There’s a reason most ships that sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries
stop in St. Thomas, the best-known of the U.S. Virgin Islands. There’s an
amazing number of things to do and see packed into the island’s 32 square miles.
And, it’s all set against a stunning backdrop of green mountains, fringed with
natural beaches and the deep blue water of the Caribbean.
Your ship will arrive at one of two docks next to the main
town of Charlotte Amalie – either Havensight Pier or Crown Bay. There are shops
and diversions at both of these docks, but for serious duty-free shopping you’ll
want to head into town. Along Veterans Street, there are lots of elegant shops
stocked with designer fashion, fine jewelry, perfume, and liquor. If you’re
looking for local art and hand-made crafts, many of the best shops and
galleries are outside of the downtown so you may want to hire a driver and do a
little exploring.
While the shopping is great, there’s much more to Charlotte
Amalie. Historic sites include Blackbeard’s Castle, a 1679 watchtower built not
by Blackbeard, but by Danish colonials to protect the harbor and Fort
Christian. Fort Christian dates from 1672 and re-opened just two years ago
after a decade of renovation. It houses the St. Thomas Museum. Historic places
of worship include the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
and St. Thomas Synagogue.
After shopping or touring, you can visit one of more than 40
wonderful beaches. Some of the most popular are Magen’s Bay Beach, Sapphire
Beach and Coki Point. Magen’s Bay is a beautiful, well-protected inlet with calm
water that’s perfect for floating and playing beneath the blue sky. Sapphire
Bay offers lots of water sports, including snorkeling and windsurfing. Coki
Point is a lively beach known for its easy snorkeling; plus, it’s right next to
Coral World Ocean Park.
While there are many ways to spend a day on St. Thomas, some
cruise passengers use the stop as a gateway to nearby islands. You can take an
excursion to beautiful St. John, fun-loving Jost Van Dyke, or laid-back Water
Island.
To see for yourself why so many cruise passengers love to
call on St. Thomas, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.
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