MoBay Beach Day

[mbarker10]

My husband and I are on our way to MoBay through the Carnival Conquest, leaving on the 18th. We are trying to decide what to do in regards to the beach. All we care about is laying on the beach, and getting some lunch at some point. We're not big drinkers, and we don't care a lot about doing a bunch of activities.

 

I've been doing my research and have seen recommendations for Sunset Beach, Hilton Rose Hall, and Doctor's Cay. SB looks great, but $60 is a lot of money pp, when we probably won't move off the beach, only eat lunch, and have an occasional drink. Doctor's Cay is cheaper, but we are concerned with getting there safely (and not being harassed) and figuring out lunch. Hilton Rose Hall looks gorgeous, but of course is even higher than SB.

 

Carnival offers what looks like only one excursion that includes just chilling on the beach for $90 a person.

 

I hate to sound cheap, but we just don't want to spend a lot of money on a beach day when we plan on using very few of the services. So, what do you think is our best choice? My husband is HUGE on safety (he's a cop) so although I'm pulling for Doctor's Cay, he thinks SB is our best bet.

[jgmpuma]

We did Doctor's Cave a couple of months ago. It was $6 per person to cab it. The driver was trying to sell us on a private tour, but didn't push it too hard. Admission is $5 per person, with in-and-out privileges. You can rent snorkel gear, umbrellas, or just lay on the beach or lounge under the trees (as we did). A Red Stripe was $4.

 

We didn't try the food, but it looked pretty good. There are a couple of good restaurants (Pork Pit, Pelican and others) just down the street. With cab fare, the cost was about $40 per person.

 

We did Sunset Beach a few years ago. It was a good bit cheaper back then, but they have added water slides and other stuff since then. If you like lots of activites, it isn't a bad deal at $60. All inclusive, and no tipping required. If you are feeling a bit adventurous, it is walking distance (about a mile or so) from the ship.

[crazy1here]

Doctors Cave beach is your best bet. There is a hop on hop off shuttle from the port that'll drop you there, you can buy lunch there as well....plus its a pretty good beach. You wont get hassled much at all.

 

Spending all that money for just a beach at the other locations is really not worth it IMO.

[mbarker10]

Doctors Cave beach is your best bet. There is a hop on hop off shuttle from the port that'll drop you there, you can buy lunch there as well....plus its a pretty good beach. You wont get hassled much at all.

 

Spending all that money for just a beach at the other locations is really not worth it IMO.

 

This is my thought. We did it in the Bahamas because we didn't know any better, but for our second cruise we want to be a little more money smart.

[CarolRoy]

We were just at Mo Bay via the Carnival Conquest on Feb. 29. It was great. Crystal clear, calm water. Great beach day.

 

When you leave the terminal, there will be mini vans (shuttle buses) for $5 pp to get to Doctor's Cave. They don't allow regular taxis in at the terminal in the morning when ships arrive. When you leave the terminal, you can see private taxis down the street from the terminal. They are waiting for people to walk there. Too hot for the walk. And not sure if the fare would be cheaper than the $5 pp.

 

Admission to Doctor's is $5 pp. After we paid, we walked all the way to the right. There are shade trees (no need to rent an umbrella) and used the ships towels to sit on.

 

You can buy food and drink here. There are clean restrooms.

 

After we left Doctors beach, we walk a little ways(turn right out of Doctors beach) - maybe 2 minutes, to check out Margaritavile. There is no beach here. Just deep water with a slide and trampoline. You have to access the water by a ladder into deep water. If you want a beach, I would skip Margaritaville.

 

Then we got a taxi back to the ship for $5 pp. There will be lot of taxi drivers vying for your business. So just pick one (we took a nice lady Shirley) for the ride back.

 

All in all, one of the best beach days and pretty cheap. We always DIY for beach days. No need to pay the high prices from the ship.

 

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean

[mbarker10]

We were just at Mo Bay via the Carnival Conquest on Feb. 29. It was great. Crystal clear, calm water. Great beach day.

 

When you leave the terminal, there will be mini vans (shuttle buses) for $5 pp to get to Doctor's Cave. They don't allow regular taxis in at the terminal in the morning when ships arrive. When you leave the terminal, you can see private taxis down the street from the terminal. They are waiting for people to walk there. Too hot for the walk. And not sure if the fare would be cheaper than the $5 pp.

