After having been there numerous times, I prefer to do something more exciting, like visit the Island of St. John. It is still largely inhabited and much of the island is a national park. Remains of sugar plantations abound there.
Where the the cruise ships dock you will find a number of shops quite ready for your presence. If you want to go into town, you must take other transportation, since most people would not be up to the long walk into town.
But, as a part of the United States, the English speaking residents make it easy for tourists to get their shopping done.
This lens is one of a series that the author is providing on over twenty cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Each lens will include general information on the destination, suggested shore excursions, and video and photographic illustrations where appropriate.
St. Thomas Cruise Ship Dock With City of Charlotte Amalie In Background
Suggested Shore Excursions
Remember that you can always see the rest on your NEXT cruise to St. Thomas. I am listing a few of the shore excursions listed by Carnival cruise lines below. The full list of thirty excursions can be found HERE.
Atlantis Submarine: 2 hours Explore the stunning tropical underwater world of St. Thomas from the spacious comfort and safety of the high-tech Atlantis XV Submarine. Begin with a scenic 20-minute harbor cruise to the Atlantis Submarine dive site. Dive just outside of Turtle Cove Bay taking you down to a shallow, soft coral garden. View the beautiful "sea garden" through large windows located on either side of the cabin. Head down to a deeper region where large brain coral, stag horn and pillar coral now surround the exterior of the submarine. Travel deeper to a depth of 90 feet and begin your journey through the canyon area called Snapper Valley. 
Butterflies Galore Anytime: 1 hour Experience ST. Thomas' newest and most colorful attraction. The Butterfly Sanctuary, conveniently located adjacent to the Havensight Dock. Be surrounded by hundreds of the world's most beautiful butterflies just two-minutes away from the ship.
Observe the life cycle of these "flowers of the sky" as they change from eggs to caterpillars to chrysalis, before their final transformation into butterflies. Learn about the extraordinary miracle of metamorphosis and learn about their habits and behaviors.
Spend as much time as you like with the butterflies in their lush tropical garden playground. Delight in these magnificent creatures in their natural surroundings
Caribbean Parasailing: 1.25 hours Just imagine the views of St. Thomas and its beachfront you'll enjoy while soaring hundreds of feet above the Caribbean Sea. Have an action-packed adventure that combines the thrills of a powerboat ride, parachuting, ballooning and gliding. Take an exciting and scenic flight and an unforgettable boating adventure. Sit side by side on a tandem bar, with another guest and launch directly from the onboard flight deck. Enjoy the tropical breeze as you rise 300 to 600 feet in the air and your parasailing boat glides you past amazing scenery that can only be seen from the air. 
Champagne Sunset Cruise: 2 hours Relax and wind down after a day of fun-filled activities in St. Thomas! On this excursion you will: Board the Castaway Girl and sail through the picturesque harbor of Charlotte Amalie. Feel the wind in your hair and listen to soft Caribbean music. Be treated to complimentary champagne, sodas and an assortment of dry snacks. Gaze as the sloping hillside dotted with red rooftops turns into a land of twinkling lights as the sun goes down. 
Mahogany Run Golf:5 hours George and Tom Fazio designed this spectacular golf course around the coastline of St. Thomas. This course: Features elevations and hills that create a beautiful natural setting for the game of golf. Runs through dense, lush rain forest until it reaches the intimidating "Devils Triangle". Has signature holes acknowledged as the three most famous holes in the Caribbean. Par 72, 6,022 yards. For further information, please visit www.carnivalgolf.com The purchase price for golf excursions includes green fees and cart only. For club rentals, golf services and questions please contact carnivalgolf.com (pre-cruise) or see your golf professional onboard.
St, John National Park Island Tour: 4 hours. Immerse yourself in the tranquil and unspoiled beauty of the island of St. John. Board a ferry at the cruise ship pier. Take a 45-minute scenic cruise along the southeastern coastline of St. Thomas en route to St. John.
Be greeted by your friendly driver and board an open-air island bus. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views and diverse landscapes of the island. See dazzling white beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, plantation ruins, foliage and down island views of the British Virgin Islands. Drive along the Northshore coastal road. Enjoy stunning views and stop at overlooks such as Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and Caneel Bay overlooking the Rockefeller Plantation. End your tour at the National Park Dock in Cruz Bay where you'll board the ferry for the ride back to your ship.
Ultimate Island Experience: 6 hours Experience all the highlights of the U.S. Virgin Islands' most popular island, including : a variety of beaches, spectacular views, historical locations, and the ultimate shopping experience.
Information About The U.S. Virgin Islands
:''This article is about the territory of the United States Virgin Islands. For the British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands, see British Virgin Islands. For the archipelago of the Virgin Islands, see Virgin Islands.
The United States Virgin Islands is a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.
