The Joy of St. Croix

by Steve Leland

If you were asked to name the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas would immediately roll off the tip of your tongue, with St. John coming a split second later. For seasoned visitors to the Caribbean, St. Croix would likely follow. Content to let its smaller siblings soak up a good portion of the Caribbean limelight and travel headlines, St. Croix relishes its stature as the trio’s secret paradise for in-the-know travelers.

Being the largest of the three, the extra elbow room grants the benefits of minimal traffic, uncrowded beaches, and an enviable and contagious relaxed lifestyle. Although cruise ships may occasionally visit, rarely will you experience the blight of mass tourism that occasionally blemishes other heralded Caribbean islands.

Exploring St. Croix 

The island’s numerous beaches and glam resorts may grab attention for sand and sea lovers, but if you like to position yourself close to the action, the capital of Christiansted is home to a majority of the island’s commerce. The narrow passageways that dissect the town’s central business district are reminiscent of the colonial Danish facades that line the streets of St. Thomas. The palette of yellow, blue, and island pastels create a colorful mosaic of architectural design, framed by the turquoise waterfront of the Caribbean Sea with a boardwalk that is lined with bars and restaurants evoking a fun-loving ambiance. Stroll through the labyrinth of alleys for duty-free shopping treasures, making a visit worthwhile regardless of where you choose to stay.

Excerpt Only. Click to Read the Full Article.

This is an excerpt from the latest issue of Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine. To continue reading, click above for a digital or print subscription.

You may also like

Porthole Cruise and Travel is your one-stop shop for all things cruise-related. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser, a seasoned traveler, or an industry professional, our mission is to inspire and inform by bringing you the best in cruising and travel.

Sign up for our newsletter

©2025 Porthole Cruise and Travel – All Rights Reserved.