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I'm not sure how to articulate this question.
We went on a Mx cruise once and would get to port in the morning, get off and have several hours to wander and then have to be back to the ship around 4pm (it seems).
In general, do the people clear out around supper time; or are the restaurants packed at night also?
During our stay, there will be up to 6 ships in Port on some days; the least amount is 3 - what can we expect ?
ie: I want to go to Paradise Point on Wed for Happy Hour; that day, there will be 5 ships in town; is this a place that "cruisers" would go, and if so, do you think they would they be gone by 6pm?
Ellen: For the most part the cruise ships are off the dock by 5 or 6 pm, so you don't have to worry about them! 😉 There is one that stays later on Tuesday, but that won't cause problems. As for dinner, places can be busy in season- call ahead if you have any concerns. Most of the popular restaurants require reservations.
Hello Ellen,
You articulated the question just fine - you want to know how to miss the crowds created by the cruise ships!
In general the cruise ship passengers have to be back on the ship between 4-5:30pm in most cases. There are a few exceptions.
Late afternoon and evenings the "crowd" will be locals and on-island visitors at restaurants, bars... No in general bars/resturants are not packed during the night like they are during the day when 6 ships are in for example. Some bars get quite busy and in those cases you can expect at 10pm-midnight that there would be a good size group there. Some restuarants get busy as well so its a good idea to make reservations.
If you want to go into town or to attractions that are big cruise ship tour spots (Coki Beach, Magens Bay, Coral World, Mountain Top, Paradise Point Tramway...) then do those on the days with the fewest ships.
Wednesday Happy Hour at Paradise Point at 6pm sounds like fun and yes ship passengers should be back on the ship for the most part. From the Lookout you will have a nice view of the ships pulling out of the harbor (if you are there when they are).
Have a great time, let us know how your trip goes when you get back! If you have any other questions feel free to ask!!
--Islander
<As for dinner, places can be busy in season- call ahead if you have any concerns. Most of the popular restaurants require reservations.
EE, thank you for your response (you too Islander - you two are the BEST). Hey you guys, where I live, you have to make rest res, a month in advance; is that the case in STT?
I was hoping I could call the day before and finalize the plans; please advise if I need to call now for March ressies!
As always, thanks so much for all your help; this board has been a treasure!!
Hello,
I was in STT from Dec 12-20 and I was able to visit Coki Beach, Magens Bay, Coral World, Paradise Point Tramway, Trunk Bay twice and Tortola with no problems. Lots of cruise ships were always present in STT but it seems I remember the least busiest days being Mon/Tues(?). I made my dinner reservations almost every day as late as 6 PM just before dinner and was only denied once (Bluebeards). I was always able to get a cab and crowds were not that big of a factor when shopping. You will hit a little bit of traffic bottleneck from 3-5 PM near the ships but you'll have little problems that will affect your stay in STT.
regards,
Jeff
Jeff, thank you very much for your response. Having never been to the VI, I guess I am overplanning - I just want things to go ok, as my hubby is not that well, and I want him to have a really good time, thank you for your response, and everyone else too!
Luck to you,
Ellen
Ellen: No, not a month in advance! But if there is a specific place you want to eat, you might call when you get here and make sure you can get in during your stay. Other places usually earlier that day is fine. There are places that are closed on certain days, too, so make sure that, for example, you are not trying to go to Cuzzin's or Randy's on Sunday!
