AGP Executive Report

Cruise Boom: The US Virgin Islands is seeing faster cruise growth than anywhere else in the Caribbean, with 831,690 passenger arrivals in Q1 2026—up 68% year over year—driven by strong demand for both St. Thomas and St. Croix. New Resort in St. Croix: Club Med has broken ground on a 150-room, all-inclusive Club Med St. Croix opening in Q4 2027, targeting ages 12+ and aiming to create about 200 jobs, with most hires local. Cargo Upgrade: Tropical Shipping ordered four Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes—one for Riviera Beach, plus one for St. Croix and two for St. Thomas—marking the first mobile harbor cranes deployed in the USVI. Air Access Expands: Southwest is launching new Saturday-only Caribbean routes from Nashville to Aruba, Montego Bay, and St. Thomas starting March 13, adding more nonstop vacation options. Flight Deal for Winter: Breeze Airways will add nonstop Tampa–St. Thomas service starting Dec. 16, twice weekly. Beach Safety Alert: DPNR flagged one St. Thomas beach as unsafe for swimming, while St. Croix results were ruined by a lab equipment failure, leaving no official data for the weekend. Tech for Travelers: Starlink changed Roam rules by grouping the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands into one region, helping frequent travelers avoid the international 30-day cap on Roam Unlimited.

Air Access: Southwest Airlines is adding new Saturday-only nonstop routes from Nashville to Aruba, Montego Bay, and St. Thomas (starting March 13), plus Columbus, Ohio to Punta Cana—more Caribbean options for USVI travelers. Beach Safety: DPNR flagged one St. Thomas shoreline as unsafe for swimming, while St. Croix beach results were left unavailable after a lab equipment failure ruined samples. Resort Growth: Construction has started on Club Med St. Croix, a 150-room all-inclusive opening in Q4 2027, targeting about 200 jobs (mostly local). Cruise Boom: USVI cruise passenger arrivals jumped 68% in Q1 2026, led by St. Thomas and St. Croix, with growth outpacing other Caribbean destinations. Cargo & Ports: Tropical Shipping ordered four new Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbor cranes—first of their kind for St. Croix and St. Thomas—aimed at boosting quayside handling. Travel Tech: Starlink updated roaming rules by grouping the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands into one region, changing how roaming limits apply. Weather Watch: Saharan dust and extreme heat are in the forecast, along with the first tropical waves of the season. Local Crime: Police used real-time camera tracking to arrest a St. Thomas man tied to a stolen SUV and multiple burglaries.

Resort Development: Club Med has started construction on a new 150-room all-inclusive Club Med St. Croix, targeting a Q4 2027 opening. The Exclusive Collection property is expected to create about 200 jobs, with roughly 80% filled locally, and will offer suites for guests 12+ plus dining, an infinity pool, spa, and sports facilities. Cruise Tourism: The US Virgin Islands is seeing cruise growth faster than anywhere else in the Caribbean, with 831,690 passenger arrivals in Q1 2026—up 68% year over year—led by St. Thomas and St. Croix. Air Access: Breeze Airways plans nonstop Tampa–St. Thomas service starting Dec. 16, twice weekly, adding another winter option into Cyril E. King Airport. Cargo & Ports: Tropical Shipping ordered four Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes, including first-ever mobile harbor cranes for St. Croix and St. Thomas, boosting quayside container handling. Travel Disruption Watch: A push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent could complicate travel planning if it passes and states adjust rules. Weather Watch: Saharan dust and extreme heat are affecting the region, with hazy skies and high heat indices expected.

Cruise Boom: The U.S. Virgin Islands is seeing faster cruise growth than anywhere else in the Caribbean, with 831,690 passenger arrivals in Q1 2026—up 68% year over year—driven by strong demand for both St. Thomas (Havensight, Crown Bay, Charlotte Amalie anchorage) and St. Croix. New Resort Investment: Club Med broke ground on Club Med St. Croix, marking its return to the U.S. and its first USVI property, slated to open in 2027. Air Access Expansion: Breeze Airways will launch nonstop Tampa–St. Thomas service Dec. 16 (twice weekly), adding another winter option into Cyril E. King Airport. Cargo Capacity Upgrade: Tropical Shipping ordered four Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes—one for St. Croix and two for St. Thomas—bringing the first mobile harbor cranes to the islands and boosting quayside handling. Travel Disruption Watch: A push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent passed the House, which could complicate travel planning if the Senate follows. Weather Watch: Saharan dust and extreme heat are affecting the region, with hazy skies and heat risks highlighted for the USVI forecast. Local Safety & Security: A St. Thomas man faces new charges tied to a Havensight dirt bike heist, and a separate case saw a tourist arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after an undeclared firearm was found in luggage.

