PIX - Carlisle Bay.

[Aplmac]

If it's Destiny -and Wednesday, then it's Barbados.

 

There were a few Destiny cruisers enjoying Carlisle Bay

so I took a few shots.

 

See for yourself.

 

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[Aplmac]

Here are a few more.

 

With water this nice,

it's hard to get out and go back to the ship!

 

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[Aplmac]

http://www.angelfire.com/wizard2/cncisland/bigships/Cbay1.html

shows bigger pictures.

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[Mim Lloyd]

We got a taxi to this beach in February when we visited the island on the Serenade of the Seas. It was very quiet and we had a lovely day there.

[LuvMyVette]

aplmac:

Thanks for the pictures!

From what I read it seems that Carlisle Bay is a fairly large beach. When taking a taxi there is there any particular place to be dropped off at? DH/I are thinking about the Boatyard but we may want something a little more quiet. Another concern is having a bar/restaurant/snack bar nearby. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. Also how much are taxis to Carlisle Bay?

 

Thank you!

[Mim Lloyd]

My sister is disabled and can't walk far or be far away from facilities. Carlisle beach is just 10 minutes in a taxi and we just asked the driver to drop us where there is a beach bar/toilets and sunbeds. He dropped us right next to the beach bar virtually on the sand (the road runs right up to it). The beach bar owner took us right to his sunbeds which were free of charge providing you used his facilities - which we did as it was nice to get large, ice cold bottles of water!

 

When we were leaving, he even called a taxi for us.

[Aplmac]

aplmac:

 

Thanks for the pictures! ===> You're welcome!

 

From what I read it seems that Carlisle Bay is a fairly large beach.

When taking a taxi there, is there any particular place to be dropped off at?

DH/I are thinking about the Boatyard

but we may want something a little more quiet. ===> Grand Barbados?

Another concern is having a bar/restaurant/snack bar nearby.

Also how much are taxis to Carlisle Bay? ===> US$10-ish?

The beach area at Carlisle Bay has increased threefold in the last 20-30 years,

ever since Hilton Hotel on Needham's Point(at one end of the beach)

altered the sea-current 'profile' around that point.

The result is that the shallows of Carlisle Bay are quite rapidly filling in!

Anyone owning beachfront property with a Western perimeter defined as the hi-water mark,

has had considerable property added by Mother Nature!

 

The beach is now a long sweeping curve about 2 miles long,

starting fairly close to the shopping center of Bridgetown,

and arcing right around to Hilton Hotel!

 

Yes, Boatyard is a popular spot with cruisers.

They charge a day rate which includes showers and whatever(I'm not sure).

You could always enter via Boatyard, use their facilities as necessary,

but move up or down the beach a hundred yards, as suits you

-or-

100 yds. away is Arty's place... LOBSTER ALIVE...you might like that?

Fresh Lobster for lunch! - beat that!

It's quieter, with some facilities(shower and bar) but no loud music: same nice beach!

 

Wife and I swim at a public area about halfway along the sweeping curve

-that's where those photos were taken...

but a little further along,again

is Grand Barbados Hotel, obvious due to its pier sticking out into the bay.

You might go there? - They've got a pool, and a DIVE SHOP!

 

And then of course, there's Hilton, at the very end of the Bay,

but their beach and related activities is/are oriented on the other side of Needham's Point

which is the very 'root' of the South Coast and it's breezier conditions

with a more-surfy feel to the wave action(depending on sea-conditions)...

 

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[LuvMyVette]

Hi aplmac:

Thank you very much for the information, I greatly appreciate it! Would DH/I be allowed to use the facilities at the GB Hotel? This sounds really good and the best of everything for us.

Any other suggestions on beaches that are close to the ship, calm water, nice scenery, food/beverages/etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Sea ya!

[Aplmac]

Hi aplmac:

Would DH/I be allowed to use the facilities at the GB Hotel?

This sounds really good and the best of everything for us.

 

Any other suggestions on beaches that are close to the ship, calm water, nice scenery, food/beverages/etc. would be appreciated.

Apologies for taking so very long to get back to you on this...

 

Last time I went past Grand Barbados (on their beach) it looked rather Closed

like they may have been renovating?

I'm not sure about their accommodating day-cruisers(not all hotels do,eh?)

but if you're keen on staying near the ship (Carlisle Bay!)

then either Boatyard or Lobster Alive have beach,bar,umbrella,shower facilities

maybe not quite up to Big Hotel standards,

but adequate enough for a day at a 2-mile-long sweeping curve of a beach.

