Cruise Ships are Back!

[ESN]

Lots of helpful info here - Thanks

 

We are arriving in March '09 on Disney Magic - We are a group of 9 - including kids from ages 5-11. We are interested in spending some time touring C'sted and some time at a beach. Have looked at info on Cane Bay and Sandy Point - which would you recommend? Any other sites?

 

We want a nice swimming beach, snorkeling not necessary, facilities would be nice, and water sports - i.e. waverunners - woud be a huge bonus. - if that helps narrow the choices down.

 

ALso - I am sure there will be cabs at the port, but are we likely to find cabs at the beach areas - or should we set up in advance with a driver to pick us up?

 

ANy info appreciated

[CrucianGal]

Cane Bay is a very nice beach on the North shore of St. Croix, with kayak and snorkel rentals across the street. There are also a couple of places to eat and to buy beverages. Cane Bay it is not near Christiansted so you would need to allow time to get from one area to the other. Sandy Point is beautiful, but only open on the weekends. It is a National Wildlife Preserve, (Turtle nesting beach) so there will not be any beach amenities there. It is the longest stretch of sandy beach on the island. Another option is to tour Christiansted (there is a big fort which kids like and great for photo ops) there are shops and places to eat. There is also a small beach at Hotel on the Cay (a small island off of the fort area) downtown. There is a water taxi that ferries visitors over to the hotel. Waverunner rentals are only available in Christiansted. If you go to Cane Bay or Sandy Point you will need to arrange a pick up time with your driver. There are planty of taxi vans in Christiansted on King Street.

 

Regards from sunny St. Croix,

Ellen

[ESN]

Thanks!

[donmil723]

How long does it take to get to Christiansted by taxi? Thanks!

 

Donna

[RandomIam]

We'll be visiting your island on the Disney Magic in early January...not sure of the exact date right now, the week of Jan. 4th.

 

What should we expect as far as the weather? Is swimming usually done this time of year? We live in Florida, so we are rather warm-blooded!

 

Also, we'll be bringing our 3-yr old son and 1-yr old daughter. Anything interesting for kids (our son loves animals, anything like that, baby girl will go along with us...she cant talk so she doesn't get an opinion yet!)

 

We'd love to hear if you have some ideas!

[CrucianGal]

Water temps should be between 78-80. There are a number of beaches that are great for little kids. Hotel on the Cay or Tamarind Reef Beach are usually gentle. The Caribbean breezes will determine the wave action, so you may want to decide on a beach when you arrive and see how the breezes are blowing.

 

It is probably a good idea to check with the tour operators as far as age requirements on excursions. There are glass bottom boat rides and nature preserve excursions, but your kids may be too young. If you are downtown your son may enjoy running around near the Fort Christianvearn (especially if he likes pirates and dungeons) there is a large park area which is great for kids in front of the fort. At Rumrunners restaurant in Christiansted large tarpon fish and other sealife can be seen near the board walk, there are also crab races at some of the restaurants.

 

Regards from Sunny St. Croix,

Ellen

 

To get from F'sted to C'sted it is probably 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

[RandomIam]

that is great...our son loves pirates right now, i'm assuming this will all be found pretty easily if we get a cab into town?

thanks

[sweet angel]

Just subscribing to this thread. My cruise doesn't leave for almost a year, but I have lots of research to do and this thread has some great info so far!

[Pooh8941]

Hi, Ellen,

I have to pop in here and ask if you have any information from long ago (1970s-80s) about Christiansted. (Probably before you were born!) I came to St. Croix on a Carnival cruise. We had a magical day on the island. We had lunch in an open air, second level restaurant near the Post Office, I think. It was quiet beautiful. Do you know the name of the restaurant? or if it is still around? The town was so charming. I've been eager to return for so long, but the cruise ships seemed to have abandoned St. Croix. I see from the posts here that is changing. Perhaps I can find my way back to your lovely island now. I sail frequently on RCI.

Thank you for any information.

[CrucianGal]

The restaurant you are probably thinking of was called Tivoli Gardens. It is no longer in business. There is now a hamburger type place in that spot, that has a large bar and sometimes live music. I think it is called Parrot's Cove.

