Our Trip to St. Croix: US Virgin Islands

Thank you to The Buccaneer for the fabulous trip of a lifetime!

Hey Yall!  I just got back from a trip of a lifetime, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, home of Captain Morgan Rum!  What a way to end our summer break by spending six days in an island paradise!  As they say, go big or go home!


This is our first time going to the Virgin Islands, so we didn't know what to expect when we got there, so before our trip, the girls and I went to our local library and rented a couple of DVDs and books about St. Croix and the US Virgin Islands.  I wanted us to be prepared, especially the girls so that they wouldn't be in shock with the culture.  Before the trip, the girls asked me will there be amusement parks there.  With that kind of question, I knew we needed to learn more about the island before we got there.  And no, no amusement parks there, leave that stuff for the states!



There are three parts of the US part of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, with St. Croix being the biggest.  Since I haven't been to the other two islands, it's hard to compare the three, but from what I heard, St. Croix is a more laid back island for those looking for a relaxing trip, and St. Thomas is more fast-paced, on-the-go.  St. John is for those that like to do a lot of sailing, but you can do sailing on all three islands.



Do you want to know what's awesome?



No passport needed to go to the US Virgin Islands if you're a US Citizen.  If you're traveling with kids, the kids must have a birth certificate to show US Customs at the airport when leaving the island.  Critical, or you and your children will be in for a lengthy process with Customs.  And trust me, the process going through Customs is long enough as it is.



Two US airlines fly to St. Croix from Atlanta airport, Delta and American Airlines.  Here are your options from Atlanta.



With American Airlines, from Atlanta, it makes a stop in Miami, then continues to St. Croix.



With Delta Airlines, from Atlanta, there is a non-stop flight to St. Croix on Saturdays, on the other days you must transfer to a smaller carrier Seaborne Airlines in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that will take you to St. Croix.  This is the option I did going to St. Croix because I wanted to see what Puerto Rico look like.  From the looks of it from the airport, it seems very Americanized.  By the way, Puerto Rico is another island that you don't need a passport if you're an American Citizen.

For the first time, we flew on a jet!   It was scary towards the end of the flight to St. Croix due to the turbulence, but we made it safely to our destination.

St. Croix is much different than the states.  First of all, they drive on the left side.  The building structures are worn and old.  Roosters are everywhere roaming the streets.  People speak English there, but with an Island accent.  People also speak a different dialect that I couldn't understand.  Different kinds of fruit trees are everywhere around the island; you'll never go hungry.  A lot of lush greenery all around, and I feel the air is more fresh there, not polluted with smog like the states.  The weather is warm year around.

Regarding the left side driving, I was nervous about it at first, but it's not as terrible as it seems.  The roads are clearly marked and you get use to it.  I recommend renting a car because taxis rides get expensive, they don't charge using a meter, they charge by how many people are with you, how many bags you have, and how far you're going.



Let me share with you about my phone service while on the island.  It sucked!  I have T-Mobile and had no service at all unless I was on someone's WIFI.  Cell phone carriers that work in St. Croix are Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and AT&T, I heard AT&T works the best, and that's what the Islanders uses the most.  Make a note of that.

We stayed at The Buccaneer who was featured on ABC's The Bachelor; it's the oldest and longest running historical family-owned resort on the island.

The Buccaneer is a destination beach and golf resort on St. Croix that is family-owned and operated since 1947.  Its 340 tropical acres feature an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, three beaches, pool, water sports center, full-service spa, fitness center, three restaurants, banquet and meeting spaces, and shopping arcade with fine boutiques.  138 spacious, elegant guest rooms are located throughout the property, from the hilltop main building Great House to the ocean’s edge, all offering expansive terraces or balconies with sea and island views. 

The Buccaneer is absolutely stunning!  Views you think you would only see in movies and postcards.

When you drive into All- Inclusive Buccaneer Resort, it's as if you step into a whole new world, like a private country club.  Rolling hills with spectacular scenic views of the mountains and oceans, palm trees and island plants blowing in the wind.  Little lizards walking around checking the guest out and mongooses running around seeing if they can find anything to eat from the guest.

While checking in at the reception desk, you're greeted with rum punch and smiling receptionist and bellmen welcoming us.  The bellmen took our bags and drove us to our suite called Ficus.  Here is what our suite includes:

This two-bedroom multi-purpose suite, located above the Grotto beach and pool, features two master bedrooms, one with a four-poster king bed, and bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. The second bedroom features a four-poster king bed and a full bath. Both share an expansive balcony overlooking the pool and sea. There is also a separate sitting area with a pull-out couch. A kitchenette, dining area and another sitting area with pull-out couch offer convenience and options for larger families. This suite can be converted into a one-bedroom suite with parlor for those requiring a large entertaining area. It can connect to the Frigate Suite and Frigate Room, allowing for a variety of sleeping and entertaining options.

