KD Travel Adventures

We're going this September and looking for a nice, relaxing but BEAUTIFUL beach.

I see Isla Pasion might be the answer and it looks gorgeous, but Nachi Cocom as well.

Which one you think is better?

I haven't been to Isla Pasion, but we went to Nachi Cocum last September and it was great. We would definitely go back.

Here's a video of Nachi Cocum if you are interested:

So.....In comparing the Central Park and Boardwalk balconies, what are the differences between them? It seems apparent that one is central part of the ship, the other is aft...but any other differences?? What about noise level...privacy....and anything else I should know that I don't even know to ask about... ;)

 

Or should we just 'come up with' the extra money for the OV? ;)

Below are links to 11 videos of different staterooms and suites on Oasis of the Seas. The videos show you the interior portion and view from the cabin balcony. Ocean View Balcony 9190 is a video tour, all others are videos from pictures, including one Boardwalk Balcony and two Central Park Balconies.

Hopefully they help you determine which type of stateroom or suite you might be interested in. A lot of people have given good comments. From my perspective, Central Park is quiet and when the balcony doors are shut you can't hear anything in Central Park, but you still feel enclosed because you are just looking out to Central Park and other balconies. Boardwalk at least lets you see the aft of the ship and the ocean, plus you can watch the Aqua Theater shows from your room. But, it can get loud when the shows are taking place or days at sea when you hear more from the sports deck. But, Boardwalk itself was usually pretty quiet on Deck 6 unless their was a show.

OCEAN VIEW BALCONY

Ocean View Balcony Stateroom 7716

Ocean View Balcony Stateroom 9190

Ocean View Balcony Stateroom 6266

BOARDWALK BALCONY

Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom 12319 - Aft Port Side

CENTRAL PARK BALCONY

Central Park Balcony Stateroom 10603

Central Park Balcony Stateroom 10589

INTERIOR STATEROOMS

(these are not the best but hopefully give a little insight as to what they are like)

Interior Stateroom 6185 - Wheelchair Accessible

Interior Stateroom 7427

JUNIOR SUITE

Junior Suite Stateroom 11632 - Mid Ship Starboard

SKY CLASS CROWN LOFT BALCONY SUITE

Sky Class Crown Loft Balcony Suite 1746 - Oceanview

Sky Class Crown Loft Balcony Suite 1728 - Aft View

https://youtu.be/0Cu12dKv3yM

Subscribe to "Cruise Fan" on YouTube for cruise and port related videos.

Below are links to 11 videos of different staterooms and suites on Oasis of the Seas. The videos show you the interior portion and view from the cabin balcony. Hopefully they help you determine which type of stateroom or suite you might be interested in.

OCEAN VIEW BALCONY

Ocean View Balcony Stateroom 7716

Ocean View Balcony Stateroom 9190

Ocean View Balcony Stateroom 6266

BOARDWALK BALCONY

Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom 12319 - Aft Port Side

CENTRAL PARK BALCONY

Central Park Balcony Stateroom 10603

Central Park Balcony Stateroom 10589

INTERIOR STATEROOMS

(these are not the best but hopefully give a little insight as to what they are like)

Interior Stateroom 6185 - Wheelchair Accessible

Interior Stateroom 7427

JUNIOR SUITE

Junior Suite Stateroom 11632 - Mid Ship Starboard

SKY CLASS CROWN LOFT BALCONY SUITE

Sky Class Crown Loft Balcony Suite 1746 - Oceanview

Sky Class Crown Loft Balcony Suite 1728 - Aft View

https://youtu.be/0Cu12dKv3yM

Subscribe to "Cruise Fan" on YouTube for cruise and port related videos.

If you are in Barcelona at night, take the Barcelona night tour bus with Barcelona Bus Turistic. It takes you to all of the Barcelona highlights but you get a different perspective at night. It was NOT a hop-on-hop-off tour.

We happened upon this tour because our flight was delayed and we didn't get in to Barcelona until late and the day tours had ended. But, I was glad we got to do the tour at night. The highlight of the night tour for me was Magic Fountain of Montjuic. I'm sure they stop at the Fountain during the daytime tours, but you will miss an amazing show if you don't go at night. Check show times if you plan to go on your own, as they time the night tour to see part of the show.

Here is a video of the Magic Fountain:

The rocks were not a big issue but there was a slight drop off that may make it difficult for some to get in and out. But I'm sure fellow cruisers would be willing to help. But now that you mention this issue, I'm wondering if the hurricane last year affected this so hopefully someone who has been there after the hurricane can give you a better idea.

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I agree with SnorkelAway. I was told we could have someone call for a taxi, but it is probably better to just arrange the pick-up with the taxi driver that drops you off at the ferry pier/parking lot, because there isn't much right around there.

Also, to clarify, the ferry is $12pp round trip.

Here's another video of iguanas on Pinel Island:

If you do this on your own instead of through RCCL, I didn't clarify from my previous post, but it's $12pp for the round trip ferry to Pinel Island. Be sure to make arrangements with your taxi driver when he drops you off at the ferry pier/parking lot (which doesn't have a lot there), to pick you up at a specific time because there are not any taxis.

