Daily News Photos by CRISTIAN SIMESCU Tourists off the MSC Opera check out arts and crafts for sale at Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted.

ST. CROIX - It was a welcome sight for Frederiksted merchants and residents Wednesday: Cruise ship passengers were milling around town, visiting stores, dining at restaurants and relaxing in Buddhoe Park.

"It feels real good," said Frances Joseph, owner of L&F Castle in Frederiksted Mall. "It's great to have customers in my store for a change. I hope it continues."

Frederiksted buzzed with activity as the MSC Opera, MSC Italian Cruises' newest ship, pulled into the West End town early Wednesday, marking the first time in more than two years that St. Croix has had a regular daytime cruise ship call.

Taxi vans carried passengers back and forth to Christiansted and other sights around the island, and more than 10 vendors stationed in Buddhoe Park sold goods ranging from leather bags to souvenirs.

Police officers made their presence known throughout the town, often directing passengers to places to shop or eat. Business owners saw plenty of foot traffic come through their stores along Strand and King streets.

The ship's maiden voyage began in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the Opera stopped in San Juan and St. Thomas before arriving on St. Croix about 7 a.m. Wednesday. The ship stayed in port until about 2 p.m., then left for Nassau, Bahamas. The ship was carrying about 2,200 passengers and crew members.

A transportation glitch arose again Wednesday but was quickly resolved, V.I. Tourism Department officials said.

Because of safety concerns related to the ongoing construction on the Frederiksted pier, passengers were not allowed to walk through the area.

Alvin Milligan, Tourism cruise ship activities manager, said that too many passengers got off the ship to visit Frederiksted at the same time Wednesday and that not enough safari taxis were available to transport them. The shortage caused a backup at the cruise ship and delays for passengers.

"We immediately called Abramson Enterprises Inc., and they sent a few buses," Milligan said. "It all worked out."

Milligan said the department will work with the V.I. Port Authority to resolve the issue.

Last week, passengers on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas also had to wait for transportation from the ship to Frederiksted.

Despite the transportation issues and construction on the waterfront and Strand Street, passengers still were impressed with the laid-back atmosphere and the natural beauty of St. Croix.

Passenger Susan Christie from Ontario, Canada, said she enjoyed walking through the town of Frederiksted and spent the morning taking lots of pictures of ruins and relaxing on the beach.

"It's not inundated with tourists," Christie said. "It's quiet and peaceful. I'll definitely come back someday."

Carnival Cruise Lines pulled out of St. Croix visits in May 2002, citing crime against its passengers and crew while on St. Croix and a lack of demand for the island.

Royal Caribbean ships recently began making refueling stops in Frederiksted at night.

MSC Italian Cruises will make seven calls to St. Croix through March 3. The next visit to St. Croix will be Jan. 19.

MSC Italian Cruises is a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Co., the second-largest container shipping operation in the world. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

- Contact Aesha Duval at 774-8772 ext. 453 or e-mail aduval@dailynews.vi.