When Is The Best Time Overall To Book A Cruise
If you are booking a cruise to the Virgin Islands, then you will not want to go from July to October assuming that cruises are running at this time. As mentioned, this is hurricane season, and even just trying to get into port can be challenging if not extremely dangerous for any type of ship.
Any other time of year is fine to book cruises. When you go may be dependent on what activities you want to participate in and how well you withstand high temperatures.
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The best time to visit the US Virgin Islands is generally in the springtime. This is when the weather is milder, less humid, and not as rainy. December to March is the peak tourist season.
While it is an equally nice time to visit, if you dont book early you may be paying more for your stay. The trade-off to this is that you may find an all-inclusive stay, plus there are many events to participate in.
What Youneed To Know
- Port Name & LocationShip will DOCK at this port.
- Time ZoneUTC/GMT -4 hours
- LanguageThe local language is English, Spanish and French. Say “hello” in Spanish: “hola” or in French: “bonjour.”
- Currency & ShoppingDuty-free shopping, rum cake and jewelry. Port Shopping Guide.
- Best Way to Get AroundOrganized Shore Excursions for turtle cove, catamaran, snorkelling, beaches, butterfly gardens and more! Taxis and rental car available.
- Famous ForKnown for its beaches, fishing, snorkelling and shopping. St. Thomas is the gateway island to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
- Fun Fact #1The U.S. Virgin Islands are the only place in the U.S. where you drive on the left side of the road.
- Fun Fact #2St. Thomas is also known as the “Rock City,” a name given by the locals for its hilly terrain.
You’ll Love A Cruise To The Usvi
We invite you to enjoy the natural beauty of our islands, and experience our warm culture. We offer something for every cruise passenger: more than 60 dive sites, snorkeling in crystal clear waters, world class cuisine, forts and historic plantations to explore, awesome water activities like kite boarding and stand-up paddle boarding and $1,600 of duty-free shopping! Find your Real Nice in the USVI.
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Us Virgin Islands Cruise Ship Schedule
Cruise ships visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands stop in , and . This schedule displays the information for all three islands together. The dock or port is indicated.
St. Thomas is the most popular port of call for cruise lines: it has two docks, West Indian Co. Dock and Crown Bay Dock additionally ships can remain at anchorage within the Charlotte Amalie harbor. Ships docking in St. Croix will say St. Croix and those anchoring off of St. John will say Cruz Bay, St.John.
08/10/2022: The Ship Schedule from Oct 2022 to September 2023 has been updated.
Us Virgin Islands Dedicated To Growth Of Caribbean Cruise Industry
The US Virgin Islands is dedicated to the growth of the cruise industry in the Caribbean, according to USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.
Boschulte is in Miami this week for the Seatrade conference, the worlds premier gathering of cruise industry executives and destinations.
SeaTrade is an invaluable conference that I look forward to attending every year, Boschulte said. It allows industry leaders and professionals to get together and not only drive awareness to their individual goals, but to find opportunities for collaboration and partnership for the greater good of the tourism industry. The pandemic may have set us back but Im optimistic of the future of cruising in the USVI.
The USVI recently announced a partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, one that will focus on increasing the destinations overall economic impact from cruise tourism.
That includes increasing cruise calls, adding new experiences with products, more employment and purchasing opportunities and the conversion of cruise guests into overnight visitors, among other objectives.
In a statement, the USVI said was positioned to exceed its previous cruise tourism expenditure highs and be the destination of choice for overnight cruising passengers beginning summer 2022 and beyond.
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St Thomas Us Virgin Islands
To see discounted cruises that visit or depart from this port, use the Find a Bargain box on the left.
St. Thomas is a Caribbean paradise where white-sand beaches are gently lapped by azure waters and mountains are topped with verdant crowns of vegetation. Boasting a cosmopolitan flair, the island offers an abundance of duty-free shopping, top-notch eateries and cultural experiences. In the harbor city of Charlotte Amalie, find the famed 99 Steps, a scenic staircase constructed by the Danes in the 1700s that starts the journey to a 1679 castle. For a dose of heritage, visit the 17th-century Fort Christian, a National Historic Landmark that houses a museum, Virgin Islands exhibits, an art gallery and a furniture collection from the Danish period. Popular excursions include island tours, scuba diving and snorkeling expeditions and a trip to Magens Bay Park, with its mile-long shoreline and 6-acre arboretum.
Language:EnglishCurrency:US dollar
Driving Directions and Parking Information
The West India Company Dock is located approximately 20 minutes away from the Cyril E. King Airport.
Follow Airport Rd/Rte 302 to Moravian Hwy. Continue onto Veterans Dr for 5km and turn right onto Long Bay Rd. Drive until you reach the West Indian Company Dock.
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When Is The Best Time To Visit Us Virgin Islands
Are you wondering when is the best time to visit the US Virgin Islands? We provide details on what each season entails at this beautiful tropical paradise.
The Virgin Islands are a great place to visit. With warm, tropical weather and sparkling beaches, many consider this area to be a tropical paradise. Yet, as with any location, there are ideal times to plan your trip.
If you are looking to go to this destination, we will help you decide on the best time to visit the US Virgin Islands.
The United States Virgin Islands are comprised of a gorgeous Caribbean island chain that includes St. John, St Thomas, and St Croix. Warm, turquoise-colored waters contain a plethora of marine life for your viewing pleasure.
With the thriving multicultural heritage and gorgeous scenery, this makes it one of the most desirable places to visit.
