Best Virgin Islands Cruises 2023 & 2024 Celebrity Cruises
Table Of Content
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. Honestly, adults-only simply meant “adult time.” To us, that equated to a lot of relaxing, listening to live music, and reading on a lounge chair with a cocktail in hand.
LOCAL CUISINE
From Tortola, dive the best-known wreck, the RMS Rhone, which is now a thriving reef colonized by coral and teeming with fish. Novice divers can take their first plunge in the warm, clear waters off Virgin Gorda, while families will love the underwater snorkeling trail at pretty Trunk Bay on St. John. Virgin Islands with Celebrity brings you the best in luxury travel, no matter which itinerary you choose. You'll enjoy world-class dining, contemporary accommodation, and unparalleled service. Choose The Retreat, a tranquil oasis of exclusive dining, a private lounge, and suite accommodation.
Cruise Line Offers Free Parking for Passengers at One Homeport
Shops stocking everything imaginable line Main Street, while there’s a small market nearby with vendor stands selling jewelry, clothing, crafts, and other Caribbean-inspired artifacts. The Havensight Mall is right by the Havensight cruise terminal, while the Crown Bay Center serves the Crown Bay pier. For the most upscale shopping, head for Yacht Haven Grande, where you’ll find brands like Gucci, Bulgari, and Coach. One of the easiest ways to get around in port while on a cruise to St. Thomas, if you don’t want to rent your own car, is by taxi, although local taxis are not what you might expect. They’re small, open-air shuttle vehicles called safari trucks equipped with a few rows of seats. Flag one down heading in the direction you want to go and tell the driver where you want to be dropped off.
Virgin Islands National Park at St. John
Repositioning Cruises 2024 - Cruise Critic
Repositioning Cruises 2024.
Posted: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you Google Virgin Voyages, you may find earlier articles indicating that adults-only cruises are meant for raunchiness. My friend’s husband read too many comments about “swingers,” “in-cabin toy packages,” and other tales that made him wonder why we chose Virgin. We, and the people we met on board, laughed at those exaggerated stories. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. You could embark in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, or San Juan, Puerto Rico and sail either round-trip or one-way between San Juan and Fort Lauderdale.
Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
Get ready to rejuvenate mind and body in every sense on a luxury cruise with Celebrity. 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.
Culture & History of St. Thomas
Virgin Islands, you’ll 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.
Since more than 40 percent of the Virgin Islands National Park is actually underwater, snorkeling is a popular activity for visitors. The park area consists of seagrass beds, patch reefs, mangrove shorelines, and many other ecosystems for you to explore. An archaeology program at Virgin Islands National Park explores the human habitation here, dating back to around 1000 BC. This small island has been the home to African and Caribbean cultures, as well as European colonial leaders, at different times through the centuries. You can learn about everything from the earliest inhabitants to the underground railway and emancipation in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
Instead of pizza, burgers, French fries, and chicken fingers, the Galley featured Bento Boxes at Bento Baby, made-to-order salads at Daily Mix, and açai bowls at The Sweet Side. We could even find freshly made juices at Juice Sea on Deck 7 and poke bowls at Sun Club Café on Deck 16. 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. It means that kids are not splashing in the pool and running down the corridors.
Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member
Experience white sand beaches, sapphire-blue sea, and the rhythm of reggae on the breeze aboard one of our Virgin Islands cruises. Once the hangout of pirates and buccaneers, these laid-back islands are perfect for the pleasurable pursuits of sailing, snorkeling, shopping, and simply snoozing in a hammock strung between two coconut palms. U.S. Virgin Islands cruises take you to blissful tropical destinations with white-sand beaches, fine snorkeling, and pristine water in endless shades of blue. The USVI offers endless adventures in its national parks, delicious local rum, picturesque hiking trails, and gorgeous Caribbean scenery.
You'll also learn about the establishment of the Virgin Islands National Park and the Coral Reef National Monument in more recent years. When you consider Caribbean vacations, chances are visiting a U.S. National Park isn't the first activity you think of –– but that's just what you can do on your next cruise. At Virgin Islands National Park in St. John, you can take a walk through history, hike some of the most breathtaking scenery on the islands, and explore the various salt ponds, mangroves, and coral reefs. It all started back in 1956, when businessman and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, who had bought extensive land holdings on St. John, opened the low-key but luxurious Caneel Bay Resort. It's still going strong, and visitors can stop in for lunch and a swim in the beautiful bay.
The shallow water and calm conditions make this the perfect spot for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, looking out for stingrays and sea turtles. Back on the beach, there’s a bar and café, as well as a 1.5-mile nature trail through the coconut grove. There’s history to discover in the enchanting capital of Charlotte Amalie, which dates back to the 17th century when the island was colonized by Denmark and pirates roamed the Caribbean. Explore ancient forts and cobbled lanes, flower-filled stone stairways, and elegant old houses.
On Edge-series ships, you can dine on BBQ favorites at the al fresco Rooftop Garden Grill, or sink into a sofa with your favorite cocktail on the Magic Carpet, with ocean views on three sides. Choose The Retreat for the ultimate in luxury, with access to a private sundeck, exclusive lounge, and fine dining restaurant, Luminae at The Retreat. The islands are divided between Britain and the U.S., and each has its own personality. St. Thomas is the place for duty-free shopping and fun-filled days, while sleepy St. John is all lush rainforest, dazzling reefs, and sugary beaches. Tortola, the hub of the British Virgin Islands, is the jumping-off point for laid-back Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, and Virgin Gorda, famed for its tumbled granite rock formations, The Baths.
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. Stop by the visitor center for the most current information on snorkeling.
No matter when you visit, a blissful luxury vacation awaits on one of our U.S. Virgin Islands, you can swim among 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. Take a catamaran trip to much quieter St. John for snorkeling off Honeymoon Beach, famous for its turquoise waters and palm-fringed sandy shore. A cruise to St. Thomas will take you to the largest of the beautiful U.S.
One word of caution is that many of the excursions are extremely large and crowded. One passenger complained of having 40 people on his sailing excursion, while a kayaking trip in Antigua had more than 60 guests. We wished we had known how many people were booked on each excursion before selecting, as we would have chosen smaller Experiences. We didn’t feel like we had to dress to the nines or that meals were completely over the top when dining every evening.
Sharing a room with a friend is always a tricky proposition, but even more so in the tight quarters of a cruise ship. My friend and I shared a 225-square-foot Sea Terrace suite and from the photos, it looked like we’d have some trouble squeezing in clothes for two. But we were pleasantly surprised upon arrival, as the suite was filled with plenty of space to accommodate all of our clothes and toiletries. St. Thomas is known for its extensive duty-free shopping, and downtown Charlotte Amalie is where you’ll find bargains galore, from perfume to jewelry and electronics.
Comments
Post a Comment