St. Thomas is the transportation hub of the U.S. Virgin Islands and offers a wide variety of activities and attractions. Whether you want to stay close to the bustling port of Charlotte Amalie or explore some of the more underdeveloped parts of the island, you’ll find plenty to do during your Caribbean cruise vacation.
The travel pros at CruiseExperts.com put our heads together to come up with the most interesting places to visit in St. Thomas. Here our our top picks:
Blackbeard’s Castle
Ready to experience some fun Caribbean history and lore? Then you must pay a visit to Blackbeard’s Castle. Originally built as a military installation by the Dutch in 1678, local legend claims that that the five-story watchtowers was used as a lookout post by the pirate Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard. Visitors can climb up to the top for good views of the harbor.
The admission fee includes access to the colonial homes that are also on the property and a tour of a rum factory, where a guide will explain the distilling process. It’s best to visit the castle earlier in the day when it’s still cool and before the crowds arrive.
If you will be traveling with children on your cruise vacation, sometimes it’s just fun to get involved in some “touristy” activities. Coral World Ocean Park does the job. Voted the “Top Attraction in the Virgin Islands,” Coral World allows visitors to get up close and personal with interesting Caribbean marine life. Throughout the day, the park’s staff gives talks about marine biology while feeding the animals.
Photo courtesy of Coral World Ocean Park
Visitors also have the opportunity to pet and feed various see creatures for themselves, and even swim with them for an additional fee. The park also has various restaurants and gift shops. Coki Beach is also nearby if you want a place to relax after a busy morning.
Photo courtesy of Coral World Ocean Park
Magic Ice
Ice sculptures in the Caribbean? You must think we’re kidding. Believe it or not, St. Thomas is the home to the world’s largest ice gallery. All of the center’s exhibitions – including sculptures, a children’s slide and wedding chapel – are all made of ice.
There is also an exhibit that emphasizes the rich history of the Caribbean. Here, you will find sculptures about piracy’s “Golden Age” and receive drinks from a pirate ship ice bar. Be sure to bring a coat!
St. Thomas Synagogue
Built in 1796, St. Thomas Synagogue is the second-oldest Jewish temple in the western hemisphere and has been declared a National Historic Landmark. The first Jewish settlers came to St. Thomas from Denmark in the mid-18th century, and the congregation continues to flourish.
The temple has a very unique design that’s hard to forget. The floor of the synagogue is made of sand to symbolize the exodus of Israelites from Egypt. There is also a small museum that visitors are welcome to explore.
Are you ready to embark on an exciting Caribbean cruise vacation? Call a CruiseExperts.com agent now to book your next cruise. We’re here to answer any questions you may have and provide suggestions for interesting things to do. Not interested in spending time in a warm climate? Don’t worry! We can provide you information about Alaska cruise tours or nontraditional, but very exciting, European cruise vacation. There’s no need to wait! Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com.
