Visitors can jump into a taxi and spend the afternoon at the nearest beaches, which are Limestone and Morningstar. The city has several attractions for anyone who wants to walk around when they get there. If you enjoy a fun and off the beaten path activity, check out this shore excursion.
Activities in Charlotte-Amalie, St. Thomas
Usually cruise ships dock at the Havensight cruise terminal also known as WICO cruise ship dock. However you can also grab a taxi to the city center for just 6 us dollar per person. Havensight cruise terminal is located in the eastern part of Charlotte Amalie and has three berths. The city center is within a 20-minute walking distance, and the terminal area consists of a variety of cafes, restaurants, duty-free outlet shops, and many local vendors offering car rentals and tours.
Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas Cruise Port: A Complete Guide For Visitors
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. Given it is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, there are regular flights to and from the continental United States and beyond. All other ships will only be assigned a docking harbor on the morning of arrival. There is a tendency to believe that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines dock exclusively at Crown Bay but the Editor has been on ships of these cruise lines docked in Havensight.
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While traffic can be an issue during the busy season, most cab rides will cost less than $5 and take about ten minutes, so it is still an easy commute. Plus, taxi services operating out of the port are plentiful, especially if you go to the pickup zone just outside the cruise terminal. Considering that Charlotte Amalie is a top 'shopping-paradise' in the Caribbean, many a cruise ship passenger want to see what this is all about.
Historical Landmarks in Charlotte Amalie
However, there are so many beaches to explore that you will surely find a nice spot to enjoy the spectacular Caribbean Sea with its crystal clear turquoise waters. Cruise ships offer excellent tours to most of St. Thomas attractions and highlights but if you wish to explore the island on your own the taxi services are very good alternatives. Taxis are fairly priced and can literally take the cruise ship traveler to all highlights, beaches, main sites and attractions of St Thomas. A great port of call on any Caribbean cruise would be St. Thomas on the US Virgin Islands.The US Virgin Islands are a tropical paradise, located in the Caribbean Sea.
Coki Point Beach
Havensight is the larger of the two docks and has Havensight Mall – a great place to take the kids for souvenirs or a quick snack before re-boarding. There are over 60 shops, restaurants and cafes at Havensight Mall – many of which are outposts of stores found in Charlotte Amalie. Blackbeard’s Castle, a watch tower built in 1679, is the focal point for a tourist attraction that includes a garden, rum factory, hotel and other facilities.
Cruise Ship Collides With Dock at Turkish Port
This is a two-hour orientation tour of St. Thomas, with stops at some of the island's highlights and exciting views of the island itself. Car Rental companies are located within walking distance from the port in Havensight and is a great way to see the island at your own pace IF you are comfortable with left-side driving. If you are from the United States, your driver’s licence is valid for 90 days in St. Thomas.
Amenities, Services and Restaurants
English is the official language, but locals speak their own dialect of Creole. Occupying the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation, this lush tropical garden is bursting with dazzling blooms, orchids, herbs, and other medicinal plants, the air fragrant with frangipani. Peacocks, tortoises, and soldier crabs populate the crumbling remains of the estate, which has sweeping views down over Charlotte Amalie.
You can even explore Blackbeard’s Castle, located within the city center. Take the cable car up to enjoy great views over the southern part of the island. Located about 13-minutes' drive from either cruise ship pier, Drake's Seat offers up a stunning vista of Magen’s Bay. You also have the option to drive up to the top instead of walking up. Mountain Top is another great spot for hiking, which is a bit more grueling as it's 1,500 feet above sea level.
Sapphire Beach is known for it’s stunning sapphire blue waters of course! However, you’ll also get a beautiful view of the neighboring island of St. John. You may even want to head up to the top deck of your cruise ship and take some amazing photos before heading ashore. St. Thomas is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America.
Walking to Charlotte Amalie from the ship and the mall is an option for very fit people with extra time. On a hot day, take a break under the trees at Emancipation Garden, a small city park just behind Fort Christian. For lovebirds yearning for a romantic escape, Charlotte Amalie has no shortage of enchantment.
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Fort Christian and St. Thomas Synagogue are also notable historical stops. If you prefer to be closer to the water, head to one of the waterfront restaurants along the harbor. These establishments offer a unique dining experience where you can watch the boats sail by as you indulge in delicious food. From fresh seafood platters to Caribbean-inspired dishes, dining with a view in Charlotte Amalie is an experience you won’t forget.
Back on the beach, there’s a bar and café, as well as a 1.5-mile nature trail through the coconut grove. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Havensight Pier is a little further, with 4.2 miles separating the port from the airport, but this is still only about a 15-minute drive in St. Thomas traffic. Not only is it a relatively short drive, it’s a simple one, with the Waterfront Highway directly connecting the two.
On the other side, in the western part of the capital, the Crown Bay terminal has two berths and is around 3 km (1.8 mi) far away from the city. The walk is long and not very scenic, so the best way to get into the town is by taxi that runs regularly for a small fee. The terminal area consists of gift shops, several bar-restaurants, and you’ll find many local vendors as well. The St. Thomas cruise port is located on the south side of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. 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. The beach has a horseshoe shape that gives visitors spectacular views of the turquoise waters with a lush green backdrop.
The Coral World Ocean Park and Observatory at Coki Point has a tropical nature trail, marine gardens aquarium, coral reef tank, snuba diving and an underwater observatory. It’s a 25 minute drive on the opposite side of the island from the cruise docks. For example, swimming with sea lions costs about $130 or more per person. Located in the heart of St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie provides a wide range of shore excursions to suit everyone's interests and age groups. Make sure to include these thrilling excursions in your itinerary when planning your visit to St. Thomas for an unforgettable experience that will create cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an adventure-filled getaway, St Thomas has it all! With its incredible scenery and laid-back lifestyle, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to visit this beautiful island each year. The most convenient way to get from the Cyril E. King Airport to either cruise ship dock in St. Thomas is by taxi. Cyril E. King Airport is a 15-minute drive from the West Indian Company Dock and a five-minute drive from the Crown Bay Dock. The public bus is also an option, but that usually requires a taxi ride from the closest bus stop to either pier. Ships usually disembark passengers at the Havensight cruise terminal.
