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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.
Best Time To Sail
The sold-out cruise featuring 1,400 cabins across 16 decks of Valiant Lady could have turned our vacation into a nightmare – trapped on a smaller cruise ship than, say, Oasis of the Seas, at full capacity worried us. But our fears were for naught because even during our one at-sea day, Valiant Lady never felt crowded. We were told he always greets his ships when he’s on the island, sometimes with fireworks.
CRUISE HIVE NEWSLETTER
4 Boutique Hotels Off The Beaten Path In The U.S. Virgin Islands - Forbes
4 Boutique Hotels Off The Beaten Path In The U.S. Virgin Islands.
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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.
Dining
Bring light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection. Pack a swimsuit and water shoes for swimming or snorkeling, and comfortable walking shoes for island exploration. You’ll also find boardwalk bars serving traditional American fare, like hamburgers with rum punch. Remember that St Thomas hosts a big cruise port, and chances are, if you are taking a cruise in the Caribbean, one of our ports of call will be to Charlotte Amalie. One of the reasons why we designed our itinerary this way is for this exact reason – that we will probably go back to St Thomas by cruise ship one way or another. Head on over to the US Virgin Islands, no passports are required for US Citizens, and they also accept US visitor visas!
10 Best St Thomas Cruises Where You Can Sail Into Paradise - TheTravel
10 Best St Thomas Cruises Where You Can Sail Into Paradise.
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St. Croix Shore Excursions
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.
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.
Cruises to the US Virgin Islands: A Perfect Way to Unwind and Relax
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.
Exclusive Buck Island Snorkel and Beach Day
Of the ship’s additional restaurants, we loved Pink Agave’s taste of Mexico through tlayuds, memelas, sopes, tortas, esquites, and tamales, but were less impressed by Test Kitchen. The ship’s food court-styled dining, found on Deck 15, was nothing like a traditional food court. Instead of pizza, burgers, French fries, and chicken fingers, the Galley featured Bento Boxes at Bento Baby, made-to-order salads at Daily Mix, and açai bowls at The Sweet Side. We could even find freshly made juices at Juice Sea on Deck 7 and poke bowls at Sun Club Café on Deck 16. We had decided to make our vacay a week of self-improvement, promising to partake in the ship’s more than 100 free exercise classes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Given it is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, there are regular flights to and from the continental United States and beyond. For those seeking a picturesque and serene vacation, the US Virgin Islands boast some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. St. John’s Trunk Bay is famous for its clear turquoise waters, while Magens Bay in St. Thomas is renowned for its white-sand shores and lush surroundings. Engage in water activities like snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking, or simply unwind on the beach and bask in the sun. Cruises to St Croix offer some of the most striking scenery you can see on a cruise — on land, on the water, and beneath it.
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