Caribbean Cruises You Need To See

Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas

Named after a Queen of Denmark, Charlotte Amalie has a deep and exciting history, which began with the Island Carib and Taino Indians, who had numerous fishing settlements along the shore. Christopher Columbus landed here in 1493, 9t was a favorite haven for pirates, including the most infamous of all: Blackbeard. Alexander Hamilton grew up here. It was an American submarine base and became the favored American tourist spot in the Caribbean after the Cuban Revolution in 1960. Today, Charlotte Amalie is a center of Afro-Caribbean life and famed for its duty-free shopping options. Nearly ancient by New World standards, it offers a wealth of sightseeing activities. St. Thomas Synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue in all the Americas, heads a list of magnificent architectural treasures. Even children generally too young to be excited by history often find themselves intrigued by Blackbeard's Castle. Charlotte Amalie also has a lot to offer the more adventurous tourist, as it is a center for scuba diving both by day and night, as well as boat tours and yachting.

Head on over to Mexico for the next hidden gem.