St. Thomas beaches kids & handicap ?

[buzz&woody'smom]

I am cruising alone with my sons who will be 3 and 6 on the Magic in a few months. My parents are going but my DM is handicap so they usually stay on the ship and enjoy the ship.

1. Is there a beach in St. Thomas or St. John I can do on my own with my boys by takin a taxi in St. John and to what beach??? How does the ferry work to St. John and to what beach do I take them. Looking for something safe, beach, calm water and restrooms?

2. Can my Mom take the DCL excursion in St. Thomas that takes the tram up the mountain? Or does anyone have any other suggestions? She is taking her scooter and we will also have a collapsible wheelchair. She has limited movement but can transfer with assistance (My Dad) from her chair to a tram? Or is St. Thomas somewhere they can get off and drive her scooter around and see anything?

Last year in Cozumel at the new pier she was able to drive off the ship with my Dad and head over to the connecting shopping area. Grand Cayman was harder but she got off using her wheelchair to tender but it scared her and she was tired. So I am coming up with things for her to do on the Eastern.

Thanks so much for any info on St. Thomas!

B & W Mom

 

[castlegazer]

You and your sons may want to catch a ride with one of the taxis right at the pier over to Megan's Bay in St. Thomas - it is a nice family beach up and over the mountain from Charlotte Amelie. It takes about 15 minutes to get to and there is an entrance fee - but its easy to catch a ride back on a taxi from there. It would be hard to do in a wheel chair. For your parents, though, there is a nice shopping area right at the cruise pier in St. Thomas. Charlotte Amelie has to be reached via taxis as its a long walk along some roads I would not recommend walking along. But the shopping plazas right at the pier are very nice and contain basically a lot of the same stores as what is downtown. I think they could also get a taxi and head over to Charlotte Amelie without a lot of trouble - the taxi drivers are very nice in St. Thomas.

The ferry to St. John drops you in an area not really near the beaches. But you are right at the base of the National Forest so its a moderate hike up over the mountain down to some really nice beaches. I would recommend staying on St. Thomas unless you are with an excursion or a tour guide. It takes about 30 minutes to get over to the ferry and then another 45 on the Ferry. It makes for a long day with little beach time. Megan's Bay is the way to go.

I can't answer your question about the gondolas - I do know they are very close to the pier.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks for the info. I think I will take a taxi to Megan's Bay. I wonder how much the entrance fee is for an adult and 2 children (3 and 6). Do you remember how much a taxi is RT or if the beach has restrooms and somewhere to get a cold soda?

Thanks again and I agree my DM may just want to look at the buildings and shops like in GC and Cozumel last year.

Thanks again!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

The entry fee at Magens Bay is nominal. I think it was $3 for adults and probably less than a dollar for kids. There's a restaurant/bar there and you can rent chairs, floats, etc.

The cab fares are fixed on St. Thomas, so any cab should cost the same. I think the last time we went to Magens Bay, it cost less than $10 (one way) for two adults. They usually have a list of fares published in the daily Navigators so you know what to expect a cab ride to cost. A lot of times, there will be a bunch of people on the pier wanting to go to Magens Bay, so a driver will fill up his van or truck with passengers, and it ends up costing less per person.

Here's a link to the tramway's website. It might have some info on how accessible it will be for your mother:

http://paradisepointtramway.com/

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks again for the information Llyod are you sure you all do not want to come along on the 10/02/04 sailing you are the person with the answers

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

b/w's mom,

10/2 just didn't work out for us, timing-wise. Someone on the DIS inherited our "modified" Navigator's verandah in 7120, so at least something good came of it. I'm kind of bummed because I was looking forward to seeing Antigua, but I'll hopefully get another chance. We switched that cruise to December and we're also probably going when the Magic's out here in LA, though we may switch that one to next fall, since even with airfare, it'll probably be cheaper. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks and have a great December cruise and it would be a shame being in CA and not taking advantage of the Magic on the Pacific Mexican route. We lived in Orange County until they shut down the MCAS there and then we were in San Diego for awhile. Miss our friends and all of the activities there were chose from.

Take care!
B & W Mom

 

[NJ Cruisers]

In March the taxi ride to Magen's Bay was $6 per person - including kids.

The tram to Paradise Point would probably not be good for your DM. There are stairs to climb (no elevator) to get to the tram. It may only be one small flight, but probably too much.

The shopping area where you dock (Havensight) has lots of shops and wider areas to manuver.

Your DM may also want to consider a taxi tour of the island. It is beautiful and quite interesting to drive around.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks all for your responses. I noticed the other day when I was checking out the trams website Paradies Point there were so many stairs in a picture on their website so I emailed them.

They were nice enough to respond quickly and said a taxi can take her to the top and she can ride down. So then I went to shoretrips.com and found a private charter in a handicap accessible van that has a tour of St. Thomas for those with limited mobility which is perfect for my DM and Dad. They are working on an Antigua island tour for them now

I think the Megan's Bay is a great idea. It is soooooooooo pretty, has restrooms, quick taxi ride and close to the ship and populated.

I have not yet done an excursion through DCL and am not ruling it out since I am doing them with my boys alone but there are always good alternatives like in Grand Cayman Nativeway Water sports to see the rays and my favorite a taxi to Seven Mile Beach and then a little shopping and in Cozumel Eagle Ray Divers for snorkeling or diving or a taxi to Chakanab for snorkeling and beach time

Thanks for all of your help and pricing!

B&W Mom