Just as sure as St. Croix’s east end is the first to see the sun in the U.S., a west end sunset is sure to be spectacular. If you’re lucky, you may even see the elusive “Green Flash.”

A Centerline tip: don’t ever think that a cloudy horizon will ruin a sunset. Clouds often mean some of the most incredible shades of pink, yellow and orange.

There are several vantage points from which to watch the sunset. Some of our favorites include Spratt Hall Beach, Rainbow Beach, the Tap Deck balcony, The Fred, Louie & Nachos, Dorsch Beach, and the Frederiksted Pier.  You can even take a bench at the park on Strand Street in Frederiksted to enjoy the show!

The sun sets early here, between 6 and 7pm, depending on the season, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy dinner in Frederiksted after sunset.

Celebrating 30 Years
In celebration of Centerline’s 30th anniversary, we’re sharing 30 Things Centerline Loves About St. Croix. Each week we’ll share something new — and we hope you’ll chime in on social media by telling us what you love too! Our big 3-0 is in March 2020, when we’ll also be giving away a St. Croix vacation.

Considering St. Croix’s long history and ripe landscape, Crucian cuisine has many cultural and flavor influences.

St. Croix has so many local ingredients to work with — from fresh-caught seafood, like lobster, mahi and wahoo, to locally-raised meat, like Senepol beef and goat, to tropical fruits, like avocado, bananas, mango, papaya, pineapple, guava and soursop, to beautiful vegetables, like tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, and squash. And then there are the seasonings that bring everything to life — coriander, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, pepper, paprika and more!

Whether we’re ordering from a stand at a festival or sitting down to be served, we love our local food. And we enjoy encouraging visitors to St. Croix to try the tasty local cuisine.

Crucian Cuisine: Food Terms

Here are a few island favorites that you really should try!

• Pate — fried dough filled with seafood, chicken, beef, or veggies
• Fungi — boiled cornmeal and okra (this description simply can’t do the incredible taste justice!)
• Kallalloo — leafy greens, like spinach, yummy okra, seafood and meat stew served over a ball of fungi
• Johnny cake — kind of sweet fried bread
• Conch — you’ll find this in the form of fritters, ceviche, stew, pate and in butter sauce
• Roti — curried potato, chickpeas, veggies and meat wrapped in an Indian flatbread
• Saltfish — preserved cod

VI Food Tours

If you’re not sure where to go, we highly recommend Virgin Islands Food Tours for anyone who wants an introduction to Crucian Cuisine. You’ll learn about some best kept secrets in the Christiansted local food scene, and get a little St. Croix history along the way. A VI Food Tour for two is included in our 30th anniversary St. Croix vacation giveaway!

Celebrating 30 Years
In celebration of Centerline’s 30th anniversary, we’re sharing 30 Things Centerline Loves About St. Croix. Each week we’ll share something new — and we hope you’ll chime in on social media by telling us what you love too! Our big 3-0 is in March 2020, when we’ll also be giving away a St. Croix vacation.

Like USVI native Pressure Busspipe’s hit says, “St. Croix full of pure vibes, so nice, so nice.”

St. Croix is an island of very friendly people. You can always count on being greeted, making friends comes easy and help is never far away.

Good Morning, Good Afternoon & Good Night

Greetings are very much ingrained in our culture. From walking down the sidewalk to walking in to the bank to stepping through the door of your favorite bakery (or rental car agency!), offering up a greeting is a simple act that makes everyone feel welcome.

On St. Croix, we do use more formal greetings of “Good Morning” (though it may sound more like “Good Mahnin'”), Good Afternoon,” and “Good Night” (as a greeting, in place of Good Evening). But just because these phrases seem more formal, our greetings are fueled by friendliness. Greeting one another just has a way of spreading happiness!

You never know when a greeting might result in a new friendship or a good tip. Don’t hesitate to ask people you greet for advice on a favorite place to eat, things to do or directions.