 

Admission to Doctor's is $5 pp. After we paid, we walked all the way to the right. There are shade trees (no need to rent an umbrella) and used the ships towels to sit on.

 

You can buy food and drink here. There are clean restrooms.

 

After we left Doctors beach, we walk a little ways(turn right out of Doctors beach) - maybe 2 minutes, to check out Margaritavile. There is no beach here. Just deep water with a slide and trampoline. You have to access the water by a ladder into deep water. If you want a beach, I would skip Margaritaville.

 

Then we got a taxi back to the ship for $5 pp. There will be lot of taxi drivers vying for your business. So just pick one (we took a nice lady Shirley) for the ride back.

 

All in all, one of the best beach days and pretty cheap. We always DIY for beach days. No need to pay the high prices from the ship.

 

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean

 

Thanks so much for your information. I've heard that at Grand Cayman, we can walk off the boat and pretty much pick a spot on the beach, so we're crossing our fingers on that one. But I was having trouble deciding what to do in Jamaica.

[CarolRoy]

Forgot to mention it. We felt very safe going to and from Doctor's Cave Beach.

Even when we walked from DCB to Margaritaville we felt safe. There are some shops along the way. And there is even a casino across the street from Margaritaville.

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean

[Ronn452]

I want to stop at MegaMart to pick up some Appleton Rum and some Blue Mountain Coffee. Anyone in Jamaica know if this would be the best place to stop on the way back from Doctor's Cave Beach? Actually, rather than have a taxi wait, we might just wander around the store and maybe get a snack there. Any recommendations? Thank you!

 

Captain Ronn

[CarolRoy]

Thanks so much for your information. I've heard that at Grand Cayman, we can walk off the boat and pretty much pick a spot on the beach, so we're crossing our fingers on that one. But I was having trouble deciding what to do in Jamaica.

 

For GC, just leave the terminal and get a public bus (more like a mini van). Stay on the same side of the road - do NOT cross road. Cost is $2.50 pp. We usually take the bus to Cemetery Beach past 7-mile beach. 7-mile beach has become very, very crowded as of late. Bus drivers just like to drop everyone there and head back to the ship for more fares. But if you want to go further, like to Cemetery Beach, they will oblige. Very private. May be only 15-20 people on the beach. However, no facilities or chairs or umbrellas. There are trees for shade. You can always walk down the beach toward the ship. If you get tired, just head back to the street (cross to the other side) and hail down a bus. Buses stop anywhere on the road for you. Don't have to be at a designated bus stop.

Beaches are only 10-15 minutes away from the port. Have not seen beaches that were at the port.

 

If you want facilities, you can go to Royal Palms. Entrance fee is $2.00. RP is a lot closer to town. This may be too crowded with all the ships in port. But ask to be dropped a stop or two past RP (beach public access walkway) and enjoy the beach there. It will be less crowded. Then you can walk down to RP, use their bathrooms, then catch a bus to the ship.

 

Plubic bus (van) has a decal on the hood with #1 or #2. Ask the driver in what direction he is going.

 

Another cheap day at the beach! We have done this many times in GC and makes for a nice beach day.

 

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean

[mbarker10]

For GC, just leave the terminal and get a public bus (more like a mini van). Stay on the same side of the road - do NOT cross road. Cost is $2.50 pp. We usually take the bus to Cemetery Beach past 7-mile beach. 7-mile beach has become very, very crowded as of late. Bus drivers just like to drop everyone there and head back to the ship for more fares. But if you want to go further, like to Cemetery Beach, they will oblige. Very private. May be only 15-20 people on the beach. However, no facilities or chairs or umbrellas. There are trees for shade. You can always walk down the beach toward the ship. If you get tired, just head back to the street (cross to the other side) and hail down a bus. Buses stop anywhere on the road for you. Don't have to be at a designated bus stop.

 

Beaches are only 10-15 minutes away from the port. Have not seen beaches that were at the port.

