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Do You Need a Passport to Travel to the Virgin Islands?

7/25/2018

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The Virgin Islands are divided politically between the United States of America (US Virgin Islands) and Great Britain (British Virgin Islands.) Depending on which one you are visiting and where you are coming from will determine what documents you need upon entry.

Love City Car Ferries, Inc. is a United States Virgin Islands car ferry company. If you are an American citizen, no passport is required for you to visit America's Paradise. Yes, we are Americans too and as such you can spend the US dollar and you can send post cards back home using the US Postal Service.

The US Virgin Islands has four major islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island. Each island is unique and offers its own flavor. However, what is noteworthy is the fact that just like continental America is the melting pot of the world, with residents from all major continents, the US Virgin Islands are also a melting pot, but of the Caribbean, with residents from most if not all Caribbean islands. So when you visit, you will truly have the unique opportunity of interacting with people from the Caribbean diaspora. So the food you taste, the music you enjoy, and the accents you hear are truly Caribbean.
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Home of the Wild Indians - St. Thomas, VI

4/4/2018

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As a child, I remember our parades in St. Thomas. The Wild Indians were usually among the last troupes to come into view. I eagerly anticipated them  and looked on in awe. I love the display of culture, fantasy, and innate symbolism. Many people of Caribbean descent have native Indian ancestry. Seeing the Indians do their performance was always a surreal experience.

The above images were found in the photo library of the late Llewellyn "Big Lew" Sewer. They were post cards that he kept and were passed on to his kids. I am so happy they were preserved and I just wanted to share them with you.

Carnival is here! Enjoy the fete and remember these cultural symbolism be they Wild Indians, Mocko Jumbie or any others are part of our beautiful cultural landscape. 

Carnival 2018 Schedule   https://www.vicarnivalschedule.com/stthomas/
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How Long is the Car Ferry Ride between St. Thomas and St. John?

4/6/2016

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The Virgin Islands is part of the Leeward Islands Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. Politically there are United States Virgin Islands a dependent territory owned by the United States of America and there are British Virgin Islands owned by the United Kingdom. There are four main islands in the US Virgin Islands, St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, and Water Island. Love City Car Ferries, Inc. has ferries operating between St. Thomas and St. John. The distance between these two islands is approximately 3 miles.

This three miles is one of the most picturesque views in the Caribbean and it takes approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the weather, etc., for the car ferry to traverse this divide, known as Pillsbury Sound. 


With the beautiful views, It feels like you are in paradise when you are finally on board the vessel and on your way. One can’t help but to look in wonder at the changing shades of blue in the crystal clear waters. If you look with the expectation of a child, you will probably be able to sight dolphins or even a whale every now and then. So have your camera ready and just relax and enjoy the ride.

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St. John's Easter Rock

3/24/2016

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Happy Easter to our Love City Car Ferries' Friends

If you grew up on St. John, you know Easter Rock. When we were kids the adults said that Easter Rock went down into the sea early each and every Easter morning and that is why it was always wet on Easter. We believed them and as teenagers we would sneak out to North Shore Road to try to see its descent. Of course we never witnessed this miraculous event, but nevertheless that rock remains a symbol of our childhood innocence. Some cultures have the Tooth Fairy and Reindeers and St. Johnians have their Easter Rock.

The thing about childhood is that it encourages dreaming, hoping, and believing. Sadly, the reality of our current World shatters that for most if not all adults and even teenagers. In light of the constant suicide bombers in various countries like Beirut, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, France, and now Brussels it is no wonder we all don't have tremendous anxiety about our future. But we still have a choice. We can choose to focus on hope.

Whether we are Christian or not, Easter reminds us of hope:  hope in a Savior who has risen, hope in new beginnings, hope in the ultimate goodness of the human spirit and hope that good ultimately conquers evil.

Happy Easter and if you live on St. John remember to share with your kids the story of Easter Rock!
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Staycation in the Virgin Islands

7/22/2015

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Are you enjoying your summer? Have you and the family gotten away to some exotic place or are the kids at home driving you up the wall by calling you at the office every 5 minutes and eating you out of house and home? Well if you can't get away, then maybe you need a mini staycation. A staycation is a vacation where you remain at home but you find new and interesting things to do.

There are so many things to do in the Virgin Islands. If you live on St. John, then hop over to St. Thomas and have some fun. Here is a link with interesting things to do in St. Thomas.  And if you are on St. Thomas then bring the kids over and relax and meditate on St. John. The Activities Guide has a lot of information of places to go and things to do in Love City. At least the kids will be able to report that the did something different when they return to school in August. And you won't be pestered so much anymore. 

