A.H. Riise is a typical Caribbean "department: store,' selling crystal, perfumes, gifts, trinkets, wine and liquor. Riise has two locations, one in town, away from the cruise dock and the second at the Havensight Mall which is located right at the dock. It is probably a 5 to 10 minute walk from your room! First, never buy wine from stores in the Caribbean. Either the markup or tax is obscene, and you are better off ordering on the ship. Wine bargains do not exist on any island in the Caribbean. Secondly, there is no "temperature control" and you may find yourself with cooked wine. But spirits are more resilient to heat and do not have the high import taxes and multiple markups found on spirits sold in the states, so there are many bargains, particularly rum.
If you buy spirits at most any large store in the Caribbean, they will automatically deliver it to your stateroom. If you buy from a smaller store, you can often carry it with you, but it will be taken away by the cruise line staff as you re-board the ship and given back for you to pack or carry on the last night of your cruise. There's usually no problem with delivery of spirits on board the ship from any merchant, including A.H. Riise. Jot down the shipboard prices on spirits items you are interested in. Occasionally the prices on some items (like Grand Marnier and others not produced in the Caribbean) are less expensive, particular towards the end of the cruise, when they will have "3fer" prices, or temporary price reductions.
Another potential worry could be the use of credit cards in the Caribbean. Do not worry about identity or credit card theft. This has never been a problem anywhere in the Caribbean and A.H. Riise is no exception. Use common sense, though, and don't give your card to a street vendor for two orders of Jerk Chicken...
A.H. Riise tend to be in line with or less expensive than competitiors on the Island, and St. Thomas has some of the least expensive spirits prices in the Caribbean. As of today, your family can take 5 liters of spirits back to the U.S. duty free--and a sixth bottle if it is a product of the Virgin Islands.
