Here's my 2 cents worth (you may want change back). You're in port for 10 hours. There's plenty of shopping choices right as you get off the ship at Havensight Mall. The cruise you're on offers a 4 hour excursion to Trunk Bay in St. John. While there are other beaches I prefer on St. John to Trunk Bay, I can't think of a single beach on St. Thomas that would compare to Trunk Bay on St. John for a first time visitor.

In fact, I suspect once you get a glimpse of St. John you'll want to return for an extended vacation in the future.

If in fact you do want change back from my advice, Islander will take care of you. 🙂

Richard N. Kurpiers

Not for nothin' Bluwater but YIKES!

"I'm sure this visitor would appreciate an uncrowded beach as much as you do, but that isn't realistic here, is it?"

"Otherwise, your post isn't relevant to the topic and I don't think it was nice to insult this poster. Enjoy your solitude."

Atthebeach was just reading a thread and giving an opinion. Even if it doesn't pertain specifically to the original post.

No need to attack.

Hi Blu.

No, cruise ship passengers are not permitted to take a cooler of food and drink off the ship with them. The image of thousands of folks dragging coolers as they disembark floating resorts for the day is an amusing one, but then nobody wants to be caught on island without their cooler of mainland meat - did I say that? 😀

I am defending Blu's response to At The Beach's remarks about not going to a beach with more than 8-10 people. That post struck me the wrong way as well. Not so much due to the personal preference to uncrowded beaches without a given recommendation but more of the implied insult to Mr. Finkel's choice to be on a cruise ship with "hundreds and even thousands of people" - - so much so that Mr. Finkel wouldn't mind a crowded beach. And then "enjoy yourself" curtly ended the post.

I think cruisers get a bad wrap generally, at least on this board. If it weren't for a cruise ship stop, I would most likely never have been introduced to the beauty and splendor that is the VI's. I have heard numerous posters say as much as well. Now, I most likely will not cruise again since I have grown to love the VIs so much that a 10 hour stop won't suffice for my "fix". But none-the-less, the millions of cruise ship passengers, as well as the cruise lines themselves, are a critical source of revenue for the tourist industry and islands themselves. I know there are certainly a fair share of rude and annoying cruise ship passengers, but there is also a fair share of rude and annoying week-long vacationers as well as rude and annoying people in the world, period! For those that can't afford a $3k/week villa and the expense of restaurant prices, the cruises are the most cost effective (unless you are a heavy drinker 🙂 way to see these beautiful places. And then (hopefully) decide if they want to return (and where) on a future vacation to spend more time and money. Perhaps move there.

Curious to know opinions of those that agree/disagree. This was just an observation after (addictively) participating in this board for the past two years.

I agree with Richard K... as for me... I'd take 4 hrs at Trunk Bay over the crowds or whatever on STT any day of the week... To be that close and not go to STJ would be unbearable for me. (But then after my July week on STJ, I may be just a tad biased... ya think??? hahaha)

I agree that STJ has the best beaches, and it is worth it to take a few hours out of your day to get to it. My husband and I spent a week on STJ in December after we were married on the beach at Trunk Bay. We will be returning this fall, but on a cruise ship this time and we only have 12 hours. There is no question we will be getting to STJ as fast as possible from the STT port. We plan on spending as much time as possible on the island, hopefully making as many stops at the national park beaches as possible. I agree with the other posters that once you have seen the beaches on STJ, it is hard to be so close and not go back.

Walked over to Little Magens from Magens Bay and there were only 2 people on it. The water was never higher than my waist and I am 5'5. It took about 10-15 minutes to get there but it was nice.

I know I shouldn't get into this but it's Friday at 4.45pm and I need to wash my mug and water my plants before I head home and someone's at the sink and I'm gettin' testy.

LLBL: At thebeach said nothing about rude cruise ship passengers or the effects cruise ships have on the economy of the islands.

The message opened with "It depends on what you enjoy at the beach", states an opinion of what he/she prefers then an assumption about what the original poster prefers based on the first post then ends with "Enjoy yourself."

I commented on Bluwater's post because I thought it was waaaay off base and didn't want Atthebeach to think that is normal on this board. Especially the irrelevant-to-the-thread-thing. Since when do we have to stick to the exact subject of the opening post? That struck ME the wrong way.

I don't know...maybe we are all just tied up in the dog days of summer?!! Just seems to be some uncalled for grumpiness lately.

