The V.I. Port Authority has released its cruise ship schedules for the 2025–2026 season, providing a detailed picture of when vessels will call on Frederiksted, St. Croix, and Crown Bay, St. Thomas, with St. John tender calls also included. The schedules, which cover October 2025 through September 2026, are subject to change by the cruise lines and the authority.
St. Croix (Frederiksted Pier)
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Season Window: October 2025 through September 2026.
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Peak Traffic: December through March, with multiple ship days and frequent large-capacity vessels such as Adventure of the Seas, Carnival Dream, and Jewel of the Seas.
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Luxury Visits: Smaller premium lines, including Viking Sea and Seven Seas Grandeur, are spread across the schedule, adding diversity.
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Summer Program: A steady flow of Rhapsody of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas calls keep activity going through June, July, and August, before tapering off in September.
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Notable Capacity Days: Several dual-berth days in winter months bring more than 10,000 passengers and crew into Frederiksted in a single day.
Crown Bay (St. Thomas) and St. John Tender Operations
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Season Window: October 2025 through September 2026. -
High-Volume Months: Heavy holiday and winter traffic with near-daily calls, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC, and Virgin Voyages ships.
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Multi-Ship Days: Frequent in December through March, with Crown Bay hosting large vessels simultaneously and additional tender traffic to Cruz Bay, St. John.
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St. John Service: Scheduled tenders increase passenger flow to Cruz Bay, creating high-demand days for transportation, tour operators, and retailers.
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Diversity of Lines: Mainstream and premium carriers appear alongside boutique luxury vessels, highlighting the port’s varied appeal.
Implications for the Territory
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Tourism Sector: Multi-ship days are expected to bring heavy demand for taxis, tour operators, restaurants, and retail shops. -
Local Businesses: The steady flow outside of the peak months ensures reliable tourism activity throughout much of the year.
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Government Services: Security, berthing logistics, and transportation management will need to be at peak readiness during December–March, when arrivals cluster most densely.
The complete schedules for both St. Croix and Crown Bay/St. Thomas, including exact dates, vessels, and times, are here and here.
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