Resort Development: Club Med officially broke ground on Club Med St. Croix, its return to the U.S. and first U.S. Virgin Islands property, slated to open in 2027. Port & Cargo Upgrades: Tropical Shipping ordered Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbour cranes—one for Riviera Beach, plus units for St. Croix and St. Thomas—marking the first mobile harbour cranes deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands to boost quayside handling. Air Access: Breeze Airways will launch nonstop Tampa–St. Thomas service Dec. 16, running twice weekly (Wednesdays and Saturdays), with fares starting at $149 one way. Weather Watch: Saharan dust and extreme heat are affecting the islands, with hazy skies and elevated heat risk, plus the first tropical waves of the season to watch. Local Courts: St. Croix’s criminal docket featured a high-profile murder case and other serious charges, including assaults and DUI-related incidents. Travel Safety & Compliance: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after an undeclared firearm was found during screening. Tourism Funding: Antigua and Barbuda’s parliament approved a US$10 airport charge increase to support regional aviation and infrastructure—aimed at helping carriers including routes that connect to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Caribbean Travel Inspiration: A new roundup highlights top Caribbean treehouse hotels, including options in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

New nonstop to St. Thomas: Breeze Airways says it will launch twice-weekly Tampa–St. Thomas service starting Dec. 16, giving winter travelers a fresh direct option into Cyril E. King Airport. Weather Watch: Saharan dust and extreme heat are in the forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands, with hazy skies and elevated heat risk plus the first tropical waves of the season. Court Watch (St. Croix): The St. Croix criminal docket includes a high-profile murder case and other serious assaults, with courtroom parking lot DUIs also making headlines. Local Crime (St. Thomas): A St. Thomas man tied to a Havensight dirt bike theft now faces a second wave of charges after documents link him and minors to a separate stolen-vehicle incident. Local Crime (St. Thomas): Another Sugar Estate case has a suspect charged after a stolen work truck was found wedged against a physical therapy business. Airport/Travel Policy: Parliament approved a US$10 airport charge increase aimed at shoring up regional aviation funding—explicitly tied to restoring Category 1 status and enabling flights to U.S. destinations including the USVI. Safety/Travel Compliance: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after an undeclared firearm was found during screening. Tourism Demand: A Barbados promo campaign reports strong “untapped demand” for Caribbean travel, especially among U.S. diaspora audiences—mirroring similar USVI and BVI interest.

Aviation Funding: Antigua and Barbuda’s House passed an Airport Administration Charge (Amendment) Bill raising the passenger airport charge by US$10 for travelers outside the Caribbean, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne saying the extra revenue will shore up regional aviation and infrastructure and help restore Category 1 safety status—key for flights to U.S. destinations including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Power & Travel Disruption: WAPA announced back-to-back overnight blackouts for St. Thomas-St. John (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) affecting multiple feeders, while St. Croix continues to face multi-day grid fluctuations—bad news for visitors and tourism operations. Local Crime & Safety: St. Thomas saw major theft cases escalate, including a man facing a second wave of charges tied to a Havensight dirt bike heist and another case where surveillance linked a suspect and minors to a stolen work truck wedged against a Sugar Estate business entrance. Visitor Practicalities: A CBP reminder warns travelers about declaring agricultural foods at U.S. customs to avoid $300+ fines. Beach & Nature Picks: St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is highlighted as a top global beach spot, with seasonal nesting closures and limited access rules. Travel Inspiration: A roundup spotlights Caribbean treehouse hotels, plus “most beautiful” island lists and snorkeling ideas that include U.S. Virgin Islands options.

Territory Power Disruptions: WAPA says back-to-back overnight blackouts are planned for St. Thomas-St. John (11 p.m.–7 a.m.) on July 13 and 14, with multiple feeders affected—expect full darkness for some residential and tourism areas during peak summer heat. Local Crime & Safety: A St. Thomas man, Stephan Joseph, faces a second wave of charges tied to a Havensight dirt bike heist, with court documents alleging the same weekend involved a larger theft ring using minors. Airport Enforcement: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after CBP found an undeclared firearm in luggage during secondary screening—another reminder to follow Virgin Islands firearm rules. Marine Life & Laws: A Florida man was arrested for trying to sell an endangered Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle shell on Facebook Marketplace, a third-degree felony. Travel Planning Tips: A U.S. customs guide warns travelers about $300 fines for undeclared agricultural items and explains what foods can be brought back. Caribbean Travel Inspiration: A roundup spotlights top Caribbean treehouse hotels, including options in the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus a reminder to explore beyond resorts for local culture. Tourism Demand Watch: A Barbados campaign report says there’s strong “untapped demand” for Caribbean travel—especially from the U.S. diaspora—based on engagement from recent destination promotions, including campaigns for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

