Bridgetown as a port of departure for Royal Caribbean

[RocCruisers]

We love the new routes that Royal Caribbean is starting in December 2021 on the Grandeur of the Seas.  Many people know what the routine is if you sail out of Miami, Port Everglades, etc., what will you have to do in Bridgetown? 

If you fly in the same day, what's the price of a taxi from the airport to the ship?  Is there a shop nearby or in the airport to pick up a bottle of wine or a six pack of Coke? The ship leaves at 10, so if you get in early, is there someplace special to go, or someplace to eat?  

Ditto on leaving.  The ship comes in at 7, and already I see flights leaving late in the afternoon, so what to do?  

[Aplmac]

On 1/22/2021 at 8:57 AM, RocCruisers said:

Is there a shop nearby or in the airport to pick up a bottle of wine

or a six pack of Coke?  

 

There's not much in the way of Food & Beverage

happening anywhere conveniently near the Port...

so your Big Bet is to hit Duty-Free at the airport on your way in

to secure that all-important bottle of wine, and whatever else you can buy.

 

- OR maybe you can have your taxi driver stop at a local supermarket

on the way down from the airport -either Popular Discounts on the hiway

or Big B/Massey Worthing, just down Rendezvous Hill

where you might secure a whole range of goodies to board with.

Big B is one of our best-stocked supermarkets

as My Wife will happily attest..

 

You'll need a mask to gain entry to all supermarkets

and they will insist on sanitizing your hands too -

so be ready for that little routine...

 

This is the local beer... Banks!

[Aplmac]

When you get out the airport door to freedom

-and where you'll get your taxi- see the picture below-

there's a sign-board showing official taxi rates

from the Airport to wherever.

 

Bridgetown Port as a destination should be included on that sign-board

so take the time to consult it, and know what you should pay

-plus a little extra if you stop at a supermarket on your way to the Port

as mentioned above.

 

Get specific about what currency is quoted to you!

US$ 50 = Bds. $ 100 - exchange rate is a flat 2 to 1

Don't get ripped-off by tricksters!

If he quotes a too-big number, he's probably talking local Barbados Dollars
and hoping you'll assume it's US Dollars.

Some tourists get scammed like that, but not you.

 

[RocCruisers]

One other thought...  Like many that drive to a Florida port, I don't think twice about purchasing a new bottle of rum or two (or more) from a Caribbean port.  What's the best way to get it home?  Can it go in as a carry-on?  Or does it have to go in the checked luggage?  Is there a Duty Free store at the airport as we leave?    

[PORT ROYAL]

3 minutes ago, RocCruisers said:

One other thought...  Like many that drive to a Florida port, I don't think twice about purchasing a new bottle of rum or two (or more) from a Caribbean port.  What's the best way to get it home?  Can it go in as a carry-on?  Or does it have to go in the checked luggage?  Is there a Duty Free store at the airport as we leave?    

Duty free sales in the airport area after security.

Suggestion.  
Book a pref-flight “Lounge” , as the departure holding area is noisy, loud repeated announcements, limited uncomfortable seating, communal toilets are, let’s say well used with odour, drinks and food are expensive for what’s on offer.

[jean87510]

21 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Duty free sales in the airport area after security.

Suggestion.  
Book a pref-flight “Lounge” , as the departure holding area is noisy, loud repeated announcements, limited uncomfortable seating, communal toilets are, let’s say well used with odour, drinks and food are expensive for what’s on offer.

We do the pre flight lounges anywhere wherever offered.  Just did one in Dallas back in May on our way back from the grand canyon and although not exactly like it was pre covid, it still was worth it.

[PORT ROYAL]

27 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

We do the pre flight lounges anywhere wherever offered.  Just did one in Dallas back in May on our way back from the grand canyon and although not exactly like it was pre covid, it still was worth it.

Just looked up the price for the “open” access to the GA lounge and was surprised the price was only $30.00 pp - This makes it a book early no brainer.

[CaribbeanLover22]

On 6/15/2021 at 8:04 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Just looked up the price for the “open” access to the GA lounge and was surprised the price was only $30.00 pp - This makes it a book early no brainer.

