Making the most of Frederiksted Saint Croix
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Every large cruise vessel uses the island's sole major pier, officially named for former Public Works Commissioner Ann E. Abramson. At 1,526 feet long, it can berth two ships simultaneously. A tourist-information kiosk stands at the entrance, with public toilets nearby. Frederiksted's shops are accessible from the pier, while taxis and tour buses serve Christiansted shopping, sightseeing and island circuits. Shuttles cost around $16. The dock is central, and attractive beaches are an easy 10-15 min. walk away.
A new electric trolley began operating in 2023 to help carry guests along the very long pier.
Smaller ships calling at Christiansted use Gallows Bay Dock, about 1 mi/1.6 km east of the town.
Use the 2026 local guide and map.
St. Croix combines a rich culture and history with fine beaches and world-class recreation, creating a distinctive Caribbean experience. Sugar and rum have influenced its landscape and way of life since Christopher Columbus first reached Salt River more than 500 years ago. Fifty-four sugar mills still stand beneath grand eighteenth- and nineteenth-century homes, with their windmill towers and factory chimneys.
Estate Whim Plantation, on the island's western end, is one example of these "great houses". Across acres of green rolling land, St. Croix's estates also grew okra, cabbage, corn and other vegetables that remain central to Caribbean cooking. Tourism became the island's leading industry as sugar declined after the 1960s.
St. Croix's two main settlements, Christiansted and Frederiksted, prospered as trading ports in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Their architecture reflects the seven flags flown over the island: Spanish, Dutch, British, French, Knights of Malta, Danish and American. Today, choices range from dining, shopping and a casino to golf, scuba diving and horse riding.
Cruzan Rum Distillery has produced one of the world's finest rums at the same site for over 300 years. Formerly Estate Diamond, it runs guided visits explaining rum production, the drink's importance to island history and the story of the estate grounds.
Getting around
Tickets for cross-island shuttle buses to the attractive capital, Christiansted, are sold on the pier. Tropical character and European heritage combine in a lovely setting containing a beautifully restored Danish fortress. A taxi for two people costs about $25.
Travel around the Virgin Islands is generally straightforward because every island has buses and/or regulated taxis. Although many goods can be bargained for, bus and taxi prices are fixed, with one-way taxi fares charged per passenger.
Many pier-side taxi drivers also run tours, costing about USD 25 p.p. for about 4 hours when the cab is full.
Hiring a car is another option, but traffic travels "on the left".
Nearby places
Buck Island National Reef Monument is an 880-acre nature reserve with an underwater snorkelling trail, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands' most popular sights. Boats carry visitors one mile north-east of St. Croix to view its remarkable coral and marine life.
Food and shopping
Christiansted has the best duty-free shopping, mainly within its historic district. Most shops close on Sundays.
Money
The currency is US$.
Staying connected
English is official, although Spanish is also spoken, and many places provide free WiFi.
Opening Hours and
Normal retail hours are Mon-Sat 0900-1700. Some larger stores open on Sunday when cruise vessels are in port.