St Croix excursions

[plutojudy]

When will DCL release information about excursions on St Croix? Last summer (can't remember which month) we received the information regarding our December cruise. Does anyone know from past experience when they release info for new ports? Six months, three months?

 

[bestmom]

I would like to know too. We are on the Feb 28 cruise

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

They will have to release at least 105 days before cruise, presume in the fall.

Try these for ideas

http://www.caribbean-shore-excursions.com/St.Croix.htm

http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search3.asp?rcode=CAR&lcode=STX

Most cruise ships do the same ones

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

I have been doing some preliminary research - I think it's going to be hard to choose between Buck Island excursions and doing something on the mainland (i.e. sugar plantation, rum distillery, shopping in town, or even one of the mainland beaches). I am sure that anything related to Buck Island will require the whole day... The underwater snorkel path looks really cool!

With St. Croix being the first day in port after 2 days at sea, I am betting we are going to want to do a structured excursion...

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

Hi,

I know that the reviews have been mixed about St Croix on the boards, so I wanted to add my two cents worth.

We ended up not booking any excursions for our day at St Croix, and also decided not to venture to Christiansted but to simply be adventuresome in Frederiksted.

My observations:

Reception - You definitely feel welcomed. There was a live band playing on the pier, the pier itself is very nicely decorated and has palm trees etc. There were at least 2 different TV interviews going on - the Crucians are definitely pumped about the cruise ships returning.

Beach near the Pier - Contrary to other ports of call, St Croix actually has a very nice beach that is only a 5 minute walk from the Magic. The beach never got particularly crowded, and there were umbrellas and floats available for rent. In terms of the beach itself, I would rate the sand quality, water temperature etc. as high as Sea Grapes beach on Seven Mile Beach at Grand Cayman. The only downside is that it is rocky underfoot when you go into the water - this was absolutely no problem for us as we had water shoes. We spent a good hour just hanging out in the water - there was even a lifeguard on duty.

There is plenty of impromptu exploring to be had along the water's edge amongst the rocks - we saw fish and sea urchins, identifed fossils, and generally just had fun wandering the shoreline for at least an hour.

At the far end of the beach, there was a Local pub. The deck at the back sported a genuine Caribbean band, complete with the steel drum etc. The band was friendly with our girls. We sat and looked out at the sea, and drank a bottle of beer ($2 each).

Yes, St Croix is different than St. Thomas. For us, that was actually a blessing, and not a curse. We loved our day at St Croix. We spent $15 in total for 2 beers, 2 Sprites and 2 souvenir bracelets for the DDs, and had an awesome, highly memorable day.

 

[3Charbys]

It is great to hear anything about the excursions on this island as we are cruising on Feb 28th!! Still wondering about where to go and what to do!

Glad to hear there is a beach near the port though!!

Keep the info coming!!! It is appreciated!!

 

[plutojudy]

We enjoyed St Croix much more than St Thomas. We were the only ship in port so we did not have to contend with crowds. We took the island tour which gave us an hour in Christiansted to take pictures of the fort and waterfront. We also shopped. We bought a CD and a silver Caribbean Hook bracelet. At a little store we bought a can of Barq's and a can of Pepsi for under $2. After returning to the ship for lunch we shopped in Fredriksted, buying Cruzan Rum to give our neighbor for snow removal while we were gone. We took pictures of that fort also and walked along the beach. The people were very friendly. It was a great day.

 

[3Charbys]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your day! We were worried from some of the first TRs.
We are hoping to hear more about the organized excursions on the island as well...

 

[gmark2000]

We did our own thing and found a taxi at the Fredericksted pier that could take a van-full of tourists for an island tour for only $20 per person. We visited the rainforest, the beer-drinking hog, the Cruzan rum factory, the north coast of Cane Bay, downtown Christiansted and finally driving past the oil refinery complex. It took about 3 hours and was very economical.

