floridalover5623 Posted October 31, 2016 #1 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I just heard that this season all Princess ships will be only docking at the Havensight area. Crown bay will only be used as a backup if there's not sufficient room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoyosma Posted October 31, 2016 #2 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I believe the op is correct. I recently read that Royal Caribbean has entered into an agreement with VI port authority whereby Crown Bay will be their preferred dock. Pretty sure they need it for their mega ships anyway. Also, if you take a look at the upcoming docking schedule on VINOW for St. Thomas you will see that the Princess ships are currently scheduled for Havensight. Here's a link to an article http://viconsortium.com/business/vi-port-authority-signs-ten-year-agreement-with-royal-caribbean/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satxdiver Posted October 31, 2016 #3 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I just looked at the article and the agreement is for 10 years. All of the Princess ships scheduled for November are scheduled for the WICO dock. It appears the OP is very correct in what they posted. We have always been to the WICO (Havensight) pier and like it. http://www.**********/cruise/ship-schedule/11-2016/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
septrack Posted November 1, 2016 #4 Share Posted November 1, 2016 That's too bad! We always go to the closest beach to Crown Bay...Emerald Beach. Much nicer than the one close to Havensight...the beach near The Marriott! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted November 1, 2016 #5 Share Posted November 1, 2016 We had rather dock at Crown Bay, but many other Princess cruisers love docking at Havensight and are often upset when docking at Crown Bay. May not be the place to ask :o ... but wonder how this will affect HAL because very frequently HAL ships have docked at Crown Bay. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DisneyDatknee Posted November 1, 2016 #6 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Our HAL cruise on the Eurodam will be docking in Haven-sight instead of the usual Crown Bay for HAL. So I'm wondering if Royal and HAL swapped places?? The Oasis OTS is docking at Crowne Bay while we have Havensight to ourselves. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted November 1, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted November 1, 2016 That's too bad! We always go to the closest beach to Crown Bay...Emerald Beach. Much nicer than the one close to Havensight...the beach near The Marriott! Yea. Kind of sucks. Nothing but the lousy shops to go to close by with their overprices junk for sale. I'll be missing Crown Bay with the close by Emerald beach. :( For those that don't believe it just check out satxdiver post. Were scheduled to stop there a few more times in the coming weeks. :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clampram Posted November 1, 2016 #8 Share Posted November 1, 2016 We spent part of our honeymoon in St Thomas in 1970. It was exotic and the shopping was incredible ( I'm not a shopper), Now, it is really just a shadow of its' former self. I guess all the ships are great for the local economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seafish Posted November 1, 2016 #9 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Docking at Crown Bay -vs - WICO is a certainly a personal preference but - IMO Havensight (WICO) has the advantage with many & better dockside shopping/restaurants venues, walkable to downtown - excursion availability. Crown Bay looks nice but really not that much there - although it is close to Water Island but for most passengers getting to downtown Charlotte Amaile requires a Safari Van which more recently has been dropping passengers a distance from center city in order to make the loop back for more fares. Not a big deal but was way better when the primary drop & pickup was near center city Post Office/Gardens. Oasis will be at Crown Bay when we are next at ST - so looks like Regal will be Havensight - hopefully that will continue for future Princess ST dockings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo222 Posted November 1, 2016 #10 Share Posted November 1, 2016 For those that don't believe it just check out satxdiver post. Why? Havensite vs. Crown Bay is pretty much a personal preference. That you have another poster who agrees with you is not convincing. I'm good either way. I like Emerald Beach. I like having the stores just off the ship in Havensite. For my super-old mom, Havensite is nice, as she can shop a little bit without having to go too far. She probably hasn't been to a beach in 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted November 1, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Why? Havensite vs. Crown Bay is pretty much a personal preference. That you have another poster who agrees with you is not convincing. I'm good either way. I like Emerald Beach. I like having the stores just off the ship in Havensite. For my super-old mom, Havensite is nice, as she can shop a little bit without having to go too far. She probably hasn't been to a beach in 40 years. I am not a shopper & couldn't care less to purchase anything in St Thomas especially when practically everything they carry can be bought in the US at the same or lower price. Whould you buy a 1 TB HD for $79 ? I doubt it. Liquor - Take a photo of it & they match it on the ship on the ship with a 10 % discount. I'll be missing Crown Bay & Emerald beach. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbird1 Posted November 1, 2016 #12 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I just heard that this season all Princess ships will be only docking at the Havensight area. Crown bay will only be used as a backup if there's not sufficient room. Thank goodness Princess is going there, RCCL is now sending most of their ships to Crown. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted November 1, 2016 #13 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I was recently on the Celebrity Summit. We were the only ship in port that day and they stuck us at Crown Bay. I was not happy. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amscene1 Posted November 2, 2016 #14 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Crown bay sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted November 2, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted November 2, 2016 If this rumor is true, you are in for some sticker shock. Docking fees for Havensight are significantly higher than the fees at Crown Bay. Your cruise fares will be going up for the privilege to dock at Havensight. Talking to the shop owners at Havensight they were very happy. Maybe they consider Princess cruisers to be bigger spenders. