More cruise ships visit the harbor at Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas, than any other port in the West Indies. The ships are drawn to the 12 mile long island by the beautiful beaches and lots of opportunities for shopping. Vacationers discovered St. Thomas right after World War II, and it currently has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean.
Your ship will either tie up to the dock at St. Thomas or anchor in the harbor and tender you ashore. You can walk into Charlotte Amalie and shop and see the city. For getting around outside the city, the island has a bus service and taxis are plentiful. The taxis are unmetered, so be sure that you agree on a price before setting off with one. Many taxi drivers will also serve as tour guides, and sometimes you can hire one for the day. Again, agree on a price up-front. Your cruise ship will also offer island tours as one of their shore excursions. Traveling up into the mountains and looking down at the city, harbor, and cruise ships below is quite a sight, and Magen's Bay is one of the prettiest bays in the Caribbean.
You can also rent a car, but that can be challenging since driving is on the left. Other factors discouraging car rental are the roads. The roads are narrow, winding, poorly lit, and often pot-holed. Because of these factors, you may find the insurance rates will be higher, and driving more stressful than you might want on a vacation!
I think everyone who has never visited the Caribbean should make the trip to the top of the island and see the view from Drake's Seat. This high point provides one of the best views on the island. You can see almost all of the Virgin Islands from this vantage point. If you take a tour, they will certainly stop and let you make pictures.
One of the most popular attractions on St. Thomas is Coral World. This marine complex features an underwater observatory that gives you an opportunity to see all sorts of marine life without donning your swimsuit. Coral World is next to Coki Beach, so you can tour the exhibits and still get in a swim. Because of this convenience, Coki Beach can get really crowded, so it may not be for everyone. Kids and adults will both enjoy Coral World, especially if your exposure to underwater sea life is limited to television. There is an admittance fee, but many island tours include this as part of a tour package. If you want to visit on your own, you can get a taxi to Coral World from Charlotte Amalie, or take the East End bus.
The only way to explore the city of Charlotte Amalie is on foot. The city is compact, and all of the major attractions and principal stores are within walking distance. The old warehouses that used to store pirate treasures now store shopping treasures. Some of the stores are laid out like a shopping mall and are usually packed with cruisers and other vacationers. There are some historic buildings sandwiched among the shops. A walking tour of Charlotte Amalie will take you a couple of hours.
A word to the wise about shopping. Duty-free does not equal cheaper than at home. Although there is a $1600 duty-free allowance on St. Thomas, prices are not always better than you can find back home. Be sure to check out the prices of items you are interested in at home before you buy on vacation! There is nothing more personally aggravating than buying something on vacation and lugging it home, only to find it on sale there for less!
If you go to the eastern Caribbean, you will probably dock at St. Thomas. It is spectacularly beautiful, but still offers Americans a touch of the U.S. If you're on a cruise, you will probably have one or two days there. You can tour the island, visit one of the gorgeous beaches, and still find time to shop, even if you don't buy!
