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Ports of Call
.
St. Thomas:
Pier
Phones
Making calls to friends and family from the ship is very
expensive but St. Thomas is a good place to make calls home by direct
dialing to the mainland, using US long-distance cards or major credit
cards. The service is excellent and the prices are more reasonable than on
other islands. For information on using your cell phone in St. Thomas
area, dial 6611. AT&T built a new state-of-the-art communication
center across the street from Havensight, next to the Paradise Point
Tramway. It offers 15 desk booths for calls, fax and copy services,
videophone and TDD (hearing impaired) equipment. Look for the white
building with the blue logo.
Self-
Guided Tours
Coral
World Underwater Observatory and Marine Park , just 15 minutes
from Charlotte Amalie, is a five-acre park next to Coki Beach (an
excellent place to snorkel or scuba dive). One of the highlights of
the park is the Caribbean Reef Encounter, an 80,000-gallon
donut-shaped tank that allows 365 degree viewing from inside the circular
room.
Beaches
on St. Thomas:
Magens
Bay, has been called one of the
most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic magazine.
The heart shaped mile-long beach
is perfect for sailing, swimming and sunbathing. There’s plenty of room
for large families,as well at picnic tables for lunches. Facilities include
lockers ($3/), bathrooms, a snack bar, boutiques and a beachside bar.
A taxi ride takes approximately 20 minutes from downtown and will cost about
$16.00 per couple. Entry to the beach park is 50 cents per adult, 25
cents for children and $1 for vehicles.
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina is the place to come for water
sports, diving and sailing excursions. If you’re a sports
enthusiast, jump in a cab for the 15-minute ride ($15 per couple) to the
beach of your dreams. Located at the east end of the island the beach
has views of St. John and the British Virgin Islands. The resort
offers restroom facilities, a volleyball court and a restaurant serving
lunch, beachside. Visitors are limited in their use of the hotel and
the pool is reserved for hotel guests only.
Coki beach, at the northeast end of the island, has some of the best
reef snorkeling on St. Thomas. Coki Beach Dive Club offers dives for
beginners with no experience, but who want to enjoy the pleasures of the
open water. There are no changing areas (no showers) and a concession
stand for snacks and refreshments. Coki Beach is only a 15minute taxi
ride ($15 per couple) from downtown.
Secret Harbour Beach Resort and Villas is the island’s newest water
resort. It’s near Red Hook; a 15minute ride from the dock($15 per couple).
Situated on a calm lagoon, the resort offers beach activities, four tennis
courts, a freshwater pool with Jacuzzi, a café for breakfast, lunch and
dinner at seaside, a beach bar, a gift shop and Aqua Action PADI Dive
Center.
If you choose to leave
St. Thomas you can take a Day-Trip to St. John
The island of St. John is worth exploring for its beaches,
private coves and US national park. St. John is a short
ferry ride from St. Thomas, this unspoiled wonderland has
excellent snorkeling reefs and white sandy beaches. Cruz Bay,
the ferry-docking town, has a seaside shopping area specializing in island
crafts and unique Caribbean items. Mongoose Junction and Wharfside
Village are two areas offering unusual shops.
On St. John, stop at the Visitor’s Center, open from 8am -4:30pm, for
information about Virgin Islands National
Park(www.virgin.islands.national-park.com). The Park encompasses more
than two-thirds of the island and provides a variety of walks and tours
for everyone. Inquire about the daily tour, which we’ve listed below.
If you prefer to spend the whole day at one of St. John's beaches and
snorkeling reefs, consider the following suggestions.
The Friends of the US Virgin Islands National Park offers seminars
and snorkeling tours on a regular schedule. Visit their website at www.friendsvinp.org
and contact them directly (by e-mail only) to schedule an event during
your visit.
Trunk Bay (entrance fee, $4 per person) is the island’s most
popular beach with good reason. Green-blue waters surround the wide
sandy shore, with an underwater snorkeling trail designed by the National
Park Service. There’s food, bathrooms and showers. You can
rent equipment on the beach for $15 per set. A 15-minute taxi ride
out here will cost approximately $8 for two people or 3.50 each for three
or more people traveling together in a group.
At 9:30 am every Monday a park ranger leads a 1 ½-hour tour of the
snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay. This is a vigorous swim, and is not
recommended for beginners or people with medical problems. Bring
your own snorkeling gear, a towel and a T-Shirt. The tour is free although
you will still pay the entrance fee pf $4.
Snorkeling tours via motorboat leave from the Cruz Bay Visitor's Center at
9:30 am, Tuesday through Saturday, aboard m/v Sadie Sea. Be
sure to bring your own snorkel gear, towel, food and drinks. The
Wednesday tour ($50 per person) is a six-hour jaunt that circumnavigates
St.John, with three snorkeling stops. Shorter tours on Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday last 2 ½ hours and cost $35 per person. Call
(340)776-6922 to make reservations, and be sure to catch the 9am ferry
from Charlotte Amalie to St. John ($14 roundtrip).
Island
Activities On Land
Golfers
of any skill level will fall in love with the Mahogany Run Golf and
Tennis Resort on St. Thomas. Situated the northern coastline, this
beautiful course rises and drops like a rollercoaster. The ultimate
challenge holes -#13, #14 and #15 – are called the Devils Triangle and if
you manage to play them without a penalty stroke you’ll be rewarded a
Devils Triangle certificate. Rates vary through the seasons, but are
about $100 for 18 holes (including cart rental); Ask for the nine-hole
price. Clubs can be rented for $30 (18 holes) or $15 (nine holes).
Call to reserve your tee time, (800) 253-7103, (340) 777-6006, or fax your
requests to (340) 777-6280. Take a look before you leave home at
www.Mahoganyrungolf.com, and be sure to ask about special packages for
cruise ship passengers at a price that includes transportation.
Tennis
Mahogany
Run Golf and Tennis Resort (800) 253-7103 has two courts that cost $10 an
hour. Play a round of gold and a set of tennis a one of the most naturally
beautiful setting on the island. In addition, Sapphire Beach Resort has
four courts available through the guest Service Desk for $10 per hour.
Call ahead to arrange times and court space. (340) 775-6100
Marriott Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas has two courts at $10
per hour. (340) 776-8500, ext. 6818, for reservations. Renaissance
Grand Beach Resort has six courts at $8 per hour. (340) 775-1510, ext.
7800.
On St. John, Caneel Bay Plantation (340) 776-6111,ext.234,
has 11 courts and charges $10 per person per day for use of all out door
facilities. The Westin Hotel, (340) 693-8000, has six courts
and charges $15 per hour.
Prices, phone numbers and web sites are subject to change. Information
gathered from Laura and Diana Rapp's book, Cruising the Caribbean.
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