 

If you want facilities, you can go to Royal Palms. Entrance fee is $2.00. RP is a lot closer to town. This may be too crowded with all the ships in port. But ask to be dropped a stop or two past RP (beach public access walkway) and enjoy the beach there. It will be less crowded. Then you can walk down to RP, use their bathrooms, then catch a bus to the ship.

 

Plubic bus (van) has a decal on the hood with #1 or #2. Ask the driver in what direction he is going.

 

Another cheap day at the beach! We have done this many times in GC and makes for a nice beach day.

 

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean

 

Cemetery Beach is exactly what we want to do as well! I've been reading good reviews about it.

[CarolRoy]

There's suppose to be good snorkeling from the beach at CB. We have seen others do it and they said it was pretty good. We use to take our snorkeling gear with us. But now we only take carry-ons on the plane and have no room for the gear.

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean

[Westbank is bestbank]

My husband and I are on our way to MoBay through the Carnival Conquest, leaving on the 18th. We are trying to decide what to do in regards to the beach. All we care about is laying on the beach, and getting some lunch at some point. We're not big drinkers, and we don't care a lot about doing a bunch of activities.

 

I've been doing my research and have seen recommendations for Sunset Beach, Hilton Rose Hall, and Doctor's Cay. SB looks great, but $60 is a lot of money pp, when we probably won't move off the beach, only eat lunch, and have an occasional drink. Doctor's Cay is cheaper, but we are concerned with getting there safely (and not being harassed) and figuring out lunch. Hilton Rose Hall looks gorgeous, but of course is even higher than SB.

 

Carnival offers what looks like only one excursion that includes just chilling on the beach for $90 a person.

 

I hate to sound cheap, but we just don't want to spend a lot of money on a beach day when we plan on using very few of the services. So, what do you think is our best choice? My husband is HUGE on safety (he's a cop) so although I'm pulling for Doctor's Cay, he thinks SB is our best bet.

 

 

You took the words right out of my mouth! I've been tossing around the same thing. However, I decided on Sunset Beach because I have 2 children and I want to make sure we are safe. I've read so many reviews about people getting harassed at Doctor's Cave but then some people say they were not harassed at all. :confused:

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the Carnival excursion to the beach actually brought people to Doctor's Cave? Is that right?

[mbarker10]

You took the words right out of my mouth! I've been tossing around the same thing. However, I decided on Sunset Beach because I have 2 children and I want to make sure we are safe. I've read so many reviews about people getting harassed at Doctor's Cave but then some people say they were not harassed at all. :confused:

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the Carnival excursion to the beach actually brought people to Doctor's Cave? Is that right?

 

Yeah, it includes a dolphin encounter as well and is $99

[CarolRoy]

You took the words right out of my mouth! I've been tossing around the same thing. However, I decided on Sunset Beach because I have 2 children and I want to make sure we are safe. I've read so many reviews about people getting harassed at Doctor's Cave but then some people say they were not harassed at all. :confused:

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the Carnival excursion to the beach actually brought people to Doctor's Cave? Is that right?

 

We never felt unsafe at Doctors Cave Beach. They have security at the gate and on the beach. You may be approached before the gate to DCB, but this is very typical of anywhere on Jamaica. DCB is an amazing beach area!

 

2012 – Carnival Conquest – Feb. – W. Caribbean

2011 – Westerdam HAL – Dec. – E. Caribbean

2011 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL – Oct. – Mediterranean

2011- Carnival Miracle – May – Eastern Caribbean

2010 – Nieuw Amsterdam HAL - Dec.- W. Caribbean

2010 – Celebrity Summit – Sept. - Bermuda

2010 – Serenade of the Seas - March - S. Caribbean

2009 – Crown Princess – W. Caribbean

2009 – Golden Princess - Alaska - Inside Passage

2009 – Coral Princess - Panama Canal Transit

2008 – Caribbean Princess - New Eng. & Canada

2008 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2007 – Explorer of the Seas - W. Caribbean

2006 – Golden Princess - S. Caribbean

2004 – Serenade of the Seas - S. Caribbean

2002 – Star Princess - Mexican Riviera

2002 – Dawn Princess - S. Caribbean

2000 – Carnival Inspiration - S. Caribbean

1999 – Carnival Paradise - W. Caribbean

1996 – Majesty (private) - Key West

1989 – Sovereign of the Seas - E. Caribbean