Table Of Content
Christian Petzold is a successful touristic entrepreneur, experiential traveller and round-the-world backpacker. We are currently based in Jacksonville, FL, and both mom and dad have full-time jobs while juggling their love of travel, FIRE, investing, writing, and reading. We aim to see the world one weekend and vacation day at a time so come along for the journey. 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. There’s no shortage of interesting dive shops in either Christiansted or Frederiksted.
US Coast Guard Calls Off Search for Missing Crew Member
My friend’s husband read too many comments about “swingers,” “in-cabin toy packages,” and other tales that made him wonder why we chose Virgin. We, and the people we met on board, laughed at those exaggerated stories. Pack light clothing for the daytime, with a sweater for the evening.
How to Spend 4 Days in USVI (Itinerary)
RockStars get the first access to book restaurants and experiences and are moved to the front of the line for any shows that do not require reservations. Considering the booking window opens 45 days before the sailing date, and that passengers in the know set their alarms to begin booking as soon as the app launches, this first access alone can be worth its weight. We didn’t feel like we had to dress to the nines or that meals were completely over the top when dining every evening. From crispy artichokes with caper aioli and charred lemon aperitivo to the secondo porcini-rubbed New York Strip with Calabrian chili butter, farro and sauteed escarole, we raved about every bite.
Featured U.S. Virgin Islands Cruise Port
Again, hurricanes can still be an issue deep into the fall, so you will want to watch weather reports and cruise line updates before setting sail. Although the weather is usually pleasant during the summer, the US Virgin Islands have a fairly lengthy hurricane season, with a risk of hurricanes and tropical storms from mid-May to the end of November. If you book during these months, regularly check with your cruise line for departure delays and itinerary alterations. Most restaurants, cafés, and bars near the ports also offer Wi-Fi. You may have to make a purchase to request the Wi-Fi password in some places, but places like Jen’s Island Café & Deli and the Shipwreck Tavern near Havensight Pier have the password openly posted. While traffic can be an issue during the busy season, most cab rides will cost less than $5 and take about ten minutes, so it is still an easy commute.
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. It is particularly easy to find parking at Havensight Pier, as the Havensight Mall has a large parking area that is free to use. Car rental facilities are also located a short walk from each cruise port, so vehicle pickup and drop-off couldn’t be easier.
You can also visit an art gallery and several historical exhibits in Frederiksted’s Fort Frederik. These luxury cruises depart from Fort Lauderdale, San Juan, Miami, and Tampa. They include itineraries that stop in Charlotte Amalie, St. Croix, and other Caribbean ports such as St. Kitts, Antigua, Barbados, St. Maarten, Puerto Plata, and more. 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.
Discover must-see attractions like Magens Bay Beach and Charlotte Amalie while cruising with renowned lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. The Virgin Islands, located to the east of Puerto Rico, were originally named by Christopher Columbus, who called them the “Archipelago of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins”, in honor of Saint Ursula and her followers. The archipelago is politically divided with some of the islands under British rule and the rest under American rule.
10 Cheap Cruises Ranked By Their 2024 Prices - TheTravel
10 Cheap Cruises Ranked By Their 2024 Prices.
Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The US Virgin Islands’ vibrant culture combines African, European, and Caribbean influences. Immerse yourself in this unique blend by visiting local markets, attending festivals, and sampling local cuisine. St. Thomas Market Square offers handmade crafts and delicious dishes like conch fritters and johnnycakes. The annual Carnival celebration in St. Croix showcases music, dance, and colorful attire. Experience the magic of the US Virgin Islands on your next cruise, complete with stunning beaches, historical landmarks, and cultural immersion. Take a trip to Mountain Top, overlooking Magens Bay, and try to identify the 15 hilly islands you can see from here.
What are the two cruise ports in St Thomas?
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.
Given that my husband arrived late and there’s really not much to do on our first day but to grab dinner and to stock up on supplies, we technically only had 2 ½ days in total to spend between 3 US Virgin Islands. St John and Water Island do not have airports, so your best bet will be flying from the US Mainland or Puerto Rico to STT (Cyril E. King Airport), otherwise known as the St Thomas Airport. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from the British Virgin Islands to St Thomas, with daily trips available. Don’t forget to bring your passport if you do go from BVI to USVI and vice versa.
We later discovered others who took the same excursion and sailed further afield through the same company. We think our detour was due to being the last excursion of the day. Sharing a room with a friend is always a tricky proposition, but even more so in the tight quarters of a cruise ship. My friend and I shared a 225-square-foot Sea Terrace suite and from the photos, it looked like we’d have some trouble squeezing in clothes for two. But we were pleasantly surprised upon arrival, as the suite was filled with plenty of space to accommodate all of our clothes and toiletries.
Spend the day in Charlotte Amalie, known for its Danish colonial architecture and duty-free shopping, and hike to the top of Skyline Drive for incredible views. Enjoy a rum tasting on St. Thomas before you spend the afternoon relaxing on the sands at Magens Bay Beach. No matter when you visit, a blissful luxury vacation awaits on one of our U.S. Norwegian Cruise Line offers cruises to the US Virgin Islands, including a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise stopping at St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay. Aboard the ship, revel in amenities like a water park, Broadway-style shows, and a range of dining options. Embark on shore excursions like snorkeling, beach days, and historical tours.
Set sail for a Virgin Islands Cruise to discover the places once controlled by infamous pirates, such as Black Beard. Shared taxis are affordable, but the surfaris are amazing value for money. At $2 per person, they pretty much take you to a few of the popular spots in St Thomas a quick walk from the cruise ship terminal.
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.
When my best friend suggested we needed some one-on-one girl time, we knew we wanted to spend a week in the Caribbean sun and escape winter’s wrath. Always one to enjoy Sir Richard Branson’s hotels and airlines, a trip aboard the Valiant Lady seemed like an ideal match. Foodies will love the wide range of restaurants, bars, and cafes. 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. Both ports use the same single-pier design, so passengers will exit and return to the ship via extended gangways.
On the island of St. John, browse through the shops in Cruz Bay to find some local artisan crafts like wood carvings, Moko Jumbie dolls, jewelry, and natural soaps. It’s about a half-hour drive from Christiansted, but well worth the journey— once you arrive at the rocky bluff, you can wander up a paved road to the overlook for the best views on the island. One word of caution is that many of the excursions are extremely large and crowded. One passenger complained of having 40 people on his sailing excursion, while a kayaking trip in Antigua had more than 60 guests. We wished we had known how many people were booked on each excursion before selecting, as we would have chosen smaller Experiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment