St. Thomas, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the Caribbean’s most frequented cruise destinations. Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, boasts a historic, picturesque harbor that regularly welcomes a high volume of international cruise traffic. The island’s combination of duty-free shopping, stunning beaches, and accessibility has established its importance within the broader Caribbean cruise industry. This consistent appeal makes St. Thomas a nearly ubiquitous stop on itineraries throughout the region.
Cruise Lines Serving St. Thomas
Most cruise operators include St. Thomas in their schedule of Caribbean ports, offering options across every market segment. Contemporary and mass-market lines represent the largest volume of calls, with companies like Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International making regular stops. These lines utilize St. Thomas as a high-traffic port of call for their largest ships.
Moving into the premium sector, lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line also feature St. Thomas extensively on their itineraries. These companies often appeal to travelers seeking a more refined experience while still enjoying large-ship amenities. The luxury and boutique segment is equally represented by lines including Azamara, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Viking Ocean Cruises.
Niche operators like Disney Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises also regularly schedule calls to St. Thomas. The diversity of visiting lines means options are available for travelers regardless of their preferred style, from mega-ships to smaller vessels. The specific dock used often depends on the ship’s size and the day’s port traffic.
St. Thomas on Caribbean Itineraries
St. Thomas is strategically positioned to serve as a central anchor for two primary Caribbean cruise routes: the Eastern Caribbean and the Southern Caribbean. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary is the most common, typically featuring stops in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These sailings often depart from major Florida homeports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral, and usually run for seven days.
Southern Caribbean routes, which tend to be longer, include St. Thomas as a northern gateway before proceeding to islands further south like Barbados, Aruba, or Curaçao. These extended voyages frequently embark from Florida ports but also utilize San Juan, Puerto Rico, as a convenient starting point. Longer sailings, sometimes extending up to 10 or 14 nights, may also depart from Northeast ports like New York.
Practical Port Logistics for Cruisers
Cruise ships dock at one of two primary locations on the island’s south side: the West Indian Company Dock (Havensight) and the Crown Bay Dock. Havensight is the older, more developed facility, featuring a large shopping mall complex immediately adjacent to the pier. Crown Bay is a newer terminal that includes a welcome center and a smaller retail area.
Both docks offer straightforward access to transportation for exploring the island. Havensight is a short 10-15 minute ride from the main town of Charlotte Amalie, while the walk from Crown Bay is significantly longer, making taxis a more practical choice. Taxis are plentiful at both locations, often operating as shared, open-air safari buses that take passengers to popular spots like the shopping district or Magens Bay beach.
For island hopping, ferries depart regularly from a terminal near Red Hook on the eastern side of St. Thomas, providing service to the neighboring island of St. John. Additionally, a short ferry ride is available from the Crown Bay Marina area to the smaller Water Island.