U.S. Virgin Islands: Three Islands, Four Ports, One Paradise Interested in incorporating a few one-of-a-kind experiences on your itinerary? In St. Croix, book a tour with “bush lady” Veronica Gordon—a seventh-generation, native, traditional “bush doctor,” or herbalist—through the Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism (CHANT) organization. Veronica is a conservationist, artist, tour guide, horticulturist and environmentalist who now carries on her family’s legacy by teaching people how to utilize natural herbs.
Visit Point Udall, St. Croix, which marks the easternmost point of all U.S. territory. The landmark was named after Stewart Udall, U.S. Secretary of Interior under both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. The Millennium Monument, a sundial, was built above the point in 2000
and is a popular photo location among travelers who want to capture their “bucket list” moment.
In St. John, the underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay— nestled within the confines of the Virgin Islands National Park—is certainly a fun experience for the whole family. But the Crab Mon hermit crab races hosted by Ted “the Crab Mon” Scheer on Fridays at the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay and Sundays at Miss Lucy’s in Coral Bay offer an entertaining experience that you won’t soon forget. Check out St. Thomas Jetriders, where you’ll strap on a water-propelled jetpack and soar through the air over the crystal waters of St. Thomas. Formerly a toy only afforded by the rich and famous, the jetrider is now affordable for
T h e F C C A C r u i s e C o n F e r e n C e & T r A d e s h ow
Three sites serve as gateways to paradisical beach experiences for families, couples, solo travelers and groups: the West Indian Company dock in Havensight; the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Facility in Crown Bay, St. Thomas; and the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility and Gallows Bay Dock in St. Croix. But there’s so much more—from culturally enriching historic tours to adrenaline-pumping water sports and land adventures—to experience in St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. In fact, there’s a multitude of unexpected experiences unique to the U.S. Virgin Islands that you’ll want to incorporate into your cruise call.
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the U.S. Virgin iSlandS welcome more than two million cruise passengers each year at their world-class ports, making the islands one of the most visited cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Readers of the world’s leading websites and travel news outlets consistently give the U.S. Virgin Islands favorable recognition. The award-winning beaches are undoubtedly one of their most talked about attributes. Most recently, St. John ranked among the top 10 islands in the world in TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travelers’ Choice Islands survey. In addition, CNN.com placed St. John’s Trunk Bay ahead of the pack in its roundup feature “17 Beaches We’d Like to Be Lounging On,” and Turtle Beach on Buck Island, St. Croix, received honors as best for seclusion. Magens Bay, St. Thomas (best for families), and Trunk Bay, St. John (best for wildlife viewing), are featured prominently in Travel + Leisure magazine’s inaugural “Best Beaches” list.
One-of-a-Kind U.S.V.I.
If you’re looking for beaches where you can get some respite from life’s hustle and bustle, you’re in luck. Throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands are many lesserknown, stunning beaches with crystal waters and pristine sand. To name a few: Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, Butler Bay and Jack’s Bay in St. Croix; Gibney Beach, Lameshur Bay and Salt Pond Bay in St. John; and Hull Bay, Brewers Bay and Smith Bay Park in St. Thomas.
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Hiking among sugar mills
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