 

Hilton, at the extreme end of Carlisle Bay

(but not oriented to the C.Bay beach side of their Needham's Point)

does offer a day rate, depending on availability/how-full-they-are,

and ask that you phone ahead from the Port to see if they can take you!

 

In another Barbados thread-post,

I think I stated that Hilton's day rate is U.S.$25 per person,

so you may need to factor that into your budget,

and I'm fairly certain none of that 25 is refundable at the bar or restaurant,

but it's still your choice.

 

If you like Lobster and other seafoods,

Art's place Lobster Alive may meet all your needs for the day

- the beach is hard to beat,

just check out these pics I shot today,

they should speak for themselves.

 

In that first shot that big hotel out on the point, in the far distance

...that's Hilton Hotel!

[cruisegal40]

aplmac, not to be stupid, but is this Carlisle Bay? Is there where the Boatyard is? We will be there in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if we should do the Boatyard or just hang out in front of another beach bar. We will not use any of the water facilities like the icebergs and such since the kids are not with us. Is it still worth it to go there?

[Aplmac]

aplmac, not to be stupid, but is this Carlisle Bay? ===> Yes, it is.

Is there where the Boatyard is? ===> Yes, it is - right next door

We will be there in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if we should do the Boatyard

or just hang out in front of another beach bar. ===> Aaaahh..

We will not use any of the water facilities like the icebergs and such since the kids are not with us.

Is it still worth it to go there?

 

Those pics I posted yesterday show Lobster Alive's beach umbrellas.

I was impressed by how big and solid they are!

 

That lobster place is right next door to Boatyard, shares the same(Carlisle Bay) beach

and is a bit less commercial, I find.

 

I'd check out the lobster place first(they don't charge admission)

and then make up your mind.

 

In any case, you can access the Carlisle Bay beach for free, right there at Lobster Alive,

and walk the beach for awhile until you make your mind up

where you want to spend your day and eat lunch

[cruisegal40]

So, I just ask the taxi driver to take us to Carlisle Bay? Correct. Looks beautiful. We have friends that stay at the Divi every year. They love it down there.

[Aplmac]

So, I just ask the taxi driver to take us to Carlisle Bay? Correct.

Looks beautiful. ===> Oh it is!

We have friends that stay at the Divi every year. They love it down there.

Umm.. if you ask for "Carlisle Bay" (don't forget it's about 2 miles long,okay?)

he may take you to his idea of Carlisle Bay,

which is the (very)public area halfway around the bay...too far!

 

Honestly, I'd ask him to put you down in the Boatyard/Lobster Alive area, and go from there.

The lobster place is right next to a small "window to the sea"

- go thru there and you'll see exactly the scenes in my pics.

 

You can smell the lobster even before you get there!!

-at least I did, yesterday...maybe it was the different wind direction, I dunno.

[cruisegal40]

Thanks a million for the advise. That is what I will tell the driver. We, by the way, are from upper Mass and have lobster traps. We get it fresh from the sea during the summer months!

[Aplmac]

Thanks a million for the advise. That is what I will tell the driver.

We, by the way, are from upper Mass and have lobster traps.

We get it fresh from the sea during the summer months!

You'll notice our Caribbean lobster are somewhat different to yours.

Ours have no claws, but lotsa prickly spines for defense, instead!

 

See the picture I posted, a few posts above.

In the French Islands, they're called LANGOUSTE!

 

Art flies them in on his plane, and holds them in a giant saltwater tank

as big as your living room: it's something to see!

[cruisegal40]

We will definately check Art out. thanks again for the info. You are always helpful.

[joanne1]

cruisegal,

 

Any chance we could have a review of the ship and your excursions when you are done? We are not cruising until March on the Emerald and I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

Thanks!

[cruisegal40]

Yes, when we get back I will do a review. We are not hard to please just give us a beach, some chairs and some drink!

[LuvMyVette]

aplmac:

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I was on vacation last week so I appologize for not repsonding sooner.

 

The pictures are great and getting the visual as well is extremely helpful. There are so many beach choices that I'm not sure what to do! LOL

If the Hilton doesn't work out then I may consider the Lobster Alive area. Looks really nice, close to the ship, etc. DH loves lobster so he'll be one happy person. Does the restaurant offer anything besides seafood? I have a real sensitive stomach and sad to say I can't eat shellfish and limited on fish.

You've been a tremendous help and I really appreciate you answering all of my questions!

Sea ya!

[LuvMyVette]

cruisegal40:

If you could post a review when you get back that would be extremely helpful. DH/I will be in Barbados in the beginning of December and it's our first visit to the island.

