blue_water

We met sooo many warm and friendly locals on our first two visits to beautiful Barbados, @PleasantTime hopefully you have another opportunity for that. And spending more time in these destinations gives you a chance to meet residents and make friends and get a better feel for the culture of course. 🙏🏼

Always, what does it hurt?

Pusser’s Road Town Pub is a good spot for a bite and a drink, their clothing shop is dangerous 😄 I would walk to the Watering Hole for the best people watching, then hit Pusser’s and maybe Maria’s on the walk back…

Ok…Some folks haven’t been in years and are shocked at the difference…

When were you at Honeymoon last?

Yes you have two beach options with amenities, and no worries in getting back on time. Cane Garden Bay is the main beach destination for day visitors. That’s because CGB is a large bay home to multiple beach bars/restaurants, lounge & umbrella rentals, and public restrooms. Safari taxis drop off many of your fellow passengers there and return to pick them up for their return. Think large groups and a busier vibe… Brewers Bay is home to one beach bar (Nicole’s), one restroom, and lounges to use or rent. No umbrellas needed with the natural shade. Think of that “Old Caribbean” beach feel. Your driver will return for you and others enjoying that beach. Another option is Long Bay, Beef Island on the east end of the island. Similar amenities to CGB except on a smaller scale. One benefit of this beach option is the ride there and back is quite flat, while the ride over the spine of the island to the north beaches of CGB and Brewers involved very steep and winding roads… No problem with taxis there either. many of your fellow passengers will be taking the ship excursion to one of these beaches, but going on your own is much better. You are not tied to a group, and the transportation is very reliable

I don’t doubt at all that land visitors are a part of the population explosion at the beaches further from the ports… Although in reality there really isn’t much of a difference between PP and the closer beach clubs in regards to how crowded they all are today. But yes it’s a mix… And yes, Coz has become a mega-port like STT, SXM, Nassau, etc and definitely cramps the style of land visitors (and expats)…

We probably just have very different views on “uncrowded”… Thanks for your feedback! 😎

Just hop a jitney (bus) in town (at Bay and Frederick Sts) to Goodman’s Bay. #10 goes that way. Just $1.25/pp each way (exact change appreciated). The #10 and other buses stop there to return you to town…

I had to chuckle at that one (Play Palancar being uncrowded)! I should have added that we took friends visiting us in PDC in ~2019 to Playa Palancar to share it with them. What a mistake! No parking spots due to the taxis, and to see how many more palapas and tables are now lining the beach was a big disappointment... We’ve since driven by and it’s always crazy busy on ship days of course… Just as with any of the major Carib cruise ports, no beach is too far for cruise ship passengers anymore…

We just need to keep checking the VT site to find out when they’ve updated for the next year I gather?

We’ve not cruised in awhile because we wintered in Mexico for 8 years. But we would never go anywhere without our original passport and drivers license. You can certainly carry a photocopy or e-copy of your immigration papers (e.g. Passport) if you’d like. But do not produce either copy to a government official as proof of ID. In the best scenario they will just laugh at you, in the worst scenario copies are illegal, and you could be detained… And of course if you are delayed (due to a medical emergency or other cause) and miss the ship, you cannot fly out if your original passport is in your cabin safe… So just basic information for traveling, whether flying or cruising…Some will advise just the opposite, but understanding the risks is important before taking them…

I can’t paste the link but just scroll down to page 3 in this forum

If you look at the updated taxi fare sheet (in my post from Nov 14) there is a section on tours. For 2 people the rates are $70 for 1 hr, $110 for 2 hrs, $165 for 3 hrs, and $220 for 4 hrs. So even if you just inquire at the information booth or with the taxi coordinator, you can get a nice private tour for a reasonably fare…Obviously if you add another couple or two from your roll call, the per/person cost goes down…

Yes $1,000USD is absolutely nuts! Try calling Arnold…

First time for us (two couples in our 60’s), and we have a private island tour lined-up with one of the excellent independent guides. We have ~11 hrs in port and hope the Weather gods cooperate so we can enjoy 3 - 4 hrs on a nice beach after 😎 We’d like to be away from the busiest beach spots, but we will want lounges, drinks, and restrooms so that limits our options. I wish we could just lay on a towel on a gorgeous beach with no amenities, but the girls prefer some amenities, of course! If familiar with Tortola, Smuggler’s Cove would be our choice… Food & drinks from Miss Patricia, porta potty and used lounges on a gorgeous beach! Any and all suggestions are appreciated! TIA 🙏

For standard guests (first-time a celebrity cruisers, just Concierge Cabin) - Are happy hours only for Elite members? Same with free drinks while playing in the casino?

We also booked with Stan for our April 2 date, he said he has us reserved, and he or Glenroy would meet us just past Customs and would be holding a sign. I told him I would get in touch when we get closer…

Yes it is a very easy island to drive. We want to go to a favorite, quieter beach in St Martin, but I know our friends will also want to see Major since it is their first time on SXM. So either we drive, or head to a beach closer tho Maho… thanks for your feedback! 🙏🏼

Yes flying in and out on the departure and return dates can be stressful. We no longer do that, we’ve been delayed too many times. Our “best” delay was in port Miami when Customs seized the ship when dogs found pot in a passenger’s bag. We had a late afternoon flight, but the ship was held for hours. We missed our flight but got to spend the night in South Beach after hustling to find a hotel in March.

Aah, I read too fast! thanks!

Does the move up bidding open 30 days from your cruise date? I thought I read that in the site? thanks for your feedback!

Yes same here with the salt!

That was a question we had. We booked the 75% 2nd passenger fare, free classic drink pkg, basic WiFi. So the current promo would prevail… We’ve since upgraded to the premium drink package during the mid-year sale. Would that be affected?

Question - the move-up option is initiated by an email from Celebrity? You cannot start the process on your own? And is this an option only after you’ve made your final payment? Or within 30 days of your cruise date? Thanks!