VIPA gets green light for cruise port expansion

The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) has received an approval to progress on the expansion of its cruise ports on St. Croix and St. Thomas.

In St. Croix, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) and VIPA are collaborating to allow larger ships to visit Frederiksted and continue to bring unique guest experiences to life.

The project includes a significant revitalization of the Subbase and Crown Bay area on St. Thomas, including the modernization of the Crown Bay Center.

While full details of the project remain under development, key enhancements include dredging work in both Crown Bay and St. Croix to make navigability easier, as well as a third cruise pier in St. Thomas and structural improvements throughout.

The dredging work, in particular, would permit larger Freedom-class vessels to visit St. Croix, which is impossible at the moment.

Larger ships would bring more tourism and economic opportunities to the largest island in the US Virgin Islands.