OntarioTraveller

We were lucky to get some chairs under a big palapa on the beach.

From there we dipped in the pool and came back to the beach chairs.

It was wonderful, really, just be prepared for total relaxation....we were almost comatose by the time we left!!

We did spend the day there last week and had a great day.

We reserved from 8.30 to 2.30. We got off the ship as soon as we were docked, grabbed a cab ($12) and were there about 8.20.

We had to show our confirmation email at the security booth on the way in. We went to the office to pay ($65 pp) and grabbed some great chairs under a palapa on the beach.

We had some breakfast, it was a definite step up from the ship food!

Lunch was good, buffet style, curry dishes, a nice salad bar. There is a new alacarte restaurant on the beach that we were told we could not use on a daypass.

We would only recommend this resort if you want a completely tranquil day. We sat, read and listened to birds, waves and trees rustling, that's it.

There were no folks partying at a bar! Most of the guests at the resort are from England.

We chatted with a younger couple from the ship who were very bored and left early.

I thought the service is amazing, they come to your chair with drinks, cold cloths....

There are beach towels there, no need to bring them from the ship.

We would love to stay for a week or two but the prices are very, very high making this daypass a bargain.

We decided to cab back so can't comment on the walk.

I definately recommend this resort day. You must book ahead.

Again, don't go expecting a party day, you will be disappointed.

We have not cruised for a few years. We are sailing from San Juan (if it matters?) and seem to remember the disembarking process being somewhat different for a non-American citizen. Can anyone refresh my memory?

Thanks!

I am glad to hear reports like this one. We have a 5 day booked for October but the reviews have been so harsh about this ship. Did you use the serenity area?

We are Marriott rewards members and have booked a stay at LaConcha prior to a cruise using points (40,000points per night). I'm guessing that you would have to book a night's stay to use the facilities for a day. I would be surprised if you could use a lesser number of points for a day pass. Check with the hotel directly or use the Marriott Rewards phone number and get back to us though!

Btw, we find LaConcha amazing. We have it booked again for a night before a cruise in 2 weeks. As Rewards members we have been given a late check out complementary.

Has anyone booked a room recently in San Juan on points and had to pay a resort fee? We haven't in the past but this time our confirmation says we do.....

Not sure if the poster is talking about the new check in procedure.

Does that mean that if we choose an early check in time (say 10.30 - 11.00am) we may check in but then wait a while yet. With the new staggered check-in, what would be the best time to choose to avoid long waiting??

We have seen this on other islands as well where the taxis want to fill up every seat. In this case it is ridiculous when it is a 5 minute cab ride, if they have 10 riders at $5 each.......definitely find a cab that will take you right away!

Again, we find the walk very nice especially in the mornings before it is really hot. It is not a hike....and very safe. On the way back we stop at a craft market.....

Also, we find the beach venders very annoying, most selling tours but also boat rides, jewellery as well. We say no nicely and then don't make eye contact. They walk back and forth on the beach, even in the water and even in front of the boatyard!

That being said, the beach is beautiful, great for people watching.

It is easier than it looks. The map makes it look further than it is. If you go to the google map in the post above and zoom in you will see landmarks- a bus station, Pelican village craft market...you really do just follow the water around. It is called a highway but not as we would think of it and has a sidewalk on both sides. Once you cross the bridge you can see the beach. You may see others walking and any locals can point you in the right direction. Be warned the cabs will stop and try to get you to take a ride.

It is to the left. The restaurants/beach clubs with chairs are all on a same bay. You come across the boatyard first, then Lobsters Alive then Harbour Lights. The Hilton is at the end of the crescent shaped bay.

I don't think the walk took us more than 20 minutes and we are not particularly fit!! It is a nice walk, we stopped at little markets and an art centre (Pelican Place?) on the way back.

A beautiful place!

We have went to Lobsters Alive which is the beach club (more of a restaurant with chair rentals) next to the Boatyard.

We thought the Boatyard looked more suitable for families who wanted the water toys or party folks who enjoyed the music and drinking games.

Lobsters Alive itself doesn't look fancy but rents 2 chairs and a large umbrella for $15. You can buy drinks and food. They also have free wifi.

