How To Get To Charlotte Amalie And Around St Thomas By Taxi
If your cruise ship docks at the Crown Bay, walking to Charlotte Amalie is quite a stretch and not particularly pleasant until you get close to town.
The best way to get anywhere – including downtown – is by taxi. Next to exit of the mall there is a taxi dispatch, which displays taxi fares to the main attractions in St. Thomas, including all major beaches.
Typical Shared Taxi in Crown Bay
These fares are official so haggling will not take you far – in fact, you will never get a bad deal as they are affordable. Just keep in mind that taxis in St. Thomas are shared an you will need to with wait for other cruise travelers to until the taxi is full but, usually, it doesn’t take long.
Taxi fares may have been updated since last reviewed in March 2019. However, there was just an increase of $1.00 on the longer rides since 2011. Prices from Charlotte Amalie are very similar if you wish to pass by the capital of St Thomas.
Shopping In Charlotte Amalie St Thomas
With its reputation for duty-free shopping opportunities, Charlotte Amalie wont disappoint. In the downtown area alone there are over 100 jewellery stores filed with gemstones, precious metals and every form of glitz and bling imaginable.
Havensight Mall Right next to the Havensight Pier is an extensive outdoor mall with shops that range from the expected jewellery stores to shops that sell electronics, clothing, beauty supplies and much much more. The mall provides a free shuttle from the dock to the mall for cruise ship passengers.
Yacht Haven Grande Long Bay Rd A more upscale mall, the Yacht Haven Grande is a clothing lovers paradise. Here youll find luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and more.
Ports Closed To Cruise Ships Or Refusing Permission To Dock
Aruba — While not officially closed to cruise tourism, Aruba has mandated new PCR testing requirements and has turned away numerous cruise ships with COVID-19 cases onboard.
Australia — Australia remains closed to large-scale cruise tourism.
Bonaire — Bonaire has been refusing permission for ships with any cases of COVID-19 to dock.
Brazil — Brazilian ports are closed to cruise tourism until further notice.
Canada — Transport Canada had banned cruises to Canadian ports of call throughout 2020 and 2021, and while that order has expired, the Federal government hasn’t issued an update this year on whether cruises will be allowed to resume in time for the 2022 season, which begins in April.
Cartagena, Colombia — Cartagena has been turning away ships with any cases of COVID-19 onboard.
Curacao — Curacao has been refusing docking permission for ships with any cases of COVID-19.
Grand Cayman — Grand Cayman remains closed to cruise ships since March 2020, after implementing new testing requirements that would force passengers to all re-test one day before arrival. Plans to re-open December 28, 2021, were scrapped.
Grenada — Grenada has been turning away ships with any cases of COVID-19 onboard, and cruise lines have been proactively canceling calls on the island.
Hong Kong — Hong Kong is closed to cruise tourism.
Monterey, California — Monterey has closed itself to all cruise traffic through the remainder of 2022.
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St Thomas Cruise Port Facilities
Depending on your cruise line and the time of year, your ship will dock at Havensight Pier, the primary dock for cruise ships, or Crown Bay. Each terminal is about a five- to 10-minute taxi ride to downtown Charlotte Amalie. If more than six ships call on St. Thomas in one day, your ship could be anchored in the harbor the tenders will drop you in the heart of Charlotte Amalie.
The dock at Havensight, in essence, is a mini-downtown. You’ll find more than 50 shops, many of which are outposts of Charlotte Amalie’s better-known boutiques, such as A.H. Riise and H. Stern. Also within the expansive Havensight Mall, you’ll find a post office, ATMs for Bank of Nova Scotia and First Bank and Havensight Pharmacy. Depending on your plan, your American cellphone might work in St. Thomas without roaming charges.
Across the main drag running outside Havensight’s facility are convenience stores, coffee shops and museums. The Yacht Haven Grande Marina also is within walking distance of the Havensight Pier. When you exit your ship, turn left and follow the dock around the harbor. It’s the first genuinely upscale shopping and dining area, featuring restaurants and shops, such as Coach, bebe, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Beyond the immediate facility, the best bargains on duty-free liquor can be found at Kmart — no lie! Walk up Long Bay Road to the Lockhart Gardens Kmart .
You’ll need to head downtown for serious shopping and dining.
Within Walking Distance Of Crown Bay And Nearby
Close to the Crown Bay Dock you will not find any major attraction within walking distance but there are some very nice beaches that you can go to on a taxi like the Emerald Beach.
Although father away, other famous beaches are easy to get to by by taxi such as Magens Bay, Brewer’s Beach, the Lindberg Beach and Hull Bay, the latter on the north coast. Keep in mind that St Thomas is a small island and the distance to all major attractions is never that far.
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Coronavirus 202: What Ports Are Closed To Cruise Ships
Planning for your cruise vacation can be difficult in these COVID times, with ports that open and close to cruise tourism seemingly at whim.
Cruise Critic has tracked port statuses with our detailed guide to what ports are closed to cruise ships.
