Days End Sunset Sail Open Bar & Hors D’oeuvres STT Ritz-Carlton

The best part of this St. Thomas outing is simple: you leave the Ritz-Carlton beach by catamaran and watch the sun sink over the Caribbean from open water. The boat heads toward the waters around St. John, giving you a wide view that a beach sunset cannot match.

I like the included open bar and champagne, which make the $129 price easier to understand, and I like the crew’s personal service. Captain Heather, Captain Jolene, Jackson, Mason, and Mike have all been singled out for friendly, attentive work. The main caution is that this can be a fairly full boat, with up to 80 people, so it may feel more social than quiet.

Key points to know before you sail

• The sunset is the main event: You get open-water views around St. Thomas and St. John during a 90-minute evening cruise.
• Drinks are included: Champagne and a full open bar are part of the price, with service sometimes brought directly to your seat.
• Food is light, not dinner: Assorted hors d’oeuvres are included, but portions may feel limited if you arrive hungry.
• Boarding is from the beach: You enter the catamaran through shallow water, so leave your shoes behind for boarding.
• The boat may carry up to 80 people: Expect a friendly, social setting rather than a private sail.
• Plan extra time at the Ritz: Parking costs $25, and finding the correct route to the beach can take longer than expected.

Sailing into the St. Thomas sunset

This cruise works because the scenery does not need much help. St. Thomas and St. John are best appreciated from the water, where the shore opens into a broad sweep of islands, bays, and changing evening light.

The cruise lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to get away from the Ritz-Carlton shoreline, settle into the boat, enjoy a drink, and watch the sunset without turning the evening into a half-day commitment.

You board at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, at 6900 Great Bay in Nazareth. The catamaran departs directly from the beach. After leaving shore, you sail into the waters around St. John before returning to the same beach at the Ritz.

The precise route and amount of sailing can depend on conditions, but the purpose is clear: give you a good position for sunset and enough time to enjoy the ride. You are not signing up for snorkeling, swimming, or a series of island stops. This is a short scenic sail built around the evening sky.

That focus is a strength. You do not spend the cruise waiting to reach another activity. The boat, the open water, and the sunset are the activity.

What the 90-minute itinerary feels like

The first practical detail is boarding. You reach the Ritz-Carlton beach and step through shallow water to get onto the catamaran. One past passenger specifically warned that boarding is directly from the beach and that shoes are not worn for this part, so choose footwear you can remove easily.

Once aboard, you find a place to sit or stand and get settled as the crew begins drink service. Champagne and a full open bar are included, which means you do not need to keep a running tab in your head. That is a real benefit on a short cruise, since the evening feels more relaxed when the drinks are already covered.

The crew has a reputation for staying engaged with the people aboard. Service has included drinks brought directly to seats, and the staff has been praised for checking on families and keeping the bar moving. Captain Heather received especially warm praise, while Captain Jolene, Jackson, Mason, and Mike were also noted for being friendly and engaging.

The boat then moves out into the bay and toward the waters around St. John. You get time for photographs, conversation, and simply watching the color change across the sky. On a clear evening, the water and islands provide a strong foreground for sunset pictures. On a windy evening, the breeze can make the ride more pleasant, though it may also make eating a bit awkward.

The return is part of the same short cruise, ending back at the Ritz-Carlton meeting point. Since there is no separate transportation back to your hotel, you can plan dinner or another evening activity from the resort area once you step ashore.

The sunset view is worth timing your evening around

A sunset from land can be lovely, but the water gives you more open sky and fewer visual obstructions. The catamaran puts you in a moving viewpoint, so the scene changes as the boat leaves the beach and turns through the bay.

The sunset itself is never guaranteed to be perfect. Clouds and weather shape the view, and the cruise requires good conditions to operate. Still, this is the kind of outing where even a partly cloudy evening can bring unusual color. One sailing included a double rainbow before sunset, a reminder that the sky may provide more than the schedule promises.

You should keep your camera handy, but do not spend the whole sail looking at a screen. The best part may be the final stretch when the sun drops lower and the boat settles into its sunset position. One useful food tip is to wait until the catamaran slows or stops for the sunset view before trying to eat. Plates and breezes do not always cooperate while the boat is moving.

The views are the reason to book this experience. The drinks and food make the time more comfortable, but they cannot replace clear weather. If your main goal is a guaranteed luxury meal, this is not the right choice. If you want a simple way to see the Caribbean evening from the water, it makes good sense.

Open bar, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres

The drink package is one of the strongest parts of the value. Champagne and alcoholic drinks are included, along with a full open bar. Several people have praised the drinks as generous or strong, so pace yourself, especially on a warm evening when the breeze can hide how quickly alcohol affects you.

The crew may serve drinks at your seat rather than making you stand at the bar. That small touch matters on a sunset cruise because it lets you keep your place and stay focused on the scenery.

The food consists of assorted hors d’oeuvres. The menu is not specified, so do not book this as a replacement for dinner. Some evenings may feel well catered, while another person found the portions too limited for the price. Both impressions can be true depending on appetite, timing, and how much food is being passed around during a full sailing.

I suggest eating something beforehand, especially if you plan to enjoy the open bar. Then treat the hors d’oeuvres as a pleasant snack before dinner. That approach removes pressure from the food service and lets you judge it for what it is.

Food allergies and dietary restrictions can be handled if you give at least 72 hours of advance notice. Alternative items may cost extra, so ask ahead rather than waiting until boarding.

