Cruise ship impact questions - STT & STJ

[corkyqh]

We are heading to STT for a week stay starting 7/15 and plan on also heading over to STJ for 2 days to explore and snorkel.

I have found current cruise ship schedules and have seen the busiest day as having three ships during our stay. How long do they usually stay in port and how long are the passengers on the islands? I have looked through the forums for this type of specific information and didn't find what I was looking for.

I know it will affect how busy the car barges can be, the beaches that we want to snorkel at, etc. But, we also want to be able to plan shopping in CA and Havensight when the shops have the best chance to be open. How busy is it when 1 or 2 ships are in port for shopping, etc.?

We are getting very excited about our trip!! It will be myself, husband and my 17 yo daughter. I was in STT many years ago with my parents when I was 14, so I have always wanted the chance to return!

Reading everyone's trip reports have been soooo helpful in planning and knowing what to expect!! Of course, the pictures make us extra anxious!!

Any info and suggestions are appreciated!

[hugo]

Cruise ships should have no effect on the car barges;very few passengers actually rent cars for the short time they're in port-- it may be extra crowded on the people ferry, but many of the cruisers buy package tours that have separate ferries. Trunk Bay is really the only St. John beach with very heavy cruise use--the National Park considers it thier "sacrifice zone", so you should plan any visits there accordingly. Even with the new larger ships, a two-ship day shouldn't be too crowded in Charlotte Amalie---4 or 5 ship days are what you want to stay away from!

[jimg20]

We have found that fewer ships make the CA retailers more interested in making a deal by reducing their prices. We have also found that by telling them that you will be on the island all week and that maybe you'll come back later will make the price come down. They do not want you to get out of the store and compare prices unless you buy from them first.

There are places on STT that will be more crowded with cruisers. Besides Havensight and Main Street, I would suppose that Magens Bay and Cokie Point would be two to look for crowds.

Have a great trip and please post some photos when you get back.

JIM