Many Caribbean islands, as well as much of Mexico and Belize remain open, but as the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the short-term, ports that are open to cruises can still turn away ships at their discretion.
Also note that local restrictions and health and safety protocols can, and often do, change overnight. Ports have been canceled due to new testing requirements that ships aren’t able to accommodate without additional supplies. Countries like Panama mandating PCR tests overnight can result in ports being scrapped with little notice.
Here is a look at which ports are closed to cruise ships in 2022. This is not an exhaustive list and is updated as new information becomes available, and it should not be relied upon to make firm itinerary choices.
Us Virgin Islands Cruise Ship Schedule
Cruise ships visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands stop in , and . This schedule displays the information for all three islands together. The dock or port is indicated.
St. Thomas is the most popular port of call for cruise lines: it has two docks, West Indian Co. Dock and Crown Bay Dock additionally ships can remain at anchorage within the Charlotte Amalie harbor. Ships docking in St. Croix will say St. Croix and those anchoring off of St. John will say Cruz Bay, St.John.
08/10/2022: The Ship Schedule from Oct 2022 to September 2023 has been updated.
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St Thomas Island Usvi Tours Shore Excursions Hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
All Inclusive St John Beach and Snorkelling is an optional shore excursion to Trunk Bay beach , featuring guided boat tour to Trunk Bay and a snorkel trail.
Sailing to Christmas and Honeymoon Coves is an optional sailing boat tour for snorkeling. The boat is first anchored offshore , then Sails to Water Island for swimming and sunbathing. Snorkeling is also available. The experience also includes freshly-made beach BBQ served on the boat.
5 Star Island Tour is an optional driving tour, which stops at St Peter Mountain’s top , Magen’s Bay Beach and downtown Charlotte Amalie .
Port St Thomas Island USVI cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port’s schedule lists all ships with cruises going to or leaving from St Thomas Island USVI, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands. To see the full itineraries and their lowest rates just follow the corresponding ship-link.
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Tourist Information And Wi
The Information Center is located close to the exit of the Mall – on the north side – and is impossible to miss considering that the building replicates a windmill. Here you will find maps and all information you may need to explore St Thomas on your own.
Free Wi-Fi in Crown Bay
If you missed this emblematic building, don’t rush around looking for it as there are other information booths all over the Crown Bay Center.
Information Booth in the Crown Bay Dock, St Thomas cruise port
Close to main Information Center you will find a bank with an ATM. Not far, to the left, there is an area well-know by cruise crew, staff, officers and savvy cruisers where FREE Wi-Fi is available and that can be useful if you need to check your emails.
Taxi Dispatch in Crown Bay
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Why Choose Anywhere But Tampa
Why Port Tampa Bay is an ideal homeport for cruise lines wanting to offer exciting itineraries and pre- and post-cruise activities
As any itinerary planner knows, cruises provide guests with a unique and wonderful way to explore the world, allowing them to continuously move between beautiful locations and make memories that will last a lifetime. Every port of call on an itinerary plays a vital role in creating an enjoyable cruise experience, but what about the homeport?
Embarkation is as crucial to the overall cruise experience as the ship, its onboard amenities and the itinerary of picturesque ports. A homeport that is easy to navigate, and provides a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the ship? Now thats an attractive prospect for guests. And thats exactly what cruise operators and their itinerary planners will find at Port Tampa Bay on Floridas West Coast.
Positive impressions start from the moment the cruise guests arrive at the modern, award-winning Tampa International Airport. The airport is a convenient 15-minute drive from the Channelside District in Downtown Tampa, which enables travellers to get a view of the water and soak up the Florida vibe and sunshine before they arrive at one of the three cruise terminals.
Holiday Cruises Themed Cruises & Other Special Cruises
Jump to:
Independence Day
On sailings that include July 4th, there is usually a special celebration with characters dressed in red, white and blue outfits. There has not been a special fireworks show in the past, but sometimes on sailings in the Caribbean or Bahamas they move pirate night to July 4th so they will have fireworks on Independence Day.
The following sailings include Independence Day :
- Disney Dream: 5-night Western Caribbean on July 4
- Disney Fantasy: 7-night Western Caribbean on July 2
- Disney Magic: 9-night Mediterranean on June 27
- Disney Wonder: 7-night Alaskan on July 4
Halloween on the High Seas
During this period there will be special Halloween events onboard, including Halloween-themed parties, storytellings, movies and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise. You will also find characters dressed in Halloween costumes, as well as a costume party for families and, just for adults, a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor in the nighttime entertainment district.
In the past there has not been any special menu for Halloween night itself, over and above what they do on all the Halloween themed cruises during the whole period, but there will be some special Halloween-themed treats.
Halloween on the High Seas takes place on the following sail dates:
Thanksgiving
The following sailings include Thanksgiving Day .
Very Merrytime Cruises
New Years Eve
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Dining In Charlotte Amalie St Thomas
Room With a View Bluebeards Castle Known for their extensive menu, seafood dishes and, as the name suggests, a fantastic view. They have one of the largest wine cellars on the island, fine liqueurs and a flambé that cant be passed up.
