We sailed out of San Juan aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, and our very first stop was the beautiful island of St. Thomas. Located in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, St. Thomas is known for its hilly terrain,
turquoise waters, and its location between the Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands such as St. John and Tortola.
St. Thomas carries a layered history shaped by Indigenous peoples, European colonization, and the transatlantic trade before becoming a U.S. territory in 1917. That history is still visible today in the island’s architecture, culture, and the warmth of its people. Stepping off the ship, we were greeted by a cheerful “St. Thomas” tourist sign and the genuine hospitality of Virgin Islanders 🇻🇮—an immediate signal that this stop would be more relaxed than rushed.
With no passport stamp obtained since it is a US territory, we headed straight for what we wanted most: the beach.
Rather than choosing a crowded, tourist-heavy option, we opted for Emerald Beach, just five minutes from the port.
A group taxi van cost only $6 per person each way, making it an easy and affordable choice. The payoff was well worth it—soft white sand, calm and gentle waters, and a peaceful atmosphere that felt more local than commercial.
Lunch was simple and memorable: fried snapper with rice and peas. At $35 per person, it was on the pricier side, but the flavor and freshness made it worth it, and we had no complaints.
Between swimming, relaxing in the sun, and soaking in the easygoing vibe, Emerald Beach delivered exactly what we were hoping for.
On the way back toward the port and the USVI sign, we noticed the island’s natural charm up close—iguanas sunning along the shore, green lizards darting through the sand, and even chickens casually roaming the beach. These small, unscripted moments added to St. Thomas’s authenticity.
Out of the six islands we visited on this cruise, St. Thomas earned a solid #3 ranking. It wasn’t the flashiest stop, but it was relaxing, genuine, and quietly memorable—an ideal way to begin our Caribbean journey.