A Trip to St. Croix Means Skip The Passport, Don’t Skimp On The Fun

Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (May 10, 2021) – For travelers who’ve set their sights on going somewhere truly special this summer -- on a vacation that will be the antithesis of the drama they’ve endured during the past year -- we’d like to make the case for the stunning island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, “America’s Paradise.” The ideal place to establish headquarters is The Buccaneer, a legendary beach resort that’s been welcoming guests to this historic island since 1947.

Since St. Croix is part of a U.S. territory, no passports are ever required for U.S. residents who’d like to visit. Guests must provide proof of a positive antibodies test (an option for those who have been fully vaccinated) or a negative COVID test prior to arrival on St. Croix, but there’s no mandatory quarantining upon entry. Perhaps the best news is that visitors here won’t have to deal with a lot of the limitations they’ve experienced elsewhere in the past year. The Buccaneer features 130 rooms and suites spread out over 350 acres, plus dining venues, pools, beaches and recreational facilities ... all with plenty of room for everyone and plenty of sunshine and fresh air all around.

You can do absolutely nothing, if you so choose, because The Buccaneer provides the perfect environment for guests to master the fine art of relaxation. But these days, an even more appealing option might be getting out and actually DOING something. St. Croix boasts pleasant temperatures, soothing waters and gentle breezes all year round, which makes it an ideal venue for any number of outdoor adventures. From golf or tennis -- both available right at the resort -- to hiking or deep-sea fishing, this island was presenting countless ways to safely enjoy time with family and friends long before the term “social distancing” was even part of our standard lexicon.

The oldest family-run resort in the entire Caribbean, The Buccaneer is an especially kid-friendly property that makes an ideal getaway for children, parents and grandparents, too. Knowing that many of its guests travel as extended family units, through December 19 The Buccaneer is offering a Two-Bedroom Special so that families booking two rooms can enjoy a 50% discount on the second one when the party includes a maximum of two adults and children 18 and younger between the two accommodations. The resort also features an exclusive Beach House, a six-bedroom private enclave that features a villa-style master suite, a private pool and the complex’s very own beach. It’s ideal for families and other small groups that want to get away from it all -- and everyone -- but in a much more luxurious and relaxing environment than they’re used to.

On the other end of the spectrum -- for that romantic party of two just beginning a new life together -- The Buccaneer is a popular spot for destination weddings and honeymoons. It’s the perfect locale for couples seeking a destination that’s truly exotic without being officially “international.” To help with the planning, The Buccaneer offers a Honeymoons Are Forever Package that provides an enhanced resort experience, including perks such as private airport transportation, a beach cabana rental, and resort credit that can be used for meals or even a beachfront massage.

From fun families to carefree couples and from active adventurers to lazy loungers, no matter what type of traveler is attracted to St. Croix, it’s now even easier to get to the island thanks to increased airlift from four gateways on the mainland: Charlotte and Miami (on American Airlines, with the MIA flight lasting less than three hours), Atlanta (on Delta Air Lines) and Fort Lauderdale (on Spirit Airlines).

Since it does require a flight to get to St. Croix, The Buccaneer recommends that guests embrace the whole “road trip” concept this year by reserving a rental car so they can truly experience an amazing island adventure. (That adventure begins with the fact that Crucians drive on the opposite side of the road!) A car enables visitors to travel to sites like the St. George Village Botanical Garden, which conserves and protects native plant species from St. Croix and other Caribbean islands; Point Udall, the easternmost point in the United States and therefore home to the nation’s first sunrise each day; and the town of Christiansted, which boasts a rich history and phenomenal restaurants.

To reach St. Croix’s top attraction, the famed Buck Island Reef National Monument, visitors don’t need a car ... but they do need a boat. The Buccaneer boasts its own dock, where captains pick up guests right from the hotel property and escort them on snorkeling adventures at the reef.

For more information about The Buccaneer, please visit www.thebuccaneer.com. For more details about the island of St. Croix and the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, please check www.usviupdate.com. There’s also a special website to answer questions about travel to and from the territory.

