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Not only is it a relatively short drive, it’s a simple one, with the Waterfront Highway directly connecting the two. If your cruise ship docks at Crown Bay Cruise Port, travel time and costs are almost identical, but you may want to give yourself more time to return to port, as fewer taxis travel to and from Crown Bay. 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. Its easy access, use of American currency and cultural cues, as well as its reputation for safety, make St. Thomas the easy first choice. But just because it appeals to the comfortable side of travel doesn't mean that St. Thomas is basic.
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Luckily, it is just a five-to-ten-minute taxi to the downtown of Charlotte Amalie. You’ll also find boardwalk bars serving traditional American fare, like hamburgers with rum punch. 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 capital city of Charlotte Amalie is a popular attraction in and of itself.
History
It’s about 10 miles from Havensight and roughly 8 miles from Crown Bay, so you’ll need to take a taxi. 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. Havensight Pier is where most cruise ships dock, so there is a good chance you will find yourself there.
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WICO Welcomes Inaugural Visit of Elegant, Environmentally Friendly 'MSC Seascape' - St, Thomas Source
WICO Welcomes Inaugural Visit of Elegant, Environmentally Friendly 'MSC Seascape'.
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The draw to St. Croix is in the island’s beauty and outdoor activities, as well as its historical value to the Caribbean. On the western side of the island is the rainforest and mountainous region where you can enjoy horseback riding, trail walking, or enjoy the beaches and surfing. 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.
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. We also swore we would utilize the open-air track on Deck 17 called The Runway, join the calming morning yoga sessions on The Perch, and visit the ship’s gym, B-Complex. Mixed within this side of the island are unique attractions such as the beer-drinking pigs and Crucian Rum Distillery. As you make your way toward the central and far side of the island the land becomes rolling and arid, nearly desert-like, finally ending at Point Udall, which has a magnificent view of the sea.
Be whisked away on one of our luxurious cruises to the Virgin Islands and discover your own paradise. 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. Visit Fort Christiansvaern in St. Croix, or take a dip in the warm, clear blue waters at Cane Bay Beach. Get ready to rejuvenate mind and body in every sense on a luxury cruise with Celebrity. St. John’s Trunk Bay is known for its clear turquoise waters and fascinating snorkel trail.
Both cruise ports are located on the southern side of St. Thomas near the capital and largest city in the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie. Havensight Cruise Pier is located 1.7 miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie, while Crown Bay Cruise Port is located 2 miles to the west, meaning the city is bookended by two major cruise ports. The reason for this is simply due to the immense popularity of the city as a port of call and departure point for cruise ships. Virgin Islands, you can swim among sea turtles and explore colorful coral reefs.
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. If you're able to venture a bit outside of the city, there is a lot more for you to do. Visit the Coral World Ocean Park, which is a 30-minute drive from Crown Bay Dock and 26-minutes from Havensight Cruise Pier, and meet various marine animals, like sea lions, sea turtles, stingrays and beyond. At the end of the pier you will be welcomed by vendors displaying souvenirs, jewelry, and t-shirts. Within the town of Fredericksted you will find several historic buildings, including the fort, and several shops.
Take a boat trip to Virgin Gorda to splash around in The Baths, or snorkel off Norman Island, the inspiration for the classic Treasure Island. St. Thomas has some of the best duty-free shopping in the world. As well as searching for duty-free bargains, shop for handmade leather sandals, rum, spicy sauces, and jewelry made from sea glass. On the island of St. John, browse through the shops in Cruz Bay to find local artisan crafts like wood carvings, Moko Jumbie dolls, jewelry, and natural soaps. The only areas that ever felt crowded were the pools at the Aquatic Club and Gym and Tonic, which is pretty typical of any cruise ship, especially on sea days. But besides feeling like we had the ship to ourselves, there was the feeling of inclusion aboard Valiant Lady.
No matter where you end up going, make sure you try some rum cake at the end of your meal; it’s a must-try in St. Thomas. 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.
Discover the landscape on a guided hike or a thrilling ATV tour, or fly above the rainforest on a zipline. Explore the historical heart of Charlotte Amalie, or the tropical trails and white sands of laid-back St. John. The U.S. Virgin Islands are home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. St. John’s Trunk Bay is known for its clear turquoise waters, while St. Thomas’ Magens Bay is popular for its white-sand shores and lush greenery. For a more secluded experience, visit Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix, where you can find a number of small, sandy coves to relax in before heading back on board. 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.
But the best places to shop in St Croix are the duty-free shops offering jewellery, spirits, clothing and souvenirs. There are blissful beaches on all the Virgin Islands, from dreamy Honeymoon Beach on St. John to the aquamarine water of Trunk Bay and the gorgeous horseshoe of Magen’s Bay on St. Thomas. On Tortola, you could combine a hike up wooded Sage Mountain with a cooling dip off sheltered Cane Garden Beach. Or take a trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda, where you can clamber over tumbled granite boulders to grottoes, narrow rock passages, sheltered tide pools, and tiny coves.
Cyril E. King Airport is a 15-minute drive from the West Indian Company Dock and a five-minute drive from the Crown Bay Dock. The public bus is also an option, but that usually requires a taxi ride from the closest bus stop to either pier. Cruise to St. Thomas and surround yourself with pristine beaches, excellent shopping and dining. Charlotte Amalie, the main town in St. Thomas, buzzes with activity. Founded in 1666 and renamed in 1691 to honor the Danish queen, Charlotte Amalie contains excellent of all Danish-colonial architecture.
We could even find freshly made juices at Juice Sea on Deck 7 and poke bowls at Sun Club Café on Deck 16. Actually, it was super easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle aboard Valiant Lady. We couldn’t get enough of Rees and his high-energy Spin classes set to Beyonce, Rhianna, and Madonna. Virgin Voyages is pretty gung-ho about its scarlet red hammock on the balconies, but having the hammock hanging down made it feel even smaller for both of us to enjoy the space at the same time. It is a petty complaint, considering we were hardly ever in our suite, but the only time we would be in the hammock was when the other was in the shower.
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