Cruise ship visits

[khud]

My family and I (7 in all) will be venturing to STJ in less than 2 weeks. During my research for our trip I discovered that for 2 of the 4 full days that we will be on island, there will be 9 cruise ships in STT. I didn't think that many cruise ships would fit in STT harbor. Where in the world do they put 9 cruise ships?! I guess we won't be heading for Trunk Bay on those days. What other beaches do they invade when they're there? Has any one seen cruise ship tour boats in Leinster Bay and around Waterlemon Cay? We are staying in Coral Bay, so we have the option of Salt Pond and Lameshur, but I wanted to go to the North Shore beaches too. Also, I haven't seen any updates about the damage done to Coral Bay by the passing of pre-Otto. How are the repairs/cleanup going? We are all getting really pumped here and are SOOO in need of this getaway.

[Pia]

Most cruise ship passengers head to Trunk and Hawksnest (the taxi drivers take them to Hawksnest if they don't know where to go as it is the closest beach and they can get back to Cruz Bay faster to get another fare) The other beach after the above two is Cinnamon.

Pia

[CariBert]

One other beach is Honeymoon. Last time we were there we got inundated with several dhingies full of cruise shippers. Good thing is, they don't stay very long (couple of hours). Bad thing is, they take over the beach....doesn't matter if the beach is empty to the left, empty to the right, they plop down right beside you, light up their smokes, and....well, nuff said....

There are plenty of other beached for you to enjoy. Have fun!!

-Bert

[BuffaloGal]

I whole-heartedly agree about Honeymoon. There were three different catamarans that stopped last time we were there, and they do take over the beach and the snorkel areas. Plus, they're loud. There were other groups that came by foot from Caneel. I thought that this was the beach where cruisers were most annoying.

[suzi]

Oh yes, steer clear of Honeymoon when the cruise ships are in! We hiked in from Caneel. just last week, thinking we would have the beach to ourselves. NOT!!! 3 boats in with cruise passengers from STT. Good thing is that they do not stay all day. Just and hour or 2.

[Anthony]

On days like that there are ships at Havensight, Crown Bay, and usually anchored outside the harbor... it is pretty crazy!

[khud]

We experienced the cruise ship folks at Honeymoon a few years ago and it didn't seem fair after that hike down there. At least they didn't show up until after I had taken some great pictures. They were snorkelers and it was kinda funny to watch them all swim around in the same area. Not so funny to watch them standing on coral. I suppose I could try to rouse my 5 young adult/teenage kids early and hit the more popular spots before the 'cruisers' get there. Wish me luck!

[2muchsnow]

Was surprised to see a couple of safari trucks dropping off snorkellers at waterlemon (as we were leaving, luckily) on our trip last year. Trunk/NS beaches were closed due to High Surf. Didn't think they ran cruisers down that far?

[augie]

Your instincts are spot on - since you'll be in Coral Bay, those will be good days to check out Lameshur, Salt Pond Bay, Haulover, Vie's, etc.

[Diana2]

Miss Vie's is a good suggestion. Frances might also be a good beach when the cruisers have invaded.