Cost is always a factor when families are planning a cruise ship vacation to St. Thomas. There are quite a few ships that will set up an all-inclusive package for families; this allows you to avoid the guesswork when budgeting for your cruise. At first glance, the price of an all-inclusive program may seem expensive. In fact, many families have discovered that they can accurately plan their budget because all gratuities are included and there are no hidden costs to consider.
Keep in mind however; you’ll still need to factor your travel to your port of embarkation. The Internet has become an invaluable resource for checking schedules when booking your cruise ship vacation to St. Thomas. If you live in the US or Canada, you can take a flight out to Florida where many of the cruise ships will then take you to the island in style.
There are two main cruise ship docks on the island of St. Thomas. There is the Crown Bay Dock established at its namesake and in Havensight, there is the West Indian Company Dock. Because St. Thomas is such a popular destination for cruises, you’ll find there are ships anchored inside the Charlotte Amalie Harbor or just outside. You’ll often find smaller boats ferrying passengers to Charlotte Amalie from the big ships.
Depending on where you live, it is wise to comparison shop for airline tickets or other means of transportation to your port of embarkation. You might be able to save significantly by getting your airline tickets early or select off-peak travel times. Many families find it more affordable to drive.
The all-inclusive cruise ship packages to St. Thomas offers peace of mind as well as cost savings; food, lessons, activities, drinks and entertainment expenses can vary widely on an ocean cruise. If your particular ship selection prohibits you booking an all-inclusive cruise package, you will need to establish an estimate based on travel expenses, food and drinks, entertainment, gambling, childcare (if applicable), souvenirs, additional tours on the island and don’t forget gratuities.
Check the websites of all the cruise lines with destinations to St. Thomas for more details. Many online cruise ship websites will offer pricing options to help you with your budget. Your family cruise ship vacation to St. Thomas can be stress free and affordable if you plan ahead and budget wisely. Go ahead and look into planning yours today.