 

Regards from sunny St. Croix,

Ellen

[Pooh8941]

Hi Ellen,

Thanks so much for responding. It's nice to know it's still there, though different. It was such a lovely place...back then. Perhaps still is. I loved St. Croix and long to return. I'm looking into a cruise for 2009. Perhaps to meet you, too.:)

 

If you look at my cruise history you will see that I visited St. Croix on the TSS Carnivale in 1976. This ship was the first, and only ship, in the Carnival cruise line. It was 40,000 tons and we thought it was HUGE! We visited St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan and just fell in love with St. Croix.

 

Merry Christmas from Virginia!

[Optifire]

We are on the Celebrity Mercury out of Baltimore and she will visiting St. Croix as one of our ports of call in November 09. We have never been to St. Croix and are looking forward to the visit.

 

Thank you Crucian Gal for all the good information. I have taken many notes on what you have listed for us.

 

Why did the cruise ships stop coming to St. Croix?

[CrucianGal]

The main reason was politics. St. Croix shares its rum tax rebates and oil tax revenues with the other US Virgin Islands, but St. Thomas gets to keep all of their tourism dollars.There was a deal several years ago for a big tax incentive for ships to come to both islands.The cruise ship companies had a deal with our past governor which would reduce port fees if the cruise ships helped pay for infrastructure improvements to the ports in St. Thomas. The deal fell through, but the cruise lines could not afford to stop visiting St. Thomas. St. Croix has not been a big money maker for the cruise lines, because the local businesses are not able to pay the high commissions for the on-board shop talks. For those of you who have cruised before you may be aware that every time you purchase from a store that is advertised on-board (shop talk seminars) a commission is paid to the cruise line. The stores in St. Croix are mostly non-chains and independently owned. When the cruise lines broke the deal with the VI government they sighted crime in St. Croix as the reason they were dropping St. Croix from their itineraries. This way they could break their agreement with our government but continue coming to St. Thomas. Although there had been a few instances of problems, the full stories were never reported. Occasionally cruise ship employees look for illegal drugs on island stops. If something happens and they are mugged they can not report back to the cruise line that they were in a bad area looking for contraband. Instead they report that they were mugged while in port. Unfortunately crime does exist on all Caribbean islands, but for the most part it is not directed at tourists. Like any place else in the world visitors should always use common sense when visiting any port. Do not get into cars (that are not taxis) with strangers, do not go into neighborhoods that are not in shopping/tourist areas. Do not leave valuables in rental cars etc. I am happy to report that our current governor and tourism commissioner are doing an excellent job bringing tourism to all of the VI. I think that one of the reasons there is a renewed interest in St. Croix is that the ships are realizing that cruise passengers want to do other things besides only shopping in port. St. Croix offers a mix of shops, restaurants, nice beaches and excellent water sports. You really get a nice mix without all of the commercialism of some islands. Sorry this post is so long, but I felt I should answer your question to the best of my ability. My husband and I have lived on St. Croix for 13 years and we truly love all that this island has to offer. I hope you enjoy your visit!

 

Regards from sunny St. Croix,

Ellen

[shevais]

Great report! We cannot wait to visit St. Croix in December!

[Optifire]

Ellen:

 

Thank you again for taking the time to write with such detail the answer to my question. I understand only too well how politics can make or break a place.

 

It is good to hear that your current governor and tourism commissioner are working in the right direction to get your island back on the path of the Cruise Ships.

 

I have cruised many times before but was unaware that those stores on the islands pay a commision to the ship for recommending them. That saddens me that the cruise lines have to take a piece of what little money the shops may make. After all the money the cruise lines make with the pictures, shore excursions, bingo, drinks, spa treatments, their own shops, specialty restaurants and whatever else I may have missed, they have to turn around and bite the hand that feeds them. As with out these islands to go to and visit, there would not be much fun in cruising. They should recommend the shops and allow them to keep their money. Wouldnt that be nice?

[Maineac]

Thank you Ellen for a most informative post. As the previous poster wrote, I also have been on many cruises and it never occurred to me that the shops pay a commission to the cruise ships.:eek:

I had read about the "high crime rate" in St. Croix as the reason for the ships not visiting, and must admit I had my concerns. As with any place we travel (even at home) we use common sense.

