Saturday, April 20, 2024

Best US Virgin Islands Cruises 2023 & 2024 Celebrity Cruises

us virgin islands cruise

The beach has a horseshoe shape that gives visitors spectacular views of the turquoise waters with a lush green backdrop. At just four miles from the two main cruise ports, it’s a perfect place to spend the day. Virgin Islands, you’ll get to dive into the deep blue waters around St. Croix, where you can swim with sea turtles and explore colorful coral reefs.

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This gondola is one of the most popular attractions in the Caribbean, as it quickly takes passengers 700 feet above the port, enjoying stunning views and even a fully stocked bar! Although it’s not the island’s highest point, it is still a must-do, and it couldn’t be in a more convenient location. If, like most visitors, you arrive at Havensight Pier, there are plenty of things to do within the immediate vicinity of the port. Given that the entire island of St. Thomas is known to be a shopper’s paradise, it is no surprise that they have even included a mall directly beside the main cruise port.

U.S. Virgin Island Cruise Ports

However, you’ll still find some basic convenience stores, several duty-free shops, and souvenir stalls selling locally-made items. Still, you’ll want to take a taxi into the city center if you’re going to enjoy more of what the island has to offer. For those planning to rent a vehicle while they visit St. Thomas, plenty of parking spots are available near the two ports.

Culture & History of the St. Croix Cruise Port

Crown Bay is a bit smaller, as it was not purpose-built for cruise ships. In fact, it was once used as a United States naval base but has since been remodeled to accommodate three full-sized cruise ships along the same single-pier design found at Havensight Pier. Havensight Pier is the largest of the two ports, with three main berths along a single pier. The town of Charlotte Amalie has one of the most breathtaking harbors in the world. Once home to pirates of long ago, today visitors find treasures of a different kind, for now beautiful beaches and bountiful duty-free shopping are truly its claim to fame. Tipping is much like traveling in other parts of the U.S—leave 15-20% for restaurants and bars, 10-15% for taxis, and leave a dollar or two per bag for bellhops.

Ferry Schedules & Times

Take a trip to Mountain Top, overlooking Magens Bay, and try to identify the 15 hilly islands you can see from here. Take a picnic to serene Smith Bay Beach, or join a guided culinary tour of Charlotte Amalie to taste authentic Caribbean flavors. Head up the Skyride gondola and sample a Bushwhacker rum cocktail, or join a catamaran cruise across to St. John and look for sea turtles as you snorkel Trunk Bay. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines. Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link.

Both ports use the same single-pier design, so passengers will exit and return to the ship via extended gangways. Havensight Pier is where most cruise ships dock, so there is a good chance you will find yourself there. Luckily, it is just a five-to-ten-minute taxi to the downtown of Charlotte Amalie.

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Havensight Pier is a little further, with 4.2 miles separating the port from the airport, but this is still only about a 15-minute drive in St. Thomas traffic. Not only is it a relatively short drive, it’s a simple one, with the Waterfront Highway directly connecting the two. Check out the hard-to-miss yellow brick Fort Christiansvaern in Christiansted for a vivid history lesson – it’s the best preserved Danish-built fort in the Virgin Islands. You can also visit an art gallery and several historical exhibits in Frederiksted’s Fort Frederik. This schedule displays the information for all three islands together. The Virgin Islands is one of the top spots in the Caribbean for both snorkeling and diving, with an impressive selection of wrecks and diverse marine life.

US Coast Guard Calls Off Search for Missing Crew Member

The menu is Cajun and Caribbean, serving jambalaya and gumbo as well as classic chicken and steak dishes. Enjoy luxurious staterooms, cuisine, and service as you discover St. Thomas, St. Thomas, The British Virgin Islands and Fort Lauderdale. Climb, snorkel, swim, bike or chill in some of the world’s most beautiful places. Cruises depart from Fort Lauderdale and include itineraries that stop in Charlotte Amalie as well as other Caribbean ports like Antigua, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Puerto Plata, and Nassau in the Bahamas.