Have a fantastic cruise and enjoy!

Sea ya!

[Aplmac]

aplmac:

There are so many beach choices that I'm not sure what to do! LOL

 

If the Hilton doesn't work out then I may consider the Lobster Alive area.

Looks really nice, close to the ship, etc.

DH loves lobster so he'll be one happy person.

Does the restaurant offer anything besides seafood?

I have a real sensitive stomach and sad to say I can't eat shellfish and limited on fish.

 

You've been a tremendous help

and I really appreciate you answering all of my questions! ===> Thanks.

Like Antigua, Barbados doesn't suffer for choice when it comes to beaches.

You need a week here to resolve these conflicts!

 

Yes Lobster Alive is a neat little place close to the ship.

Your DH can have lobster any which way he wants,

and you can have the catch of the day(fish) or Steak?

 

I'm looking at a copy of their Menu right now,and it is primarily a seafood Menu..

I see a calamari dish, crab backs, ground Conch meat nuggets,

Conch samosas, lobster Spring Rolls

(none of which I can have since I'm allergic to shellfish,dammit).

 

But I also see a Tomato,Mozzerella and Basil Salad offered,

as well as Feta,Smoked Ham and Salami salad,

Steak 10 oz. US Prime Sirloin,peppered with Sauteed Onions and Tomato

so you should find something!

 

Hope this helps?

 

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[Virginia_Native]

Does the Jolly Roger still stop at Carlisle Bay? I was on it in 2003 with the destiny and am planning on going again through AOS.

[Aplmac]

Does the Jolly Roger still stop at Carlisle Bay?

I was on it in 2003 with the Destiny and am planning on going again through AOS.

Sorry to have to tell you this but...

Tall Ships just sold Jolly R. to an outfit in nearby Trinidad!

 

However, they run those same daytime coastal cruises

on their TIAMI catamarans if you like the smaller boat thing

and on their larger Harbour Master coastal cruiser.

 

So although you won't have the Red Sails and Piracy Romance thing going

you can have just as much fun on their other coastal cruisers.

 

Personally I enjoy Harbour Master,

finding the cat's too crowded for my liking.

see pics...or go to

http://www.angelfire.com/wizard2/cncisland/bigships/wcoast1.html

 

Harbour Master has a waterslide,

and a freshwater rinse-off

and snorkelling gear

and a bar from here to eternity

and Pink Ting's at the bar

and on and on..

that Jolly Roger never had.

Believe me she is comfortable.

 

Look at the pics!

[LuvMyVette]

aplmac:

Like Antigua, Barbados doesn't suffer for choice when it comes to beaches.

You need a week here to resolve these conflicts!

 

Yes Lobster Alive is a neat little place close to the ship.

Your DH can have lobster any which way he wants,

and you can have the catch of the day(fish) or Steak?

 

I'm looking at a copy of their Menu right now,and it is primarily a seafood Menu..

I see a calamari dish, crab backs, ground Conch meat nuggets,

Conch samosas, lobster Spring Rolls

(none of which I can have since I'm allergic to shellfish,dammit).

 

But I also see a Tomato,Mozzerella and Basil Salad offered,

as well as Feta,Smoked Ham and Salami salad,

Steak 10 oz. US Prime Sirloin,peppered with Sauteed Onions and Tomato

so you should find something!

 

Hope this helps?

Thank you very much for your help! I have issues with shellfish as well so yeah.. it stinks! To see DH eat a whole lobster in front of me.. I want to scream. I can have a bite and that's it but he enjoys it so fine with me! LOL

 

I think we are finally narrowing down our beach choices and will have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.

 

At the rate I'm pulling my hair out...LOL... I think a weeks vacation there would be good. :) Having several hours there is good but trying to see it all is really difficult. Looks like a beautiful island with so much history/culture/scenery that you can't do it from 7am-5pm.

 

I appreciate all of your information, pictures, etc. You've been extremely helpful! Thank you very much for everything!!!!

 

Sea ya!

[LuvMyVette]

Attention IOS Crew Members:

 

Subject: Where is Perky?

 

Just wanted to let you know that Perky is extremely busy at work this week and will get on CC when she can.

 

On a sad note... their dog (Dandy) was put to sleep yesterday and it was a very difficult day for both of them. Dandy was very healthy on Saturday but at some point between Saturday evening/Sunday morning, Dandy had issues and was rushed to the vet. Based on the test results, condition of Dandy, etc. they made the decision to put Dandy to rest.

 

Since many of us are pet owners we can understand that this was a shock to both of them and very sad. So please keep them in mind and their dog, Dandy as well.