The top shops and brands for cruise travelers to St Thomas: jewelry, watches, souvenirs, perfumes, cosmetics, liquor and tobacco
St Thomas is well known in the cruising community for being one of the best ports for shopping.
Some will say that St Thomas is the best cruise port for shopping considering that U.S. Residents have a duty-free allowance of $1,600 per person.
But besides this allowance, it is also true that St. Thomas has a fantastic number of shops. The cruise ship passenger will find the largest concentration of shops in the historical center of Charlotte Amalie.
The shops and the two cruise terminals-docks
Next to the two cruise ship docks - Havensight and Crown Bay - you will also find some of the top names and brands. Next to the Havensight Dock, the cruise passenger will find high-end design shops along the wonderful promenade of the upscale Marina that is the Yacht Haven Grande.
Alleys and Passages
Although many top shops are in the Main Street of Charlotte Amalie - aka Dronningens Gade - don't feel intimidated to explore the alleys and passages between this street and the waterfront. These Alleys are in reality very friendly quaint pedestrian malls where you will also find shaded areas to rest, have a light fare, a coffee or a cold refreshing drink.
1. A.H.Riise Mall
Editor Points: Located in a series of beautifully restored 19th century Danish warehouses in downtown Charlotte Amalie, the A.H. Riise Mall is a quaint pedestrian mall comprised of shops and boutiques offering liquor, fine tobacco, clothing, fragrances, skin care, cosmetics and the most sought-after luxury jewelry and watches. For lunch or quick bite the cruise ship passenger will find Café Amici (open-air Italian bistro) and Calypso Café (sandwich and coffee shop). The Rolex boutique and the Belgian Chocolate Factory shouldn't be missed.
Brands and Boutiques: Chanel, L'Occitane, Rolex, Diamonds International, Little Switzerland, Swatch, Rado, Lladro, Swarovski, Hot Look, Penha Duty - Free.
Website: www.ahriise.com
A.H.Riise Mall Entrance
Photo © IQCruising.com
2. Hibiscus Alley
Editor Points: Next to the A.H.Riise Mall, the Hibiscus Alley is another quaint pedestrian passage between the Main Street and the Waterfront lined with shops and where the cruise ship passenger will find Greengo’s Cantina- one of the best Mexican food restaurants in St Thomas - USVI
What: Caribongo, Royal Caribbean, Klassic Jewelry, Cardow Jewelery. Greengo’s Cantina.
Hibiscus Alley Entrance
Photo © IQCruising.com
Top Shops and Brands - A to Z
3. Breitling
(Time Pieces)
Editor Points: One of the top Swiss watchmakers specializing in technical timepieces. The mechanical chronograph movement is renowned for precision. The elegant style with large faces is designed for readability in its two main markets - diving and aviation - and includes famous models like Avenger, Navitimer, Superocean or the Transocean Chronograph GMT.
Where: Main Street
Website: www.breitling.com
Breitling Shop - Charlotte Amalie
Photo © IQCruising.com
4. Bulgari
Innovative Italian luxury design: watches, accessories, jewelry, leather goods, and fragrances.
Where: Yacht Haven Grande
What: Luxury Accessories
Website: www.bulgari.com
Bulgari - Yacht Have
Photo © IQCruising.com
5. Cartier
(Luxury Jeweler)
Cartier is a French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer. The company has a long and distinguished history of serving royalty, as well as stars and celebrities. A pioneer in European luxury watch making, Cartier was at the source of some of the very first wristwatches. The brand is proud of its technical excellence and upholds its reputation as a master watchmaker.
Where: Main Street, Charlotte Amalie.
What: Jewelry, Watches, and Accessories.
Website: www.cartier.com
Cartier Shop - Charlotte Amalie
Photo © IQCruising.com
6. Coach
One of the best modern American luxury leather goods brand.
Where: Yacht Haven Grande
What: Luxury Accessories
Website: www.coach.com
Coach - Yacht Haven
Photo © IQCruising.com
7. Gucci
Classic luxury Italian heritage and modern style since 1921.
Where: Yacht Haven Grande
What: Luxury Accessories
Website: www.gucci.com
Gucci - Yacht Haven
Photo © IQCruising.com
8. H.Stern
(Brazilian Gems)
The most prestigious Brazilian jewelry designer, using high quality gemstones from Brazil, H. Stern is featured in editorial texts of fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W or InStyle. For more than 50 years, H. Stern collection of jewels is set in exquisite, innovative designs with a unique style. With over 230 stores in 30 countries, H. Stern has two shops in St Thomas - USVI
Where: Main Street, Charlotte Amalie and Havensight Mall
What: Jewelry and Accessories
Website: www.hstern.net
H.Stern shop
Photo © IQCruising.com
9. Hublot
(Time Pieces)
When Carlo Crocco created the Hublot watch featuring a gold case and natural rubber strap, in 1980, history was being made. Innovation was the founding principle of Hublot that was further expanded, in 2004, with the launch of the 'Art of Fusion' concept - combining exotic materials like gold and ceramic, tantalum and red gold, or even magnesium and titanium. Hublot blends innovation with classical Swiss watch making tradition in 4 major collections: Big Bang , Classic Fusion, King Power and MP.
Where: Main Street, Charlotte Amalie
What: Time Pieces
Website: www.hublot.com
Hublot Shop - Charlotte Amalie
Photo © IQCruising.com
10. Louis Vuitton
Luxury French fashion and leather goods brand.
Where: Yacht Haven Grande
What: Luxury Accessories
Website: www.louisvuitton.com
Louis Vuitton - Yacht Haven
Photo © IQCruising.com
11. Salvatore Ferragamo
One of the World's leaders in the luxury design: shoes, leather goods, clothing, silk products and other accessories.
Where: Yacht Haven Grande
What: Luxury Accessories
Website: www.ferragamo.com
Salvatore Ferragamo - Yacht Haven
Photo © IQCruising.com
12. TagHeur
Top-quality precision time pieces, lifestyle accessories and eye-wear collection.
Where: Main Street, Charlotte Amalie
What: Luxury Watches
Website: www.tagheuer.com
TagHeur - Charlotte Amalie
Photo © IQCruising.com
13. Tiffany & Co.
(Unparalleled Reputation)
Editor Points: Over the past two centuries, Tiffany has built an international reputation as a premier jeweler and the ultimate source of gifts for life's most cherished occasions. Whether it's a milestone in the life of a company or a family, or an individual's crowning achievement, Tiffany gifts wrapped in the signature Tiffany Blue Box symbolize the rich heritage and unparalleled reputation Tiffany & Co. has enjoyed as one of America's great institutions.
Where: Main Street, Charlotte Amalie
What: Jewelry
Website: www.tiffany.com
Tiffany Shop - Charlotte Amalie
Photo: © IQCruising.com
How FREE is Tax Free?
St. Thomas is a duty-free port that offers tax breaks to both retailers and also consumers. Hence the lower prices offered by shops in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the cruise ship traveler should be aware that there are limitations to the amount of goods that can be taken home. U.S. residents are allowed: $1,600 per person; 5 liters of liquor (residents over 21 years); 5 cartons of cigarettes and 100 cigars (but not from Cuba); island made items and loose gemstones are exempt.
