St. Thomas Cruise Port Review: A Beautiful Day at Magens Bay
If you’re sailing the Caribbean with Princess Cruises, St. Thomas is one of those ports that almost always delivers — even when your plans fall apart. Our original excursion to St. John was canceled without notice due to an issue with the ferry, but we pivoted and ended up having one of our favorite beach days of the trip.
Before we dive in, if you’re planning a Princess cruise, make sure to check out my Princess Cruises Guide — ship comparisons, booking tips, and all the ways I save on these trips.
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💸 Want to Save Money on This Excursion? Book Through Viator
We had a lot of onboard credit for this cruise, so rebooking directly with Princess made sense for us. But if you’re paying out of pocket, you can absolutely DIY this day or book a similar Magens Bay excursion through Viator and save money.
Viator usually offers:
Lower prices than the cruise line
Free cancellation on most tours
More departure times
Smaller groups
Clear reviews from other cruisers
👉 Save money and book your St. Thomas excursion through Viator
If our St. John excursion hadn’t been canceled, we would’ve done the same thing — Viator is one of my go‑to ways to save on port days.
🚫 Our St. John Excursion Was Canceled… Without Notice
We originally booked a St. John beach day, but we realized we never received tickets. That’s when we discovered the excursion had been canceled without notice due to an issue with the ferry.
Thankfully, we caught it early and headed straight to Guest Services. They were great — they helped us sort everything out and pick a new excursion on the spot. And of course, I double‑checked options with my Travel Hacking Moms Facebook group(because that’s what we do!) before choosing a backup plan.
Since we had a lot of onboard credit for this cruise, we stuck with a Princess‑booked excursion. But if you’re paying out of pocket, you can absolutely DIY this day or book through Viator to save money.
If you want to see how I booked this cruise using a casino offer and points for our flights, here’s my full breakdown: How I Book My Cruises.
🌊 Pivoting to Magens Bay — And It Was Perfect
We quickly switched to a Magens Bay excursion, and honestly, it turned into the best possible backup plan.
Our tour left early, which ended up being a huge win. We had a quiet, peaceful morning floating on our hammock floats before the crowds arrived. The water was warm, calm, and exactly what you want from a Caribbean beach day.
If you’re packing for a cruise soon, I always bring these:
🏝️ What to Expect at Magens Bay
Magens Bay
Magens Bay is one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean — and for good reason. It’s long, wide, and incredibly scenic. The water is gentle, making it perfect for families or anyone who just wants a relaxing float.
We spent most of our time in the water, soaking up the quiet before the mid‑morning rush. If you’re someone who loves a calm beach experience, go early.
🛍️ The “Historical Tour” + Diamond International Stop
Our excursion technically included a “historical tour,” but it lasted about a minute — literally. After that, they dropped us off at Diamond International for a “reception.”
We made the best of it and did a little browsing. I actually found two cute dresses, so it wasn’t a total loss, but just know this part is… minimal.
🚶♀️ Walking Back to the Ship
We finished early and could have waited for the Love Chariot taxi, but it was such a gorgeous day that we decided to walk back to the ship instead. It was easy, safe, and a nice way to end the morning.
🛳️ Booking Your Princess Cruise
If you’re planning a Princess cruise, I always check prices in two places:
👉 CruiseDirect — Compare Princess Cruises
👉 Princess Cruises — Book Direct
Checking both has saved me hundreds over the years.
🛍️ What We Used in St. Thomas (Reader Favorites!)
A few of you always ask what we actually bring on beach days — here are the exact items we used at Magens Bay and loved. These are all things I personally pack for every Caribbean cruise.
🌺 Cute Bathing Suit — Bleu Rod Beattie
I got so many compliments on this suit!
Flattering, supportive, and perfect for beach days. I wore my Bleu Rod Beattie suit and felt great all morning.
🌊 Hammock Float
Our favorite way to relax in calm Caribbean water. We floated for hours before the crowds arrived.
🤿 Snorkel + Mask Set
The water at Magens Bay is calm and clear — perfect for light snorkeling.
👜 Scout Sand‑Free Beach Bag
My go‑to beach bag for every cruise. Lightweight, sand‑resistant, and holds everything without feeling bulky.
These are all items I use on every cruise, and they make beach days so much easier.
📌 Final Thoughts on St. Thomas
Even with a canceled excursion, St. Thomas turned into a highlight of our cruise. Magens Bay is absolutely worth a visit, especially if you can get there early. The water, the scenery, the calm morning — it all made for a perfect beach day.
If you’re planning your own Princess cruise, don’t miss my full Princess Cruises Guide — it’s packed with tips, ship reviews, and ways to save.
🌴 Related Posts You’ll Love
Planning more Caribbean cruise ports? These guides will help you pick the best stops, pack smarter, and save money on excursions.
🛳️ Caribbean Cruise Ports: The Ultimate Guide for First‑Time & Repeat Cruisers
🏖️ Princess Cays Review: What to Expect + Packing Tips
🌅 San Juan Cruise Port Guide: Easy DIY Day + Local Favorites
🐠 Grand Turk Cruise Port: Beach Day + Excursion Tips
About the Author
Julie is the founder of No Point Left Behind, where she helps travelers stretch their dollars (and points!) further with simple, beginner‑friendly strategies. She’s a frequent cruiser who has sailed multiple Royal‑class ships — including Sky, Royal, Enchanted, and Majestic Princess — and she shares honest, experience‑based reviews to help readers plan stress‑free, budget‑friendly vacations.
On this trip, Julie used a casino offer, points for flights, and a stack of onboard credit to keep costs low — the same strategies she teaches inside her Travel Hacking Moms community. Whether she’s reviewing ports like St. Thomas, breaking down cruise savings, or sharing packing tips, her goal is always the same: make travel easier, more affordable, and a whole lot more fun.
Follow along at NoPointLeftBehind.net for cruise guides, port reviews, and practical ways to save on your next adventure.
