View of Magens Bay in St. Thomas, USVI
St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is easily the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. More ships stop here than anywhere else.
St. Thomas has many picturesque beaches, including Magens Bay, which is picture at the right. National Geographic magazine has called this one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Another big draw is shopping. for U.S. citizens, each person has a $1200 duty free exemption, which is combinable for the whole family. Many items, including loose gemstones have special exemptions above that. If you are shopping for jewelry, try to find gemstones and settings that go together, but have not been set. The money you save on the cost of the stone and the duty charges should easily cover the cost of having a jeweler back home set it for you. Be sure to know what you are buying, and be prepared to bargain. My wife and I have gotten some great deals in St. Thomas on jewelry, but camera equipment was no cheaper than what you could get buying through the New York discount shops. At any of the downtown shops, never pay the initial asking price, as you will be sure to get it cheaper. Be prepared to walk away if your price has not been met. You'll usually get at least one more lower offer.
A good tour guide to use that is not affiliated with any of the cruise ships (nor the author) is Godfrey. Personal experience with him on two separate occaisions has proven him to be an honest, knowledgeable tour guide. You'll have plenty of time for shopping, laying on the beach, visiting Coral World, and still get to see the main sights of St. Thomas. These sights include Bluebeard's castle, Blackbeard's castle, the Botanical Gardens and shops (be sure to try the banana daquiri), Magens Bay beach, and Drake's Seat.
Coral World is a nature park combined with Coki Beach. The next article will be exclusively about Coral World. It really is worth a visit.
Currently, the only cruise ship from Baltimore that stops in St. Thomas is the Celebrity Mercury, which will be sailing from November 2009 through February 2010. It will return again in November 2010 to sail the same route for another 4 or 5 months.
For more info: Contact a travel agent or Celebrity Cruises.
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