TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Afloat Am I crazy for staying on the ship during St. Thomas?

We are doing an Eastern Caribbean loop on a large Royal Caribbean ship next month. Itinerary: Nassau, Sea Day, St. Thomas, Sea Day, CocoCay.

I have been to St. Thomas (Megan's Bay) twice before. I love the island, but I am looking at the port schedule: there will be five Oasis-class ships in port that day. I have heard Charlotte Amalie becomes a literal wall of people.

I am considering just staying on the ship to have the pool, the empty hot tubs and the quiet buffet.

Will I regret missing the island completely, or is the "ship day" experience when everyone is off the boat better than fighting 15 000 other tourists for a taxi?

I’d stay on the ship as ST Thomas has nothing to offer except crowds and just another big city atmosphere. I’m sorry but you’re cruising on a floating subdivision. Each to your own.

Not crazy at all. I've done this three times. When five ships are in port, St. Thomas is a nightmare. The taxis are gridlocked, the beaches are shoulder-to-shoulder, and downtown is a sweaty mess. Staying on the ship is the best "secret" in cruising. The pool is empty. The bartender remembers your name. Do it.

I have to think that you booked this cruise for the ship, not the ports, as I would never book that cruise with only those ports. If I were going to stay on the ship for one of them, it would be Nassau, as I find nothing interesting there at all, after about 10 stops there. I adore St Thomas, so I personally wouldn't skip it. Of course I have never been on one of those Royal Caribbean monster ships, and I doubt I ever will. They don't appeal to me at all. We're going on Enchanted Princess in Europe in three weeks, and it is plenty big enough for me. It's your cruise, you don't have to plan anything ahead of time. How late is the ship in port? I might spend a few hours on the pool deck and head off the ship around noon. Enjoy!

St Thomas means St John……so we would brave the traffic to/from Red Hook to get to St John.

It's not just the traffic to Red Hook, you also have the ferry. St. John is ok, but I wouldn't do all that, just to get to St. John.

So what if you’re in traffic you’re in a cab! My opinion is St. John is significantly much better than St. Thomas.

However being on a cruise ship stopover I would not risk going to STJ with the chance of getting back to the ship as it leaves port. Also do not take a ship excursion to STJ as you’re in a crowd of ... Since the accurate word was censored, I'll say you'd be in a huge crowd of s-h-e-e-p-l-e.

Carol have you ever been to the Parliament House Restaurant or the Fish Fry village of great local food in Nassau?

So Carol do you want the website and contact info for the Santorini tour people who were absolutely amazing?

Rick--Send me the info. We have something booked for Santorini through the cruise line. I have onboard credit that I need to use. I will tell you though I absolutely cannot do a cable car, so I want to avoid that at all costs. I am absolutely terrified of heights. You do not want to hear about my experience in Germany with a cable car. If it's relatively close to the ground, I might be OK.

Carol look at pictures it’s a rail car! The only other option to get up to the town from the tender dock is walking up a very steep hill or ride on a donkey.

Frankly it would be a waste of my time to re-send you the info on the outstanding Santorini guide we had. If you’re that terrified of heights you will not see Santorini.

OK whatever.