A social catamaran, not a private yacht

The boat can hold up to 80 people. That maximum does not make every sailing feel crowded, but it tells you what kind of experience this is. You are joining a shared evening cruise, not renting a quiet boat for two.

The social side can be fun. You may meet people from different places, share a table or rail, and enjoy the relaxed mood that comes with drinks and a sunset. The crew’s friendly service helps create that atmosphere.

The tradeoff is space. One person found the cruise less restful because children were aboard and the boat was fairly full. Another suggested adding more seat cushions to reduce the amount of standing. If you want silence, personal space, and a guaranteed seat with a perfect view, you may find the setting less polished than the Ritz-Carlton name suggests.

Families can participate, and a four-month-old child was welcomed and cared for by the crew. That does not mean every family will find boarding or seating effortless. The beach entry, shallow water, wind, and alcohol-centered setting are worth considering with very young children.

For couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a little conversation, the shared format is part of the appeal. For a special anniversary or proposal, think carefully about your expectations. The sunset can feel romantic, but the boat itself is a public space.

Is the Ritz-Carlton departure worth the extra cost?

At $129 per person, this is not the cheapest way to watch a St. Thomas sunset. The price includes the boat ride, champagne, full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and all fees and taxes. Gratuity is not included.

The best value comes if you would otherwise buy several drinks during the evening. A couple who wants a scenic outing with alcohol included may find the package fair, particularly because the cruise takes only 90 minutes and departs from a high-end resort setting.

The value is weaker if you do not drink or if you expect a substantial meal. In that case, you are mainly paying for the boat, the sunset position, and the convenience of a polished resort departure. That can still be worthwhile, but you should be honest about what you are buying.

The Ritz-Carlton setting adds atmosphere, but it does not guarantee a private or ultra-luxury experience. One disappointed passenger felt the food was too limited for the price and expected more from the Ritz connection. That is a useful warning. Think of this as a well-presented shared sunset sail with a drink package, not as a private charter with a full dinner.

Parking at the resort costs $25. If you are driving, include that in your total. If you are staying at the Ritz-Carlton, the departure point is especially convenient. The location is also near public transportation, but the exact way you reach the beach still deserves attention.

Give yourself time to find the beach departure

The meeting point is the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, at 6900 Great Bay, Nazareth. The activity ends at that same location.

Do not cut the timing close. Driving on St. Thomas can take longer than expected, and one serious complaint involved traffic, difficulty finding parking, and confusion about how to reach the boat. The passenger arrived as the catamaran was leaving and could not reach anyone in time.

That experience is a warning to arrive early, not a reason to dismiss the cruise. Give yourself extra time for traffic, parking, and the walk to the beach. If you are new to the island, ask the resort staff where the activity boards and where public parking is located as soon as you arrive.

The departure is from the beach rather than a standard dock. That is a pleasant way to begin the sail, but it also means the final approach involves sand and shallow water. Keep phones and cameras secure during boarding, and wear something that makes going barefoot easy.

Weather, accessibility, and cancellation terms

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same type of choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted, so keep that deadline in mind when planning around flights or changing island weather.

Most people can participate, but accessibility questions should be directed to the operator before booking. The beach entry and shallow-water boarding may matter if you have mobility concerns. The provided information does not promise a fully accessible boarding setup.

The cruise can accommodate families, and children have taken part. Still, the open bar, wind, beach entry, and shared seating mean you should decide if the setting fits your group rather than assuming it will feel like a calm resort activity.

Who will enjoy this sunset sail most?

I would choose this cruise for a couple, a small group of friends, or a solo visitor who wants an easy evening on the water without arranging a private charter. It is also a good pre-dinner activity. You get scenery, drinks, and a defined return time, leaving the rest of the night open.

It suits you especially well if:

• You want sunset photographs from the water.
• You value champagne and a full open bar.
• You enjoy a friendly shared boat setting.
• You are staying at or near the Ritz-Carlton.
• You prefer a 90-minute outing to a longer sailing day.
• You are comfortable boarding from a beach.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, adults-only atmosphere, a full dinner, or a private boat. The maximum group size is 80, children are allowed, and seating may not always feel generous.

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of timing and setting. You do not need to spend a whole day on a boat to get a memorable Caribbean sunset. You simply arrive at the Ritz beach, step aboard, order a drink, and let the evening do the hard work.

Should you book the Ritz sunset sail?

Book it if you want a scenic, social sunset cruise with drinks already included. The crew has earned strong praise for attentive service, and the names Captain Heather and Captain Jolene are worth remembering if they are working your sailing. The views are the main prize, while the champagne, open bar, and passed hors d’oeuvres make the ride feel festive.

Skip it if $129 feels high for a light-food experience, if you do not drink, or if you need a quiet boat with lots of personal space. Arrive early, budget $25 for parking if needed, wear footwear that comes off easily, and eat a little beforehand.

For the right person, this is a very pleasant way to end a St. Thomas day: short, scenic, social, and easy to remember.

FAQ

How long is the sunset sail?

The cruise lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, at 6900 Great Bay, Nazareth, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity returns to the Ritz-Carlton meeting point.

Is champagne included?

Yes. Champagne and a full open bar with alcoholic beverages are included.

Is food included?

Yes. Assorted hors d’oeuvres are included, along with all fees and taxes.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No. Gratuity is not included.

Is parking available at the Ritz-Carlton?

Yes. On-site parking is available for $25.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 80 travelers.

Can food be arranged for allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes. Alternative food items may be arranged with at least 72 hours of advance notice. Additional costs may apply.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.