulse

US Virgin Islands to Levy Fee on Arriving Royal Caribbean Cruise Passengers.

Posted: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

At just under 1.5 miles away from Crown Bay Cruise Port, it is the closest of the two ports to the airport. Most taxis and shuttles will only take a few minutes to shuttle passengers to and from the airport, as the entire drive involves one simple turn from Airport Road to Terence A. Todman Drive. Take a short ferry ride from the St. Thomas cruise port to Water Island for a bike tour. With fewer than 200 residents and virtually no automobile traffic, this island tour can be relaxing and entertaining as it takes you to various attractions. Magens Bay has been named one of National Geographic’s top 10 beaches in the world. This mile long beach is the most popular beach in St. Thomas and is a $8 cab ride (each way) from the cruise port.

Because Havensight is such a large pier, be prepared for crowds. This is especially important if you travel during peak cruise season or the winter holidays. If this is not your first Eastern Caribbean cruise, chances are you have already called this port.

Look for the iconic “Mocko Jumbies,” which are people dressed in spirit costumes parading around on 20-feet stilts. On the island of St. Thomas, one of the more popular and family-friendly beaches you will find is Magens Bay. If you want to try some Caribbean food, Sugarcane Grill is an open-air restaurant that always serves island favorites. Amalia Café Restaurant is another open-air eatery with an amazing atmosphere and even better food.

As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! St. John also has a carnival, but it’s celebrated later in the year than the one in St. Thomas. Although the St. John Carnival also runs for about a month, the larger events fall during the final week which coincides with Emancipation Day (July 3) and US Independence Day (July 4).

The shore excursion meeting place is usually here, in front of the terminal gates, however, always double-check the information on your tour ticket. If you’re reading this, you already know that a cruise is a wonderful way to relax and unwind. To discover the ultimate Caribbean escape, find a cruise that includes St. Thomas. No one knows if he used the bench to watch over his own ships or if he plotted to invade the others as he sat. If you love perfume and fragrances, this could be the best thing to do in St. Thomas for you.

Located on the east side of the island, Sapphire beach is a beautiful escape from the busier hubs of the island. If you become hungry, there’s no shortage of good food in the city. Check out the Stone House Cafe, Amalie Cafe, Rum Island Pub, and Virgilio’s.

The St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands cruise ship port is near the capital and a short drive from other notable attractions, like Drake's Seat. Both cruise ports are located on the southern side of St. Thomas near the capital and largest city in the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie. Havensight Cruise Pier is located 1.7 miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie, while Crown Bay Cruise Port is located 2 miles to the west, meaning the city is bookended by two major cruise ports. The reason for this is simply due to the immense popularity of the city as a port of call and departure point for cruise ships. The crown bay cruise dock is located near a lovely yacht area full of restaurants and shops.

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