timh111

I have narrowed my decisions down to either Mr Sanchos or Paradise (after months of searching and reading).

 

We leave in 2 weeks for our cruise and I have NEVER waited this long to figure out where to go and book something. :eek:

 

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I really love all of the pictures that I see of Paradise. It looks like the perfect place to go. However, I have some questions:

 

1) There will be 7 ships in port the day we are there. I'm pretty sure that this will make it extremely crowded there right? They don't "limit" the amount of people there during the day right? *Even though there will be 7 ships in Cozumel when you are there, there are 2 separate ports that are close to each other. Depending on which ship you are arriving on, you will dock at either Playa Maya or the International Pier. Carnival ships seems to favor the Playa Maya port and all others like Royal Caribbean seem to go to the International pier. Timing is everything when you dock but rest assured, there will be more than enough taxis at either port. If you choose to visit Paradise Beach, many of the drivers take their breaks there so you never have to wait for a return taxi back to the ship. And "NO", Paradise Beach will never keep you from joining them for the day.*

 

2) Do they have free wifi? If so, does it reach to the beach or only around a certain area, like the restaurant area?*They do have free Wi-Fi throughout the beach and even up at the pool. In the event you need to, they also have free use of their computers up at the beach bar.*

 

3) I have read numerous reviews on TA that stated they have made people pay the $2 chair fee PLUS the $10 pp food charge upon entry or they wouldn't let them enter???*Not sure who gave you that information but Paradise Beach's rule of thumb is $2 to enter and they ask that you spend at least $10 in food and/or drink. They will never collect the implied $10 upfront. *

 

4) All the reviews I have read and the website says the water toys are $12, however, some have reported they charged them $14?*Many people will pay the $2 to enter and decide later in their stay that they want to use the water toys and added amenities (thus the $2 + $12 =14)*

 

5) I noticed in several pictures there is a dock there. I don't recall anyone mentioning this in any reviews that I have read. What is this dock used for? Can you go to the end of it and is there snorkeling there? How deep is the water in that area?*Although I didn't get the chance to use it in my last visits, it is my understanding that the beach has added a ladder to the pier where you can go to snorkel. The depth of the water at the beach is shallow but I'm not sure about at the end of the pier. From what I heard, it's about 10 feet or so and there are many fish at the pier.*

 

6) Do they have parrots there? I seen some pictures of parrots and just wondering if they are still there? Do they let you hold them?*There are 2 parrotsd there, Rocky and Sunshine. They tend to keep more to themselves but they are beautiful. If you sit at the beach bar, you may catch them chasing peoples sneakers when they walk by. Even the staff!!!

 

I was able to find a menu online for them and according to the pricing, I'm estimating what we would spend on food to be around $40-$50 Then factor in drinks...estimating maybe another $50. Adding in the chair price of $6, bringing the total to maybe around $100ish. So I'm thinking maybe we would spend less here than we would at Mr Sanchos, but the crowd is what's throwing me off a little. *Paradise Beach is very large. When we were there in November, there were 6 ships in Cozumel and we didn't feel crowded at all at Paradise Beach.

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Hi mitsugirly :D We visited there this past May and were just there in November. We love it there. Beach is clean, amenities are intoxicating, service is quick and the staff make you feel like a old friend (even if you haven't been there before). I hope my answers above helped you in deciding. IMHO, I don't feel you'll be disappointed. Enjoy your cruise.

PLEASE...rethink this. You won't know what your getting, how old it is or if it's safe!! The price may seem attractive, but the after effects may really hurt you. I have heard MANY stories of how people bought prescriptions at ALL 3 of these ports and became ill. PLEASE, For your own safety...get your scripts filled at HOME!!:eek:

We'll be on Roatan in September and this is the first time I read about cabanas.

 

You mentioned that it can be booked online. Can it be done through NCL site?

Some of the people that were staying in the cabanas were from the NCL ship that was there. Since we sailed on the Carnival Dream, The only answer I could give you is to call NCL directly and ask them. Sorry:(

Thank you.. I am really hoping my cousin changes her mind and books it with us. If not then maybe we can ask to be put at one of the end cabanas?

 

Okay here are some more questions :D

 

How was the water? I heard it could be cloudy due to the ship picking up all the sand.

 

Does each cabana get there own hammock or do you have to share. My dh and dd are looking forward to that.

 

Are the chair lifts to the beach really high off the floor? I am scared of heights but hoping that I will be able to do it.

 

Thanks again!!!

And here are some more answers....

The water was just fine. In the time it takes to disembark, and make your way to the beach, IF there is any sand kicked up by the ships, it settles by then.

Each cabana DOES get their own hammock, no sharing. You also have 2 sand (lounge)chairs by the beach.

The "Magic Chairs" are no mre than 25 or 30 feet off the ground. I'm scared of heights too but the are just high enough (tree top level) to get a great view yet low enough where your knees don't knock!!:eek:

I had mentioned before, if you would like to send me a private e-mail, I can send you some of the pics we took of the cabana & private beach. You can send it to timh1111@att.net OR, you can friend me on Facebook (Timothy J. Hickey, there are a few but I'll be the one on the beach with my little niece Shannon hugging me) and I have some pics posted there.

That sounds like a good idea :D

 

Yet another question, I hope you don't mind :) Is this semi-private area close to everyone else? Would my cousin be able to set up somewhere close to us but not in the cabana area?

 

Thanks again for all your help!!