 

[bengals01]

Carombola Bay Beach Resort. Disney's price
$170.00 for 2 adults looks like you could do it for around $60 for transportation there and back for 2 people and then buy lunch. Nice place Beach and swimming pool

 

[OurOhana]

We were just in St. Croix last week and did the miniboat excursion, which includes snorkeling. It was fanastic. We loved the guide, Brook - from Island Networks. It cost $79 per person. I don't remember the minimum age, but I remember that our 3-year-old was too young. We got on the boats at the end of the dock and then went to a couple of locations to snorkel for 45 minutes each. One of the areas had a beach nearby, which we also went to. The whole thing took about 3 1/2 hours.
Brook told us they offered the same exercusion in St. John.
One of the perks of the excursion for us is it didn't take up the whole day since we were so close to the ship. We were able to return for to the Magic for lunch and then take our daughter on the island later for shopping and to get some pictures.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We were just in St. Croix last week and did the miniboat excursion, which includes snorkeling. It was fanastic. We loved the guide, Brook - from Island Networks. It cost $79 per person. I don't remember the minimum age, but I remember that our 3-year-old was too young. We got on the boats at the end of the dock and then went to a couple of locations to snorkel for 45 minutes each. One of the areas had a beach nearby, which we also went to. The whole thing took about 3 1/2 hours.
Brook told us they offered the same exercusion in St. John.
One of the perks of the excursion for us is it didn't take up the whole day since we were so close to the ship. We were able to return for to the Magic for lunch and then take our daughter on the island later for shopping and to get some pictures.

Did you book through Disney? How was the snorkeling? What were the water temps like, and the beach? This sounds like it might be a good compromise excursion... half day, with still time to go back and get the younger child, and explore a little around the island in the afternoon.

 

[mrstbalt]

We did our own thing and found a taxi at the Fredericksted pier that could take a van-full of tourists for an island tour for only $20 per person. We visited the rainforest, the beer-drinking hog, the Cruzan rum factory, the north coast of Cane Bay, downtown Christiansted and finally driving past the oil refinery complex. It took about 3 hours and was very economical.

Did you choose the places on the island tour and did you have time to walk around the rainforest and Cane Bay. Did you like the Cruzan Rum Factory tour?

 

[asreitzel]

Regarding "Carombola Bay Beach Resort"...was the $60 only for transportation or was there a usage fee at the resort? Can you use the chairs, etc? I thought this would be great for my family since DD7 and DD3 love pools as much as the beach and we could do a little of both. But, I was really balking at the Disney pricetag (over $300 for the 4 of us). I had started to look at beaches close to port and then heading back to the Magic early to use the pool there. There is just so little current info available on St. Croix. Thank goodness I have until November!

 

[GoofyTraci]

Regarding "Carombola Bay Beach Resort"...was the $60 only for transportation or was there a usage fee at the resort? Can you use the chairs, etc? I thought this would be great for my family since DD7 and DD3 love pools as much as the beach and we could do a little of both. But, I was really balking at the Disney pricetag (over $300 for the 4 of us). I had started to look at beaches close to port and then heading back to the Magic early to use the pool there. There is just so little current info available on St. Croix. Thank goodness I have until November!

We will be on the same cruise!!!

 

[OurOhana]

Did you book through Disney? How was the snorkeling? What were the water temps like, and the beach? This sounds like it might be a good compromise excursion... half day, with still time to go back and get the younger child, and explore a little around the island in the afternoon.

Yes, we did book through Disney. It was $79 per person. The snorkeling wasn't great in one area, but better in another. A front had just come through and the waves had churned up the water. The other area was clearer. The water temperature was perfect. I run cold, but didn't feel cold at all. We're thinking maybe it was in the low 80s. And yes, we did exactly what you just said. Half day in the water, half exploring. Plus, there was a beach nearby, if you wanted to take your younger child in the water later.

 

[mommiemudd]

Carambola Beach. Bengals01, did you have to pay a resort fee once you were there? Do you remember what the taxi fare was?

 

[LimoFam5]

Carambola Beach. Bengals01, did you have to pay a resort fee once you were there? Do you remember what the taxi fare was?

I have a bit of OCD when it comes to planning. I will be on the Oct 10th E. Carribean Cruise and I called about this resort. You can pay the resort direct for usuage of their property, they also have a pool. I dont have the exact taxi cost with me now at work but I know that it is cheaper to do this on your own then through disney.
I actually think any beach day is cheaper on your own then through Disney.

 

[mommiemudd]

You sounds just like me! It is driving me crazy that I haven't nailed down a beach yet for St. Croix. We have 4 families going now and I am the main researcher so they are trusting me to choose the best excursions. Please let me know what the resort fee is as well as taxi fare. It is beautiful and we would really like to go there and enjoy their property but can't justify the DCL price for all of us! Any info is appreciated! I had e-mailed sandcastle beach and it is $5 per person there 12 and under free but those under 16 can't use the pool! I hope this is different!

 

[dreaming-of-disney]

I saw a picture somewhere on this site that had a ferris wheel in the background of the port. Is it running? Do they have a mini theme park here?