Cruising - St Thomas

Our first port of call was St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. We got up in time to be at the bow as we approached the island

and to watch the docking procedure for the first time. St Thomas appeared to be quite hilly with houses going up the sides that must have marvellous views. We docked quite close to the town, right next to an extensive modern marina.

St Thomas, from the cruise dock, edge of marina on the right.

We had a quick breakfast and then walked into town, a mile away along a nice flat harbour side pathway.

There was a boat show for travel brokers going on at the marina so we were able to walk by some beautiful,
big rental catamarans, all decked out with their dining tables set and water toys on display.

Although the island is owned by the United States and residents are U.S. citizens, they drive
on the left just like in the British Virgin Islands.

We walked into the downtown area with its jewellery shops, bars and hawkers all trying to get the cruise passengers to visit their shop (because of course its the best, the cheapest etc). It's a very busy harbour with two cruise terminals, a ferry dock to take passengers to the nearby islands and float planes landing and taking off regularly. There are also plenty of privately owned yachts, water taxis and fishing boats zipping around. We were told that the season had not really started yet and that there would be far more private yacht traffic into December, January and February.

"Pirate ships" awaiting tourists.

The Oasis, a huge cruise ship that holds over 4,000  passengers, docked at the other cruise terminal.

The seaplane dock was at the far end of town, next to the ferry dock.

An inter-island ferry.

The Carnival Dream docked behind us. Taller but not as long. Had a water
slide on the top deck.

We walked around for a couple of hours, probably walked about 5 km. This proved to be too much for George's hip and we were more careful on subsequent islands. Returning to the ship we had lunch, In the Venetian Restaurant and then lazed by the pool until we left port.

The big windows are the Venetian Restaurant and we were often able to get
seated by the windows for views of the port or the ocean while eating, lovely!

Parting view of St Thomas

On to an overnight sail to St Johns