The Buccaneer paid attention to every detail in our suite.  Gorgeous marble floor tiling, spacious rooms, stylish exotic curtains, luxurious bathrooms, wooden ceilings, beach style canvas artwork.  It resembles a luxury beach cottage overlooking the pool and ocean.  Although it was a two bedroom suite, there was plenty of space for all four of us; we could've added four more people to our suite that's how big our suite was.

All rooms, suites, and beach houses at The Buccaneer are all very well elegantly decorated creating a luxurious experience for all.

Included with your stay at The Buccaneer:

•          Full American breakfast daily

•          Snorkeling gear, kayaks, beach chairs, paddleboards and floating mats

•          Twice daily maid service and turn-down

•          Free wireless internet access

•          Welcome fruit or rum punch

•          Owner's welcome cocktail party on Tuesdays

•          Daily guest activities

History:

The resort dates to 1653, when Charles Martel, a Knight of Malta, built a manor house and tobacco and indigo plantation on the present-day site. The manor house’s thick walls and graceful bonnet arches are still visible in the resort’s main building. A sugar mill dating to the early 1700s sits near the resort’s entrance and is a favorite location for weddings and receptions. The Cotton House, built in the early 1900s when cotton replaced sugar as the primary crop, now serves as a meeting room. The Hamilton Wing is named for the period when Alexander Hamilton lived in what is now the resort’s main building.

The Armstrong family, owners and managers of the resort for three generations, opened The Buccaneer as an 11-room inn in January 1948. Over the past 67 years, the family has overseen The Buccaneer’s evolution into a destination resort that is considered one of the Caribbean’s finest. The Buccaneer is a member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Everyone that works at The Buccaneer gives you a warm hello, like if you are apart of the family.  That is why I like working and shopping at family-owned businesses; they go the extra mile for their customers.  Please make sure to support local family own businesses.

Staying at The Buccaneer is for families, as well as for a couples getaway, solo travel, golfers, and weddings.  I witness two weddings while there, beautiful!

For the kids, the resort offers a kids camp daily for 4-12-year-olds. Complimentary daily from 9am-4pm. Activities include swimming, games, crafts, sandcastle building, hikes, movies and more.

There is never a dull moment at St. Croix, it may be a less traveled island, but there are plenty of activities to do on and off the resort property.

While at the resort, my family and I enjoyed soaking in the sun, swimming in the pool, sipping on smoothies, playing games and finding different kinds of sea creatures in the warm ocean.

While off the property, we explored historic downtown Christiansted, we did the Tan Tan Tour of parts of the island, went to the most eastern point of the US called Point Udall, and went on the western side of the island called Fredricksted.





Christiansted:  A lot of old, Spanish-style colorful buildings with many different shops, and restaurants.  You can take a walk along the dock, and book a sailing trip, scuba diving, and snorkeling.  My favorite restaurant in downtown Christiansted is Kim's Restaurant.  Service is slow but well worth the wait for a flavorful dish of freshly made food.  Full of herbs and spices, you get the authentic taste of the Virgin Islands.

Tan Tan Tours:  We booked this tour through the concierge desk back at the resort.  This rough, rugged off-road adventure is the best experience I ever had in my life!  You get a genuine feel of the island visiting one of the historical ruins of the sugar mills, a mountain with a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole island, eat island fruits, drive through the lush rainforest, stop along a couple of beaches, swim with the fishies in a tide pool, and see pigs drinking non-alcoholic beer.  They have more tours of the island, where the Tan Tan Trees grow, they go!  Our knowledgeable tour guide explained to us all the history of the island, so much to absorb and take in.  I highly recommend taking this tour!  Request Manny as your tour guide, he's great!

The oldest tree on the island

Point Udall:  The most eastern point of the US has a sundial known as the Millennium Monument with captivating views of the end of the island with mountains and ocean.  A lot of winding roads to get there, so best to go there during the day.  Free of charge to go there.

Fredricksted:  Fredricksted is the western part of St. Croix where you'll find more residents.  From eastern to western it takes about in an hour.  Since we are visiting during the slow season, there wasn't much there to do.  From what I've been told, this is where cruise ships dock, and during the busy season, there is a lot to do there.  We had lunch at Rhythms Restaurant at Rainbow Beach, and the food was good there also, make sure to stop there too.

We're so sad our trip ended so quickly.  Time goes fast when you're having a lot of fun!  I will surely miss all the fabulous people I met in St. Croix.  Thank you for making our stay grand!

Best time to visit St. Croix is during the Fall and Winter season, although it is considered Hurricane season, and it rains a lot, flights and booking your stay at The Buccaneer will be less expensive.

Another thing, about the Zika virus.  Don't let that virus scare you from visiting the Virgin Islands or any islands.  Just make sure to use Deet spray every time you step outside, even though I was still getting bit by mosquitoes I still came back home feeling fine, no rashes or flu-like symptoms.  Mosquitoes are out more after it rains and at night, so if mosquitoes bother you, you can go inside during those times or dress with pants and long sleeves.

Thank you everyone for following along our journey to the Virgin Islands!  Make sure to visit The Buccaneer and plan your stay in St. Croix.

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