Here's another video of iguanas on Pinel Island:

Here's a video of Orient Beach:

Here's a video of Pinel Island, but you have to take a ferry to Pinel Island (It was $12pp round trip). Just ask a taxi to take you to the Pinel Island Ferry from the cruise terminal, but make sure you arrange for the taxi to pick you up at a specific time as there are not a lot of taxis around when you return. Give yourself plenty of time. The beach is very nice and there is a trail to walk around the island with snorkeling at an additional cost (not sure of price, though).

If you don't want to spend money, the beach is nice right off the ship and there is pretty good snorkeling there, too. I would recommend going in the morning because you could snorkel by the drop off. But, when we continued snorkeling after lunch the safety line/buoys seemed to have moved in further so you couldn't snorkel out to the drop off.

This video on YouTube shows part of the drop off with a barracuda and how close the ship is to where you are snorkeling at the end.

Watch the flounder that's hard to see:

Looks like general snorkeling:

I agree with Pellaz about the snorkeling by the ship. It's great snorkeling right off the beach. I would recommend going in the morning because you could snorkel by the drop off. But, when we went snorkeling after lunch the safety line/buoys seemed to have been in further. But, I spent most of the time in port snorkeling right off the beach with very few breaks.

This video on YouTube shows part of the drop off with a barracuda and how close the ship is to where you are snorkeling at the end.

Watch the flounder that's hard to see:

Looks like general snorkeling:

We did Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest on Holland. The whaling watching started off slow, but quickly became amazing. We saw bubble net feeding and lots of whales.

Here's some videos that say they are from Juneau whale watching:

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=mQ9a25qxDAc

I agree with the other two posters...it just depends. But when we were in Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, the Oasis of the Seas was docked on port side, as well as embarkation and disembarkation in Fort Lauderdale.

Here's a video at Crown Bay in St. Thomas as it was docked:

I would recommend Pinel Island off of St. Martin. They have a nice beach and a trail with beautiful views around the small island. We took a taxi from the cruise terminal to the ferry boat, which is about a 30 minute drive from the cruise terminal in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. I can't remember the cost of the taxi but I think it was around $20-$25 each way and then the ferry to Pinel Island was around $12 round trip. (Double check prices since they may have changed.) When the taxi driver dropped us off at the ferry boat we told him what time to pick us up to take us back to the cruise terminal and he was there right on time. We would definitely go back to Pinel Island. Here is a link to a YouTube video of Pinel Island:

I would recommend Nachi Cocum. It seems more adult-oriented and was quiet and relaxing.

Here is a YouTube video of Nachi Cocum that gives a good idea of what Nachi Cocum is like:

Drinks are unlimited at Nachi Cocum and you get to choose an appetizer, main meal and dessert from a menu and we thought we got plenty of food.

There is a pool with a swim-up bar, but we never spent any time in the pool, as we preferred to be on the beach and in the sea.

We also had our own snorkel gear and while it wasn't the best snorkeling I've ever seen, I was pleasantly surprised to see fish I haven't seen before and thought it was pretty good snorkeling right off the beach.

If I remember right the day pass was $55 and open from 9am-5pm. We took a taxi there as soon as we could get off the ship and arrived a little before 9am and they took us in and got us settled under a palapa. I think the taxi ride was $20-$25 each way, but check prices because they may have changed.

Nachi Cocum beach is very soft, not to mention quiet and relaxing with some fairly decent snorkeling right off the beach and plenty of food and unlimited drinks. I think it's about a 20 minute taxi ride.

Here is a YouTube video of Nachi Cocum that gives a good idea of what Nachi Cocum is like:

Nachi Cocum seemed more adult-oriented and was quiet and relaxing. From what I've read, Mr. Sanchos is more for families and friends. I have not been to Mr. Sanchos, but have heard good things about it. I have been to Nachi Cocum and would definitely go back. Both resorts are very close to each other, and while a little ways down the beach, you can see Mr. Sanchos from Nachi Cocum.

I would recommend Nachi Cocum. Here is a YouTube video of Nachi Cocum that gives a good idea of what Nachi Cocum is like:

Drinks are unlimited at Nachi Cocum and as someone else mentioned on this thread, you get an appetizer, main meal and dessert. You choose what you want from a menu and you get plenty of food. There is a pool, but we never spent any time in the pool, as we preferred to be on the beach and in the sea.

I'm not sure if you like to snorkel, but we had our own snorkel gear and while it wasn't the best snorkeling I've ever seen, I was pleasantly surprised to see fish I haven't seen before and thought it was pretty good snorkeling right off the beach.

I would probably recommend trying something closer to the ship if you think you will have to take your Mom back early, because it would probably be a hassle and kind of expensive to get taxis for both ways twice. But, if your Mom enjoys sitting in a lounge chair and just enjoying the scenery at a relatively quiet and relaxing place, I recommend Nachi Cocum.

Pinel Island is great! We did not do an excursion through the cruise line, but took a taxi to the ferry boat, which is about a 30 minute drive from the cruise terminal in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. I can't remember the cost of the taxi but I think it was around $20-$25 each way and then the ferry to Pinel Island was around $12 round trip. (Double check prices since they may have changed.) When the taxi driver dropped us off at the ferry boat we told him what time to pick us up to take us back to the cruise terminal and he was there right on time. Pinel Island has a great beach, snorkeling and a very picturesque trail to walk around the island. We would definitely go back. Here is a link to a video of Pinel Island: