Another day, another port of call! Day 4 of this 9-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky brought us to the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Our arrival at 10 am sparked an exodus from the ship, as eager passengers disembarked to hit the famous Magens Bay Beach or meet their pre-booked shore excursions.
One of the perks of being on a cruise that doesn’t depart on a typical weekend day is that you often find yourself as the sole ship in port. Unlike the crowded conditions you might encounter with multiple 6,000-passenger ships docked simultaneously, we’ve enjoyed a relatively serene experience at our destinations. So far, we’ve been the only ship in port at both stops.
The weather in St. Thomas was a bit unpredictable, with ominous clouds and scattered storms in the vicinity. While the port area stayed dry, those who ventured to the beach reported a few heavy downpours throughout the day.
In the afternoon, I decided to explore St. Thomas. My first stop was the Skyride to Paradise Point for the obligatory “top of the mountain” photo and a few cold beers. Before buying my ticket, I asked, “Do you shut down for lightning?” The response was, “We don’t shut down for anything.” Comforting, right?
The Skyride to Paradise Point is a gondola system that lifts you 700 feet up the mountainside to Paradise Point, offering stunning views of the ships below and downtown Charlotte Amalie. On a clear day, you can even spot some of the distant Caribbean islands.
This is a must-do activity when visiting St. Thomas, even if just for the breathtaking views. The round trip costs $25 per person and takes about four minutes each way. At the top, you’ll find a gift shop, bar, and restaurant serving light bites and refreshing drinks.
Take a Trip on the Skyride to Paradise Point!
Outside the Havensight Mall, you’ll find a few restaurants, one of the world’s last remaining K Marts, grocery stores, and the Skyride to Paradise Point, located just across from the port. While walking to the beach from the port isn’t feasible, taxis are readily available with posted rates, ensuring you know the cost upfront.
For those venturing out solo, the area is safe for wandering. However, remember that although St. Thomas is a US territory, they drive on the opposite side of the road, so always look both ways before crossing streets.
I returned to the ship around 3 pm, finding it still relatively empty. Despite most passengers being ashore, the entertainment continued onboard. A live Caribbean band performed by the pool, playing long sets in the heat and doing a fantastic job. The emphasis on live entertainment on the ship, whether by the pool, in lounges, or the nightclub, is a refreshing change from the usual DJ setup on most cruise lines.
Today’s all-aboard time was 6:30 pm, with departure scheduled for 7 pm. Unlike yesterday in Puerto Plata, when we left four passengers behind, everyone was accounted for today. No word yet on whether those left behind managed to catch up with the ship.
As we sailed away from St. Thomas, the sunset views were spectacular. Enjoying a cocktail at the outdoor bar and dining area on the ship’s aft provided a perfect transition into the evening.
Tonight, I decided to explore the ship’s specialty dining options. Norwegian Sky offers several: Cagney’s Steakhouse, La Cucina (Italian), Le Bistro (French), and the Pinnacle Lounge and Sushi Bar. These restaurants operate à la carte, with prices comparable to upscale dining back home. Dining packages are also available, offering one appetizer, soup or salad, entrée, and dessert at the steakhouse, Italian, and French restaurants. The sushi bar allows you to choose four menu items.
Additionally, The Local bar and grill offers complimentary food like burgers, hot dogs, wings, fish and chips, and more.
I opted for the Italian restaurant, La Cucina, arriving around 8:45 pm without a reservation and being seated immediately. My server promptly brought out a loaf of freshly baked, crusty Italian bread—delicious! 
I started with the Mozzarella Caprese, a light mix of tomatoes and non-homemade mozzarella, which was refreshing.
For the pasta course, I chose Spaghetti Carbonara, which was simply delicious. When it came time for the main course, I was torn between the Osso Bucco and the Scaloppina Di Maiale Marsala (pork marsala). On my server’s recommendation, I went with the Osso Bucco and was not disappointed. The lamb was so tender it fell off the bone, and the risotto was perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Though I was quite full, I couldn’t resist ordering the cannoli for dessert. These three mini desserts were a delightful way to end a delicious meal.
The food on Norwegian Sky continues to impress. I can’t speak for their other ships, but the dining experience here has been exceptional. When asked how it compares to Carnival, my response is, “there’s no comparison.” I avoid Carnival’s main dining room due to subpar food, and their buffet is even worse. While their specialty restaurants are generally good, their Italian restaurant is no better than Olive Garden.
In contrast, Norwegian Sky’s food quality rivals that of Holland America, which consistently receives high marks from me for both main dining rooms, buffets, and specialty restaurants.
Tomorrow, we arrive in St. John, Antigua—not to be confused with St. John’s in the Virgin Islands. There’s a significant difference between the two, which I’ll delve into in the next report. Stay tuned!
Norwegian Sky Daily Programs
The daily programs can be viewed or downloaded in PDF format by clicking on each below.