Where are you staying? Are you renting a car? Are you bringing kids?
I think dressing up really depends on where you are eating. But "dressing up" here on St. Croix means long pants rather than shorts, collared shirt and closed shoes. It usually doesn't mean suit and tie.

If you give me a little more info, I'd be glad to recommend restaurants and activities.

Tthe Bucaneer is doing a Christmas dinner at their Terrace Restaruant. They haven't announced the menu but we booked a reservation for 15.

Britt

thanks for getting back to me. we're staying at the Caravelle hotel and have a 15-year-old. He already knows he wants to parasail, and we will probably play golf (at Carambola?) and snorkel. Anything other suggestions?

thanks for the heads up. Will look into it. Do you think we need to make reservations now, or wait until we get there?

Carambola has a beautiful course. And on the way there you will pass by Cane Bay. The beach and snorkeling are great. And there are two fun-type places to eat (and drink), Cane Bay Beach Bar and Off the Wall. you should try one or both of these places. I've not seen any parasailing. You might call the hotel and see if they have any info. There is also a dive shop at Cane Bay that rents kayaks and arranges diving and snorkeling trips.

I assume you're going to rent a car? You can get a really good map at the National Park Gift/Information shop near the fort.

Stay left mon! And have a great time.

Hello,

I believe the watersports center at Hotel on they Cay advertises parasailing.

--Islander

thanks so much for all the great info. We weren't really sure about renting a car. What is your opinion? If we want a few day trips, should we just rent by the day, or renting by the week cheaper?

Thanks, again,

JJ

It's a big island, I'd rent a car. And it's not expensive. We rented twice from Judi of St. Croix (check out the web site). My memory says we paid about $225 for a week.

The island is fairly easy to drive. There are several "through" roads, but it's hard to get lost.

Hello JJ.

St. Croix is a big island and having a car is great. You can drive all the way to the East End, beach hop, restuarant hop, go to Whim, shopping, siteseeing, north shore... car car car. LOL. And like Linda says its not to bad in terms of price - a taxi will add up quickly if you go out often as its per person and by desintation. It is cheaper usually for a longer stay - so by week rather then by day.

If you are staying at a resort that offers lots of stuff to do like say Buccaneer Resort... then you could easily stay on the resort and go to the spa, golf, beach, kayak, yoga, massages, eat ... so a car wouldn't be necessary.

You might also consider renting a car for a few days of the time you are there and then the other days rely on taxi or stay around the resort/hotel.

Have a great time.

--Islander

I agree with everyone. You need a car and it is cheap. We just rented from Judi of Croix and it was $40/day. We put 150 miles on the car and drove ALOT! We were met at the seaplane and then just dropped the care there on our way of the island-very easy. We stayed at Tamarind Reef Hotel. Small hotel only 46 rooms but right on the beach and all the water sports equipment is included- snorkeling, kayaks, etc. THey also have a pool. Nice place to snorkel, good beach, easy location to find.

Hope you have a great trip!

thanks islander. We'll be staying in town, thus didn't really think we'd rent a car. But, there are a few things we want to do that is not in town, and that would mean best by car. I need to look into if there is a fee for parking at the hotel as that will probably change things, i.e., by the day or by the week.

We are counting down the days until we are there. Haven't had a vacation in seven years, so this one will be a great trip!!

islander -- what restaurants do you recommend? We would like to have a special Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve (with 15-year-old son). Any suggestions?

Hello JJ,

I have more dining experience on St. Thomas however I have eaten at several restaurants on St. Croix on visits there. Here goes... for a really nice open air lunch Bucaneer Beach restaurant is great - great service and view and food... Not sure if they serve dinner... but again its open air-causal. Their restaurant (I dont recall the name) up close to the lobby area is beautiful - I did not eat there but heard very good things - and this would be a more formal dining experience. Rumrunners in Christiansted is great -causual. Cheeseburgers is really causual but great burgers for maybe an early dinner - teen friendly... they have great drinks for you guys if interested. For lunch Stixx and Off the Wall were nice. The Case Place was closed when I last visited (cook or owner was having a baby I believe it was so should be open again by now as that was a couple months back) in any case my friends there had good things to say about it. The Galleon is nice restaurant and good food. So those would be my dining suggestions in general for your vacation - depending on if you want casual or not then that would effect which resturant you choose for the holdiay meals - the restaurant at Buccaneer is probally your most "fine dining" of those I listed.

I also have eaten at Duggans but had a terriable experience and was quite disappointed in service, food, atmosphere - everything - However it does get good reviews from others which led me to beleive maybe I just picked the wrong night, food and got inexperienced servers (all three of them)??

Oh also had breakfast at the Divi Pool Bar/Restaurant and that was really nice.

I would say check the yellow pages www.viphonebook.com and look up restuarants - call the ones folks have suggested and ask what they are doing for newyears eve and christmas... many often have set dinner options - so see what they have planned, how much per person/per dinner and what it includes and then decide which seem to fit what you want.

Hope that helps.

--Islander

good morning islander.

thank you so much for all the suggestions. They were all great, and I will follow through via the phone book on this end. Great suggestion!