Excursion question

[Lorenky]

Hello. I’m looking at a couple of excursions with Celebrity Reflection and would appreciate any feedback on what might be best for us. These are the excursions:

1)Skyride gondola, Drakes seat lookout, Paradise point and Magen’s Bay,

2) Discover St Thomas and Magen's Bay which includes a ride along Skyline drive, Mountain top, Magen’s bay and historic downtown 

3)Island tour and Magen’s Bay beach with shopping which looks similar to #2 but replaces historic downtown with mainstreet in Charlotte Amalie and is an hour longer. 
Has anyone taken these and do you have any recommendations? Thanks!

[crewsweeper]

If you're into history, do #2.  If you want to shop due #3. IMO #1 is just going from one Painkiller drink place to another.

[Lorenky]

Thanks. Definitely history more than shopping. Number one seemed to maybe have more adventures and nature, but no? It’s just more about drinking?

[blue_water]

Drake’s Seat is just a vantage point to see Magens Bay from above; MountainTop is a shopping stop, with amazing views of the north shore; Skyline Drive is a scenic drive with a stop at a lookout where vendors are waiting for you, and the skyride/gondola to Paradise Point is a short ride up to PP where you can have a cocktail/lunch with a view of the harbor. So no history really, other than what you learn from the driver…

 

There is a historic section in Charlotte Amalie that you can do on your own, or with an independent tour. Search this forum (or Google it) for ideas on the historic area for self-excursion ideas…

 

Regarding the other stuff, are you interested in an island tour to the most touristy spots, perhaps with a stop at the most popular beach? If so you can choose one of the tours offered by the cruise line, or better yet one of the popular independent tours. 

[Ms411]

New historical attractions in the town of Charlotte Amalie are the St Thomas Historical Trust Museum on Raadets Gade behind the Local Color store on the Waterfront, the new Welcome Center across from the Vendors Plaza with BEAUTIFUL historic photos of Navy sailors and the waterfront. The Historic Trust Museum, which also offers guided historic tours, is only open Tue and Thurs from 9-2. Both are free. No admission fee.

 

A new rum distillery in the Grand Hotel, Hamilton Lafayette Distillery, offers a paid guided tour of the history of Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette (Guns and Ships from the musical Hamilton, but they don't play the music) contributions to Revolutionary War. Beautiful furnishings, a tiny sugar cane garden, and rum samples included in tour. You can find the distillery online.

 

And of course there's Fort Christian which also charges admission, and is open M-F, but closed on holidays of which there are many.:-)

 

The synagogue is another popular historical attraction that's been there for decades.