The private cabana area is about 3/4 of the way down the beach. So I would say yes, he will have the end of the beach (the last 1/4) and the first part right after the magic chairs. Both ends of the private area have guards but as long as he stays on the public side, it will be OK. JUST KEEP IN MIND...you may not get a cabana at either end of the private area, you may be in the middle (we had the "Bananna" cabana (#5) which was in the middle of the cabanas and private area. Feel free to ask questions, I am ALWAYS happy to answer anything cruise related :D

I would be really mad if the family of 26 was next to me :eek:

 

How was the food there? I do not plan on rushing back to the ship for our early dining. I figured we could grab a bite to eat there if we got hungry.

We actually cheated Theresa:rolleyes: Before we arrived in Roatan, we asked the cabin steward for extra ice and ordered room service (some sandwiches and fruit) and brought them with us in plastic on-board shop bags so we wouldn't have to pay for the food on the island. We just purchased beverages from our cabana waiter. You could smell the food cooking on the beach and it smelled good. Don't know the prices though :confused:

Thanks for all the info, I have a question, we will be taking the family in October, 7 adult, a 12 yr. old, an 11 yr. old and an infant. We are planning on getting 2 cabanas, do you think we will have any problem getting the infant and other child in? Since they have security, how did such a large group, 26 I think you said, all get past security? THANKS IN ADVANCE.

The problem here, as I have stated, is that the Cabanas are booked for "4" people. If you split the kids between the adults in the cabanas, I don't think there will be a problem...BUT...every paying renter will receive a wristband they must wear while they are on the private beach area. That means the 11 yr old and the 12 year old may encounter a problem. The staff & security are flexable for kids but rules change. Best I could do is wish you luck! As for how the group of 26 got past security, They probably waited till the paying renters got setteled and met them there. We found out later it was a family group that was traveling together.

Thank you for responding so quickly :D I am glad that they made those people leave. I can see how 26 would make it quite crowded. My cousin is a family of four, two adults, two kids. Not sure what they want to do but already sent the email. :D

 

So it was worth the $200? I would think it would be just not to have people sitting on top of you. Also to cool off when it gets to hot and my dh and dd is going to love those hammocks! Really looking forward to it.. YAY

We felt it was MORE than worth it!! We split the price 4 ways so it didn't hurt that bad! But to know you have your OWN area, with your OWN resting places and an A.C.'d cabana made it enjoyable (especially for my Brother who was in a wheelchair). If you want to see some pics of the area, send me a PM and I'll e-mail them to you! There is a great view of the cruise ships (REALLY CLOSE) from the beach/cabana area!! Enjoy your cruise and your cabana!!

Very excited.. I just booked one!! Question: will others in my family (cousins) be able to be next to us? I don't know if they are renting one or not but can they be next to us on the beach or will they be stopped?

Hi Teresa :) If they book one, you may want to talk to who you booked it through to see if they can get a cabana next to you. If you have no luck there, when you get to the beach, you will be escorted by staff to your cabana. Talk to them and see if there are 2 cabanas next to each other. If they don't get a cabana, there is a dividing line (with security at either end) that seperates the public beach from the private beach. So it is all dependent on where your cabana is. Each cabana area has a max of 4 people per booking (although you may be able to "smuggle 2 or 3 more). When we stayed there, we had a bunch of low lifes that had 26 (not a misprint and confirmed by security) staying at 1 cabana. They over took the private beach area and after 1 hour, the people without wristbands (oh forgot to mention you get wristbands when you are there) were told to leave or ALL, including those that did pay for the cabana, would be removed!! You will have a great time, very..VERY relaxing!!:D

We thought it was a GREAT value!! There were 4 of us and we just split the cost 4 ways. It is a private beach with security guards at either end of the beach to ward off loafers and keep them moving out of the private area. Ther are 2 lounge chairs on the patio of the cabana, a sofa and loveseat in the cabana with A.C., a hammock on the beach and 2 lounge chairs there as well and all are included in the price. Along with the waiter service constantly on the beach to serve you. We still talk about how relaxing it was there AND would do it again. BUT, as I mentioned, if you are interested, BOOK IT EARLY (on-line if you can) because there are only 8 cabanas and they sell out quick (we got the last one available on embarkation day at the Shore Excursions desk). All the amenities mentioned above are PER CABANA.

That is what we are thinking was any food or drinks included in the price we have rented in half moon gay and you recieved water and sodas plus food I couldn't see tagged at this one so that is why I am. Asking

Sorry...no food or drinks are included. What we did was order room service that morning (BLT's, Turkey Sandwiches etc.)and asked our cabin steward for an extra ice bucket (that we used the ice from to keep our sandwiches we ordered from room service cool in the cooler we brought with us). When you get off the ship, you are in a shopping area where you can buy water & soda to put in your cooler bag with the sandwiches you ordered from room service. There will be a waiter on the private beach that will take your drink orders and there is food available to order as well. But what ever you order from the waiter service, you have to pay for. He will run a tab if you ask him.

We did the Cabanas back in April. They are supposed to be for a MAX of 4 people. The price of the Cabana is $200, and like I said...that is for 4 people and include the "Magic Lift"....for 4 people and include waiter service and a private beach...for 4 people. I hate to sound redundant but there was a cabana near us that had 16 people in it (not a misprint) and they were so loud and their "Property" for the cabana wasn't designed for 16 people and they took over their area and 3 other cabana beach areas, which is why they say "For Up To 4 People". I don't think your kids will be charged extra and won't take up nearly that much space, but the space for the Cabana is limited as is the beach amenities that come with it. You may want to consider getting 2 Cabanas. Check it when you book it.