St. Thomas

Dawn as The Ruby Princess enters the tranquil harbor at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Copyright Andy Richards 2012 - All Rights Reserved

OUR NEXT port was St. Thomas,USVI. The second largest of the 4 U.S. Virgin islands (USVI) it is roughly 1/2 the size of the larger St. Croix which is about 40 miles south. The 2 primary islands of St. Thomas, and St. John's, make up part of the chain of ring islands (more or less defining the Caribbean to their south) known as the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. The British Virgin Islands of Jost Van Dyke and Tortola and several much smaller islands make up the BVI. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas, is approximately 90 statute miles from the San Juan, Puerto Rico's Port of Old San Juan. Just over 3 miles further east is the third largest of the USVI, St. John's. 90 percent of St. John's is a U.S. National park, essentially uninhabited. But the western coastline is well-populated with resorts and famous destinations like Trunk Bay, Cruz Bay, Caneel Bay, Maho Bay, and Hawksnest and Honeymoon Beaches. Tortolla, BVI, just under 2 miles across the water to the east, is easily visible on a clear day and appears much closer. In 2024, we visited Tortolla and our guide took us to viewpoint where we could clearly see St. John's to the west. We would not see St. John's this trip but on our very next visit to St. Thomas we did.

A not so "tranquil" main drag in downtown Charlotte Amalie; St. Thomas, USVI
Copyright Andy Richards 2012 - All Rights Reserved

MUCH LIKE St. Maarten, we didn't really have a big plan for St. Thomas. My wife was on a mission to find a ring with a particular stone that was very popular back then: Blue Tanzanite. She did find one in St. Martin, but we still wanted to "window" shop and do comparisons. I am kind of a watch guy and found myself admiring a couple watches. I managed to escape temptation, but the main street of downtown Charlotte Amalie is packed with tourist attracting stores - the great majority of it being watches and jewelry. We learned much later, when re-entering the U.S. that it makes a lot of sense to purchase your "Caribbean trinkets" in St. Thomas, as they are then free from U.S. Customs duties. There was one other "mission" I was on. My wife had a co-worker and we had become friends with her and her husband, often getting together when we could. He was a cigar smoker and every time I saw him - no matter the circumstances - he always had a baggie with a few cigars in it for me. I wanted to get him some cigars while we were on the cruise. So we sought out a cigar shop. We did find one and I did get him a box of Monte Cristos. Because it is U.S. territory, however, St. Thomas is not allowed to sell Cuban cigars. Oh. Well. I have long since learned a couple lessons (though it has taken me a while) about buying cigars and the Caribbean. Short story: just don't do it. I have yet to find a good deal, or a decently made and/or conditioned cigar. Just saying.

A much quieter back street in Charlotte Amalie (where we found our restaurant
Copyright Andy Richards 2012 - All Rights Reserved

. . . about buying cigars and the Caribbean. Short story: just don't do it.

WE BASICALLY shopped, walked around a bit, and then decide to have lunch. I asked one of the people in one of the jewelry stores we spent some time in if there was a "local" restaurant that the locals would frequent. She was hesitant to send us much off the beaten path, but ultimately identified on that was just a block off the main drag. We went there and had some very good food. I am pretty sure we were the only tourists in the restaurant. We never felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and the staff could not have been more polite and helpful. Once again, we didn't know it at the time, but we would be back in St. Thomas in the near future. And we would see a lot more of what St. Thomas is known for around the world.