Getting Healthy at Sea

The Lovango Resort + Beach Club is the newest go-to day destination in the USVI and is just a quick boat ride from St. John. Visit for lunch and walk along the oceanside boardwalk or explore some of the USVI’s most spectacular snorkeling right off shore. While the Havensight Mall is great for those not looking to go out of their way, you’ll want to head into Charlotte Amalie for the best shopping experience. You’ll find plenty of stores and boutiques on Main Street in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Vendor’s Plaza is another downtown highlight if you’re looking for locally-made goods. Part of what makes St. Thomas such an appealing port of call is the wide variety of amenities and attractions within walking distance of the island’s two main ports.

Divers and water lovers will find plenty to do at Cane Bay Beach, which even has a full-service dive shop for anything you might need to rent. Diving and snorkeling are big here, and the beach is lined with shady palms. A St. Croix cruise wouldn’t be complete without touring the Cruzan Rum Distillery just outside of Frederiksted. For just $8, you’ll get a twenty minute tour that’ll take you through the facilities. Our most cosmopolitan island, St. Thomas has something for everyone.

You can even find sea turtles drifting through the deep blue and rays skimming across the seabed around  St. Croix. You may spot dolphins, too, particularly during the winter months. The U.S. Virgin Islands are home to hundreds of species of beautiful tropical fish like angelfish, parrotfish, and blue tang, which make for great underwater viewing. You can even find sea turtles drifting through the deep blue and rays skimming across the seabed. The two main cruise ports in St. Thomas are Havensight Pier and Crown Bay Cruise Port. Yes, you can walk to downtown Charlotte Amalie from the two cruise ports, but most people save time by taking a taxi, as taxis are easy to get, and fares are less than $5.

us virgin islands cruise

I’ve sailed a variety of cruise lines throughout the years, beginning with my first voyage as an 18-year-old living in Fort Lauderdale when my mother took me on a nighttime sail. Back in those days (not to date myself), you could get on a ship out of Port Everglades and go into international waters to drink and gamble. Foodies will love the wide range of restaurants, bars, and cafes. There are also plenty of restaurants within a short walk of the pier, including some port-of-call classics, like Senor Frogs and Hooters. You’ll also find some island exclusives, like Mojo’s, Barefoot Buddha, and the iconic Shipwreck Tavern. With the two welcoming over 1.5 million visitors annually, there has been a clear effort to make sure all visitors enjoy a comfortable experience.

Virgin Island’s biggest island, but it remains a little under the radar. Tourists tend to flock to the more famous St. Thomas, but there’s plenty to see and do in St. Croix for all types of travelers on a Caribbean cruise. But there’s more to this island than just natural, unspoiled beauty. You can also tour the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins, explore local businesses and enjoy great shopping and dining.

us virgin islands cruise

Foodies will enjoy the mix of Cajun and Caribbean cuisines and find delicious combinations in St. Croix. Tour a tasty rum distillery or take a day trip across the island to Point Udell, the easternmost point of the United States. Virgin Islands, discover a trio of tropical destinations with white-sand beaches, fine snorkeling, and pristine water in endless shades of blue. Made up of the main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, the USVI offers endless adventures in its national parks, delicious local rum, picturesque hiking trails, and gorgeous Caribbean beaches. Virgin Islands with Celebrity brings you the best in luxury travel, no matter which itinerary you choose. You'll enjoy world-class dining, contemporary accommodation, and unparalleled service.

St. Thomas Cruise Port: Piers, Overview and What to Do - Cruise Hive

St. Thomas Cruise Port: Piers, Overview and What to Do.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 01:42:20 GMT [source]

Set sail aboard our luxury sailing catamaran, The Lady Lynsey. Christened alongside the grand re-opening of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, The Lady Lynsey is among the finest catamarans anywhere in the world. Her style and service are built on the legacy and service of the original Lady Lynsey, which served guests from the hotel for over 20 years. We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox. Blue Moon specializes in bistro foods and have a special brunch menu on Sundays.

Honestly, adults-only simply meant “adult time.” To us, that equated to a lot of relaxing, listening to live music, and reading on a lounge chair with a cocktail in hand. I didn’t even notice that children weren’t on board because it just didn’t occur to me that anything should be noticed. It means that kids are not splashing in the pool and running down the corridors. If you Google Virgin Voyages, you may find earlier articles indicating that adults-only cruises are meant for raunchiness.

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