A post shared by United States Virgin Islands on Nov 21, 2016 at 9:05am PST
Beucherts Beer Garden 17 Main Street Tucked away from the hustle and bustle is a beer garden with fantastic food and even better prices. They have a reputation for a friendly atmosphere and a small-town vibe.
Scoops & Brew Crown Bay Marina Not more much than a little hut, Scoops & Brew is the perfect place to hit up if youre looking for a good cup of coffee or a sweet treat!
Top Tours & Excursions In Charlotte Amalie St Thomas
Half Day Sail and SnorkelClimb aboard a Morgan 46-foot ketch for this half-day sail and snorkel St. Thomas excursion to the Marine Sanctuary, where you’ll have a date with a giant green sea turtle. To begin your St. Thomas excursion, you will sail past the cruise ships as you head for the open sea on a 25-minute boat ride. The professional and courteous crew will greet you with complimentary drinks and snacks. After the yacht anchors in Turtle Cove, the crew will offer p…
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Where You Dock In Charlotte Amalie St Thomas
There are two St. Thomas cruise ports in Charlotte Amalie. The first is the Havensight Pier, also known as the West India Company Dock, where most ships will dock. The second is Crown Bay. There are more than 50 shops and restaurants located right at the pier, with other stores located nearby.
Because Charlotte Amalie is such a busy port is it also possible that passengers will be tendered in to the Charlotte Amalie Harbor or to the Crown Point Marina.
Things To Do In Charlotte Amalie St Thomas
Blackbeards Castle Built in 1676 at the highest point on Government Hill, the tower was once used as a lookout to identify enemy ships. At forty feet tall with six foot walls, it is an incredible vantage point that offers what can easily be called the best view of Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Optional Rum Tour Available!
Magic Ice In the heart of the Caribbean one wouldnt generally expect to find an attraction where gloves and warm shoes are provided, but this Scandinavian-inspired ice gallery is exactly that. It is a permanent 10,000 sq ft Ice Gallery with ice walls, sculptures and an ice bar. What better place could you find to cool off on a Caribbean summer day?
A post shared by Magic Ice ST. Thomas on Dec 1, 2015 at 10:12am PST
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Wico To Resume Regular Cruise Ship Activity On Sept 8
After a pause of more than a year, regular cruise ship activity will resume at The West Indian Company Dock on Wednesday, Sept. 8 with the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Gem.
Since the imposition of the CDCs March 2020 No Sail order, our team has been working diligently behind the scenes with our cruise partners to provide residents and the business community with the familiar and now reassuring sight of ships at our dock, said Anthony A. Ottley, WICO CEO, in a press release from the government-owned entity. It is an understatement to say that we are elated to now welcome our first ship after more than 18 months of inactivity.
Ships returned to the Port Authoritys dock at Crown Bay in July. Joseph Boschulte, who is both Tourism commissioner and chairman of the WICO Board of Directors, said that ships returning to WICO represent a positive step for the USVI economy.
Now that there is a path forward for the cruise industry to resume sailing safely, it is significant that we will once again have cruise ships at the territorys three major cruise ports, and it is especially gratifying to see ships berthed at our port. Our overnight guest arrivals have been impressive, but we certainly cannot overlook cruise tourisms contributions to our economy, even with ships arriving below capacity, said Boschulte.
Getting Around Charlotte Amalie St Thomas
Walking is possible from the Havensight Harbour to downtown but not recommended from Crown Bay. Taxis are readily available from both ports. Official taxis are regulated and can be confirmed by the word taxi that is always part of their license plate. A fare schedule is available for anyone who asks as taxis are not metered but fees are calculated based on number of people and the destination. Be careful of taxis that dont have the official license plates. It is a 5-10 minute taxi ride from the port to downtown Charlotte Amalie.
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 drivers licence is valid for 90 days in St. Thomas. If you are from a country other than the U.S., you will need to purchase a temporary international drivers permit.
There is an extensive bus system however it is rather complicated and if time is limited, it wouldnt be recommended.
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Cruise Ship In Port Schedule
How do you figure out when the cruise ships are in Port? We’d like to spend some at the beach but don’t want it to be crazy crowded.
Thanks
Thx so much – very helpful to have both arrival and departure times.
The advantage to the WICO port schedule is that WICO is the agency which creates the scheduling in the first place. The spin-offs don’t always update their listings. Usually not a problem as not too many changes are made once the schedule is set a year in advance.
And of course the choice of beach is important, especially on busier port days. Youll find great feedback from other day visitors on the STT forum at cruisecritic.com. There are a couple beaches that are gorgeous and although popular not as busy as others, our favorite is Sapphire. If docked at Crown Bay and you want a convenient option, Lindbergh Bay is very close. And if you want a more secluded beach where you have food & drink and restrooms but no lounges Hull Bay and Elysian Beach are options.