drake2014

I went ahead and booked jet skis at Rainbow from 10-11. So now I'm wondering about getting to Monks Bath then to Cane Bay and back to the boat.

 

Are there taxis at Rainbow? How about at Monks Bath? If I get dropped at the bath could I count on a driver coming back to get me? - guess would depend on how big I tip ;)

 

 

Thanks.

Sorry I wasn't quicker on this! I think you are over planning things my friend, that is really too much for a day here. If you want to hit Monks Bath and Rainbow that's a good plan but arrange the taxi before hand.

Do you recommend renting a car? Thanks for your input.

If you're only in town for the day I would skip it and just use the taxi system.

Wait is Heinz the sailing dude? I didn't know he was still in business. Go with Big Beard or Caribbean Sea Adventures and have a great time. Big Beard is my favorite, specifically the Adventure boat since I like to get there fast, food is included.

Never heard of it, sorry.

"Tasting Room"???

 

Decision made, I'll be there.:D

Of course, that's why you do the tour right?? Here's the secret, you get two mixed drinks with your tour but "samples" (basically shots) are unlimited. The Estate Diamond is particularly delicious!

Sorry to Drake (and others) if this has been asked and answered, but is there retail attached to the factory? If not, somewhere in town to pick up a few bottles?

 

We can get it easily here in Florida, but I find it so much cheaper, almost half price, in STT, so I assume here in the motherland as well?

 

Thanks

No problem at all, Cruzan has a great retail section right off the tasting room where you can fill all your rum needs. They also have all the Cruzan branded stuff you would expect, shirts and hats and things.

I'm going to mention this on every post about Cruzan from now on: they do not accept cash, cards only.

Great, thanks so much for the info! One more question - I saw somewhere I should visit a place called LA Cafe for the "world's best" dirty banana. Have you heard of this drink and if so is this the best place to get it?

That place is (in my opinion) a dump. It's not worth going there for a dirty anything.

But, I thought I read somewhere that Cruzan is closed on Sundays. If this is incorrect, this changes.....everything.

:confused:

Cruzan is open on Sunday IF there is a cruise ship in town. 10am-2pm usually on ship days. Tours start every half hour. NO CASH.

Sounds like the best way to get to Cruzan is to take a taxi from the ship right? Is it easy to get a cab for the return trip?

Absolutely. Some people have their cab wait for them if they have a big enough group or arrange for the cab to pick them up at a certain time.

If nothing else you can always have Cruzan call a taxi for you.

Something important to remember: taxis are cash only and Cruzan only takes cards. Carry both!

This is our first visit to St. Croix.....have read this entire thread now and wonder what you would deem the best/most important thing for a first time visitor to do. Our interests are wide and varied, I am really asking what you think is the most important thing to do on your island.

Cruzan tour and relax on the beach. That's it! I can recommend (and have on this thread) a dozen great restaurants, a ton of wonderful bars, and we can debate the best beaches, but all you really need is the Cruzan tour and spend the rest of the day on the beach.

Ask your taxi driver to take centerline road to the distillery and you'll get a nice picture of the island also.

I have been reading this thread since the beginning and haven't finished as yet but meeting you Drake was going to be one of the first things I said. We will be there October 18 and would love to meet you!

I look forward to it!

Drake...all of this helpful information and yet nobody seems to have taken you up on the offer of a beer with you?

 

Count me and my DD in on 'said beer' when we arrive Jan. 2016! :D

You are the first! I'll take you up on that. :)

Thanks for providing your input Drake2014. It is so helpful! We arrive on a Sunday and have a costal pedal bike tour planned, but it does not start until 1pm. We would like to enjoy something between docking at 8 and the start of the excursion. What is there to see and that that is in walking distance? Are there historical landmarks, city parks, etc. Not interested in shopping or the beach. Just want to stroll and see the sights. Also, is there a website that would show us pictures of the port and surrounding things to see?

The visit usvi page isn't too bad (http://www.visitusvi.com/stcroix/homepage) if you want to get a preview.

I suggest you tour the fort, stroll along Strand St. (the waterfront), check out the ball park across from freedom city (there might be a game going on), and generally explore my town. There are lots of old colonial buildings to see, especially churches. Hell my office is in a building that's over 100 years old. There is the fish market down at the far end of town if you want to see locals, and the shady sitting area next to it.