The summer isn't over. Do something different. We are here to serve you. Book your round trip on board the M/V Capt. Vic and let your staycation begin.
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St. John by Jacob Schwarz

5/12/2015

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Have you seen this Youtube video of St. John? Beautiful. In some of their other films of other locals, you see people. In this one, you didn't see anyone. But it shows a beautiful and serene ‪#‎StJohn‬ ‪#‎USVI‬
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5 Simple Tips to Catch a Car Ferry in the United States Virgin Islands

10/29/2014

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How do you catch a car ferry in the United States Virgin islands? It is easier than you think. Below are 5 simple tips that can help you.
  1. If you are not a resident and you are not familiar with the landscape, you may first have to get a local map of the island so that you can find the docks. Click here and scroll down to find general driving instructions from the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas to the Red Hook terminal where the car ferries depart.
  2. Call Love City Car Ferries, Inc. at 340-779-4000 to make a reservation or if you are computer savvy, just book online. Bookings must be made at least three days prior to departure.
  3. Arrive to the docks 10-15 minutes before departure time.  If you arrive sooner, you may not catch the ferry you booked, especially since different companies use the same dock.  Love City Car Ferries, Inc. has black and white car ferries and the sailors wear blue shirts.  The vessels are the M/V Capt. Vic and the M/V Island Vic. Refunds are not given for incorrect boarding. So if you have a reservations, ensure you catch the correct ferry.
  4. When you arrive at the dock in Red Hook, you will be greeted by a Virgin Islands Port Authority official who will collect a small government toll. Once you pay the toll, let them know you have a reservation. It will help them direct you where to line up.
  5. Be prepared to reverse onto the vessel.  It is best to keep your windows rolled down so that you can hear the instructions of the crew member who is guiding you on board.  Once parked, engage your safety breaks and wait for the cashier to process your ticket.

After that, you are free to move around the vessel and enjoy the scenery.  The waterway between St. Thomas and St. John is one of the most picturesque in the world.

Have fun!

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Interesting Island News

9/15/2014

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Below are some interesting news of the Virgin Islands especially any news that may have relevance to the island of St. John.

VI Marine Industry Forum
The Senate Committe on Economic Development and Agriculture and Planning held a VI Marine Industry Forum to discuss the plight of the marine industry in the Virgin Islands. Some key points:
  1. A primary focus of the meeting was the need for job growth in the industry;
  2. Noteworthy, Captain John Holmberg is the resident marine adviser for the VI Economic Development Authority;
  3. There is a current underutilization of the territory's marine assets;
  4. Poor infrastructure hinders progress;
  5. St. Johnians expressed their discontent stemming from the inadequate use of their island resources;
  6. Boat building was noted as a possible stimulus for the industry
  7. Senator Millin-Young mentioned that apprenticeships in the form of a marine academy is warranted.
The following link gives the full story.
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/v-i-marine-industry-leaders-agree-job-growth-resourcefulness-are-needed-to-revitalize-field-1.1752320


PictureProfile of Jeffrey Epstein
Science Education in the Virgin Islands Gets a Boost

Sometimes a helping hand is all a child/youth needs, and Jeffrey Epstein understand this quite well.  This entrepreneurial mogul gave a huge donation to the STEM program at the University of the Virgin Islands.  STEM stands for Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology.  Mr. Epstein donated funds for accomodations and travels for students and chaperones but he also donated more than one hundred Microsoft Surface W computers, Touch keyboards and Nylon Sleeves for Microsoft Surface. Students, staff, UVI and the community in general are all grateful for this valuable contribution.  Read more here:  http://world.einnews.com/pr_news/223288427/harvard-mogul-jeffrey-epstein-boosts-science-education-in-the-us-virgin-islands

Picture Courtesy ofOnline PRMedia


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Boat Ride between St. Thomas and St. John has been listed as 1 of the 10 most Scenic in the World

They didn't have to tell me that, I knew that alread:)  Yes, the Pillsbury Sound route rounds in at number nine.  Nine in the world is an awesome place to be.  Here is a snippet of what the researchers said.  Click on the link to see who the other winners are.  But due to pride in my homeland, we will always be number one in my mind.

Easily accessible for US residents, and particularly affordable in the summer because of hurricane season, the ferry from St Thomas to St John during July to September is recommended by VirtualTourist members. Departing from Red Hook on the far eastern side of St Thomas, the ferry runs to Cruz Bay on St John every hour on the hour starting at 5.30am. The 20-minute ride is incredibly affordable and the crystalline waters are reason alone to make the trip. For only a few dollars one way, visitors to St Thomas can take a day trip to St John where more than two-thirds of the island is a nature preserve with ample hiking and public beaches to explore. http://www.travelweekly.com.au/holidays/destinations/top-10-most-scenic-boat-rides
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Beautiful Virgin Isles: St. Thomas and St. John

8/25/2014

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Island Hopping in the Caribbean 

7/31/2014

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Have you gone to Tortola lately?  Well it is time to take a trip.  I visited Josiah's Bay just a couple of weeks ago and I was struck by the beauty of this white sandy beach, the picturesque ebb and flow of the waves, the quietness and solitude.  It was pure relaxation.  Sometimes we forget that all the islands of the Caribbean have their own unique beauty.

What is special about this region is that many islands are in relative close proximity.  Whether as a group you charter a boat, pay a ferry company or hire a crew for a private charter, you can enjoy several islands in just one visit. And if you are a local, you know what to do.

Go island hopping.  Try snorkeling, water skiing, scuba diving.  Enjoy our Caribbean! 
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, Celestine Chua, betancourt, howard.emma22, Arizona Parrot, US Department of Education
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