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Charlotte Amalie |
St. Thomas. At its capital and majestic harbour, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas is a major cruise ship port and the best shopping destination in the Caribbean, and for jewelry in particular, one of the best in the world. |
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When the cruise ships are in, a fleet of taxis springs into action and the streets will quickly be filled with shoppers. Literally dozens of jewelry shops line many blocks of stores in colonial Danish brick warehouses extending back from Waterfront Street on the port to Main Street via numerous alleys. And further back is Back Street (see map). |
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Yvel |
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Destination
Cruises to St. Thomas.
While a minor cruise departure port, St. Thomas is the Caribbean's
busiest destination port, receiving cruises originating from San Juan
(see
'Adventure of the Seas' cruise) and other Caribbean island
departure ports. From the mainland US, departure ports for cruises to St. Thomas include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Galveston, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore and New York. Even international departure cruises go to St. Thomas. |
Oasis of the Seas Cruise to St. Thomas from Fort Lauderdale |
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World's Largest Cruise Ship |
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The world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas uses
its magnificent spaces to create seven unique interior experiences
(photo:
MSNBC). Its multi-deck, open-air atrium-promenades are
mini "resort-like" destinations themselves.
New features include the wade-in Beach pool, the Japanese Izami restaurant and an enlarged version of the popular top-of-the-decks Windjammer Cafe. Entertainment Place has the musical 'Hairspray,' an ice show, casino, comedy club, nightclub and a jazz club.
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Shore Excursions. The most popular shore excursion by far is simply shopping (and dining) in downtown Charlotte Amalie, reached by taxi or walking.
The Paradise Point SkyRide tram goes up to an observation deck, with a bar and restaurant, nature trail and tropical bird display. Tickets are available at the Havensight Shopping Mall. Mountain Top offers scenic views from Drake's Seat, where Sir Francis Drake stood watch over his fleet, and its Great Banana Daiquiri. Fascinating self-guided shore excursions are always available, including rental car trips up the mountains, around the island and to the beaches, day trips from the conveniently located ferry dock, offering access to St. John, the island that is a national park, as well as the British Virgin Islands. Jost Van Dyke, the barefoot island where main street is a beach in Great Harbour, the exquisite White Bay with the Soggy Dollar Bar (yes, they still so swim ashore) and the incomparable Bubbly Pool. Cruise lines offer numerous shore excursions (59 by Royal Norwegian), including snorkeling, helmet dives, day sailing, dolphin and sea lion swims, hiking, golf, beachcombing, water sports and various sightseeing. |
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Restaurants. Downtown Charlotte Amalie has many interesting restaurants, including cafes with Spanish patios and convenient rum bars for fruit drinks, tucked down tropical alleys. |
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All of Effy Jewelers' fine collection of diamond, tanzanite, and gemstone jewelry is designed by founder Effy Hematian, an acclaimed jeweler for 30 years. He opened his first store in Aruba. |
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In St. Thomas, MarahLago is carried by Royal Caribbean Daswani and Diamonds International (3 Drakes Passage). |
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The background song is "Paradise" by Quito Rymer. Quito can be seen at his Quito's Gazebo at Cane Garden Bay in the BVI. See this video at YouTube: My Paradise: Trip to the Virgin Islands |
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Waterfront Stroll. The waterfront connects the ferry dock to downtown Charlotte Amalie. An enjoyable stroll along Charlotte Amalie's waterfront takes in this huge and beautiful harbour. Magnificent yachts (some owned or chartered by celebrities) line the waterfront, moored "stern-to" in the Mediterranean fashion. Immense, gleaming cruise ships fill the far side. An occasional seaplane comes in for a water landing on the busy ferry dock side. |
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Charlotte Amalie Ferry Dock. St. Thomas also has ferry service from its downtown Charlotte Amalie dock near the airport (see ferry schedules). The ferries ($40/22 round trip/one way for adults, $28/17 for children 3-11 years old) go to St. John, the West End (Soper's Hole) and Road Town on Tortola and "The Valley" on Virgin Gorda. In addition, the new Fast Ferry goes directly between Charlotte Amalie dock and Road Town. For late flights into St. Thomas, Dolphin Water Taxi offers after hours service (up to 11:30 PM) to Tortola's West End. |
Given its small size, assistance with luggage (despite offers) is generally not needed to walk the few steps to the ticket counters inside and adjoining departure areas for the ferries (photo: VI Port Authority). Next door to the right is a seaplane port for the adventuresome traveler, linking St. Croix and San Juan. |
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Red Hook Ferry Dock. At Red Hook on the BVI side of St. Thomas, ferry service is available to Jost Van Dyke and St. John (photo: Dreamstime). |
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Accommodations. Charlotte Amalie has a great variety of accommodations in all price ranges (see info and rates).
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Airport. The Cyril E. King international airport (STT) (340-776-6282) (current weather conditions) has a 7000' runway for large jets, extending that of the old airport into the adjacent waters (see takeoff video). The airport is 3 miles (15 minutes) from Charlotte Amalie, easily reached by taxi, public bus or rental car. | ||||||||||
See St. Thomas Airport. Taxis and Rental Cars. Taxi vans are plentiful with affordable set rates, especially when carrying more than one person. See Charlotte Amalie. Limos are also available. Rental cars are available at the airport. |
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