Thanks again, we look forward to seeing your island in March.

 

Cheers,

Judy

[inkmahm]

The Disney Magic was just announced as having stops at St Croix in 2009 on select eastern itineraries.

 

Jim

About the time you made this post we were on the Disney Wonder and booked our next cruise for Dec 2009, including a stop in St. Croix. We're looking forward to it. I'm hoping to get tips here about what to do while we are there. I've used the Alaska board extensively and hope that this board will be as helpful.

[Wmiller86]

Thanks for the great info, ladies! Now, can you give me your opinion about which beach you would recommend for my group. We will be on St Croix from the RCCL Adventure July 11th, and just want a beach with chairs and umbrellas, and food available. We are a group of 15. (9 adults and 6 kids)

 

Also, if the ladies want to do some shopping, do you think they should make the trip across to Christiansted? Or are there good shops near the pier?

 

Thank you in advance for your answer.

[The Islander]

Wmllier86 - there are usually some vendors set up by the cruise ship pier in Frederiksted if the ladies in your group want to do a little souvenir shopping. For more shopping then they could head to Christiansted. The beaches with chairs are largely hotel beaches; Davis Bay/Carambola seems to be a cruise ship excursion option on some ships where the package includes some use of hotel amentities - this might be of interest to your group. If you want to do your own thing you could look into Cane Bay; pretty sure the dive shop there rents chairs, you can get some shade under the trees, resturant/bar for food/lunch is available.

 

--Islander

[mobster75]

I stumbled upon St. Croix back in 2005 and have been back once since.

 

In a nutshell: I love it there!

 

I'm planning on booking a S. Caribbean cruise for Jan 2010 which will stop in St. Croix so my wife can also experience the authentic, laid-back Caribbean style that is St. Croix if only for a few hours. Hopefully, that will help spruce things up around Fredericksted a bit as they had been looking a little quiet. However, the updated pier looked fabulous when I saw it back in 2006 and should serve the cruise ships well.

 

I can attest to the recommendation to not leave valuables in a rental car :rolleyes:, but most of the crime on St. Croix is non-personal, non-violent crime. I've felt a lot safer going about on my own on St. Croix than say.... Jamaica.

 

I just hope St. Croix doesn't get too popular and turn into another St. Thomas.. St. Thomas is beautiful but ridiculously packed with tourists and ships...

[fuzzywuzzy]

We just visited St. Croix off the Maasdam last week. A very layback, historical island. I really enjoyed our tour we took with a taxi driver we hired right off the ship. Fredericksted is very historic and original. Smaller and more quiet than Christiansted.

 

There were local vendors along the waterfront with a new lovely walkway/park. The day we were there, stores were closed due to the Inaugeration though. The only negative I have to say is that I was ripped off by a lady who does hair braiding. She quoted me $2.00 per braid. After putting in FOUR, she then wanted $20.00 !! I was astounded. However, stupidly paid her. I don't know. She needed it more than I?? I should have stood my ground but didn't. Just be mindful of the prices before the service is provided.

[account4fun]

We booked a snorkelling excursion through Shoretrips and we are going to Sandy Point during the week. Maybe they only open for tours during the week...

[tinwonder]

Hi Cruciangal! Disney is doing a catamaran snorkel to spratt hall & then beach time at Sandy pt. Do you have any info about the snorkeling at Spratt? Thanks:)

[CrucianGal]

The west side of the island is usually the most calm and it is close to were your ship will dock. I have not snorkeled at Sprat Hall, but I have gone SCUBA diving near there. I think you will enjoy it very much. Sandy Point is a very long stretch of beach on the southwest side of the island. Many years ago a Pepsi commercial was filmed there. You may remember it...a young boy is sipping on a straw and sucks himself into the Pepsi bottle. Also parts of the movie the Shawshank redemption were filmed on Sandy point. It is a beautiful beach/National wildlife preserve. The beach is nesting ground to huge leather back turtles. There are also little pink shells scattered all over the beach.

I think you will have a wonderful day there.

 

Ellen in Sunny St. Croix

[sj25]

is there any private tour companies anyone know and links or would you just go with waiting taxi's and have them take you around? We are coming in Oct of this year on the Jewel and start to research in what to do here.