Thanks LLBL, your point is just why I replied to At the Beach in the way I did.

Assuming that someone wants to be on a crowded beach just because they cruise is insulting - as though cruise ship passengers are just ignorant. There are many things that I read about people doing on this forum that I've done and didn't enjoy/wouldn't do again. However, aside from my initial trip report where I state that I didn't enjoy it, I don't keep harping on it every time someone else posts about enjoying it - and I sure wouldn't make snide remarks that would make someone feel like they're doing something wrong by choosing to do what I don't like.

There's something to be said for people who need to insult the choices of others in order to validate their own choices.

And, yes, the ship passengers take abuse here. Ship passengers can go plenty of other places. STT does not have a monopoly as a port.

As far as which island has the best beaches, I wouldn't make the broad assumption that STJ has the better beaches unless you've been to every beach on both islands. Very few people on this forum can make that claim, if any. In addition, what makes a beach "the best" is very subjective.

Example : Salt Pond Bay - people rave about this beach. I don't like it. It feels too hot, no shade, sand not soft, water feels thick and salty - not clear, beach is narrow, prickly things everywhere, including in the sand (catch n keep) - kind of like deciding to spend the day in a cactus desert. But, people LOVE it. I could go on with tons more examples like that. I realize that people like things that I don't....and I like things that others don't. And I like it like that. I don't feel like I am just following the guide book. But, if you do follow the guide book, that's ok too! Who cares?

Smile everyone! Have a painkiller - it's Friday!

But should I use Pussers or Cruzan?
Now there is an arguement... LOL - forget about the beach stuff.
They all got sand and blue water.
Some just more than others, but Rum.. fights can break out over that...

Have a great weekend everybody - this has been a good trail. I think a lot of good info got passed through everybodies comments and little emotions after a long week - no worries.

And Cruise Ship folks are always welcomed in my book!

In fact I would love to give everybody my daughter's number - she is Cruise Specialist - which translates - commission is a way of life... No advertising on the board - I remember...

Gee I wonder how Sharon and the floating cooler on doing at Maho! Now there is a beach!

TomB's favorite beach Maho

bluwater,

calm down, hell you're on vacation. are you just not having fun yet or regretting the end of this trip is near?

relax and enjoy.

papabou

ps did you get a pm from island about the year old post i responded to recently? i was surely puzzled until he explained.

papa,

Blu's not on vacation yet but I'm sure she'll have a good time when she arrives next week!

that explains all, she's a quart low on island time. knew she was going in aug and misread opening line of a reply on this thread "At the beach...". oh well, i'm running on island empty.

papa

(sigh)

Not there yet Papa....and I know I've been pretty calm so I am not sure why anyone would think I need to calm down.

Maybe I need a break from the forum. I'm starting to feel like a marked woman.

Signing off until I post my trip report in September.

Adios all and best of luck to everyone planning to head down in the next 30 days with TSA delays and all - remember, patience is a virtue! Enjoy!

Hi Blu...

Totally agree on your thoughts about Salt Pond Bay...last time we were there...my husband ended up covered in mystery bites that swelled and itched like nothing we ever encountered in the USVI and I am a mosquito and noseeum magnet so we've seen it all. Water was full of gobs of jelly fish ...this is not our fave beach either.

I think for a day trip to STT...Magens is great end to it. Shopping...brunch/lunch at Gladys...then onto Magens! Beautiful.

Diane

I just came across this thread and it sounds like to me that everyone has their opinions but only mine count, lol! Go to Francis Bay! Seriously, people shouldn't get so defensive. Life is way too short! TomB, you are such a hoot! I am sorry to disappoint you that the cooler thingie didn't work out. I hope the shark incident made up for it.

Sharon

Sharon,

Ssshhhh! We need to keep Francis Bay a secret.

Let all the folks go to Trunk, Cinnamon & Maho.

Seriously, I first set foot on Francis this past April & am counting the days til my husband & I can return (next April).
Loved your report of your incredible day there. We saw a spotted eagle ray at Waterlemon & it was incredible. Can't believe all that you saw that day at Francis.

But, even putting the "underwater" wonders aside - the beach & view was lovely. But - again - hoping that the "crowds" stay at the other beaches!

Sounds like you are becoming "hooked" like the rest of us!

Oh, shoot! You are so right, Sue! Everyone just forget what I said! I don't want it to be the next Trunk!

Sharon

There ya go - nice move. I'm sure that that little retraction will work well! LOL