srianda

We will be cruising with a stop in St. Thomas next month. What is the one thing we simply must do or see while we are there?

doug_stallings

siranda, you post fairly often, but I don't really know much about you or what you like. If you could give some more information on the kinds of activities that interest you, it would help us make some useful suggestions. What's best for a 20-year-old sun-worshipper isn't necessarily the same as what would be best for a 40-year-old mother of two. Or some other combination.

soclwrkr

Take the tram up to the top of the mountain. Their are a few shops, a refreshment stand and the view is absolutely breath taking, you can see neighboring islands. It is a short walk from the por and in my opinion other than shopping a must do.

beachplum

If you're 20 (or even older) and a sun-worshiper you could head to one of the many beaches - Sapphire, Secret Harbour, Coki (all are good for snorkeling) the popular Megan's (stop by Udder Delight if you are out that way) but you might want to take an island tour (a couple of hours) on one of the open-air jitneys first and check out Mountain Top (banana daquaris) and Drake's Seat and some of the other attractions and then have the driver drop you off at one of the beaches or the ferry in Red Hook to St. John where you can take another tour and see some of the wonderful St. John beaches and try 'em on for size.
You might want to catch some lunch depending on where you are - lots of little spots in Cruz Bay, St. John, Secret Harbour beach has Blue Moon Cafe, the restaurants are reopened at Sapphire, or if you are in Town, you might want to try Cuzzins for local cuisine. Higher end lunching in Town with a view is Herves on Government Hill. Any and all of the spots will be happy to call a taxi for you when you are ready to move on.
If you're not into beaching it you might enjoy walking thru the shoppes in Charlotte Amalie admiring the sparkles and bargains, checking out the historical buildings and sites or even the new Yacht Haven shopping area for lunch checking to see if any mega yachts are in. Across from Havensight - also a shopping area - (since your ship may dock there or at Crown Bay) there is the tram to a great view. Or if you are into sailing, there are sails available (full or half day) to take you and a few others to see the islands from the sea with some snorkeling spots.
If you do choose to go to St. John, and some people choose to spend the day (your ship will probably offer a trip to Trunk Bay for the snorkeling trail but you can find less crowded spots easily) just watch the ferry schedule so that you'll get back to the ship on time. You might even want to head directly to St. John and have lunch at Caneel Bay which is lovely and enjoy their Honeymoon Beach for a couple of hours before or after lunch.
I prefer no "musts" on vacation but just enjoy" "island time." Nothing is worse than a hot sweaty tourist hurrying to cram it all in in a few hours.
I know my one and only cruise, I couldn't wait to get off the boat at each and every port and just get into that wonderful water and dig my toes into the sand and haven't been back on a cruise since! Just too many beaches that get passed by!

srianda

I am 40 years old, single but in a long term relationship, no kids. We love to travel and I love to make all the arrangements! We like to see the sites and occasionally just sit on the beach. We like to get the feel of the location we are in and see and do what the locals do to really get the cultural feel of where ever we are. Does that help?

virginia

my suggestion is to take a taxi to magen's beach. take a walk. have driver wait. then ask him to drive to udder delight for that ice cream treat (yes before lunch - you are on vacation!) then to red hook going past drake's seat. stop and look. go on to secret harbour. have lunch/libations at their blue moon cafe. snorkel or swim. take different taxi back to ship. you will have seen a good portion of the island, seen a world famous beach & had a great lunch.

st. thomas is very busy, very american feeling. the duty free shopping is endless and there is an open air market that is always set up when ships are in port.

srianda

That DOES sound great! Thanks for all the great tips. We are only in each of these ports a short time so I want to be sure I do and see whatever the island is known for. I understand St. Thomas is known for shopping, but we aren't big shoppers and I like to get away from what we see and do every day! Your itinerary sounds right up my alley! Thanks again!

ParrotMom

The best thing to do in St. Thomas is TAKE THE FERRY TO ST. JOHNS...Seriously... the beaches are crowded with cruisers/tourists and the place is sooo commercial, We spent a week in St. Thomas and I was so turned off...jewlery stores and the guys trying to pull you in...seniors with their trophy wives/girlfriends at the jewelry stores.. The busses will drop yu off in St. John and pick you up..

beachplum

Geee! someday ParrotMom you may be old too.
What else are those old geezers supposed to do with the trophy wives other than take them on trips and buy them jewelry? But thankfully they do stick to CA where the jewelry stores are endless rather than cluttering up the beaches!

LOL

btw, it's St.John - St. John's is on Antigua and you won't find a bus going there from St. Thomas nor will you find convenient busses to navigate St. Thomas either.

_-)

nanabee

Hi beachplum -
Thanks for the clarification about St. John and St. John's (Virginia also pointed that out in one of my posts - thanks too). It is important to know the difference!

srianda

Virginia,

Just returned from my Caribbean cruise and our day in St. Thomas. Can't thank you enough for your suggested itinerary. We ended up renting a jeep and drove ourselves around hitting Drake's Seat, Magen's Bay, a drink on the beach at the Ritz Carlton, finally followed someone into to Secret Harbor and had lunch at Blue Moon Cafe. We went through Red Hook but didn't know what we were supposed to do there so we didn't stop. All in all it was a glorious day and I SO appreciated your suggestions!

virginia

so glad you had a great day. the ritz is oh so nice for a drink! did you sit by the pool? we went to brunch on a sunday - 5 ppl - enough for down on small house... but i love secret harbour. hope the rest of your cruise was as wonderful.