Spending the day at a beach hotel during cruise

[LouieT]

Hi

 

Saw on a post that some hotels offer a day package that includes

pick up from ship, access to their beach with lounge chairs and food.

 

This seems like a good way to have a nice beach day.

 

Has anyone ever done this?

[mom says]

Depends on the port. This may be more advisable in some ports than others which have public beaches with plentiful facilities. Suggest you check the Ports of Call forums for the Ports you are interested in.

Edited July 20, 2019 by mom says

[bEwAbG]

It's a very common activity, especially for those who are repeat visitors to an island.  If you're considering a specific port, go to the Ports of Call board.  Chances are someone has already asked about or posted info about it. 

[chemmo]

We rarely do this now although when we snorkelled we did. Experiences ranging from poor to excellent. Make sure you find out exactly what is/isn’t included. If you name the ports you are considering booking then people can come back with recent experiences.

 

Now If we want a quiet swim, comfortable sunbed, excellent service, nice buffet lunch and quality drinks we let everyone else get off the ship and stay on board! We nominate at least one port per cruise a ship day...

Edited July 20, 2019 by chemmo

[yorky]

5 hours ago, LouieT said:

Hi

 

Saw on a post that some hotels offer a day package that includes

pick up from ship, access to their beach with lounge chairs and food.

 

This seems like a good way to have a nice beach day.

 

Has anyone ever done this?

We have done it before and in general it’s been ok. However many people never think that there is a wonderful alternative which is just staying on the ship. A near empty ship gives you the run of the place, food, drink, service, pools, and it does not cost a penny more. Another alternative is to do a local beach then the ship for half a day each.

Edited July 20, 2019 by yorky

[hcat]

We have done that sev times but without transp included..That leads to hassles sometimes, esp returning to the  ship.  You can  google for wach port or check port board 

 

Often easier to book an excursion  with X which includes resort for a day.  May cost more but ship will wait if you are delayed.

[Cruise a holic]

We have done this in Aruba and also a couple of other Islands- Great way to spend a day.  We also go to places like Maya Chan and Mr. Sanchos- great all inclusive days.

[cynbar]

 

https://www.resortforaday.com

 

We booked through this website in Jamaica -- we enjoyed it but it was pricey. I actually agree with the recommendations to just stay on the ship while in port, and have it almost all to yourselves.

[TeeRick]

There are specific online companies that arrange day passes at Caribbean beach clubs and hotels, often at a discount.  If you search try day passes or something similar. You would likely need to take a taxi there from the ship.  For example we did the Hilton Barbados by using this online method and it was much less expensive than booking the hotel directly.

[keesar]

As mentioned, it depends on the port.  Do a review of a few and make a decision.  Some will really pamper you.  I have enjoyed resorts which have a buffet with local cuisine.  It is also nice to go on a clean beach with loungers available.  Not like the chair hogs on the ship.

[phoenix_dream]

We have done this a number of times.  We have done all-inclusives, and then we have also rented a hotel room for the day.  Depending on the port, you are almost always better off booking your own and just taking a taxi over rather than going through Celebrity.  The latter may give you a little more peace of mind, but in most Caribbean ports there really is no issue in arranging it and it is almost always about 1/2 the price doing it that way (or at least 1/3 less)

[Mike45LC]

I have done this several times. 

 

I prefer a deal where I get $___ in food and beverage credits, instead of an all-inclusive.  As a non-drinker, the all-inclusive never works out financially for me, and many of the people doing the all-inclusive get sloppy drunk and are obnoxious at the resort and on the return shuttle to the ship.

 

As Yorky points out, the ship can be very attractive on a port day, but there is no beach, no snorkeling, no canoes/kayaks/Sunfish/banana boats/… which some of the resorts provide as part of the deal.

[hcat]

Twice in St kitts we booked diff local resorts on our own..1st time we waited an eternity for a return taxi from the hotel.  Last time, at a diff resort no taxis were available....we walked back to port.  Lucky it was downhill!  Our rule of thumb is to go with X unless we can walk back to the ship.

Edited July 20, 2019 by hcat

[MJSailors]

I We have done this in a number of ports where we did not want to take an island tour or an excursion of any kind.

We contact a resort that appeals to us after a search on Trip Advisor for a day pass/ reservation.

When we arrive in port,we take a taxi to the resort. Usually we  explore the resort,spend time at the beach or pool,have a nice lunch and return by cab that the valet has arranged.

Two things we do for safety and peace of mind...