Territory Power & Travel Disruption: WAPA is scheduling back-to-back overnight blackouts for St. Thomas–St. John (11 p.m.–7 a.m. July 13 and 14), with large feeder areas affected—plan ahead for hotels, tours, and late-night dining. Local Crime & Visitor Safety: A St. Thomas man tied to a Havensight dirt bike theft faces a second wave of charges after court documents allege his black Acura SUV helped coordinate a multi-vehicle theft ring involving minors. Airport Rules: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after an undeclared firearm was found during CBP screening—another reminder to declare and register properly before you fly. Nature & Beach Planning: St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is ranked among the world’s best beaches, but access is limited during sea turtle nesting season (April–August) and there are strict visitor rules. Caribbean Travel Demand: A Barbados tourism campaign points to strong “untapped demand” for Caribbean travel from the U.S. and diaspora audiences, including recent messaging that also boosted interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regional Travel Inspiration: A roundup highlights top Caribbean treehouse hotels, including options in the U.S. Virgin Islands for travelers seeking rainforest stays over beachfront crowds.

Power & Tourism Disruption: WAPA says back-to-back overnight blackouts are coming for St. Thomas-St. John (11 p.m.–7 a.m. July 13 and 14), with large feeder outages that could leave key residential and tourism areas dark during peak summer hours. Local Crime: A St. Thomas man tied to a Havensight dirt bike theft is now facing a second wave of charges after court documents alleged his SUV helped coordinate a multi-vehicle theft ring involving minors. Another St. Thomas Case: Police also linked a Sugar Estate work-truck theft to a suspect and two minors after surveillance footage showed the truck wedged against a physical therapy business entrance. Visitor Safety/Rules: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after an undeclared firearm was found in luggage during CBP screening. Nature & Travel Planning: Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on St. Croix is ranked among the world’s best beaches, but access is limited during sea turtle nesting season (April–August) and the site has strict visitor rules. Caribbean Travel Demand: A Barbados campaign reported strong “untapped demand” for Caribbean travel, especially from the U.S. diaspora—pointing to continued interest in the region, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Local Crime & Safety: A St. Thomas man tied to a Havensight dirt bike theft is now facing a second wave of charges, with court documents alleging he coordinated a multi-vehicle theft ring involving minors on the same weekend as an earlier “hooded heist.” Local Crime & Safety: Another St. Thomas case landed in court after a woman allegedly used her car to strike an ex-boyfriend in the Bellows International parking lot, following a 911 call that unraveled under surveillance footage. Local Crime & Safety: A St. Thomas woman was arrested after a viral Red Hook ferry-dock brawl left a victim with head and facial injuries; police say video helped identify her as a key participant. Local Power & Travel Disruption: WAPA announced back-to-back overnight blackouts for St. Thomas–St. John (11 p.m.–7 a.m.) as St. Croix also continues feeder-related instability. Travel Planning: A guide spotlights St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge as a top beach pick, noting seasonal closures for sea turtles and limited visitor access. Caribbean Travel Insight: A Caribbean tourism promo for Barbados says there’s “untapped demand” for regional travel, especially from the U.S. diaspora. Cruise News: Holland America Line released its 2027–2028 Caribbean season, emphasizing longer itineraries and more time in port, with frequent stops at Half Moon Cay.

Territory Power & Travel Disruption: WAPA says back-to-back overnight blackouts are planned for St. Thomas-St. John on Mon. July 13 and Tue. July 14 (11 p.m.–7 a.m.), with multiple feeders affected—expect major impacts for homes and tourism hubs. Local Crime & Safety: A St. Thomas man tied to a Havensight dirt bike theft is now facing a second wave of charges after court documents allege he coordinated a multi-vehicle theft ring involving minors. Airport & Visitor Compliance: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after CBP found an undeclared firearm in his luggage—another reminder that Virgin Islands rules can be strict. On-Island Violence: A St. Thomas woman was arrested after a 911 call about a broken windshield turned into allegations she used her car to strike her ex-boyfriend. Red Hook Dock Incident: A viral late-night ferry terminal brawl at Red Hook Dock led to the arrest of a 21-year-old woman. Travel Planning Tip: A new customs guide warns that undeclared agricultural items can trigger $300 fines, plus details on what travelers should declare before flying home. Caribbean Travel Demand: A Barbados promo campaign reported strong “untapped demand” for Caribbean travel, especially from the U.S. diaspora—good news for regional tourism momentum. Cruise Watch: Holland America unveiled its 2027–2028 Caribbean season with more longer itineraries and frequent calls at Half Moon Cay.

