One of the Caribbean's busiest cruise ports: a duty-free shopping mecca wrapped in turquoise water, with powder-white beaches, colonial hilltop forts, and easy access to neighboring St. John.
St. Thomas has two main cruise piers — Havensight is closest to Charlotte Amalie's shopping district, while Crown Bay is a short taxi ride away.
💡 Pro move: Taxis are unmetered but fares are government-regulated. Confirm the per-person rate before you get in — sharing is standard practice.
St. Thomas handles some of the Caribbean's highest cruise traffic across two docks — Havensight puts you steps from shopping, Crown Bay is a short taxi to town.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Carnival, Royal, NCL, Celebrity) | Havensight Cruise Ship Dock, Charlotte Amalie📍 | Docked |
| Larger ships / overflow (Holland America, Princess, MSC) | Crown Bay Marina📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ships | Crown Bay Marina or Charlotte Amalie waterfront📍 | Docked |
St. Thomas rewards the spontaneous and the well-planned alike. You can fill a day with beaches, snorkeling, a ferry to St. John, or simply wandering duty-free boutiques — all without a formal tour.
Consistently ranked among the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches, Magens Bay is a mile-long crescent of calm water on the island's north shore. Chairs and water-sport rentals are available; the drive over the island's ridge offers spectacular views.
Find Magens Bay beach tours →Hop the 20-minute ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay on St. John, then grab a taxi to Trunk Bay — home of a National Park Service underwater snorkeling trail and some of the Caribbean's clearest water. A full but rewarding day trip.
Find St. John day trip tours →An interactive marine park on the island's east end featuring an underwater observatory, sea turtle exhibits, shark lagoon, and snorkel safaris. Family-friendly and walkable from the parking area.
Find Coral World Ocean Park tours →The island's capital has a well-preserved Danish colonial core: pastel warehouses converted to duty-free shops, a 17th-century waterfront, and Blackbeard's Castle (Skytsborg Tower) on the hilltop above town — with sweeping harbor views.
Find Charlotte Amalie history tours →A gondola tram lifts you 700 feet above Havensight to a hilltop observation deck with panoramic views of the harbor, Charlotte Amalie, and neighboring islands. Cold drinks available at the summit bar.
Find Paradise Point Skyride tickets →Sail out to Buck Island or nearby snorkel spots on a catamaran with gear, instruction, and usually a rum punch included. Calm Caribbean conditions make this accessible for all levels.
Find catamaran snorkel tours →Charlotte Amalie's compact historic waterfront is the most walkable part of the island — these routes cover the highlights on foot from Havensight.
Follow the flat harbor road west from Havensight Dock past waterfront restaurants and into Charlotte Amalie's historic commercial district. Main Street (Dronningens Gade) runs one block inland and is lined with duty-free jewelry, liquor, and fashion boutiques in 18th-century Danish warehouses.
From Main Street, climb the famous 99 Steps (actually 103 — the Danes miscounted) to Government Hill, where colonial mansions and flowering trees line the ridge. Blackbeard's Castle sits near the top with harbor views that justify every step.
Climate normals for St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 11 |
| Feb | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 11 |
| Mar | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 8 |
| Apr | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 10 |
| May | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 11 |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 11 |
| Jul | 82°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 14 |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 17 |
| Sep | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 17 |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 18 |
| Nov | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 17 |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 13 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.