Time flies when you’re having fun, right? Sure does! It’s hard to believe that today’s stop in St. Thomas is the last for this 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess. So far, the cruise and everything about Princess have exceeded my expectations, which I’ll talk about a little later, but first, let’s discuss St. Thomas.
Once again, the name Christopher Columbus comes up! Why? Because he discovered this island back in 1493, and since then, it has played host to everyone from Dutch settlers to notorious pirates like Blackbeard and Bluebeard. Located just east of Puerto Rico, this island is only 13 miles long and 4 miles wide, but it’s a popular destination for cruisers spending the day and vacationers spending weeks or months at a time.
St. Thomas Cruise Port
Enchanted Princess docked at Havensight, one of two cruise terminals on the island and the one used by the majority of cruise lines. Havensight offers easy access to downtown Charlotte Amalie and the Havensight Mall, which is just steps outside the ship. The other terminal, Crown Bay, is a bit farther from the action and has fewer amenities. If you happen to dock at Crown Bay, you’ll need to take a taxi to town as it’s a bit of a far walk.
From our spot at the pier, the views of the harbor are stunning—there are always dozens of boats in the harbor, ranging from small dinghies to luxurious yachts of the rich and famous, all set against a backdrop of the island’s beautiful mountains.
Things to do in St. Thomas
If you’re looking to stretch your legs, there’s plenty to do within walking distance of Havensight. The Skyride to Paradise Point is a popular choice. This cable car system takes you 700 feet above the harbor for incredible panoramic views. Once up top, you can grab a few drinks or a bite to eat at the bar/restaurant and soak up those views.
If you’d rather keep your feet on sea level, you can easily walk to one of the many shopping centers that are all on the main street or visit one of the many restaurants for some food or a cocktail before heading back to the ship.
Of course, there’s always the option to join a shore excursion. From snorkeling at Coral World to exploring the historic streets of Charlotte Amalie, the island offers a little something for everyone. But if a beach day is something you’re looking for, Magens Bay is easy to get to by taxi or by booking a shore excursion.
Enchanted Princess was cleared to let guests ashore around 7 a.m., and it was a four-ship day in St. Thomas as we were joined by the Azamara Journey, Norwegian Breakaway, and one of my favorite ships, Holland America’s Eurodam.
I had every intention of going ashore after wrapping up some work in the morning, but then had to make some last-minute airline reservations for a trip I have to make when I get home from this cruise. If you haven’t booked air travel lately, it’s a hassle, especially if there are connections involved. Plus, I’m going to be flying up north, so I wanted to plan things out carefully in case of snow.
Since we had an early all-aboard time of 4 p.m., by the time I got everything squared away, I decided not to head out and do some meandering because I wouldn’t be able to go too far. Plus, I never like to cut it too close when I’m out and about and try to always be back onboard at least 60 to 90 minutes before all aboard.
You’ll NEVER see me being one of the last people running down the pier waving my arms like a maniac because the ship is ready to depart!
However, when I am in St. Thomas, I usually do head down the street and take the Skyride to Paradise Point, grab a few selfies, take a picture of the ship docked below, and enjoy a cold beer before heading back down and walking around town.
You won’t find any high-pressure locals here trying to sell you tours or taxi rides, which is one of the things I love about visiting St. Thomas. The whole area around the port and in the neighborhoods for blocks around are safe and easy to navigate. I never feel unsafe exploring here. Plus, if you head out of the terminal and take a right and walk for a bit, you’ll be able to find one of the last remaining Kmart stores on the face of the Earth!
First Impressions of Princess Cruises
I mentioned at the beginning of today’s report that I have been really impressed with Princess so far. If you’ve been following, this is my first time on Princess, believe it or not! With this line checked off, there’s only a handful of the main lines that sail from North America that I have yet to experience. If we’re keeping score, here’s my list:
- Azamara – ❌
- Carnival Cruise Line – ✅
- Celebrity Cruises – ❌
- Crystal Cruises – ✅
- Cunard Line – ✅
- Disney Cruise Line – ✅
- Explora Journeys – ❌
- Holland America Line – ✅
- Margaritaville at Sea – ❌
- MSC – ✅
- Norwegian – ✅
- Oceania – ✅
- Princess – ✅
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises – ✅
- Royal Caribbean – ✅
- Viking Ocean Cruises – ❌
- Virgin Voyages – ❌
So far, everything about Princess has exceeded my expectations. A few glitches here and there, but nothing that spoiled my time onboard or would make me second-guess making another reservation for a cruise on this or one of their other ships. In fact, I’m already looking at my cruise schedule for 2025 and seeing what Princess ships I’d like to check out in the new year.