The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas, along with the much smaller but historically distinct Water Island, and many other surrounding minor islands. The total land area of the territory is . As of the 2000 census the population was 108,612.2000 Population Counts for the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Census Bureau.
The main islands have nicknames often used by locals: "Twin City" (St. Croix), "Rock City" (St. Thomas), "Love City" (St. John), and "Small City" (Water Island).
Flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Cruising To The U.S. Virgin Islands
As an American, you get to experience a "foreign" culture while conversing in English, using American dollars, and keeping your close ties to the States. With their spectacular beaches, exotic wildlife, turquoise sparkling waters, colorful architecture, and interesting history, it is no wonder that tourists come and keep coming back to these beautiful islands.
Many mainland Americans have joined these islanders in enjoying the benefits of the link to the United States. Many Americans have come here to work as well as to visit. The ease with which one can go back and forth (few travel restrictions), and the security of investments here have increased the islands' popularity.
According to an article about the U.S. Virgin Islands in About.Com, Christopher Columbus, "... After seeing the large number of islands in 1493, he named the group Las Once Mil Virgenes in honor of St. Ursula's 11,000 martyred maidens of Christian belief."
Historically, the Virgin Islands have been in the hands of several different governments, but presently is divided between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The U.S. bought the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1916 for $23,000,000. The price at the time was extremely high, but the U.S. was concerned that the Germans with whom we were at war, might take these islands from the Danes and use them as a base for their submarines to attack the U.S. mainland or the ships going through the Panama Canal.
As a cruise passenger, you can't go wrong visiting St. Thomas.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea, a county and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States. Located on the island is the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. As of the 2001 census, the population of Saint Thomas was 51,181 2000 Population Counts for the U.S. Virgin Islands, United States Census Bureau about 47% of the US Virgin Islands total. The district has a land area of .
Further Helpful Sources For U.S. Virgin Islands Information
Frommer's Caribbean Ports of Call (Frommer's Complete)
The ship is only half of the cruise experience--the other half is the time you spend ashore. Frommer's Caribbean Ports of Call offers the most complete guide to all the ports, with a critical, insider's look at all the organized shore excursions offered by the cruise lines themselves, Since it usually makes more sense to explore on your own, we'll take you to all the best beaches, golf, water sports, shopping, dining, and casinos--the attractions and activities that can easily fit into your limited time, starting from the cruise docks. You may only have a few hours, but we'll make sure you know exactly how to hit the highlights on your own. You'll also get a complete rundown of all the major ports of embarkation and maps of each destination.
Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 11/12/2009) 
Fodor's U.S. and British Virgin Islands 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides)
Make a splash in calm turquoise waters, savor rum-kissed French toast at a hilltop B&B, hook a giant marlin on the high seas, step back in time at a colonial plantation home -Fodor's U.S. & British Virgin Islands 2008 offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the Virgin Islands, to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave, be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
U. S. Virgin Islands: Jewels of the Caribbean
Rove all of the U.S. Virgin Island -- St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix -- and listen to the stories of towns, harbors, landscapes, seascapes, carnivals, beaches, reefs, and people.
Each book in The Story Behind the Scenery series tells a compelling story through the eyes of an experienced interpreter whose writing reflects true enthusiasm for the park. Complete with running text and interpretive captions, accompanied by abundant full-color photographs, these books will be welcome in any home library.
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/12/2009)
The Best of St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands (Best of St. Thomas & St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Completely updated with the latest information on resorts, restaurants, and shopping, this new edition covers St. Thomas as well as nearby St. John and describes the unique charms of each. Including information on intimate inns, beachside bars, breathtaking scenery, exhilarating boat and snorkel trips, elegant outdoor dining, jazz clubs, and a variety of cuisines as well as ice cream stands, this book covers the best of the islands. Also included is practical information for getting around the islands with ease, shopping tips, and the special "gems" of the island that might otherwise be missed.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/12/2009)
The Settler's Handbook for the U.s. Virgin Islands: Meet the Virgins: Anything and Everything You Need to Know About Life on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John
For those of you who are considering settling in this part of the tropics, or for those already here, the handbook provides an objective look at living, working, or investing in the United States Virgin Islands. For the visitor, this book should help you "Meet the Virgins" and explore them with greater awareness.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Cruise Trip Toolbox
"Know Before You Go"
- Universal Currency Converter
- Check out the current exchange rates before you sail.
- Latest Customs Restrictions & General Information
- Get the latest Customs warnings, regulations, etc.
- Travel Advisories
- Travel documentation requirements and international travel reminders.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings
- Get the latest U.S. Department of State travel warnings at this site.
- Foreign Entry Requirements
- Different situations require different documents. Please become familiar with the specific document requirements for the country(s) you are visiting. More information on these documents can be found here.
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