One of the most popular and busiest ports of call for cruise ships is St. Thomas USVI Known for having “Something for Everyone”, St. Thomas also serves as a port of call for many ships sailing the southern Caribbean, North America South and the Panama Canal.
Upon arrival on this wonderful island, you will most likely dock at Havensight or Crown Bay, the two main docks for cruise ships. Havensight Pier is well-equipped with ATMs, a post office, public phones, and the only bookstore on the island, a wine shop, and over 50 stores for your shopping pleasure. Across from the Havensight Pier, you’ll find coffee shops, internet cafes, and more stores for shopping. Charlotte Amalie is within walking distance to the docks for even more duty-free shopping. St. Thomas is not the bargain heaven it used to be. So do some comparison shopping before you buy. The only good thing is that St. Thomas is a US port and the duty-free allowance is now $1,600.00, and that’s double the amount allowed for Europe. However, there are still many good deals to be found.
Note that if your ship docks on a Sunday, many of Charlotte Amalie’s shops and stores are only open from 9am to 1pm and many of the attractions observe the same hours and only a few restaurants are open for lunch. However, if you are lucky enough to spend a day on this beautiful island, try spending it exploring the historic districts or dining at one of the extraordinary restaurants located in Frenchtown. A day of golf or a day trip to St. John’s or just a lazy day at the beach is nice and enjoyable on this island.
When getting around St. Thomas, remember that individual taxis are a rarity, taxis are usually safari trucks or vans and charge a flat rate if they go “your way”. Also beware of venturing off the beaten path often taken by tourists who choose to explore on their own, crime is becoming a problem everywhere. If you want to explore on your own, rent a car and know that cell phone use while driving is illegal, and whatever you do, when you drive! Drive on the left.