If you want to go to the US Virgin Islands, the best time to book your trip is between the months of April and June. This is when the weather is milder and minimal rainfall occurs.
During the peak season, which is between December and March, temperatures range from the mid-70s to the upper 80s, accompanied by breezy evenings. Even though it is peak season, the weather is very hot and humid. If you are unable to withstand high temperatures, you may want to go during the springtime.
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Virgin Islands Cruise Highlights
Dazzling Marine Life
The Virgin Islands is one of the top spots in the Caribbean for both snorkeling and diving. From Tortola, dive the RMS Rhone, now a thriving coral reef teeming with fish. Novice divers can take their first guided plunge in the warm, clear waters off St. Croix, while the more experienced can swim over three wrecks in a single dive. Families, meanwhile, will love the underwater snorkeling trail at pretty Trunk Bay on St. John.
Rum
Rum distilling and the Virgin Islands go hand-in-hand, where youll find fascinating distilleries and flavor-packed rum cocktails to try. In St. Croix learn about flavored Captain Morgan rum or try local Cruzan rum, the longest established in the USVI. On St. Thomas, try the famous Bushwacker cocktail, a heady mix of coconut rum, chocolate, Amaretto, Kahlua, and Baileys. The Painkiller is the potent but refreshing cocktail to try in the BVI.
Beautiful Beaches
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 Magens 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, white sand coves.
Us Virgin Islands Eyes 2024 Return To Pre
Destination & TourismBrian Major April 28, 2022
Large cruise vessels have returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands following nearly two years of pandemic-driven inactivity. Yet port calls to the destination remain far below pre-pandemic totals and are unlikely to return to pre-outbreak levels until 2024, the territorys tourism commissioner said Wednesday.
We received roughly 12 to 15 percent of our normal cruise capacity in 2021 and this year were at somewhere between 25 and 30 percent of where we normally are, said Joseph Boschulte, the U.S. Virgin Islands tourism commissioner, in an exclusive interview with TravelPulse following his participation in cruise-focused panel discussions at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami.
Boschulte predicts major cruise lines will sail at 60 percent of capacity by the end of this year and through 2023. So 2024 is when we expect to be back to where we were pre-COVID, he said.
At the Miami conference, U.S. Virgin Islands officials announced a partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association focused on increasing the destinations overall economic impact from cruise tourism.
The pacts objectives include increased cruise calls, new experiences and products, collaboration with the local private sector, more employment and purchasing opportunities, conversion of cruise guests to overnight visitors, promotion of summer cruising, creation of consumer demand travel agent outreach.
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What Makes These Months Ideal
While December to March is peak season and may appear to be the perfect time to visit, there are some considerations.
Most people go down to the US Virgin Islands during this time to escape the bitterly cold winter. It is a time to relax and soak up some sun.
However, peak tourist season also coincides with other Caribbean islands. Resort and hotel rates at this time can go up by an additional $150-plus per evening.
Temperatures remain around 80 degrees during this time. The evenings are punctured by what residents refer to as Christmas Winds. This means you may also want to pack a jacket.
If you go during this time, you can expect packed restaurants and beaches in every area. It should be noted that St. Thomas is the popular island of choice for international travelers. However, even this quaint island can be crowded when compared to the remote St. John and St. Croix areas.
If you are booking a trip during these months, tickets and reservations should be booked in advance to avoid fee increases.
The key events during this time include:
From April to June, the tourist season comes to an end. Hotel and resort rates drop during this time. Temperatures drop between the mid-70s and high 80s. There tends to be limited rainfall, which makes this a wonderful time to visit prior to hurricane season.
Important events to enjoy include:
Fun events to experience are:
A Cruisers Guide To The Usvi
The USVI is one of the most beautiful ports of call in the Caribbean. It is made up of 4 main islands St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. Each island has its own unique personality. St. Thomas, considered the cosmopolitan Virgin Island, is home to world-renowned shopping. St. John is often referred to as the gem of the Virgin Islands. Water Island offers peace and tranquility. St. Croix offers a little bit of everything.
In this section you will find answers to many frequently asked questions that cruise ship passengers have about taxi cost, ferry schedules, best beaches and more. If you do not find the information you are looking for in this guide or if you want advice and feedback from other travelers then post your question on the Travel Forum.
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Us Virgin Islands Cruise Highlights
Beaches & Bays
The U.S. Virgin Islands are home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. St. Johns 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.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Off the shores of the beaches of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you’ll find excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. The U.S. Virgin Islands are home to hundreds of species of beautiful tropical fish like angelfish, parrotfish, and blue tangs, which make for great underwater viewing. You can even find sea turtles drifting through the deep blue and rays skimming across the seabed around St. Croix. You may spot dolphins, too, particularly during the winter months.
Shopping
St. Thomas has some of the best duty-free shopping in the world. Charlotte Amalie is lined with boutiques and souvenir shops. 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.
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Luxury Cruises To The Us Virgin Islands
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, discover a trio of tropical destinations with white-sand beaches, fine snorkeling, and pristine water in endless shades of blue. Made up of the main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, the USVI offers endless adventures in its national parks, delicious local rum, picturesque hiking trails, and gorgeous Caribbean beaches.
On cruises to the U.S. Virgin Islands, youll get to dive into the deep blue waters around St. Croix, where you can swim with sea turtles and explore colorful coral reefs. 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. Virgin Islands cruises.