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted November 2, 2016 #16 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Very limited shipping at Crown Bay and anyone who has a mobility issue will hate it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy2cruise Posted November 2, 2016 #17 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Very limited shipping at Crown Bay and anyone who has a mobility issue will hate it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Totally agree, have mobility issue and whenever docked at Crown Bay we never get off the ship:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jode Posted November 2, 2016 #18 Share Posted November 2, 2016 I was recently on the Celebrity Summit. We were the only ship in port that day and they stuck us at Crown Bay. I was not happy. Sent from my iPhone using Forums We too just got off the Summit - did a b2b with St. Thomas as a port on each week. We were surprised to see we would not be at Havensight (which we just assumed due to always docking there in past cruises). I guess doing my port research it slipped right by me that this would be the case. Crown Bay is very limited with shops, etc. compared to Havensight. This cruise we could not do excusions etc to my hubby's back issues and were pretty much only able to shop or walk close by the port. This port was not a good choice for us as there was very limited shopping or places to sit and have a drink and people watch, etc. Havensight is our preferred dock as you can walk into town on your own and there is a lot more to see and do just at the pier. They did have open side vans going to town ($4pp per trip) but I don't think they brought you right to the very center of town as a regular cab would. I am sure cost is a factor in chosing Crown Bay over Havensight. And we can sadly see that the "cost factor" is affecting everything to do with cruising. It has become more of a "big business" rather than providing a nice and exciting "experience" - just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmwnc1959 Posted November 2, 2016 #19 Share Posted November 2, 2016 If this rumor is true, you are in for some sticker shock. Docking fees for Havensight are significantly higher than the fees at Crown Bay. Your cruise fares will be going up for the privilege to dock at Havensight. Ships docking there for years no real difference in fees that I have seen on ships I have sailed to both places on. Remember HS use to be the only game in town, now there is competition. I did a B2B on Royal Princess in 2013 - the first week docking at Crown Bay and the second week docking at Havensight - and I too don't recall the reported "significantly higher" fees at the latter. Maybe BruceMuzz can back it up with some data? Crown bay sucks! Pretty much...lol :D Other than the proximity to Emerald Beach I don't think I've heard any other real benefits to docking at Crown Bay? Anyone? The view from Paradise Point of Havensight, Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoyosma Posted November 2, 2016 #20 Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) Other than the proximity to Emerald Beach I don't think I've heard any other real benefits to docking at Crown Bay? Anyone? The view from Paradise Point of Havensight, Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay... x Another possible benefit of Crown Bay might be the proximity to the ferry to Water Island for Homeymoon Beach. We have always thought one day we would give it a try but haven't yet. Now it may be too late, not sure I would want to take a cab to Crown Bay just to do that. And we too like Emerald Beach but there are other beaches to be explored out of Havensight. Edited November 2, 2016 by yoyosma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted November 2, 2016 #21 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Totally agree, have mobility issue and whenever docked at Crown Bay we never get off the ship:( I wanted to walk across to the skyway. When I saw where we were I was pissed off. Plus the only store selling cigarettes didn't have enough of the brand I wanted and the scotch selection was limited. My wife was not happy as she wanted to go to H. STERN. There was no reason for her to get off the ship. She could have at Havensight.. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted November 2, 2016 #22 Share Posted November 2, 2016 We too just got off the Summit - did a b2b with St. Thomas as a port on each week. We were surprised to see we would not be at Havensight (which we just assumed due to always docking there in past cruises). I guess doing my port research it slipped right by me that this would be the case. Crown Bay is very limited with shops, etc. compared to Havensight. This cruise we could not do excusions etc to my hubby's back issues and were pretty much only able to shop or walk close by the port. This port was not a good choice for us as there was very limited shopping or places to sit and have a drink and people watch, etc. Havensight is our preferred dock as you can walk into town on your own and there is a lot more to see and do just at the pier. They did have open side vans going to town ($4pp per trip) but I don't think they brought you right to the very center of town as a regular cab would. I am sure cost is a factor in chosing Crown Bay over Havensight. And we can sadly see that the "cost factor" is affecting everything to do with cruising. It has become more of a "big business" rather than providing a nice and exciting "experience" - just my opinion. See my previous post! I never ever though we would dock here being the only ship that day. Terrible place to dock if you want to go to the skyway and shop. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seafish Posted November 2, 2016 #23 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Another possible benefit of Crown Bay might be the proximity to the ferry to Water Island for Homeymoon Beach. We have always thought one day we would give it a try but haven't yet. Now it may be too late, not sure I would want to take a cab to Crown Bay just to do that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not too late - as an option you can take the Princess Kon Tiki Harbor & Beach excursion to Water Island Honeymoon Beach - R/T Havensight - no taxi needed, easy to do plus some sightseeing, coral reef viewing, etc. Or - direct to world famous Megan (Beach) Bay excursion with optional return drop time on your own in Charlotte Amalie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted November 3, 2016 #24 Share Posted November 3, 2016 Talking to the shop owners at Havensight they were very happy.Maybe they consider Princess cruisers to be bigger spenders. :D This is very true all the shop owners know my wife by her first name :eek: Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 4cats4me Posted November 3, 2016 #25 Share Posted November 3, 2016 I'm glad to hear that ships will be docking at Havensight. We didn't like being docked at Crown Bay last April. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now