idlewood4

"THIS IS AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE REGARDING THE EVENTS TODAY ON THE NIEUW AMSTERDAM.

We regret to share that while calling at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas, there was an incident in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members.

The appropriate authorities were notified, and the cause of the incident is currently being investigated.

All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members’ families at this difficult time. The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company’s absolute priority. We are offering counseling services to team members who may have been affected by the incident."

I would like to do an island tour, but used to live there prior to Irmaria.  Is it possible to book a taxi tour and have it take me to the places I'd like to visit? Can I arrange that in advance or do I just negotiate something at the taxi stand?

I got the offer via email. Good for 2 cruises. Booked directly with my HAL consultant. Definitely legit. I paid taxes and port fees, plus a $100. Booking fee onboard credit refund. It's for inside guarantee. You can upgrade to a different room for a fee. You still are responsible for gratuities and excursions and any extras. I booked back to back Viking Explorer and Viking Passage 42 days combined, paid in full under $1000.  Not sure how I got lucky, but I jumped on it and glad I did.  I missed out on the round trip Boston, but was able to book Amsterdam Boston, so only need air one way to Amsterdam.

We are going to be arriving at st Thomas in about 10 days

Which beach would you suggest? My personal preference is Megans. Less of a "party" atmosphere. Both have post hurricane amenities open.

Is one closer to the port? About the same, Megans Bay is a few minutes closer

 

Is one in better condition FOLLOWING hurricanes? Same

 

Does one of them offer more amenities? Both have food/drinks/rest rooms/water sport rental equipment available. Coki is next to Coral World, which is worth a visit.

 

Do either of them have snorkel and paddle board rental? Yes, both

Which one has more to see on the way to get there? If you go to Megans, ask the driver to go a few minutes out of the way to Drakes Seat. It's an overlook to Megans and worth the detour. You can also ask them to stop at Udder Delight on the way in and get an amazing milk shake. My favorite is Jomoco. I stop, get one and enjoy it at the beach.

Not sure if these are realistic questions in the event of the hurricanes ? Great questions. Tourism is the lifeblood of STT, There is a concerted effort to get the beaches up to par, although the trees aren't going to be back for a bit, it's still spectacular.

Also how can a person be sure their taxi will come back to pick up at a certain time - do you pay return fare ?? No way, taxi's usually hang out at Megan's to take cruise passengers back to the dock. Make arrangements with the driver to pick you up at a certain time, and if he doesn't show up, catch one of the ones waiting. Be aware that taxi's are per person, not per destination. Also, be sure to look at the fare board as you get off the ship. Most of the drivers are legit, but there are a few gypsies to beware of.

Thanks for advice

Am I thinking about this wrong? I was thinking the time difference would actually provide EXTRA time after sunset, not less like you seem to be thinking. BUT I am the first to admit that I'm desperately in need of vacation, so I'm not sure my brain is fully functional right now. :D

You have extra time before the sunset. No Daylight Savings Time, so if it's 5 PM Eastern Time, It's 6 PM Atlantic Standard Time. You want to keep that in mind so you don't miss your ship!

Just a caution, that St. Thomas and the other USVI islands are on Atlantic Time, there is no Daylight Savings. So if your ship departs at 8, be sure to consider that. Another option is to take the ferry from Crown Bay to Water Island. They have just reopened the restaurant there, and Honeymoon Beach is worth the visit. Check the water quality on VInow, before you head to any beach. They test the quality weekly. Sadly Paradise Point is still closed, as others have already mentioned.

A ferry is supposed to be operational in September from Crown Bay to St. John. It was briefly operational in June, but met with protest from the taxi operators and other folks with interest in having you head to Red Hook or take their tours. So disregard the June 1st date listed here. The latest information is that this will be operational in September. Check and see.

I've used my US passport card many times for trips to Tortola. It works just fine. Enjoy your trip.

Emerald Beach is the closest to Crown Bay. Another alternative is taking the Water Island Ferry over to Water Island. The ferry is next to Tickles at Crown Bay Marina. Ferries run every hour and is a 10 minute ride, costs $10 round trip for adults. Not sure of the child price. When you arrive at Water Island, there is a free taxi (so tip the driver well), who will drop you at Honeymoon Beach. (it's a 10 minute uphill walk). Very nice, calm water, shallow. There is food service and a bar, as well as restrooms/changing rooms.

Just a heads up to those visiting St. Thomas in March and April 2017. In March, the US VI celebrates the 100th anniversary of the US purchase of the territory from Denmark on 3/31/17. There are special events all month.http://www.vitransfercentennial.org/

April 2017 is the St. Thomas Carnival. http://www.vicarnival.com/home

VI Children's museum. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. I've taken visitors there and they have had a wonderful time. Small compared to other Children's museums I've been too, so not overwhelming. http://www.vichildrensmuseum.org/ There is a park nearby where the vendors sell their tourist items. Look for the shaved ice truck on the street. 4-6 dollars for a shaved ice, tons of flavors. Fun for young ones to watch the chickens run around at Emancipation Garden. Fort Christian is supposed to be reopened by then as well. Depending when you are in town, VI Carnival is going on, I would avoid the area those days, just because of the shear amount of crowds. http://www.vicarnival.com/home All of these things are in a central area, so easy on those young ones legs. Enjoy your visit!

We went from Crown Bay. I didn't time it but I think it was less than 30 minutes. Secret Sands is actually Lindquist Beach. It is next to Sapphire Beach. Sapphire Beach is near Red Hook.

