beautifulbill

There is shade but not as much or as full as before the hurricanes. You now may have to reposition your lounge during the day. Just don’t disturb my nap. 

Guests of the Sapphire Beach Resort ( there are 3 complexes with the name Sapphire in them) get complimentary beach chaises. Their lounges have the large initials C O A on them.

Guests must rent from the dive shop for $9/day.

If a guest mistakenly sits in a C O A lounge the attendant will ask you to move.

There really isn't enough time to do it without really rushing. You never know how long it will take to clear customs coming and going. The customs fee is now $75/person, and when you add the cost of the boat it is a very expensive trip with very little free time if any.

Cruz Bay is not a big area but there are a number of shops and lots of restaurants and if shopping is your thing then it would be enjoyable. I'm not a shopper so I would take the tour to see some of the sugar plantation ruins and island sights. So it really depends on what you would like to do.

Avis has an office just across the street from Havensight.

All inclusive is not popular in St. Thomas. Those of us that regularly stay enjoy the freedom to go to different restaurants and beaches and enjoy the many opportunities the island provides.

At this time the few places that have tried AI are closed due to storm damage.

Your schedule is really tight. depending on how many ships are in port they sometimes have to tender guests in and the process can be slow.

Then coming back if you get delayed coming in you may have trouble getting back to Havensight in time. If your 15 or 20 minutes late coming in and then have to wait for the taxi to fill.

I think you should look into one of the ships excursions instead.

If you go to Sapphire you are going for the beach.

Red Hook is a small village with a few shops but mostly bars and restaurants. There is no beach in Red Hook.

They dock more or less in the center of town. The town itself is flat but there are lots of alleyways and shop after shop so can be lots of walking.

If you are looking for a bar there are lots to choose from but the Greenhouse is just across the road and has a water view. The food is good and they often have 2 for 1 drinks. There is good people watching there.

This is in the interest of having you prepared for your experience.

Don't expect to be on an uncrowded beach. The ships now all offer excursions to Trunk Bay, Expect waves but not water waves, rather waves of boats bringing ship visitors over to Trunk It is the place where they direct all the tourists,

If you read the St. John travel forum on TripAdvisor you will see posts of visitors staying on St. John that will not go to Trunk on days when ships are in in St. Thomas due to the crowds.

It is still a nice beach, not the best in St. John, but be prepared to share with other cruisers, lots of other cruisers.

The beach at Sapphire changes from day to day but the beach picked up a lot of sand after the storms. It looks pretty much the same but is missing a few palm trees that will be replaced soon.

The bar is being renovated but will not be done for awhile. A grill is serving the usual beach foods and has a bar. There is a live band on the beach several days a week.

Trunk is the beach they bring the tourists to in St. John. It's a nice beach but not the nicest beach on the island. Unfortunately on a cruise you are limited both for time and return taxis.

Personally I wouldn't waste the time if on a cruise. If you staying on St. Thomas or St. John then take a car over and see more beaches than just Trunk. I stay in St. Thomas and still don't go to Trunk when I go to St. John as there are other beaches I prefer.

There will be plenty of taxis and they will take you wherever you want to go.

I don't think you will have any trouble finding a less than full beach. In August none of the beaches should be full.

The only beaches that close are Magens and Smith Bay all the other beaches stay open but the food service may close.

The Golden Age Ranch on the east end of St. Thomas offers horseback riding on the beach.. Contact them for details.

You do not need water shoes for Sapphire. Both beaches offer all you are looking for Coki has more fish and Sapphire a better view. You should be happy at either.

I'm not so sure that a rental car is cheaper than the taxi. It really depends on how many are in your party. A taxi is about $12/person each way so for a couple the cost is around $50. A rental car will run you about $60 or more per day and you have to navigate through town to Sapphire.

The Gourmet Gallery near Crown bay is closed, but there are other places you can get some food for the beach. Tickles Restaurant is next to the old Gourmet Gallery and will do takeout and Pueblo market is down the road.

Cars drive on the left side of the road in STT and some adapt better than others. A taxi to the beach will be about $12/person each way and will be able to get the same or different taxi back. A rental car will be about $60/day. To avoid the hassle I would take a taxi..

It's probably a little cheaper doing it on your own but it's not a huge difference. You do have a timing concern getting back to the ship doing it on your own but most do it without any problem

I think Magens is your best bet. Secret Harbor would invoke a little more walking and is a smaller beach. Emerald is on a nice beach but imho doesn’t have as nice a view.

Magens has easy access, is a Long Beach by island standards, and has food and rental chairs

What are you shopping for? STT has many stores and jewelry, electronics, perfume. linen, etc. can be good buys.

STJ has a small shopping area but you can find individually made craft items as well as jewelry.

You lose a lot of time getting to STJ if you are on a cruise

Been going to the VI for 30 years and if I were on a cruise ship I’d skip St John. To much time is wasted in traveling back and forth and way to little beach time.

I’d spend the day on one of the many beautiful St Thomas beaches instead of in taxis and ferries

I’m just back and Sapphire is definitely not rocky, it’s beautiful

If you are there on a heavy cruise day, ususally Tuesday or Wednesday then it’s packed with cruisers so go elsewhere

rheflake

How does a van take you to Water Island?

Definitely option 3. probably will be the best beach and view you will see on your cruise