How do you book these lounges? We will probably be at the airport awhile before our flight out of Barbados after our cruise and would like to look in to them. 

[PORT ROYAL]

28 minutes ago, CaribbeanLover22 said:

How do you book these lounges? We will probably be at the airport awhile before our flight out of Barbados after our cruise and would like to look in to them. 

https://www.bridgetown-airport.com/lounges.php

 

Please book well in advance as spaces are limited.
The “general” departure area is actually appalling.  
The Bajan Government spend money on improving the retail aspect, making stores bright, clean and attractive, but forget the flyers who pay for it.

 

 

[CaribbeanLover22]

6 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

https://www.bridgetown-airport.com/lounges.php

 

Please book well in advance as spaces are limited.
The “general” departure area is actually appalling.  
The Bajan Government spend money on improving the retail aspect, making stores bright, clean and attractive, but forget the flyers who pay for it.

 

 

Thanks! I see it will only let us book as early as 12:30, if our flight is at 2:43 is it worth booking it? I was hoping to book earlier as I don't know what we will do once we get off the ship. 

[PORT ROYAL]

11 minutes ago, CaribbeanLover22 said:

Thanks! I see it will only let us book as early as 12:30, if our flight is at 2:43 is it worth booking it? I was hoping to book earlier as I don't know what we will do once we get off the ship. 

That’s two hours of noise, in disgusting conditions, possibly without a seat, having to queue for the purchase of overpriced food/beverages.  Or two hours a in quiet and comfortable area,  with your selection of a constant supply of food/drinks without having to queue for $30.00 pp - Decisions, decisions.

PS. Never heard of a guest being turned away if they arrived accidentally early. 😉

 

 

Edited June 19, 2021 by PORT ROYAL
Grammar

[CaribbeanLover22]

3 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

That’s two hours of noise, in disgusting conditions, possibly without a seat, having to queue for the purchase of overpriced food/beverages.  Or two hours a in quiet and comfortable area,  with your selection of a constant supply of food/drinks without having to queue for $30.00 pp - Decisions, decisions.

PS. Never heard of a guest being turned away if they arrived accidentally early. 😉

 

 

Sounds like we will book it, thanks! 

[CaribbeanLover22]

1 hour ago, PORT ROYAL said:

That’s two hours of noise, in disgusting conditions, possibly without a seat, having to queue for the purchase of overpriced food/beverages.  Or two hours a in quiet and comfortable area,  with your selection of a constant supply of food/drinks without having to queue for $30.00 pp - Decisions, decisions.

PS. Never heard of a guest being turned away if they arrived accidentally early. 😉

 

 

Do you know what the “dress code” is it says they have. There’s no info on what that entails, but seeing as we’re coming off a cruise and traveling to Miami, we’d normally be in shorts and tanks…😩

[PORT ROYAL]

8 hours ago, CaribbeanLover22 said:

Do you know what the “dress code” is it says they have. There’s no info on what that entails, but seeing as we’re coming off a cruise and traveling to Miami, we’d normally be in shorts and tanks…😩

Sorry, do not know what it will be when you fly, but have seen shorts in the past.

To put your mind at rest, just send the airport an email.

 

[PCWalton1]

Where is the cruise port located?

Thanks

 

[PORT ROYAL]

4 hours ago, PCWalton1 said:

Where is the cruise port located?

Thanks

 

On the South West Coast of Barbados 

[Hlitner]

Regarding the Airlines Executive Lounge at Barbados, you should be aware it is part of the Priority Pass Program.  This means that many folks (including those with Chase Sapphire Reserve and AMEX Platinum) have access.  If you are in that airport on a busy day that lounge could very well be packed.  A reservation would get you in the door but not guarantee you would find a seat.   Another issue with Barbados is that they have  very strict rules regarding COVID.  Folks coming to the airport from a cruise ship would likely be essentially in a "bubble" with direct (and isolate) transfers from their ship to the airport (through what Barbados calls a sterile corridor).  I have no clue what happens when folks get to the airport as far as whether they would even be allowed into the lounge or must stay isolated in a different area.  And whatever the rules are today could very well change tomorrow.

 

Hank