I think that's a pretty good morning!

If we do the Freedom city beach in morning would we have time to go to the Tide Pools? If so, what time should we leave the beach? I have posted another post above. Thanks.

I wouldn't recommend trying to squeeze it in. The drive down to the tide pools will take longer than you expect and the ride back even more so.

You'll be better off just hitting the beach and touring the towns.

Thank you so much for your information - very helpful. We are family of 4 will be there on June 14 from 8-6. If we do the Freedom City Beach first thing in the morning for a couple of hours, (will do SUP, have done in the states) and enjoy the beach, will we have time to do a taxi to Chistiansted and tour the historic area? Or should we just do some sight seeing in Frederiksted? Thanks!

Sure, the taxi will take about 20 minutes, maybe a half hour, to get you downtown. I prefer Frederiksted (it's my home after all) but there's no reason you can't walk around both towns. Just be aware of the time and you should have no problems.

Ok, especially if the have the best food and ,especially, drinks. It is closer to the pier than rainbow

Much closer than Rainbow. I've posted a map before if you want to scroll back a bit. Basically turn left at the end of the cruise ship pier and walk along the beach a couple hundred yards.

Hello does anyone know if my AT&T iPhone and Verizon iPad will work in St. Croix for free? I don't want to incur any charges.

 

Thanks

At&t will work (I'm typing this on an At&t phone right now) Verizon will NOT work here. You may catch a roaming signal from a sprint tower if you're lucky but there are no verizon towers on the island.

Now that I know we are talking about a rare Monday ship I can clarify a few things. Freedom City won't be too bad if you really want the rental chairs on the beach thing. The restaurant at Sandcastle will be closed.

Thx for the info. We will be there on Monday, so hopefully less crowded. Is Turtles within walking distances and do they have chairs and umbrellas for rent

No, turtles is a small deli on a hidden little chunk of beach next to the fishing pier. Well within walking distance, plus you'll get to see most of frederiksted. No umbrellas and no beach chairs there, nothing for rent at all. Just great food, friendly people, and quiet.

I gotta tell you as a local I'm so sorry that the ship didn't tell you! The distillery hasn't taken cash in years.

Saturday means it will be a less crowded beach, good choice! I still stand by Sandcastle as the better choice but you probably won't see me lol

Is it feasible to do the Rum Factory and go to sandcastle in one day? Would it be better to do beach in the AM and Rum factory in the afternoon. Or my other thought is Cruzan and Rainbow Beach. Any Suggestions?

Certainly! I recommend you do the rum tour in the morning as the beach is much closer to the ship and there won't be any stress to make it back in time.

Sandcastle beats Rainbow as far as I'm concerned so I suggest you come hang out with me and the beach club in the afternoon (presuming your ship is on a Sunday).

Anywhere else near cruise port you can suggest to relax at the beach where there is great food, not too crowded. Some shade too.

I've been mulling over this answer all day and I can't make up my mind so I'm just going to give the best advice I can. Every beach on the west end will be somewhat crowded on a cruise ship day, that's just a fact. Even a small boat adds 2000+ people to my sleepy little town. Add in all the locals that hit the beach EVERY Sunday and you can see big crowds.

Freedom City has the best food, drinks, and services, but it will also be the most crowded.

Sandcastle is a little quieter and almost as good but a bit pricey for food, that's where I'll probably be.

Rhythms should be avoided on Sundays unless you really really love LOUD music and jetskis buzzing the beach.

Coconuts doesn't have a very good beach and they don't rent chairs but the food is good.

Turtles is my favorite hidden spot but the deli is closed on Sunday.

I think that covers everything. You'll have to make your own decision from there!

Is St. Croix extremely mountainous like St. Lucia ? Just wondering if the driving will involve twists and turns.....thanks!!

There are plenty of curves and a couple mountains but unless you head up into the rainforest you probably won't see much of that terrain. Frederiksted is laid out in a grid so if you're on a ship that's what you'll see mostly.

A friend recommended Rhythms on Rainbow Beach. Do you know if you can reserve chairs in advance. How is their food

Not a bad place overall but not one of my usual hangouts. I have no idea about the chairs sorry. The food is exemplary, especially anything fried!