A WALK ALONG THE WATERFRONT LEADS TO CHARLOTTE AMALIE!

Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Sky Princess
Stateroom S222/17
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Sun, 83F

 

TK captured a sunrise at St. Thomas

I will admit one of my favorite ports is St. Thomas, because of the shopping.  We have toured the island, walked it extensively, but a few years ago I told TK that all I ever want to do in St. Thomas is shop. TK told me that it was only 1.6 miles from the cruise ship at Havensight to downtown Charlotte Amalie, so we started early this morning for a walk.  Five thousand steps later (5,000), we reached the town. What happened? I think the Internet site TK checked was wrong, or Charlotte Amalie moved a little further away. One or the other. 

The walk along the waterfront is beautiful, a sunny day, palm trees, dragon flies, yachts and other boats in the harbor, more cruise ships arriving. Thankfully we both are able to do such a walk.  Even though St. Thomas is part of the United States, people drive American style cars with the driver sitting on the left, but they also drive on the left hand side of the road, like the British.  This makes for interesting driving. 

 

Public art in a shopping area!

NCL Encore (left), Sky Princess (right)

Photo Opps!

We are about half way to Charlotte Amalie

For the last many years my first stop has always been Alpha Jewelers (https://alpha-jewelers.com/). They clean and check the prongs on my rings and sometimes I decide to add something.  TK likes to sit in the king’s chair. I introduced Cruise Friend Donna to the shop and now she buys her jewelry here too.  It is always a good experience.

 

TK in the king's chair!

Alpha Jewelers!

Today another couple was near me as I was looking at earrings. We left the store at the same time and struck up a conversation, they were experienced cruisers, had shopped at Sonny’s for about 15 years. We were talking about our upcoming cruise to Great Britain, and they were giving us some pointers. Sonny, the owner of Alpha Jewelers, came out of the store and said, “Why don’t I treat all of you to lunch?” He had one of his clerks take all four of us to nearby Gladys’ Café (https://gladyscafe.com/) and we had a lovely lunch!

 

Our new friends, Pam and Glenn M from South New Jersey, shared some of their cruise stories (e.g. Iceland, Greenland, Australia, Tahiti, Great Britain) and we made some suggestions on cruising in the Mediterranean. They were both educators in a public school system in NJ.  This week they are sailing on the maiden voyage of the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/icon-of-the-seas/). 

 

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

The Icon of the Seas, brand new, is the largest cruise ship on the seas today. It is 1,197 ft. long, has a beam of 159 ft., 20 decks, 6 water slides, an ice skating rink (and so much more), maximum passengers-7,600, and crew 2,350. That is two and a half times more people than Union City, PA, where I grew up!

After parting ways with our new friends, we continued our walk around the town, but by 2 p.m. I was ready to return to the ship where TK rested before dinner and I read a new book on the balcony, a nice breeze keeping me cool.

 

There are three of these passageways in

Charlotte Amalie

The town was the first permanant European

settlement in St. Thomas in 1672.

The passageways were probably built

in the early 1800s.

Cafe Amici in one of the passageways

Another great day!

 

TK’s Takes:  He enjoyed the walk into Charlotte Amalie and spotted a fish in the water.