Saint Croix is a Caribbean island, as well as a county and district of the USVI (United States Virgin Islands), an unincorporated territory of the USA. St Croix has land area approx 215 km2 (83 mi2) ranking it the USVI's largest. However, the USVI's capital (Charlotte Amalie) is on Saint Thomas Island.
Most of the large cruise liners dock at Port Frederiksted (locode VIFRD), while smaller-sized ships and superyachts usually dock at Port Christiansted (locode VICTD).St Croix Island's population is around 50,000, its highest elevation point (Mt Eagle) is 355 m (1165 ft) and the island's nickname is "Twin City" for the two towns located on its opposite ends - Christiansted (eastern) and Frederiksted (western).
On September 20, 2023, USVI Port Authority's Board of Governors approved the CCRC/Capital Cost Recovery Charge of (US$5 per cruise passenger (implemented on January 1, 2024) to improve local port facilities. The fee is only for Royal Caribbean Group/RCG-owned ships from RCG's subsidiaries RCI-Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises. The CCRC is for all RCG passengers whose ships dock at USVI's main cruise ports - Charlotte Amalie's Austin Monsanto Marine Terminal/St Thomas and Frederiksted/St Croix Island (at Ann E. Abramson Marine Terminal).
Although St Croix is a US territory, the USVI are maintained as "Free Port" in an individual customs zone. Therefore, tourists to/from mainland USA and Puerto Rico must clear the USA's customs but don't have to present a passport - they just need proof of US citizenship/nationality. All USVI beaches (including on St Croix) are public and free of charge (no entry fees are required).
St Croix's current-day economy is heavily based on tourism. A major employer is the Cruzan Rum Distillery (fka Estate Diamond, 1760-founded rum producer in Frederiksted, currently owned by owned by Beam Suntory Inc USA). Rum production was originally using locally grown sugar cane but now imports sugar cane molasses from other countries (mainly from Dominicana and South America). Diageo plc (1997-founded, London England-based beverage alcohol company/currently the world's second-largest distiller - after China's Kweichow Moutai Ltd Co) has a newbuild distillery that produces the brand Captain Morgan Rum.
In early-February 2019, USVI Port Authority approved a feasibility study to look at the possibility of bringing bigger (Quantum-class) liners by upgrading the cruise terminal (Ann E Abramson Marine Facility) at Abramson Pier. Currently, the berth can't handle larger-sized vessels, the largest now being RCI's Radiance-class (passenger capacity 2500). Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class (world's 3rd largest) could bring 4900+ tourists per port call. St Croix Port Authority contracted the local marine consult company "Moffat & Nichol" to start the USD 86,500 study - to be paid from USVI's FY2019 budget for capital projects.
St Croix Island USVI cruise terminal
Cruise ships to St Croix USVI dock at Frederiksted (western coast/at Ann E. Abramson Marine Terminal) or Christiansted (northeastern coast).
Large-sized cruise liners dock at Frederiksted Pier (officially Abramson Pier). This is a deep-water docking pier with length 465 m (1526 ft). It is located on the island's western coast and has berthing capacity 2 vessels symultaneously. The Pier's max gross tonnage limitation is 142,000 GT-tons (max draught 29 ft / 9 m).
Anchorage for larger vessels is available in the outer harbor waterway. The Pier's platform is equipped with a fendering system (designed for submarines).
Facilities at cruise port Frederiksted include tourist kiosk and public restrooms on the pier. Taxis, tour- and shuttle buses transport cruise passengers to Christiansted. Several beaches are located within walking distance from Abramson Pier ("Ann E Abramson Marine Facility" cruise terminal). A shopping area is also within walking distance from the terminal. Pier's elevation points are 3 m (10 ft / at its outermost point) and 1 m (3 ft / at its innermost point). This allows the berthing of scuba diving and sailing boats.
Smaller cruise shipsanchor atChristiansted's Gallows BayDock, locatedapprox 1,6 km (1 mml) east of downtown.Frederiksted port's old pier wasdestroyed by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. Most of itsremains were removed and sunkin 30 m (110 ft) deep water,approx 3 km (2 ml)north of the new pier. This is a popular diving site (now known as Armageddon).
Abramson Pier is a popular scuba diving andsnorkeling destination, especially for first-timers. Here are also held sport fishing-, swimming- andpaddleboarding (Coconut Cup) competitions. Alarge public beach (with many restaurants and bars) is located directly off the pier.
