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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. St. Thomas is an extremely popular port of call, especially for American cruise lines. Hence, there is a need for two cruise ports, even though the entire island is only 32 square miles. You can take a look at the upcoming cruise schedule for the cruise ports right here.
Best Times to Visit U.S. Virgin Islands
Whether you are looking for a dining experience with a view or vegetarian and vegan options, this vibrant port has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a more secluded spot, head to Secret Harbor Beach. This hidden gem offers a tranquil and intimate setting, perfect for a romantic getaway or a peaceful day of relaxation. The calm waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, allowing you to explore the colorful underwater world. Taxi Vans and Open Air Safaris – If you have a large travel group, an economical way to see the island is with a taxi van or open air safari tour. These converted truck beds offer open-air seating for up to 25 people (taxi vans can hold approximately 8 to 12 people, open air safaris have room for up to 25).
Cable Car
In restaurants and bars, you may wish to add a gratuity of 15-20% to your bill if service was especially good. As busy as Charlotte Amalie and St. Thomas beaches can be, there are actually amazing places that are off the beaten path, that are worth a visit. Check out St. Thomas’ Mangrove lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary and Marine Preserve where you can for a moderately active kayak tour.
St. Thomas – US Virgin islands
The Best Places to Shop in St. Thomas - Cruiseline.com
The Best Places to Shop in St. Thomas.
Posted: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 03:44:46 GMT [source]
This has been a favorite shore excursion for many cruisers over the years for taking Instaworthy photos of the stunning harbor. Plus, there’s a gift shop, restaurant and bar where you may want to stop for a famous Bailey’s Bushwacker. One of the excursions that comes most recommended, is a visit to the neighboring island of St. John. In contrast to bustling St. Thomas, St. John is a much less busy and not commercialized as most of the island is part of the US Virgin Islands National Park.
The beach is crowded on days when several cruise ships are in port, but a short walk from the concession area yields ample space if you arrive before midday. There are bathrooms and changing rooms, and a bar and grill in the concession area. Car – Renting a car is a great way to explore St. Thomas at your own pace – especially for large groups or families.
As you exit from the cruise port, you’ll see that cabs, shuttles and tours sold through local vendors, are plentiful. This Danish fort is one of the island’s most iconic historical landmarks. Not only is it the oldest standing structure on St. Thomas, but it also functions as a museum that showcases the unique history of the entire island. Roughly two miles from either cruise port, you can get there in less than ten minutes via taxi.
Given that the entire island of St. Thomas is known to be a shopper’s paradise, it is no surprise that they have even included a mall directly beside the main cruise port. If your cruise ship docks at Crown Bay Cruise Port, travel time and costs are almost identical, but you may want to give yourself more time to return to port, as fewer taxis travel to and from Crown Bay. Explore the vibrant streets lined with colonial architecture, indulge in duty-free shopping, or visit the iconic Blackbeard's Castle.
Since the island of St Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands it will be no surprise that the official currency is the US dollar.Creditcards are widely accepted at most shops and attractions. Here are the taxi prices as they have been printed by the local tourist information of St. Thomas. Expect that an island tour per taxi will cost about $75 per person / 2-more $38 ea. Both the West Indian Company Dock (Havensight Pier) and Crown Bay Dock at the St. Thomas cruise port are highly wheelchair accessible.
Restaurants Near the St. Thomas Cruise Port (Plus Shopping and Other Services)
Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides. Banks with ATMs are just across the street - have in mind that US Dollar is the legal tender in the US Virgin Islands and that you will need cash for Taxis. The Butterfly Farm used to be a great place for those traveling with children and it is advisable to check if and when it reopens. Senor Frogs wasn't open in March 2020 when IQCruising last visited the Havensight Dock. The Butterfly Farm is on the grounds of the Havensight Mall, on the right end of the pier, behind Senor Frogs.
To get to the castle, you need to climb 99 steps – a long, brick staircase surrounded by lush nature and plenty of colorful flowers, offering unique views of the coast and the capital. 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. It’s about 10 miles from Havensight and roughly 8 miles from Crown Bay, so you’ll need to take a taxi. At just under 1.5 miles away from Crown Bay Cruise Port, it is the closest of the two ports to the airport.
The port provides some entertaining facilities and a representative of the tourist information in the first couple of hours after the ship docks. 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. Then, either walk for 15 minutes to the pier or take a five-minute 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. Car rental facilities are also located a short walk from each cruise port, so vehicle pickup and drop-off couldn’t be easier.
Havensight Pier is where most cruise ships dock, so there is a good chance you will find yourself there. Luckily, it is just a five-to-ten-minute taxi to the downtown of Charlotte Amalie. The tender pier is located right on the Waterfront - officially named Veterans Drive - and right across the street is the heart of Charlotte Amalie. If the cruise ship passenger is booked on a ship excursion there will be staff guiding you to tour buses parked close by. First of all we will find the Havensight cruise terminal just east of the town and the Crown Bay cruise dock at the west of the town of Charlotte Amalie.
Coral World Ocean Park is located here, so this can make a great full day to combine a beach and aquarium visit. Inside the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, you’ll get a brief history of the synagogue, the Jewish history of the island, and the significance of it’s sand floor. In Charlotte Amalie, you’ll find hundreds of brand name and local shops along Main Street and the cross streets. You’ll also find a local straw or flea market with some handmade jewelry, t-shirts and other souvenirs. (Compare prices, as prices are sometimes equivalent to what you’ll find here). If you want to go to a less touristy place, renting a car (Avis, Budget, Discount, Hertz) will be more convenient.
Look for official taxis, which have a dome light and the letters "TP" on their license plates. The taxi rank is located in the ground transportation area outside the arrivals hall. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas Cruise Port.
One unique attraction within walking distance is right by the cruise docks. The St. Thomas Skyride goes 700 feet up to the top of Flag Hill for a grander view of Charlotte Amalie and St. Thomas Harbor. Tickets at the time of this writing were $25 for adults and $17 for children. Just a few minutes walk from the Havensight cruise port, you’ll find the Sky Ride to Paradise Point. Head up 700 feet to the top of the mountain by tram and experience incredible views of St. Thomas and the harbor. However, most activities will require either a shore excursion or tour, or transportation to a local beach or attraction.
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