As we were writing this, a perfectly timed post came through on a St. Croix Facebook group. The question was asked, “Will you post…1-2 things that you love about STX?” There was a overwhelming response that the people are one of the top reasons to love St. Croix! The comments just rolled on…

• “I think The people of STX are very nice and friendly!”
• “We love the people, the diversity, the laid-back attitude and, of course, the amazing beauty and weather!!”
• “The incredible sense of community.”
• “Weather, the food, the people and the laid back environment.”
• “Love how I learned to smile and greet strangers with good morning.”
• “The people are amazing! Love the sense of family.”
• “Nice people.”
• “Da people.”
• “The sea and the people!”
• “We love the people who were already there that are rich with friendliness, community and culture.”
• “The beautiful view and beautiful people!!”
• “The people!”
• “We love the weather (no more snow!), but more importantly, we love the culture, the beauty & the people.”
• “The beautiful beaches and ocean are what first brought us here. But the people have kept us here.”
• “The wonderful people, the open blue sky…”
• “I love the sea, sand and the people….”

We’re happy that so many people agree that the friendly people of St. Croix are at the top of the list of things to love. Don’t just take the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s word for it. Experience St. Croix’s “Real Nice” for yourself!

Celebrating 30 Years
In celebration of Centerline’s 30th anniversary, we’re sharing 30 Things Centerline Loves About St. Croix. Each week we’ll share something new — and we hope you’ll chime in on social media by telling us what you love too! Our big 3-0 is in March 2020, when we’ll also be giving away a St. Croix vacation.

Ike Turner joined Centerline Car Rentals as General Manager in November 2017. He brings a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, a solid work ethic, a love for St. Croix, and vibrant energy to our team.

With 22 years of experience in hospitality, Ike has held various roles, including director of operations and general manager of the now Carambola Beach Resort. He’s looking forward to applying his knowledge to the rental car industry. His background also includes other unique positions, from piano teacher to sign maker.

Originally from Detroit, MI, Ike moved to St. Croix in 1994. His family has a long history on the island and he never tires of “small world” stories that come up.

Ike loves to experience the variety of food options on St. Croix. He misses Le St. Tropez in Frederiksted, but has many new favorites — and several places he’d still like to try. His other hobbies include singing and comic books.

Are you a golf enthusiast? Are you a beginner? Regardless of your ability, St. Croix has three amazing golf courses that will challenge your skills and leave you in awe of the beauty that surrounds them. String them together for a week of golfing and you’ll see three distinct areas of the island with a variety of views and unique highlights.

The Carambola Golf and Country Club is a sprawling 18-hole course that is nestled around historic plantation ruins at the center of the Carambola Resort. The par-72 Carambola golf course was designed by world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr. and built by Laurence Rockefeller in 1966. Carambola’s golf course received a four star rating from GOLF Magazine and continues to be an attraction to visitors from all over the world.

Three white sandy beaches border the Buccaneer Resort Golf Course. Rounds that last for less than four hours have the potential of lasting much longer as golfers get lost in the picturesque views at every turn. Bob Joyce designed this gorgeous 18-hole course in 1973 which gives players 5,668 yards of expansive green with a par-70 that is a perfect companion to the blues of the Caribbean Sea. With spectacular ocean views at thirteen of those holes, The Buccaneer is an ideal resort course. Challenging, yet very playable, the course is sure to delight golfers of all skill levels!

St. Croix’s third course offers not only stunning views but the notoriety of being the easternmost golf course in the United States! The Reef is a 9-hole course set in the valley on beautiful Teague Bay on the northeastern part of St. Croix. This course, with 3,000 yards of fairways, groomed greens, and water hazards will challenge all levels of golfers. The Reef also offers a driving range and a fully stocked pro shop.

When one thinks of active relaxation, golf should be at the forefront of those thoughts. Golf, with the added perks of island breezes and gorgeous scenery, is ideal. Whether you fancy lush tropical flora swaying before your eyes or tranquil blue water hypnotizing you, golfing on St. Croix should be top priority during your island adventure!

While playing a round of golf, take a picture or two and share it with us on our Facebook page.

Remember only take photos and only leave footprints… Contact us if you need a ride!