St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Carnival's MV Tropicale, our ship for our cruise to the eastern and southern Caribbean
Our very first cruise lasted a good 10 days. Although less than the regular two week vacation many people in the US take, our 1996-1997 Christmas vacation felt long due to the number of places we visited.
Taken on board the ship upon our arrival in St. Thomas
St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, was our very first stop. I remember vividly. Marc and I were the very first to get off the ship. We were just so excited to see the island. The ship docked right in the city center and we actually walked to it from the ship.
Our ship, the MV Tropicale docked at the city center of St. Thomas. Unlike many ships of today, our ship then could dock at this downtown location due to its relatively small size. It was very close to the Havensight Mall in Charlotte Amalie.
Standing at the foot of the 99 steps in downtown Charlotte Amalie
The Frederick Lutheran Church
At the 19th century US Virgin Islands Legislature building, now the headquarters of the USVI Senate in the center of Charlotte Amalie
Blackbeard's Castle, then not developed at the time of our visit. Today, this is an impressive section of the city from where to get a bird's eye view of Charlotte Amalie.
Oops, we got to downtown way too early. All the duty free shops were still closed.