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St. Thomas Cruise Port Profile
Charlotte Amalie Known for Its Popular Duty-Free Shopping
© Caribeez.com
View of Charlotte Amalie
Quick Facts
Overview
The St. Thomas cruise port at Charlotte Amalie is one of the most popular duty-free shopping destinations in the Caribbean and a common stop for any eastern Caribbean cruise.
The fact that St. Thomas is so popular with cruises makes it a very commercialized experience.
Ships usually dock at the Havensight cruise dock. Visitors can walk off the ship and right into Havensight Mall, which has more than 100 shops and the same duty-free prices as Charlotte Amalie.
The mall is made up of the usual variety of shops seen in most Caribbean destinations -- with an emphasis on clothes, jewelry, watches and liquor.
Most stores are located on Main Street. The duty-free allowance is $1,600.
Attractions
St. Thomas cruise visitors can take advantage of other things to do besides shopping.
Fort Christian; © U.S.V.I. Depart. of Tourism
Take the St. Thomas Skyride 700 feet up to the top of Flag Hill for a grander view of Charlotte Amalie and St. Thomas Harbor.
The Coral World Marine Park & Observatory at Coki Point has a tropical nature trail, marine gardens aquarium, coral reef tank and an underwater observatory.
Historical attractions include Fort Christian, the oldest structure in the Virgin Islands and dating from the early 1670s.
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.
Shopping
Anyone with a big interest in shopping can start at Havensight Mall first and then move on to the town.
Otherwise, the mall is a quick and easy shopping option for visitors planning other activities during their cruise visit.
Walking to Charlotte Amalie from the ship and the mall is an option for very fit people with extra time; a taxi is a more likely option. Taxi rates are based on the destination, per person, and are not metered.
Expect to pay about $8-10 to go from the dock to the town. As always, check the rate with the driver before entering the vehicle.
Charlotte Amalie shops have many of the same goods as the mall -- jewelry, gemstones, watches, designer clothing and spirits -- but there are many more shops and of course a chance for more bargains.
Restaurants
Both Havensight Mall and Charlotte Amalie town have a wide assortment of casual restaurants. U.S. dollars, credit cards and traveler's checks are widely accepted.
Havensight Mall restaurants include Beni Iguana’s Sushi Bar & Restaurant, Barefoot Buddha (sandwiches), Havensight Café, Hooters, Paradise Gate, Paradise Point Bar & Café, Senor Frogs, The Delly Deck and The Great Wall Chinese Restaurant.
Charlotte Amalie restaurants include Big Kahuna Rum Shack, Coconuts Bar & Grill, Cuzzin’s Caribbean Restaurant, Gladys Café, Golden Dragon Chinese, Hervé Restaurant and Wine BarRestaurant, Jen’s Gourmet Café and Deli, The Greenhouse Restaurant and Virgilio’s Restaurant.
Transportation
Taxis on St. Thomas are not metered. The Virgin Islands Taxicab Division sets rates, which are per person and per destination.
Expect to pay about $8-10 per person for two people to take a taxi from the cruise docks to Charlotte Amalie.
Numerous car rental agencies are located on the island and mainly concentrated at the airport. But they usually provide free pickup and dropoff.
Limited bus routes also are available but not recommended.
Beaches
Magens Bay, St. Thomas;
© U.S. Virgin Islands Depart. of Tourism
© U.S. Virgin Islands Depart. of Tourism
Limestone is small and quiet, while Morningstar is larger and more active. Two resorts overlook Morningstar, which makes it easier to get a taxi back to the cruise ship.
Magens Bay is St. Thomas's most popular beach. The one-mile-long beach is a public park with calm waters protected by a heart-shaped bay.
Beach chairs and floats are available for rent and burgers, pizzas and other snacks can be found at the snack bar. Lifeguards are on duty every day.
Coki Beach, located at Coki Point next to Coral World Ocean Park, is popular for snorkeling and diving. Services include food vendors, dive shop, jet ski rental, beach chairs and floats.
Weather
Warm weather isn't a problem for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The average high temperature ranges from 85 degrees Fahrenheit from December through March to about 90 degrees from July through September.
Rainfall determines the best time to go. The islands receive an average of two to three inches of rain per month from December through July.
The rainy season starts in August and reaches a high point of more than five inches in September, October and November.
