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Port amenities in St. Thomas depend on where the ship docks. I don't know if some ships are still docking out at the sub base, but if yours does, your best bet is to take an excursion or taxi as there is little in the way of amenities out there beyond a smallish shopping area. Most ships dock in Charlotte Amalie (the port of St. Thomas) and Havensight Mall (which features many of the shops you will find downtown) is within an easy walk of the docking areas. It's a hot and noisy (lots of traffic) two mile or so hike into the town itself--not bad if you are in decent physical shape and like to walk. In recent years, the downtown has assumed a grubbier air, with hucksters shilling for bar and restaurant patrons, and what some feel is an overload of cruise passengers invading the town.The port at Nassau (Bahamas) is within walking distance of the town which offers clothing and jewelry stores and the "famous" straw market. Since the original straw market burned down in 2001, the vendors must now make do under a hot, stuffy tent at the far end of town. You can arrange an excursion or simply take a taxi over to Paradise Island--home to Atlantis and other resorts.Whether the ship tenders or docks in St. Maarten/St. Martin, you'll find the town within walking distance. Cabs are plentiful. Dutch side beaches are nice. Many like to travel to the western side of the island where the water and beaches are wilder. There is clothing optional bathing at Orient Beach. If time in port permits, a trip to the French side is interesting. There are some shops and pretty views. We usually just take a cab to the beach but if it is your first time, you might consider one of those driving tours that give you a flavor of the place. You can rent a car if you wish (driving is on the left) but that involves a trip into Holetown to get a license. Not impossible if you've got lots of port time.
Port amenities in St. Thomas depend on where the ship docks. I don't know if some ships are still docking out at the sub base, but if yours does, your best bet is to take an excursion or taxi as there is little in the way of amenities out there beyond a smallish shopping area. Most ships dock in Charlotte Amalie (the port of St. Thomas) and Havensight Mall (which features many of the shops you will find downtown) is within an easy walk of the docking areas. It's a hot and noisy (lots of traffic) two mile or so hike into the town itself--not bad if you are in decent physical shape and like to walk. In recent years, the downtown has assumed a grubbier air, with hucksters shilling for bar and restaurant patrons, and what some feel is an overload of cruise passengers invading the town.
The port at Nassau (Bahamas) is within walking distance of the town which offers clothing and jewelry stores and the "famous" straw market. Since the original straw market burned down in 2001, the vendors must now make do under a hot, stuffy tent at the far end of town. You can arrange an excursion or simply take a taxi over to Paradise Island--home to Atlantis and other resorts.
Whether the ship tenders or docks in St. Maarten/St. Martin, you'll find the town within walking distance. Cabs are plentiful. Dutch side beaches are nice. Many like to travel to the western side of the island where the water and beaches are wilder. There is clothing optional bathing at Orient Beach. If time in port permits, a trip to the French side is interesting. There are some shops and pretty views. We usually just take a cab to the beach but if it is your first time, you might consider one of those driving tours that give you a flavor of the place. You can rent a car if you wish (driving is on the left) but that involves a trip into Holetown to get a license. Not impossible if you've got lots of port time.
