Beaches and shopping, these two attractions make St. Thomas, one of the world’s heavily trafficked cruise ports. St. Thomas offers a tropical paradise with all the conveniences of being a part of the United States – speaking English and using the American dollar.
Cruise Ship Terminals in St. Thomas
Cruise ships will generally dock at Havensight or Crown Bay Centre. If there are more ships visiting than can be accommodated at the docks, your cruise ship could be anchored at sea and tenders will take you to downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Havensight Cruise Terminal in St. Thomas
The primary dock for cruise ships, Havensight is a shopping area with over 50 shops, a post office, several banks and ATMs and a pharmacy. The Yacht Haven Grande Marina is an upscale shopping area within walking distance from the pier. There is also a K-mart and supermarket nearby for picking up everyday essentials.
Crown Bay Centre Cruise Terminal in St. Thomas
Crown Bay Centre is the new cruise ship port opened in early 2007. As a result, the port does not have as many amenities as Havensight. The shopping area on the pier includes multiple tourist shops, jewelers, a bank and an internet café. A stone sugar mill stands in the middle of the shopping area in honor of the St. Thomas plantation era.
Getting Around St. Thomas
Taxis are the best option. Cruise passengers pay a set price per person and are corralled into a van or safari truck with other vacationers headed in the same direction. Fares from Havensight to downtown Charlotte Amalie is $8 per person and from Crown Bay, the fare is $7 per person. Individual cabs are highly unusual in St. Thomas.
Car rental is available at Havensight and at the St. Thomas airport, a short taxi ride from Crown Bay Centre. Driving around St. Thomas can be a challenge as driving is on the left and roads are narrow, winding and often full of potholes.
What to See and Do in St. Thomas
Explore and shop in Charlotte Amalie. St Thomas’ downtown shopping area is easily walkable with stores primarily located on Waterfront Highway and the parallel road behind it , Main Street. Here you find familiar brand names such as Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfinger plus lots of duty-free shopping.
Visit Coral World.This 4.5 acre marine park offers helmet diving, swimming with the turtles, shark tanks and an underwater observatory.
Go to the Mountain Top. This island’s highest point offers great island views of Magens Bay and the north side of St. Thomas.
Swim in beautiful Magens Bay.A heart shaped beach approximately 1 mile long, Magen’s Bay beach is surrounded by hills blocking strong ocean waves, perfect for swimming.
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