I think Harbour Lights, a little further down the beach probably offers the same.

The sand is soft and water is warm and clear! We are looking forward to going back early in March for a day!

Btw, we enjoy the nice walk to the beach from the port, no need for a taxi.

We as well have stayed on Isla Verde beach at a condo and rented chairs each day. The lounge chairs are $4 each and a big umbrella (that they dig in the ground for you) is $10. There are 2 chair venders, one beside the Intercontental Hotel and one beside the Water Beach Club. Lots of taxis going by to nab for a return back. We saw lots of cruisers on the beach, we could spot them by their towels! There are a few beach bars to get a bite or drink (and use washrooms!)

We have been to PR a number of times and I have received many bites, most walking from our condo to restaurants near dusk.

I must say, with all the warnings out there, I am surprised that you are willing to take the risk. Do you not think that a child's life is worth forgoing your plans? Is it really worth it? I did read that cruise lines will let you make changes without a penalty. Just my humble opinion.....

Thanks as well for reporting back.

We have reserved for early March.

We plan on taking the taxi to get there and walk back.

Could someone (reed princess?) give walking directions from the resort back to the port? I know I should be able to read the directions backwards but don't want to make an error and get lost...

Thanks!!

You will enjoy it.

It opens at 9 and we found the first hours open were the quietest so get there early!

Hopefully you can get one of those 3 double loungers. They have adjustable backs so are great for sitting up reading as well. You won't be disappointed.

Bring the email confirmation with you in case you have confusion about which chairs you requested.

Have a good time. When are you there?

We have been twice. The loungers are not all the same!

The prime loungers are the 3 double loungers with white cushions beside the pool. You can see them in the photos. You can ask for them specifically but they will be the first to be reserved so email early! We reserved one for our upcoming Liberty cruise. There are others around the pool that are nice enough. The ones on the lawn feel seem like they are in an overflow area to me without the direct ocean view. They have lots of moveable umbrellas which is great.

It is a nice walk from the ship, about 15 minutes. No need to take a taxi.

We enjoyed our time there. It is a nice change from the other ports where we usually went to the beach. And it is an inexpensive day! The wifi works well and is included.

It is questionable how quiet it will be. It there are families there it will affect the peace and quiet. The first time we went there were lots of the ships crew there (at least 25 of them) who were quite boisterous.

Look for reviews and pictures on the Tripadviser site (put Palm Court Garden in the search box).

Hope this helps.

We booked a 5 day cruise last week which offered a $50 onboard credit.

The same cruise is now offered at the same price but without the onboard credit but rather offering a reduced deposit. It seems one "deal" ends as another begins. I would rather have the onboard credit!

The reduced deposit is not a big deal to me, paying a bit more now means less to pay later!

We are on that Feb. 28th sailing and very excited.

I would call carnival and ask what is happening.

I find it hard to believe they would be totally sold out five weeks out.

We have been on this itinery twice before and love it. Good luck!

What about the clamshell shades? Can they be booked ahead?

You mentioned waiting to disembark, was it a long process? Big lines?

Thanks, we will get up early on the sea day!

I did think it was unusual for any carnival ship to sail not full. I would be happy to sail on a ship not booked to capacity!

We are sailing on the Sensation in the fall.

Did you use the aft serenity area? We wondered how easy it would be to get chairs on the sea day?

So, there is no penalty for booking a time and not getting there until later?

I am able to choose a time for my October cruise but have not yet made travel arrangements. Should I just choose the earliest time I can?

We booked 13 months out for our Feb 28th Liberty cruise. We have not seen the price go down, it has slowly risen.

We just booked a 5 day Sensation cruise for October. I had been watching it but procrastinated on booking. It did suddenly go up about $30 per person so I booked early saver and hope it will go back down....

How many ships were in port at Grand Turk?

Was it crowded? We booked a cruise where our ship arrives at 11 am with at least one other ship already there so are trying to get a sense of what that would be like.

Actually, it did cross my mind that the price of the future cruise may very well drop and cause me to lose the OBC I would have gained by booking on board.

It is hard to know sometimes. In this case I wanted a specific cabin.