The standout event of this cruise so far has been Christmas Eve dinner in 360, which you can read about in that daily report. It’s one of the dining experiences offered onboard Enchanted Princess for $149 per person and includes a seven-course meal and a fully immersive experience to go along with it.
Caymus Winemakers Dinner on Princess Cruises
Another memorable dining experience that deserves its own spotlight is the Caymus Winemakers Dinner, available fleetwide. This three-and-a-half-hour event is priced at $145 per person, and for transparency, I was invited to experience it as a guest of Princess Cruises.
Caymus Vineyards, a family-owned winery from the heart of Napa Valley, is renowned for its legendary Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship and rich, full-bodied wines, Caymus has earned a loyal following among wine aficionados. Their partnership with Princess Cruises brings this Napa Valley magic to sea, offering guests an elevated pairing of world-class wines with carefully curated dishes.
The evening began promptly at 6 p.m. in Crooner’s Lounge, where the group gathered for introductions and a glass of prosecco to toast the night ahead. We were then escorted to a private dining room adorned with wine bottles in glass cases, lending an air of exclusivity. An elegantly decorated table with personalized place cards awaited us, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable night.
Our host, Kuda, one of the ship’s six sommeliers, guided us through the evening. He shared insights about Caymus Vineyards, the history behind the wines, and the deliberate thought process that went into each pairing. Two dedicated servers assisted throughout the meal, ensuring impeccable service.
The Courses and Pairings
We began with a tempura-battered braised beef short rib served atop broccoli tartare. While the idea of a tempura-battered short rib might seem unconventional, the execution was flawless. The crisp exterior gave way to tender, flavorful meat that melted in your mouth. This course was paired with a light and refreshing Chardonnay, complementing the richness of the dish beautifully.
For the second course, I opted for the beef carpaccio, a classic preparation that worked well with the Chardonnay. For guests who preferred for a vegeterian option, the alternative was a salad with two types of mushrooms and roasted romaine lettuce, offering a fresh contrast to the wine.
The third course featured a black truffle risotto, which had an earthy richness. Paired with both a red blend and a Cabernet Sauvignon, the risotto shone as the wines highlighted its depth of flavor.
Before the entrée arrived, Kuda introduced the next wines—a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Pinot Noir. We were encouraged to sample both to determine oout preference. The entrée choices were beef tenderloin or king salmon. I selected the tenderloin, cooked blue to perfection. The cabernet enhanced the tenderloin’s flavors, while the pinot noir offered a lighter pairing.
Following the main course, we were served a cheese plate, accompanied by revisits of the wines we had enjoyed throughout the evening. The cheeses provided a bit of an interlude before dessert.
The meal concluded with a chocolate mousse with chocolate raspberry cream, paired with a sparkling wine. The bubbles provided a refreshing finish to an indulgent dessert, leaving a lasting impression.
Throughout the evening, the wine flowed generously. Kuda ensured glasses were never empty, which was much appreciated! This wasn’t a stingy “two ounces per course” kind of event—it felt more like a Roman feast where abundance was key.
The combination of spectacular food and wine, coupled with Kuda’s commentary, made the experience truly extraordinary. Every dish on its own was delicious, but when paired with the thoughtfully selected wines, the flavors reached new heights.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply someone looking for an elevated dining experience, the Caymus Winemakers Dinner is an event not to be missed. It’s an opportunity to indulge in fine dining while learning about the art of wine pairing in an intimate and luxurious setting.
By the time dessert plates were cleared, the only thing on my mind was getting some much-needed rest. With two sea days ahead as we sail back to Fort Lauderdale, I knew I’d have plenty of time to savor the memories of this incredible evening.
As always, thanks for following along.
Princess Patter for Day 8:
