Saint John USVI – 1st Stop

So far, so good! In fact, the luxury cruise of a lifetime has been great. How often does one have a 50th anniversary? All around, the vessel, the staff, entertainment, and obviously the chow have been great. And on top of that I feel very safe aboard. Actually, as a guy said yesterday, we feel safer here than going to a local Walmart. More on that later. St. John USVI was our first stop.

Two Days at Sea

It is a long way down to the US Virgin Islands. We were 2.5 days at sea to reach the small island that is over 1,100 miles from Miami by air. Certainly longer by sea as we took the “Old Bahama Channel” that skirted alongside Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. It surprised me at how far east we are and into a different time zone. The sun rise here an hour earlier than where we were staying in Florida.

The days at sea were busy it seemed with activities and meals. Too many I fear.

Saint John US Virgin Islands

A Google search yield this bit of info: St. John is the smallest of the 3 U.S. Virgin Islands, which are located in the Caribbean Sea. Virgin Islands National Park occupies more than half the island. Its forests shelter resident and migratory birds, including cuckoos, warblers and hummingbirds. The mangroves at Hurricane Hole, in the east, support corals and anemones. Dolphins inhabit the island’s waters, which also host hawksbill and green turtles.

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There were a few shops and restaurants just ashore, but not much to do, so we took one of the excursions to tour the island in an open air 1975 bus. There were many great views of the island from the two hour tour, but the roads were rough, narrow, and the driver zipped along on the left side of the road.

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Here are a few notes from our tour. Hurricane Irma practically destroyed the island in 2017. Still much visible damage. Rebuilding takes manpower and money. Kenny Chesney owns a home here, but is not here awaiting repairs. The island has no hospital. If serious, you take the ferry to St. Thomas and then fly to Miami.

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Covid Safety

The Crystal safety plan is quite extensive. Here is a quick recap. Everyone wears a “contact tracer” like a watch except it has no time readout. Instead it can tell the all knowing computer anyone who has been within 6 feet of you. If someone tested positive, all contacts would be notified.

Everyone coming onboard must test negative or be turned away. All crew are tested every three days. Passengers every seven days. Masks are worn at all times except when eating/drinking, or by pool, or in stateroom. Hand sanitizer stations are everywhere. Temperature checks daily. And I’ve probably missed some.

Wrap Up

Next up is Antigua. Take care and God Bless.