Cruise Travel to St. Croix

Cruise ships dock in Frederiksted, on the island's west end. You'll find an information center at the pier, and the town is easy to explore on foot. Beaches are nearby. The only difficulty is that you are far from the island's main town, Christiansted. Some cruise lines offer bus transportation there; otherwise, you are probably better off renting a car to explore the island, since both car-rental rates and gasoline prices are reasonable; just remember to drive on the left.

Midwest. This company is outside Frederiksted, but will pick you up at the pier. 340/772-0438 or 877/772-0438. www.midwestautorental.com.

Taxis of all shapes and sizes are available at the cruise-ship pier and at various shopping and resort areas. Remember, too, that you can hail a taxi that's already occupied. Drivers take multiple fares and sometimes even trade passengers at midpoints. Taxis don't have meters, so you should check the list of official rates (available at the visitor centers or from drivers) and agree on a fare before you start, but there are standard rates for most trips. A taxi to Christiansted will cost about $25 for two people for transportation only; an island tour including Christiansted will cost $110 for four people.