Pookey Bear

We went to Paradise Cove last November and absolutely loved it! I emailed them to reserve our place but we didn't pay until we got there. Some friends on the ship came with us with no reservation and it was fine. They have vans and buses that pick you up at the port. We met them under the gazebo right where we got off the ship. The buses were clean and air conditioned. We left the port about 10 and it was about a 20 minute drive.

When we got there, we paid the fee $35 each. They had a lunch package but it was just hot dogs and hamburgers and we wanted sea food. This price includes all equipment, instruction and use of the beach. We were expected to tip the diving instructors. The equipment was in great shape and very clean. We saw them cleaning it after and I had no problem using it.

The reef is about 100 yards from the shore. They have a boat that can take you out there for $5 each but it was an easy swim. The water is very shallow all the way out to the reef - 3-4 ft. When you go past the rocks it drops off to about 20-30 feet. Crystal clear water, lots of fish. Some in our group saw a sting ray. We saw a barracuda. AMAZING! Bring an underwater camera!

We swam all the way around the reef and took about an hour and a half to do it. We had flotation belts so it was an easy swim.

We went back to shore and had a fabulous lunch of conch fritters, fried conch and grouper fingers. Soooo good. There is also a bar for your adult beverage of choice.

It was not crowded at all. Maybe 30 people there that day. You can get a beach lounge chair for $4 or $5. They had lockers for $5. Wifi for $5.

They had buses going back at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30. We had just gotten off the reef at 12:30 so we ate and then hung out on the beach between showers until the 2:30 bus. We could have gone back out snorkeling but we were tired. Wonderful beach too. There is a small gift shop there but no other development around that area. We made it back to the ship in plenty of time.

I highly recommend it. You will not be sorry.

It finally let me upload. This is a pic from the beach toward the snack area. I hope you can see it. The chairs are stacked by the porch. They were lounge chairs in good condition.

Did you notice if the kayaks had clear bottoms? Did you see anyone using them and if so can they get close to the reef? We will be there in January and it may be too cool to snorkel. I'm cold natured:(

I didn't look that close at the kayaks. Sorry. I'm cold natured too and it was little cool right at the shore but got warmer as we got out to the reef. E-mail and ask them though.

We went last week to Paradise Cove and snorkeled on Dead man's Reef. It was amazing! There were only about 20 people there. The beach was beautiful and the reef was easy to swim out to. It cost $35 each which included bus transportation there and back, all snorkeling equipment, and instructions. We did tip the driver and the snorkeling instructor.

You can rent a locker for your stuff for $5 plus a $5 deposit on the lock. Beach chairs are $3. There is also WIFI there for $5.

They picked us up at the ship at 9 a.m. and we could come back at 12:30, 2:30 or 4:30 for the same price.

www. deadmansreef. com

You can get a ride out to the reef on a small boat for $5 each but it was an easy swim. I am not in good shape at all but I swam it and we were out there for over 2 hours and din't even notice the time. We were exhausted when we came back and sore the next day but it was not difficult to swim it. We had the swim belt floats and flippers. It's about 200 yds out there.

There is a gazebo right outside where we docked in Freeport that had all the excursions (Carnival and others). There was a guy standing right at the corner with a sign for Paradise Cove. You can reserve early by e-mail or just walk up to them. We had some friends decide at the last minute to go and there was plenty of room.

It is on the western end of the island in a pretty deserted area. You pay for the excursion when you get there (cash or card).

There is food there for purchase (the grouper fingers were amazing, about $8 for those and fries). You can get a lunch special for $7 each but it is burgers or hot dogs. Definitely skip that and get grouper and conch fritters and conch fingers. They have picnic tables under shelters or out in the open. It rained some while we were there but we were fine under the shelter.

When you get there they give out your equipment (we saw them cleaning them afterward very good so that was good but you can bring your own, even just the snorkel if you are freaky about germs) and then give you a introduction to the reef, what you can touch (nothing) and how to snorkel (very brief). You get your equipment on and go down to the shore. They help you get in the water and send you on your way. They do not go with you but encourage you to stay with a partner. They are watching for if you have problems and will come help if you need it. A couple with us needed it, he inhaled some water and they had to come get him. He was fine once he dried out.

The great thing is you can stay out as much as you want or come in and go back. There is no extra charge for staying longer. We got there about 9:30 or 9:45 and were in the water by 10:15. We came back in about 12:30 and had lunch. We could have gone back out if we wanted but we were toast by then and it was raining on and off. We went back at 2:30.

Many of the other excursions you only get about 45 minutes of snorkeling. This, you get all the time you want. They also have kayaks and paddle boards to rent if you want. I don't know the prices of those. Have fun!

I can not figure out how to upload pictures. Sorry!

I just got off the Fantasy on Sunday. I am still rocking a little but not as bad as yesterday. So I venture up to the Lido deck on our first sea day and find the omelette station (same as Mongolian Wok) and had my first Jesus omelette! You are so right. It was amazing! I had another one in the Main Dining room on the morning we were in Freeport. So good, fluffy, cooked perfect. Amazing!

I ran into another lady from our FB group where we had all passed around the link to your review and she said, "Look! It's my Jesus omelette!"

So many of the other food things you talked about were just fabulous - the fig cake (best thing I had all week), the bitter and blanc, the crab cakes. I don't know if you had it but the cereal encrusted french toast was out of this world. It was in the MDR on the sea day brunch. We got there late (about 11:15) and they had these popover rolls that were amazing.

Thanks again for your review. It really helped get me ready for my cruise. I will write my own review in the next few days.

Penny

Thanks so much for sharing this. We are cruise virgins too (from NC) going on the Fantasy in November. I.com so liking forward now to little fruity drinks, dancing the mango, Jesus omelettes and heaven cakes! I have been coming back every day liking for the completion of the trip. I know I will be just as hooked as you.

See you on deck!

DH and I both use CPAP machines and are sailing on carnival Fantasy in November. What should we bring to plug those in on both sides of the bed without setting the ship on fire?

I like Little Stirrup Cay...actually anywhere beside Freeport!

We're going on Fantasy on Nov. 19. We already have plans for Nassau but I see this about Freeport and can't help but ask, "Is it that bad?" What would you recommend we do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? We want beach and snorkeling and conch. Just walk over to the public beach?

So enjoying this, especially the pics. We are going on the Fantasy on Nov. 19. We're near Wilson, NC so we're close to you. Love your writing style.