St. Croix: when your ship stops here

A small Danish-era fort town right off the pier, beaches you can walk to, and Christiansted and Buck Island on the other side of the island.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Most large ships tie up at the Frederiksted pier on the west side of St. Croix, a deep-water pier 465 m (1,526 feet) long that can hold 2 ships at once. Wikipedia calls Frederiksted the only port for cruise ships on the island. A cruise port guide says taxis, tour buses and shuttle buses take passengers to Christiansted, the island's other town.

Sources: Wikipedia: Frederiksted; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): St Croix

Top 3 things to do

1. 1. Fort Frederik and the town

   The fort was built to protect the town from pirate raids and is named for Frederick V of Denmark, who bought the Danish West Indies in 1754. On 3 July 1848 the freeing of enslaved people was proclaimed here by Governor-General Peter von Scholten, the same day Moses Gottlieb, called General Buddhoe, led an uprising that marched on Frederiksted.

   Tip: The town is small, fewer than 1,000 people, and runs at a slower pace than Christiansted, so it is an easy walk from the pier.

   Source: Wikipedia: Frederiksted

2. 2. A beach by the pier

   A cruise port guide says a large public beach, with restaurants and bars, lies directly off the pier, and that several more beaches are within walking distance of it.

   Tip: It gives no walking times, so ask at the gangway how far the beach you want is before you set out.

   Source: CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): St Croix

3. 3. Christiansted, the Danish town

   Captain Frederik Moth founded the town in 1733 and it is named for King Christian VI of Denmark. It was once the capital of the Danish West Indies, and its fort was completed by 1740. Its boardwalk is lined with jewelry stores that make their own designs, galleries, studios and clothing boutiques.

   Tip: Christiansted is mid-island on the north side, so it is a taxi or bus ride from the pier, not a walk.

   Sources: Wikipedia: Christiansted; Wikipedia: Frederiksted; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): St Croix

What to skip

• Buck Island on a short call

  Buck Island Reef National Monument is reached only by boat, a 5.5 mile (8.8 km) sail from Christiansted wharf or Green Cay Marina, and the park is open 7 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. The ship is on the other side of the island from Christiansted, so the road and the sail do not fit a short day.

  Sources: National Park Service: Buck Island Reef National Monument, basic information; Wikipedia: Frederiksted; Wikipedia: Christiansted

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in St. Croix

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in St. Croix, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

• Back-to-back cruises from San Juan 111 back-to-backs with a stop in St. Croix
• Back-to-back cruises from Port Canaveral 3 back-to-backs with a stop in St. Croix
• Back-to-back cruises from Baltimore 2 back-to-backs with a stop in St. Croix
• Back-to-back cruises from Barcelona 1 back-to-back with a stop in St. Croix
• Back-to-back cruises from Colon 1 back-to-back with a stop in St. Croix
• Back-to-back cruises from Tampa 1 back-to-back with a stop in St. Croix

Sources

• Wikipedia: Frederiksted
• Wikipedia: Christiansted
• National Park Service: Buck Island Reef National Monument, basic information
• CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): St Croix
• Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?