The Boatyard - Is it for Families?

[cruznsugs]

Wanted to do a Beach day in Barbados . It will be 11 adults but also my 4 year old daughter. The BoatYard sounds great but there are alot of pictures of people partying. Wasn't sure if this more of a 20 something place. Can anyone give me some insight.

[Aplmac]

Wanted to do a Beach day in Barbados .

It will be 11 adults but also my 4 year old daughter.

The BoatYard sounds great but there are a lot of pictures of people partying.

Wasn't sure if this more of a 20-something place.

Chances are you're going to spend most of the day on their beach

not in the beach-club ..so bear that in mind.

 

depends on just who's there that day too, huh?

 

Bear in mind too that publicity photos you may have seen

would of course show the place on an action-packed busy day/night

and it may not necessarily be like that, on your day ashore.

 

Alternatively, there's a lobster place right next door with similar facilities

that is not a party-place and they have a Jazz Band during the day

for Sunday Lunch, if that's your day ashore in Barbados by any chance.

 

Please see

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=650675

for descriptions of what's available..

 

and also

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=649105

for discussion and pics of the lobster place and its amenities

[andrew22]

my family was there last week with 2 and 5 yr olds- they loved it- we hired a guy right there to take us snorkling over a shipwreck. The beach was typical cruise customer type beach. There was no partying there- a few people drinking at the bar- but its a bar

[chef1960]

We visited the Boatyard on 10/31 with a group ranging in age from 13 months to 76 years-old! Everyone loved it!!!! It's beautiful! For $15.00 you get a drink voucher (alcoholic or non) a chair, use of the trampolines, "iceberg" and rope swing (high tide only) and transporation back to the ship starting at 1 or 1:30. Some of our group also opted for Jet-skiing at $40/half hour. The taxi there was $3 per person. Once you walk thru the terminal to the taxi stand ( a rather LONG walk for the elderly!) there are people who handle the taxi-getting! It seems wild, but it is actually organized and done in a fair-manner. Enjoy - it was my favorite of the 3 beaches we visited!

[EileenN]

Would this be doable with a wheelchair? What beach would, if not? Or would a hotel passs be better?

[chef1960]

Hmm...I don't think a wheelchair would work out there. My mom uses a cane so it was a bit easier, BUT, she could not get into the shuttle van back to the ship as it was a rather high step for her. She and my dad had to take a regular taxi and pay $3 going back (no biggie). I am not familiar with the hotel beaches and wonder if they adhere to the same accessibility for disabled as we do here in the US (We're in NJ, too, living at the shore with those big beach wheelchairs!) Hopefully they do - It was beautiful there!

[trish1c]

I'm a sun worshiper & want to go to the Boatyard but he's going to fry -- think lilly white, never been in the sun Irish delicate skin.

Is there are bar or other indoor space where he can hide while I tan but we can both enjoy the water activities? I promise to only let him in the water sober & with plenty of UV protection & high SPF. :)

[Aplmac]

I'm a sun worshiper & want to go to the Boatyard but he's going to fry -- think lilly white, never been in the sun -Irish delicate skin. ===> he's going to fry!

 

Is there are bar or other indoor space where he can hide

while I tan but we can both enjoy the water activities?

I promise to only let him in the water sober

& with plenty of UV protection & high SPF.

You are entirely justified, Madam.

 

Can't tell you how many times us locals warn visitors that this tropical sun

is not the same stuff you're accustomed to at Northern latitudes!

 

Having lived here five decades

and now accustomed to surgeons regularly carving little bits out of me:)

I'm living testimony to your "he'll fry" words above!

 

Yes, shade is available both at Boatyard and the lobster place next door

and you can -and well may- hire one of the large umbrella's

('free' I'm pretty sure.. with the $15 admission to Boatyard,

but $5 a day at the lobster place, where Art charges no admission)

- in either case, shade in the main bar/bldg. is available for your husband and I,

or under the big umbrella's I see in regular use

on the beach in front of both establishments!

 

Even you,Madam... would be well advised to go easy with the sun exposure!

Unless you have that lovely olive Mediterranean skin like my wife

this Caribbean sun is no place for us "white" people!!

- not for any extended period of time!

 

 

I'm attaching a picture of Art's umbrella's,

but I notice Boatyard's (right next door,honestly)

are pretty much the same...BIG ones... and necessarily so!

 

Get a hat (not a cap) on him -and a pair of decent sunglasses

when he goes for a swim!

My Dad had bits carved out of the tops of his ears

because he'd wear a cap, thinking it protected him(a bit)

but it leaves the ears sticking out, unprotected.:(

 

 

I wear a sun hat,these days. I kinda like my ears!

 

 

 

Also, I've got a scenic webpage mounted at

http://www.angelfire.com/wizard2/cncisland/bigships/Cbay2.html

- these pics taken literally 50-100 yds. up the beach from Boatyard (same beach!)

which shows conditions, scenery, umbrella's.

 

------------------------------------------

 

Please also check out..

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

for island scenery generally

 

...or

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

for the whole website featuring Cruise Ships visiting Barbados

 

___________________________________

[trish1c]

Thanks alpmac. I know what I'm getting myself into. My better half does not but I'd prefer him in one non-burnt piece. :)

I don't think just the umbrella will do it for him --reflected rays off the surf & sand etc. He will have a real hat with ear protection & plenty of sun block. I just want him in the water enough to bounce on the trampolines with me for a little while.

[Aplmac]

Thanks alpmac. I know what I'm getting myself into.

My better half does not but I'd prefer him in one non-burnt piece. :)

 

I don't think just the umbrella will do it for him

--reflected rays off the surf & sand etc.

He will have a real hat with ear protection & plenty of sun block.

I just want him in the water enough

to bounce on the trampolines with me for a little while.

Many people don't consider the reflected rays, off the sand, and the sea.

Ah..the uninitiated!

 

here's a pic that includes Boatyard's trampoline and floating rock-wall-thingy

if that's what it is...

[CruiseQueen0107]

Wanted to do a Beach day in Barbados . It will be 11 adults but also my 4 year old daughter. The BoatYard sounds great but there are alot of pictures of people partying. Wasn't sure if this more of a 20 something place. Can anyone give me some insight.

I went to the boatyard in feb it was great wonderful beach and sure you can bring famillies there. They have a rope you can swing off of into the water and the pictures you see of people partying is simply at the bar which is set back from the water and mainly takes place at night. There is an Iceberg in the water for climbing and there is also a water trampoline. Beautiful beach one of my favs would go back in a heart beat and next time i go on a cruise i will be sure that barbados is on my itinerary!