docking in St. Thomas with HAL questions

[airlink diva]

I know that many of my fellow HAL cruises have sailed to St. Thomas and I want some insight and infomation.
I noticed the St. Thomas has two docking areas for cruise ships Crown Bay and Havensight. It's my understanding that HAL primary uses Havensight (correct me if I'm wrong on this). What are the pros and cons of docking in Crown Bay and Havensight with location to beaches,ferries (thinking about going to St. John),dining and shopping? Any info and insight is helpful.

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL signed a 10 year contract in Jan 2007 to dock at Crown Bay - so you can count on your ship docking there. The only exception is if there are 2 HAL ships in at the same time. Then one will probably anchor in the harbor you will have to tender into downtown Charlotte Amalie.

From Crown bay you will have to take one of the open safari taxis to either the downtown area or to Red Hook to get a ferry to St John. The ride Red Hook is long - taxi really needed here. And you must allow enough time to get through the congested downtown area especially if there are several ships in St Thomas.

Sapphire Beach - close - use the open safari taxis to get there.

[mamaofami]

When we docked at Crown Bay in St. Thomas, there were at least five other ships in port. We went to Magen's Bay and when we returned the woman directing people into the return transport from the beach put us in the wrong one and the driver didn't realize we were going to Crown Bay. There was a lot of downtown traffic, and after droping everyone else off, we had to plead with him to take us to the ship. Do make sure you get into the right transport and allow enough time for heavy traffic if there are lots of ships in port.

[meterman2]

In November 2007 we docked in Havensight (Zuiderdam). I've docked in Crown Bay before and given the choice, I'd prefer Havensight.

Havensight has a large "shopping" area, if thats to your liking. Plenty of "safari" cabs to the downtown shopping area (5 minute drive). It is a bit closer to Maegans Bay.

It really depends on what you like to do.

[m steve]

and last Dec. on the Emerald we ended up at Havensite and had to book a different rental car. I prefer Havensite as it's easy to head out east to the beach and place the booze order at Riise or Dynasty after we disembark so our liquor will be delivered to the ship and we won't have to carry it.
I expect Crown Point will be improved in 2-3 years.

[Harry1954]

We previously had docked at Havensight and there is indeed a nice mall there. Further, it is much closer to everything of which you would be interested. Unfortunately, lately we have docked at Crown Bay, most recently for us was last December. This is a loooong way from everything. You must either take an excursion or taxi to get to town or to Red Hook for the ferry to St John, which is way across the island.
The last two times we have signed up for the catamaran sail/snorkel which took us to St John ... that way we did not have to cope with getting around.
harry

[innlady1]

HAL signed a 10 year contract in Jan 2007 to dock at Crown Bay - so you can count on your ship docking there. The only exception is if there are 2 HAL ships in at the same time. Then one will probably anchor in the harbor you will have to tender into downtown Charlotte Amalie.

From Crown bay you will have to take one of the open safari taxis to either the downtown area or to Red Hook to get a ferry to St John. The ride Red Hook is long - taxi really needed here. And you must allow enough time to get through the congested downtown area especially if there are several ships in St Thomas.

Sapphire Beach - close - use the open safari taxis to get there.

When we were in St. Thomas in February, the QM2 was docked with us at Crown Bay. There is room for two ships.

KK, how do you feel Sapphire compares to Magen's Bay? We might give that a try next time since it's closer to CB.

[airlink diva]

Thanks for the info!! Krazy Kruzers thanks for the info concerning Sapphire Beach. I know that Magen's Bay is mentioned often, but I'm reading that Sapphire is nicer and fewer people. That also answer my question for St. John and the ferry.
Mamaofami thanks for that info concerning return transportation. I will make sure that they return me to the correct dock.

[innlady1]

Thanks for the info!! Krazy Kruzers thanks for the info concerning Sapphire Beach. I know that Magen's Bay is mentioned often, but I'm reading that Sapphire is nicer and fewer people. That also answer my question for St. John and the ferry.
Mamaofami thanks for that info concerning return transportation. I will make sure that they return me to the correct dock.

Make sure you allow plenty of time on the return trip...the traffic can be very congested in St. Thomas.

I wish we could still avail ourselves of CruiseCal (for free!) to check those things...how many ships are in port, etc.:rolleyes:

[airlink diva]

Make sure you allow plenty of time on the return trip...the traffic can be very congested in St. Thomas.

I wish we could still avail ourselves of CruiseCal (for free!) to check those things...how many ships are in port, etc.:rolleyes:
check out http://www.porttime.com Click "view by ship" to stroll to your ship and then use the "select your departure" for your sailing date. It will show your sailing schedule, what ships are in port with you, how many people in port and a small map. Unlike CruiseCal, it's free!!!

[innlady1]

check out http://www.porttime.com Click "view by ship" to stroll to your ship and then use the "select your departure" for your sailing date. It will show your sailing schedule, what ships are in port with you, how many people in port and a small map. Unlike CruiseCal, it's free!!!

Thank you so much, Tamara. I will check it out...now! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We loved Sapphire Beach - very nice and clean.

Hope it hasn't changed since we were there in March.