When we get in the cab,we mention to the driver that we are meeting with friends staying at the resort. This way,he/she realizes that people are expecting us and the driver needs to get us to the resort directly.

Also, we ask the valet for a taxi in ample time to get back to the ship. It is too nerve-racking after a relaxing day to cut the timing too close to all-aboard time.

 

[Cruise Raider]

We’ve done it a few times ... rather enjoyable except for one time down in Manzanillo.  Ugh!  That one was actually booked through the cruiseline and was a complete and total bust.  We’ve have much better results with our private bookings with purchasing day passes or just showing up and buying food and drinks ala crate by the pool.  

Never expect to do it during a holiday week, though.  

 

[dkjretired]

We did a hotel a couple of years ago in Bermuda, wife likes the beach which they had, I like pools so we had the best of both worlds.   Nice having bathrooms, showers, service at the pool and for our price they gave us a three course lunch.   A very surprising part of our meal was a fish chowder they served which was perhaps the best dish we had on cruise, including on the ship.   Sometimes you get lucky. 

Edited July 21, 2019 by dkjretired

[dazey]

We have done this twice.  The last time was in Bermuda and we chose Elbow Beach Hotel - beautiful beach(not crowded at all), loungers and umbrellas set up for us. drink and food service available at a cost or you can go to the open air restaurant to eat.  Transportation is available but we chose to use the public bus system which is  inexpensive(we had purchased a 3 day pass).  

 

We did the same for Atlantis in the Bahamas.  The resort has lots for all ages to enjoy.  It was more expensive then Bermuda resort.  You must arrange transporation(we were a group of 11 so we booked van service).

 

We booked these through resortsforaday website.

 

If you want a quiet day on a beautiful beach try Elbow Beach.  If you want pools, water slides, casino, restaurants, aquarium, etc. then Atlantis is great. Atlantis can only be booked if you are a cruise ship passenger.

 

 

[Cruise a holic]

In Bermuda, we did coco reef- next door to Elbow Beach.  They gave a nice lunch with wine- and the cost was very reasonable.

[Kingofcool1947]

On 7/19/2019 at 7:55 PM, LouieT said:

Hi

 

Saw on a post that some hotels offer a day package that includes

pick up from ship, access to their beach with lounge chairs and food.

 

This seems like a good way to have a nice beach day.

 

Has anyone ever done this?

Yes.  I do it all the time. Usually with third party vendors. Much cheaper than booking with the cruise shore excursion.

There are always good deals in Mexico, and Caribbean  ports of call.   For example, there are some great deals now in Punta Cana, D.R., Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas, México at give away prices for an all inclusive day at many of the 5 star luxury hotel beach resorts.   All inclusive including pick up and return to ship transportation, day pass to hotel resort, access to beach, beach loungers,  buffet lunch, and unlimited alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Such a great deal.

Good luck.  Enjoy.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Kingofcool1947

[QueensChick]

We’ve done this through Resorts for a Day in three ports:

 

Nassau - Warwick Paradise Island

Grand Cayman - Margaritaville (We actually got a room with this booking)

Curacao - Santa Barbara Resort (gorgeous resort, but far away-transportation was included)

 

All very nice quiet beach days. I highly recommend doing this. Very reliable website.

[Cruise a holic]

We also did the Santa Barbara Resort.  It was definitely worth the ride!

[evandbob]

I've booked a few "RFAD" that turned out to be relaxed beach days.  I preferred the ones that included RT transfers like the one in Jamaica to a Jewel resort.  In St Thomas I had to cab it to Frenchman's Reef on my own.  Both of these included a lounger on the beach and access to lunch.

I've also arranged a day pass directly with a beach hotel -Infinity Bay Hotel on Roatan was one that comes to mind.

 

Several isles like Cozumel have beach clubs like Nachi Cocum that offer lunch, all you can drink, loungers and palapa, but no hotel.

 

Do your research (port of call threads here on CC is a good start) and find out exactly what is included to enjoy your beach day without hassles or misunderstandings.

[ginnynj]

We have done this several times successfully on Barbados and Aruba. Love the Hilton Barbados, although transportation is on our own, it has always been a great beach/pool day with lunch. Aruba, we did one of the all inclusive properties and it was good also. Major hotels always have cabs ready to take you back to the ship before sailaway. Happy Sails!

 

Edited July 22, 2019 by ginnynj

[crossfitmama]

In cabo  https://cabosanlucascruiseexcursions.com/excursions/cabo-resort-beach-break-day-pass/

Nassau :Breezes Nassau resort day pass

Cozumel :Cozumel Beach Break