 

 

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Ha ha ha. :D Thanks for the info. I live here and was thinking Secret Beach must be very Secret since I've never been. Secret Harbor on the other hand.... Right where you describe this. Been there, it's lovely. You'll have a great time. St. Thomas island is only 34 square miles, so its usually a half hour at the most to get somewhere. The delays are caused by traffic and that can be horrendous depending on the number of cruise ships in town.

The Paradise Point Tram is definitely worth the visit. Spectacular views. Crown Bay is very close to the ferry to Water Island. $10. Round trip, and when you get off the ferry, there is a free (tips only) taxi to Honeymoon Beach. You can also walk there in 10 minutes, but like everything else here, it involves a hill. There's a restaurant/bar and it's a nice spot, not crowded by cruise ship passengers. At Crown Bay there is also a restaurant, Tickles, that is right on the dock, and you can sit outside and watch the yachts. There will be a great view of your cruise ship also. The water island ferry leaves right from Tickles. Both are an easy walk from the cruise ship. I wouldn't go to Havensite just for the restaurants. There are a few beaches near Crown Bay, you'd need a taxi, but there is Lindberg Bay, (not Lindquist), and Brewer's Beach. These are more local beaches, so not crowded. More hang on the beach and get sun places. Be sure to get a list of taxi prices, take a picture of the sign. The vast majority of taxi drivers are honest, but there are a few gypsy cabbies that will try to scam you. Show them the picture of the fares and they back down. Have a wonderful visit, it's a magical place.

I prefer Sapphire to Coki, only because Coki gets too crowded if several ships are in port. Are you docking at Havensite or Crown Bay? What types of things do you and the grandkids enjoy? A lot depends on where your ship gets in. Havensite is directly across from Paradise Point, which has a spectacular tram up to amazing views. On clear days you can see over to Puerto Rico. Mountain Top is touristy, but has great views to the British Virgin Islands, and St. Johns. Be sure to get the list of taxi fares, (take a picture of the sign). There are many wonderful honest cabbies here, but the gypsies, will try to scam you. One tried to tell one of my visitors it would be $37 each to go from Havensite to Nisky Center, and it is a $2. bus ride, or 10 taxi. There is a botanical garden, Plantation Crown and Hawk, that is just amazing. It's like hiking in a jungle, and there is a maze that the teens would enjoy. If they are really adventourous there is ziplining or parachuting. Enjoy your visit, it's a magical place.

I'm retiring March 31, 2017 at age 61, and am looking forward to solo cruising. I love solo travel. I live in St. Thomas now, and originally from Massachusetts and am particularly looking for last minute solo deals out of San Juan as it's a cheap flight from here. So excited. Empty nesting, separated in process of divorce and very very happy. Live each moment, could get hit by a truck any moment. I'm really looking forward to the freedom to pick up and go for that last minute deal. No wait to have vacation time approved..... If your cruise stops in St. Thomas, feel free to contact me. Boston/Salem MA as well. I can give you local advice. LOL.

10 DAYS!!!!!!!!! March 31, 2017. So excited. Living in St. Thomas, VI, and came on to look for last minute cruise deals out of San Juan. Empty nesting. Divorced. Looking for the best solo cruise deals. There are some awesome trips. Travel, travel, travel.

The bars are walking distance to the dock? So do a little bar hopping after visiting the beach and PP to be closest to the ship? ]

Carnival will dock at Havensite. I would go to the beach first before it gets crowded.It's also furthest from the dock. When you are done at the beach, catch a cab to PP. You can get lunch and drinks there, and there are spectacular views. You can easily walk from PP to the docks. And you pass several bars along the way. One of my favorites is Rum Hut, directly across from PP. It has swings for bar seats. Different and fun. Enjoy! St. Thomas is a fun port.

What are your parent's interests? I'm 60 and local, so I'll share what I enjoy. If you want more information on anything, just ask.And if you want to share their interests, I can let you know more.

There are a few very nice botanical gardens if they are into plants. Plantation Crown and Hawk, Phantasea, and St. Peter Great House and Botanical Garden.

If they enjoy history there is the St. Thomas Synagogue that is one of the oldest in this hemisphere. Frenchtown has a small museum open 10-1 weekdays.

There are spectacular photo opportunities at Drake's Seat, Mountain Top and Paradise Point. Paradise Point has the trams that go up and down, and restaurant with spectacular views. In you are docked at Havensite, you'll get a great view of your ship. On clear days you can see Puerto Rico from the top.

If they viewing sea life and don't want to get wet, I recommend Coral World, as it has indoor viewing of the coral reef. I can be amused there for a long time, just watching the sea life go by.

And then there is always walking on the beach. Fabulous photo opportunities of the beautiful beaches. My favories are Emerald and Brewers, as they are typically less crowded than the overs. They are both close to Crown Bay docks.

There is also a Children's Museum in Charlotte Amalie. It's small, but fun. I took 2 and 5 year olds and they both loved it. It's good for 2-3 hours of fun. They are closed Mondays. It's on the second floor of a building just behind the street vendors selling souvenirs. Google VI Children's Museum you can find it. Another good spot with kids is Coral World. I like it there because there is an inside glass area that takes you underwater. You get to view the Coral Reef without ever getting wet. Finally the Butterfly place is right at Havensight. If you dock there, you can easily walk to the Butterfly place. These were all big hits with the kids. Have a great time whatever you end up doing.