I am sorry, but I don’t like Charlotte Amalie… The US Virgin Islands capital on St. Thomas is all about tax-free shopping. I do like to shop, and did I walk out of a jeweller with a gold chain necklace that I had planned on getting, but the whole place is one big shopping mall, focusing on the regular tax-free items. The only thing I liked, and it was on the other hand a great surprise, was the Veterans Day Parade. Did not see that coming. Turned my day into a good day!
St. Thomas was the last stop on my cruise with Celebrity Cruises, before heading back to Puerto Rico.
This is very typical for Caribbean islands and especially the ones that are focusing on cruise guests. A lot of them also offer similar or the same shore excursions and if you really want to see the city or surrounding area, you need to look sights up in advance. That’s what I normally do as I do not like the shopping neither. Btw, I have nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award as I really enjoy your posts, if you want to accept theworldofcruiseandtravel.wordpress.com/2019/07/31/mystery-blogger-award-my-first-ever-nomination/
Thanks!! I liked all the other islands we docked at a lot more, St. Kitts, St. Croix, Grenada and Dominica. It seemed like they had more to offer than shopping and beaches. Maybe my St. Thomas research wasn’t good enough 🙂
I’ve visited towns focused on selling to tourists and don’t like them either. Great that you found a parade though. Hope the rest of the cruise went well.
The rest of the ports I really liked, so I guess I can live with one off 🙂
I kind of feel that way about most cruise line ports of call – one big strip mall. When I was there a few years ago on a cruise, we went snorkeling and swimming with the sea turtles.
#TheWeeklyPostcard
The other islands I visited, fortunately, did not feel like it. There’s always some taxfree shopping present, but not to that extent. I tried snorkelling two places, but the waters were either too murky or too choppy. Swimming with sea turtles sounds super!!
Ah such a shame, but can understand why you didn’t like it. It’s sad when places kinda turn into commercial tourist traps… #TheWeeklyPostcard
Yes, but it is a way to make money for the locals… I had other great stops on the cruise, so my on-shore experiences were mostly good ones.
I was on a Caribbean cruise many, many years ago and I remember one of the stops was in Virgin Islands. I can’t remember if it was in Charlotte Amalie, but I know for sure is that I wasn’t impressed at all with the place.#TheWeeklyPostcard
Chances are this was the one, by elimination… I did St Croix too, and it was totally different. Liked it! Did not visit St John, but you have to go by boat from St Thomas to get to St John.
I’ve not visited any of the Caribbean islands, but I’m disappointed to hear that you didn’t enjoy your experience. How did you find the prices compared to traditional US prices on jewelry? That’s a fun souvenir, but I don’t think I would enjoy an entire place dedicated to tax-free shopping either. 🙁
This island was the one I liked the least. Did St Croix (of the US Virgin Islands also), Grenada, St Kitts and Dominica too. Absolute favourite was the latter. Tax-free shopping is present everywhere, in some degree. I am not from the US, so have no idea what the prices are compared, but looking at the Americans on the ship, I think they might be good 🙂 Then again I didn’t look much at the goods, prices too high for my wallet 🙂 Didn’t think the chain I got was particularly cheap, but cheaper than at home, and I needed a new one.
Awe that is not good. I haven’t spent much time in Charlotte Amalie, when I have been I have taken a taxi to one of the beaches. I love Magen’s Bay and Coki Beach. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Didn’t do Coki Beach. Magens Bay didn’t impress…