Power & Utilities: WAPA says back-to-back overnight blackouts are coming for the St. Thomas–St. John district on Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14 (11 p.m.–7 a.m.), with multiple feeders affected—while St. Croix continues to deal with multi-day grid instability. Public Safety: A St. Thomas woman was arrested after police say she used her car to strike her ex-boyfriend in the Bellows International parking lot; in another case, a St. Thomas man was charged after surveillance linked him and two minors to a stolen work truck found wedged against a Sugar Estate business. Travel Rules at the Airport: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after CBP found an undeclared firearm in his luggage. Beach & Nature Spotlight: Beach.com ranks St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge among the world’s best beaches, noting sea turtle nesting closures and limited access. Tourism Industry: A Caribbean hospitality veteran urges clearer, easier-to-find policies so travelers feel confident before booking. Cruise News: Holland America announced its 2027–2028 Caribbean season with more longer itineraries and frequent calls at Half Moon Cay. Regional Weather: Saharan dust and a heat dome are pushing Gulf Coast feels-like temps toward 110 degrees, which could affect travel conditions across the region.

Top Beach Pick: Beach.com spotlights St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge as one of the world’s best beaches, with clear water and sea turtles—note the beach closes during nesting season (typically April–August) and access is limited with no facilities. Power & Planning: WAPA says back-to-back overnight blackouts are coming for St. Thomas–St. John (Mon. July 13 and Tue. July 14, 11 p.m.–7 a.m.), while St. Croix continues to deal with feeder-related instability. Safety at the Airport: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after an undeclared firearm was found in luggage during CBP screening. Local Crime Watch: St. Thomas saw a viral Red Hook Dock brawl lead to an arrest, and another case tied a stolen work truck to a St. Thomas man and minors. Tourism Confidence: A Caribbean hospitality veteran urges clearer, easier-to-find policies so travelers feel secure before booking. Travel Weather: A Saharan dust plume is pushing haze and heat across Florida and the Gulf, with feels-like temps near 110.

Territory Power Disruptions: WAPA has scheduled back-to-back overnight blackouts for St. Thomas–St. John on Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14 (11 p.m.–7 a.m.), with multiple feeders affected—plan ahead if you’re visiting or running tours during the peak summer heat. St. Thomas Crime & Safety: A St. Thomas woman was arrested after police say she used her car to strike her ex-boyfriend in the Bellows International parking lot, while another case saw a stolen work truck and scooter wedged against a Sugar Estate business doors. Airport Enforcement: A Tennessee tourist was charged after CBP officers found an undeclared firearm in luggage at Cyril E. King Airport—another reminder to declare and register properly before you fly. Travel Disruption Watch: A major Saharan dust plume is pushing hazy skies and extreme heat across the Florida Gulf Coast, which can affect travel comfort and air quality for regional visitors. Regional Tourism Business: A Caribbean hospitality veteran is urging clearer, more visible policies to build traveler trust—especially around refunds, health rules, and service guarantees.

Weather & Air Quality: A massive Saharan dust plume is pushing hazy skies and a heat dome across Florida and the Gulf Coast, with feels-like temperatures nearing 110°F through the weekend—conditions that can also mean reduced air quality for travelers heading to the region. St. Thomas Crime & Safety: A St. Thomas woman was arrested after police say she used her car to strike an ex-boyfriend in the Bellows International parking lot, following a 911 call that authorities say unraveled after surveillance review. St. Thomas Waterfront Incident: A St. Thomas man was arrested after a stolen work truck and scooter were found wedged against Sugar Estate business doors, tied to surveillance footage. St. Thomas-St. John Grid Disruptions: WAPA says back-to-back overnight blackouts are planned for St. Thomas-St. John on July 13 and 14 (11 p.m.–7 a.m.), with multiple feeders affected—important for hotels and visitor areas. St. Croix Public Safety: A man extradited back to St. Croix faces weapons-related charges after a prior shooting investigation. Travel Rules at the Airport: A Tennessee tourist was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after CBP found an undeclared firearm in luggage during secondary screening. Tourism Business Watch: A Caribbean hospitality veteran says travelers increasingly expect clear, easy-to-find policies—especially around cancellations and refunds—urging operators to make rules more visible before bookings. Community Spotlight: The Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards recognized 15 women across seven Caribbean territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, during events in the British Virgin Islands.