Discover St. Thomas: Cruise Port Arrival, Island Tour & Caribbean History @julescruisecompanion

Join me as we arrive in St. Thomas, one of the stunning U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea. From fascinating colonial history and panoramic views of Magens Bay to a taste of the island’s famous banana daiquiri—this travel vlog covers everything you need to know about cruising to St. Thomas cruise port, including immigration tips, island tours, and some quirky pharmacy finds. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more cruise adventures! 🎥 Good morning from the beautiful Caribbean! We've just arrived at the island of St. Thomas, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it's shaping up to be an amazing day. This island, covering just 83 square kilometers, was once a Danish colony and has a long, complex colonial history. It now forms part of an unincorporated territory of the United States, alongside St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island. 🏝️ A Little History First… The original inhabitants of St. Thomas weren’t the Arawaks or Caribs as often believed, but rather an even earlier indigenous group. Then, in 1493, Christopher Columbus spotted the island during his second voyage. Fast forward to 1657, when the Dutch West India Company established a small outpost here, followed by Danish settlers in 1666. The harbor—now called Charlotte Amalie—was once filled with rum shops and renamed after the wife of King Christian V of Denmark. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the island’s economy boomed thanks to sugarcane plantations, but the abolition of slavery brought economic decline. By 1917, Denmark sold St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John to the United States for $25 million in gold—a strategic move during World War I to prevent Germany from gaining control. One local hero, David Hamilton Jackson, was instrumental in this transition. He founded labor unions and improved the lives of everyday citizens. The island still celebrates a national holiday in his honor. 🛳️ Cruise Port Arrival – Immigration Tips Since this is the first U.S. territory we've visited since leaving Barcelona, all non-U.S. citizens must go through full immigration processing. There are separate rooms set up onboard—one for U.S. passport holders and another for international guests. Ours opened at 8:30 AM so we could be ready for our 9:15 island tour. ⚓ Docking at Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port As we approach the Charlotte Amalie cruise pier, I spot several impressive resorts and another ship—Caribbean Princess—already docked beside us. The water is a vibrant turquoise, and the pastel-colored buildings give the town a charming, tropical vibe. 🚌 Island Tour Highlights We hop into a tour van for a panoramic island drive, heading up to some high viewpoints. We pass Magens Bay, a gorgeous public beach that was gifted to the people of the Virgin Islands. From our lookout point, we can even see Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, just to the east. One of the most popular tourist stops is Mountain Top, home of the world-famous banana daiquiri. It’s also a hotspot for souvenirs, with flags, T-shirts, keychains, and even rum cake samples. Definitely a must-visit for first-time cruisers or those returning for a fun shopping stop. 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Lore & Local Legends We see replica pirate ships in the harbor—now used as themed attractions—but they serve as a reminder of the Caribbean’s swashbuckling past. We also pass by Hassel Island, which used to be part of the mainland until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dug a channel and made it an island. 🌿 Local Life & Quirky Stops Our guide points out public housing projects from the early 1970s and the former governor’s residence, now relocated after hurricane damage. We even pass a Caribbean pharmacy—but it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Think pet supplies, tools, and snacks all under one roof. Definitely an experience! 🥤 Island Drink of the Day Back on Mountain Top, I couldn’t resist trying the banana daiquiri, made with local Tortuga rum. It’s refreshing and totally hits the spot with that million-dollar view of Magens Bay below. 🚡 Skyride Adventure Later, we check out the St. Thomas Skyride, which climbs the hillside for even more incredible views. Whether you're cruising, island-hopping, or just soaking up the sun, this island has something for everyone. Thanks for coming along on this St. Thomas cruise adventure! If you enjoyed the mix of Caribbean history, island scenery, and quirky discoveries, hit that like button, drop a comment, and subscribe for more cruise content and travel tips. See you on the next port stop! Like, Share & Subscribe for the latest videos My book HANDY CRUISE COMPANION, Cruise with Confidence is available on Amazon http://bit.ly/HandyCruiseCompanioneBook Check out my website http://www.julescruisecompanion.com.au/ Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/julie.burgess.5011 Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/julescruisecompanion/?hl=en Copyright JCC