Cruise Passenger Car Rental in St. Thomas

St. Thomas has two main cruise ship docks: the West Indian Company (WICO) dock in Havensight and the Crown Bay dock, both near Charlotte Amalie. Rental car facilities are located near both — some within walking distance and others a short taxi ride away. Enterprise, Alamo, and National all serve the cruise port area.

If you are renting from the airport facility (Cyril E. King Airport is only about 2 miles from the cruise port), you may need to take a taxi or shuttle to the rental counter. Some cruise passengers prefer the airport facility because it tends to have a wider selection of vehicles.

Reserve your vehicle before your cruise arrives — same-day availability is not guaranteed, especially on days when multiple ships are in port. Specify your pickup and return times based on your ship's schedule.

Cruise ships typically arrive in port early morning and depart in the late afternoon or early evening. Plan to pick up your rental car after the ship clears and passengers are allowed ashore — usually by 8:00 or 9:00 AM. Return the vehicle at least 60 to 90 minutes before your ship's all-aboard time to allow for return processing, fuel, and transportation back to the pier.

A typical cruise port day gives you about 6 to 8 hours with the vehicle. That is enough time to drive to Magens Bay for a few hours at the beach, visit Red Hook for lunch, explore Charlotte Amalie for shopping, and still get back in time.

Always err on the side of caution — ships do not wait. Build in a buffer for traffic, getting lost, fuel stops, and the return process. Missing your ship is a costly and stressful experience.

Beach and sightseeing

Pick up the car, drive to Magens Bay (20 minutes), spend 2-3 hours at the beach, then drive to the Drake Seat and Mountain Top viewpoints for panoramic photos. Return via Charlotte Amalie for shopping before heading back to the ship.

Red Hook and St. John ferry

Drive to Red Hook (25 minutes), take the passenger ferry to St. John for a few hours in Cruz Bay, then return and have lunch in Red Hook before heading back. This option does not require taking the rental car on the ferry.

Charlotte Amalie and Coral World

Explore Charlotte Amalie in the morning for shopping and historic sites, then drive to Coral World Ocean Park near Coki Point for the afternoon before returning to the ship.

If this is your first time driving on the left, read our left-side driving guide before setting out. St. Thomas drives on the left with left-hand-drive vehicles, which can be disorienting. Take it slowly, especially at intersections and roundabouts.

Choose a vehicle you are comfortable with — a compact or intermediate car is easy to handle and park. Avoid larger vehicles unless you are confident driving them on narrow, winding roads.

Download offline maps before leaving the ship — cell service is generally good but can be spotty in hilly areas. Plan your route in advance and keep a physical map as backup.

• A valid driver's license from your country of residence.
• A credit card in the driver's name — debit cards may not be accepted.
• Meet the minimum age requirement (typically 21 or 25, with possible surcharges).
• Your cruise ship schedule for pickup and return timing.
• A reservation made in advance — same-day availability is not guaranteed.