St. Thomas Full Today

[jhannah]

According to the St. Thomas ship schedule, the Zuiderdam and 6 other ships are in port today. That's about 13,340 pax according to the site. It was crowded last time we were there with just 3 other ships!

[AbbieRose]

A week ago when I was there, there were six ships. It was crazy crowded. And we saw several passengers miss their Disney boat, and have to be quickly shuttled out in a dinghy!

 

If you go into town, leave plenty of time to get back to the ship.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We were lucky on the Volendam. On both of the days that we were scheduled to be in St Thomas, there were only 3 other ships and both times we were docked at Havensight.

[Esme]

Wow - three ships at Havensight and 3 at Crown Bay. Looks like March 29th will also have 6 ships. I didn't know that they could dock 3 ships at CB - have only ever seen 2 there.

[peaches from georgia]

The next time we stop in St. Thomas will be too soon. The best part of going to STT is that our cell phone works there and we always call the grandkids!

[DFD1]

I've always loved St. Thomas... Mountain Top, Magen's Bay, downtown, beautiful harbor....lot's to see and do, but not lately. Just too many people.

 

I wonder what it will be like 5 or 10 years from now if the trend continues.

[peaches from georgia]

I've always loved St. Thomas... Mountain Top, Magen's Bay, downtown, beautiful harbor....lot's to see and do, but not lately. Just too many people.

I should have been more clear, also. My objection to STT now is exactly that there are just way too many people and cruise ships. Yes, we could stay on the ship, but if we are going to cruise we like to be able to enjoy the ports along with the ship.

[Tarkus]

sailing the zuiderdam on 28-may... do they generally know which dock the ship will be using prior to sailing? for me it changes the time and locale of pickup for the scuba diving i've pre-arranged.

 

and while it's not a major problem finding out when we arrive, it does mean i need to be ready to go earlier than planned in case we're not at havensight.

 

tia.

[peaches from georgia]

sailing the zuiderdam on 28-may... do they generally know which dock the ship will be using prior to sailing?

The 'planned' docks for all ship for the entire month is listed on http://www.***** at the beginning of each month. However, like everything else it is subject to change, but I think most often is pretty accurate.

 

Just go to that site, click on St. Thomas and you'll see the link to Cruise Ships.

[Bridges300]

Unfortunately, I have that beat. On our Saturday, April 5th stop in St Thomas, thre will be 8 ships in port. Including us on the Zui, the Queen Mary, the Zaandam, Disney,2 Carnival ships and a Princess and RCL

[Himself]

Last November there were three ships docked at Havensight, the Zuiderdam was anchored across from Havensight and those of us on the Volendam were docked at Crown Bay. There were lots of people in town that day.

Himself

[ekerr19]

Not sure how many ships today - but we were told it is full. The Volendam is tendering. Still haven't cleared immigration is is now about 9:45 am.... may not get off the ship at this rate. There are still about 6 staterooms who have not shown up yet. :(

[SeaYa52]

Had no idea there would be that many ships in port next week in STT. Thanks for the heads up.....sure glad we booked an all day sail independently - I hate crowds!

Sandy

Charlotte, NC

[jhannah]

Still haven't cleared immigration is is now about 9:45 am.... may not get off the ship at this rate. There are still about 6 staterooms who have not shown up yet. :(

This is so sad. A few people (all it takes is one) holding up an entire ship. They should be drawn and quartered! This is another good reason to not schedule a squeaker of an early flight home at disembarkation. No one leaves the ship until all have cleared.

[FoxyTerrier]

Not sure how many ships today - but we were told it is full. The Volendam is tendering. Still haven't cleared immigration is is now about 9:45 am.... may not get off the ship at this rate. There are still about 6 staterooms who have not shown up yet. :(

 

Have never been to St. Thomas - not sure what is meant by "about 6 staterooms who have not shown up yet."

 

On cruises I don't recall having to do anything specially to clear immigraton.

In Russia you did have to show passport and visa at the port when leaving the ship.

[dakrewser]

On cruises I don't recall having to do anything specially to clear immigraton.

 

THis is a relatively recent change by US Immigration authorities. Whenever you dock in a US port after having been in a non-US port everyone has to present themselves with identification to the immigration authorities. Everyone. And no one gets off until all have been cleared.

[jhannah]

The times they are a changin'.

[Himself]

Unfortunately, it only takes one to ruin it for everyone.

 

Himself

[CherylsCaribbeanTravel]

I've docked at Havensite several times, but never Crown Bay (which is where we're scheduled to dock next week). Can anyone explain where Crown Bay is at? Is there shopping close by? Pros/Cons of Crown Bay?

 

Thanks :)

 

Cheryl

[gizmo]

Here are a couple of links with maps.

 

http://www.virgin-islands-hotels.com/gettingaround.htm

 

http://www.st-thomas.com/week/stt-island-map.html

 

Currently there is no shopping at the dock like Havensite. People have reported that they are buildling a shopping but I think it is still under construction.

 

Take a cab into town for shopping.

[Lucyt1207]

we were on Zaandam 2/19 sailing and docked at Crown Bay. They are building but hard to tell what yet. You can take a taxi to center of shopping district for $3.50 per person. There are many open air taxies waiting at the pier for passengers.