Beach break in Casa De Campo?

[bigreckster]

We're on the Millenium in March and dread returning again to Casa de Campo...they offer a "Batahibe Beach Break" to Oasis Canoa Resort on the excursion list. Anyone done this and is it worth it??? We've taken the shuttles to Athos village and the marina area so those options don't work for us. Thanks for your response!

[Cotton Ginny]

My sister and I did this excursion last year in March on Connie. It was OK - we prefer something a bit more active like snorkeling or scuba diving. We passed on paying a beach dude $10 to take us by boat to snorkel (we have our own equiment) - we would have been the only people on his boat and the only women. It was a longish bus ride to the resort, but the guide did narrate a bit about the country. There was a lot of waiting around for everyone to assemble, but they did give us use of resort towels and loungers. The beach itself was OK, there was a nice pool, too. Some aggressive vendor types set up a bunch of tables and some solicited us on the beach - wood trays, carvings, abalone jewelry, paintings, etc.. The rum punch was just so so. If I had chosen to stay at that hotel, I'd not be happy that several hundred cruisers all of a sudden showed up at my hotel.

 

After the beach break, we took the bus to the marina and did some shopping in the stores.

 

Wasn't terrible, but I recommend looking for something else.

 

Jeri

[BocaRoo]

Is the Catamaran Sail & Snorkle, (CT02, I think) being offered for your sailing in Casa de Campo? We are on the Millennium 2.24.08 and wanted to know about this excursion as we, too, dreaded a beach day in this port. People on this board posted positive reviews for this excursion - so we're "going for it!"

[CatServants]

If you decide to try any excursions please review them when you get back.

 

We sail in April, and, at this point, my DH and I (don't know what all the in-laws want to do) plan to enjoy "our giant private yacht" ;) while everyone else on board goes ashore.

 

Happy cruising!

 

Denise

[jackdiamond]

Jen-Your assessment is correct.

[CaribbeanBound]

Yes, it's worth it.

 

Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic

We docked at the pier in La Romana. You have an opportunity to purchase a number of excursions or take a shuttle, provided gratis by Celebrity Cruise Lines, to Altos de Chavon and Casa de Campo Resort. Altos de Chavon is a recreation of a medieval Spanish village with cobblestone streets. It's an interesting stroll, but not of interest to kids. Casa de Campo is a 7,000 acre resort. The shuttle took you to the marina where there are shops and restaurants. During the Port Talk, we were encouraged to visit the marina after dinner. Unfortunately, it closes at 7:00pm.

 

We chose to take the Bayahibe Beach Break excursion at a cost of $44 per person. An air conditioned tour bus took us to the Sunscape Casa del Mar La Romana Resort. This is a very nice all-inclusive resort on Bayahibe Beach, about 30 minutes drive from the ship. The excursion included transportation, beach lounge chairs, use of the resort beach and pool, and access to the open bars. This is an excellent facility for families. There is a big white sand beach and lots of shade. Food and watercraft are available at a small additional charge. The large pool has a 12-foot tall tethered floating "Iceberg" climbing wall/slide that the kids couldn't get enough of. We got hit by a late afternoon downpour, but it didn't dampen the fun. I do recommend it. We felt secure at all times. When you've got an excursion like this available, I do not recommend staying on the ship.

 

We would have done the Bayahibe Beach excursion on our own, but we couldn't get any enough information on the Ports of Call thread to feel comfortable about it. Let me remedy that right now. You can do this on your own, and you shouldn't hesitate. At the port, it is easy to arrange for your own transportation to Bayahibe Beach. (A fellow passenger arranged for a van for their group of ten for $10 per person. They got roundtrip transportation to Bayahibe Beach and the driver even waited for them for 3 hours while they enjoyed the beach). If you don't need the resort facilities, you can access and use the beach just East of the resort.

 

You can do the Sunscape Casa del Mar La Romana Resort on a Day Pass, which would be great if you arrive in the morning. A day pass runs $50 per person (less for children under 11), from 10:30pm until 5:30pm It includes unlimited drinks, food, and access to non-motorized watercraft, snorkel gear, beach chairs --- pretty much the works! The resort personnel are extremely friendly. Shirley Sánchez, the Chief Concierge, is very good at answering any questions you may have via email. A taxi for 4 should run in the $30 to $35 range each way. If the driver doesn't stay, the resort will get call a taxi for your return trip to the pier.

 

Here are more of our Secrets of the Caribbean!

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/caribbean-secrets.html

These are our very detailed personal reviews, hints, and tips for ports of call that you will be visiting.

[MizzouMary]

Thanks for the detailed info. on the Sunscape Casa del Mar La Romana Resort.

[DrKoob]

When we visited Casa de Campo in 2005 on Infinity we were told by a ship's officer that the translation of Casa de Campo was "stay on the ship." Good advice.