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Published: March 17th 2023
“Scenic Saint Thomas” Shore Excursion -- Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Still Photos from a Moving Vehicle Is Not a Good Mix – Thanks Again, Bill GatesOur port of call on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 was a popular winter get-away for mainland Americans -- Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles to the east of Puerto Rico and to the west of the British Virgin Islands. When most people refer to the U.S. Virgin Islands, they are referring to the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas; however, the U.S. Virgin Islands also includes 50 other surrounding minor islands and cays with a total land area of 133.73 square miles. The territory's capital is Charlotte Amalie, and the residents are referred to American Virgin Islanders. The islands were named Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493 after the legend of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins, but the name was soon shortened to the Virgin Islands. The Spanish settled the islands in 1555, with English and French settlers arriving in 1625. A complex period followed during which ownership of the islands was disputed between
Spain, France, Britain and the Netherlands.
The Danish West India Company settled Saint Thomas in 1672 and Saint John in 1694 and then purchased Saint Croix from France in 1733. In 1754 the islands became royal Danish colonies and were named the Danish West Indian Islands. The islands proved ideal for sugar plantations; and sugarcane, produced by enslaved Africans, drove the islands' economy during the 18
th and early 19
th centuries. In 1733, Saint John was the site of one of the first significant slave rebellions in the New World. The Danish were able to defeat the enslaved Africans with help from the French in Martinique; however, instead of allowing themselves to be recaptured, more than a dozen of the rebellion leaders shot themselves before the French forces could capture them. It is estimated that by 1775, slaves outnumbered the Danish settlers by a ratio of 8:1. After another slave rebellion occurred on Saint Croix, slavery was abolished on July 3, 1848 – now celebrated as Emancipation Day. With the plantations no longer profitable, Danish settlers began to abandon their estates, causing a significant drop in population and the overall economy. For the remainder of the period of Danish rule,
the islands were not economically viable and significant monetary transfers had to be made from the Danish state budget to the authorities in the islands.
At the onset of World War I, the United States, fearing that the islands might be seized by Germany as a submarine base, approached Denmark about buying the islands, then known as the Danish West Indies. The economics of continued possession weighed heavily on the minds of Danish decision-makers, and a consensus in favor of selling emerged in the Danish parliament. After a few months of negotiations, they were sold to the United States for $25,000,000 in the 1917 Treaty of the Danish West Indies and have since been an organized, unincorporated United States territory. As with other territories in the United States, the Virgin Islands elects a delegate who can participate in debates in the House of Representatives but cannot vote.
Saint Thomas is one of the two islands in our final four ports of call where I had no shore excursion planned until the last few weeks before our arrival at Charlotte Amalie. I decided to take the same excursion as my friend, Tony, as his choices have been spot-on in
the past, and “Scenic Saint Thomas” seemed to fulfill my tourism needs as well. From the Holland America web site: “Board a custom vehicle and for a panoramic drive west past the airport and College of the Virgin Islands as your guide shares local knowledge of the island's history, landmarks and legends. Stop along the way at points of interest and enjoy ample time for photo opportunities. Travel up to spectacular Mountain Top -- the highest point on the island -- for a photo stop; then, continue to the north side of the island. From Drake's Seat, overlooking famous Magens Bay, take in the spectacular down-island views. Enjoy the scenery along Skyline Drive with views of the Caribbean and pass through the historic downtown en route back to the ship.”
The “Scenic Saint Thomas” shore excursion was a nice way to get to see a little bit of the island on a short cruise ship stop, but at the end of the tour I would have been hard-pressed to have said that I had
experienced the island. I suppose I’d have to say that for ANY stop, anywhere for only a few hours. Sorta like driving across the
“Scenic Saint Thomas” Shore Excursion at Mountain Top -- Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
The Lady Paid for Her Picture, I Learned Later that I Was Supposed To – Ignorance Is Bliss, but Why Would I Pay for a Picture of a Stranger? Oh, Pay for the Donkey’s Picture! Oklahoma panhandle and saying you’ve seen Oklahoma. Well, not really. As shore excursions in Saint Thomas go, I’d closely check out options other than “Scenic Saint Thomas.” Oh, yes – the answer to the opening question is the beaches, and I never went there and did that!
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