St. Thomas or St. John???

[princecay]

Hi -

 

We're going on our first cruise in May and we're trying to decide between the two islands. We have been planning to take the all-day Champagne catamaran to St. John. Heard it was a fun trip. But we're thinking we might want to do something half-day and then shop the rest of the day.

 

Any suggestions? We've been told snorkeling, etc. (and overall beauty) is better at St. John, but shopping is better in St. Thomas. For first time cruisers should we take time to shop or should we enjoy the beaches, water, boats, etc.? :confused:

 

Besides the Champagne catamaran, are there other nice excursions to St. John?

 

Thanks for any help!

[wwinfl91]

There are a lot of good tours both on St Thomas and on St Johns. On our first visit the ship did a stop at St Johns to let off people who were going to start tours there and we got off to pick up a boat that would take us on a short water tour and then stop at Trunk Bay for time for snokeling or swimming and then took us over to St Thomas by 1 PM or so. That boat was the Leylon Sneed, That gave us some time in St Thomas even after we went back to the ship, which was docked at the main dock. If your ship is docking at the maindock in the harbor, you might want to go to the Paradise Point Tramway. It is within walkable distance and gives you a great place to take pictures of the island, the harbor and your ship. They also make great drinks and have local island beer. As far as shopping goes most of the bigger stores that exist in the downtown area of St Thomas have smaller versions of their stores in a shopping area right near where the main dock is. That avoids having to take a taxi ride from the dock to the town. If your ship is anchored then you will be tendered into the smaller dock right in the middle of the town. For a first visit to St Thomas I would suggest doing an excursion that takes you to Trunk

 

Here are a couple of links for St Thomas that might help you.

 

http://www.stjohnusvi.com/stjohn.html

 

http://st-thomas.com/

 

http://paradisepointtramway.com/cafe.html

 

http://www.st-john.com/

 

http://www.e-vacationrentals.com/st_john/diving_stjohn.htm

 

http://www.*****/

 

http://www.*****/general_usvi/cruiseship/

 

http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StThomas.htm

 

Anyway what ever you do enjoy yourself and have a great first cruise.