You must remember...having a ship in port is not a big deal here...we have between 1 and 13 every DAY! So, some days we need the rest...Monday happens to be one of those days...but Paradise Point doesn't close until after sunset...go up there to watch it and you will probably stay until they make you leave...

go to sapphire beach then go to paridise point!! that will eat up your day

Royal Caribbean berths at Havensight. The shops there will generally be open til 5:30 or so. There are restaurants and bars, for example, Beni Iguana, open later. Yacht Haven Grande is a short walk away. I am not sure how long their shops are open. They also have three bar/restaurants.

Marty: I am calling you on the 13 ships...

Interesting, I was under the impression that ships departed STT by sunset or so, 6ish. Just checked out the RCC site and found a couple that stayed until 8, and one until 10, but not on a Monday - just a cursory check, don't take it to the bank! Ships commonly stay later in Puerto Rico, but I thought STT had some limitations on time. Having visited STT/STJ on both cruises and villa stays, I plan my activities around ships and this is something good to know, came as a surprise to me. If it's only a one time or two time sort of visit, I wonder if STT will be "prepared" to host the crowd, this certainly seems new, perhaps the locals could comment.

Tue and Wed are usually the late nights for the TRAM to take people up to Paradise Point for the sunsets, and those are the nights when there are usually ships in port past 6. During season (now) they have wine tastings on Thur - Wine Downs in the evening. You can drive up there any night for the sunsets.

The shops at Yacht Haven Grande (YHG) are supposed to stay open until 9. However, there's no souvenir store at YHG. At YHG you can play dominoes at the outdoor domino tables in front of Havana Nines probably until they close.

There's a new Reggae Lounge across the street from Havensight, but they might not get started until 10! It might be worth checking, though.

The Greenhouse on the Waterfront is a good place to view the harbor in the early evenings, and I think all drinks are half price all day on Monday. You have to get a table by the window, though.

I too was surprised about this time in St Thomas. Our last trip was a late stay in Puerto Rico but this time its switched.
We are on Explorer of the Seas, arriving in ST on Mon. May 12.
Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like we have to pick between beach day or shopping before stores close.

EE-

Check the old records back in February of '99...we had 11 scheduled for one day and 2 more got re-routed to STT from somewhere else for some reason...why would I lie?

It may have been a one time deal, certainly not the norm, Marty...Correct?

And for some reason, the ships are staying in later this season. Also, they are all bunched up on a couple of days a week, with other days with one or no ships.

Yeah, I don't think that's the norm...I'd say 11 is the usual high throughout season...

I like them staying later...it makes traffic better around Havensite...and they spend more money in our territory! yay!

Marty: Last week there were 7 ships in. I would say that is the high this season. Of course, today's ships are larger than before, but still, The last time there were 11 ships in is an ancient memory.

Shops downtown close around 5pm. Same for Havensight, however when there are ships in port late some of the shops in Havensight stay open until around 6:30pm.

Agree with others that you can hang out at one of the restaurants/bars in the Havensight and/or Yacht Haven Grande area in the evening.

Paradise Point has a monthly schedule on their website you can pull up. Their schedule does somewhat reflect the cruise ship schedule, for example they close on days when no ships are in port. As for extending their hours for cruise ships that stay in port late, not sure they do that. Just looked for January & February and on Mondays closing was noted as 5pm. Take a look at http://www.stthomasskyride.com/schedule.html, bottom of page for Monthly Calendar of Events. You could drop them an email and ask to double check.

--Islander

FWIT, I think I read somewhere that the ships have shortened the mileage for some of their itineraries to save fuel - fewer are going as far south as Aruba. for instance, so that may be why they're able to stay later here.

But, I think that the majority of them go back to the ship at around 6, so I don't think they spend as much, because they're probably spending less time on the island. The crew is probably able to spend more, because they're tired of the food on the ships!

Can't imagine 11 ships in port...and I thought it was bad with 7. STT is just to small around Havensite and CA to hold those many people and the traffic...OMG!!!!!

One question...we tried to get up to Paradise Point with our jeep and we couldn't find out how to get up there. Can somebody give me exact directions on where to turn? We're not going to miss it this time, but last time, we couldn't even turn around to try to find the road. We just went back to Lattitude 18 and ate dinner.

Connie,
I've driven up there twice but the last time was almost a year ago. If I remember correctly the road looks almost like a drive way and is just to the CA downtown side of the tram.

The Road entrance is JUST past the Budget Rent-a-car building, directly across from the Main entrance into Havensight!
There is a sign, but not facing the main drag.
Connie, if you ever need to find something, CALL me!!!!! 🙂

Connie,

See photo below; find Paradise Point on the top of the mountain ridge, follow the road down to the black dot, that is where you turn. The small white building where the black dot is placed is the Budget office. The long white building to the right has some shops and in the corner closest to the road going up to Paradise Point is the restaurant Shipwreck Tavern.

--Islander

Thanks Islander, so I just have to really look for the Budget sign? Right across from the entrance to Havensite?

A few places not mentioned where one can hang near the docks are Hooters, Shipwreck Tavern, and Paradise Gate.
The stores are open a little later at Yacht Haven Grade, most until 6, some until 7.

The most cruise ships I have seen in port ever was 15 in one day.
Most recently, like 10 or so years ago ,13.
Now a big day is 8. But as mentioned, the ships are larger. Probably more people on those 8 than were on the 15 years ago!!

RL;)

Yes Connie, just look for the Budget office. The road up is long and windy... just keep going up :).

PS: The parking lot at the top is very small. If you are going up for an evening happy hour expect cars parked on the side of the road close to Paradise Point, making the road basically a one way and turning around tough. Get there early for a parking spot, or park below and take the tram up.

--Islander