The Buccaneer reminds all potential visitors to do their research and make informed and responsible travel decisions before embarking on a vacation, now or in the future. Please be sure to consult individual local and state requirements when planning travel.

The Legendary Buccaneer Resort In St. Croix Commemorates 100th Anniversary Of U.S. Virgin Islands

                Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands- On March 31 – the U.S. Virgin Islands will celebrate their 100^th anniversary, commemorating the historic moment when what had been the Danish West Indies officially became a U.S. territory. The Buccaneer, a hotel that has been a part of St. Croix’s thriving tourism scene since it first opened its doors to guests in December 1947, is working in tandem with the Islands’ Department of Tourism to commemorate the centennial with a travel deal that’s available to guests through the end of this year.

                The Department of Tourism is offering $300 in VI spending credits to visitors who book their trips via the tourism office website and apply the promotion code “CP17.” These credits can be used toward meals and activities throughout the islands. When booking, visitors should simply select The Buccaneer as their hotel of choice. This offer is good for reservations made between now and October 1, 2017, and trips must take place by December 31, 2017. Details are outlined on The Buccaneer’s website, www.TheBuccaneer.com.

                As a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands are the ideal Caribbean destination for American citizens, who don’t even need a passport to explore these tropical destinations that have their own unique history and distinctive culture. Though the islands are now a part of the United States, the “Stars and Stripes” is the seventh flag to fly over them. Christopher Columbus arrived in the 15^th century representing Spain, and from there England, The Netherlands, France, the Knights of Malta and Denmark have all laid claim to the Virgin Islands at some point in history. On March 31, 1917, the Danish West Indies officially became the U.S. Virgin Islands, being sold to the United States for $25 million in gold as a way of improving that nation’s military positioning during World War I. Today the United Nations recognizes the Islands as a non-self-governing territory of the United States.

                And each year on March 31, the Islands celebrate “Charter Day” in style. This year’s events promise to be especially festive as locals and visitors alike mark the centennial of that charter.

                The Buccaneer is also celebrating an anniversary of its very own this year – 70 years in the hospitality industry. The Armstrong family transformed the property into an 11-room hotel in 1947, and over the years has developed the resort into one of the finest in the Caribbean. Located on property that has grown tobacco, indigo and sugar and later served as a cattle ranch, The Buccaneer offers old-fashioned hospitality blended with all the amenities modern travelers prefer. It boasts three restaurants, a full-service spa, a fitness center, two pools, three beaches, free water activities (kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba lessons), an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, a shopping arcade, island entertainment, art classes, a weekly nature and history tour, and even a free kids’ camp on its 340 tropical acres.

                The property dates to 1653, and the original manor house now serves as the resort’s main building. It’s where guests find the registration and concierge desks, a restaurant, lounge and the original hotel rooms. A sugar mill from the early 1700s sits adjacent to that building and now provides the perfect venue for private dinners, weddings and the resort owner’s weekly cocktail reception for guests. A cotton house originally built in the early 1900s currently serves as one of The Buccaneer’s meeting venues. Today there are 138 spacious guest rooms located throughout the property, from that historic main building – where it’s said Alexander Hamilton once lived – to the ocean’s edge. Everywhere guests look they’re surrounded by both history and luxury. The Buccaneer, which is operated by the third generation of the Armstrong family, is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

                The history doesn’t end with the resort, however; it’s everywhere on St. Croix, which at 82.2 square miles is the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. The Buccaneer is less than a five-minute drive from the charming town of Christiansted, where visitors can enjoy dining, shopping and plenty of sightseeing – including more references to Alexander Hamilton, who spent his formative years on the island. Christiansted is also the place where visitors can catch a boat trip that helps them explore the natural wonders of the island, including coral reefs that attract snorkelers and divers from all over the world.

                For more information about The Buccaneer, St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit www.TheBuccaneer.com.