Questions for APLMAC

[purrlinda]

I am going to be in Barbados on May 5th and I have a few things I'd like to do along without about an hour or so on the beach. Can you let me know if this is a little too much for 7 hours?

 

Harrison's Cave

See some of the Atlantic Coast

Visit the Wildlife Refuge

Beach Time

 

I've contacted Glory Tours to see if they can help me put something together, but I thought I'd check in with you to see what your thoughts were, being a resident of the island and all. :)

[Aplmac]

 

Harrison's Cave ===> Plunk in da middle of da island, and halfway to..

the Atlantic Coast

Visit the Wildlife Refuge ===> North-Central island

Beach Time ===> Yes, you have the time.

 

but I thought I'd check in with you to see what your thoughts were,

being a resident of the island and all. :)

Since you'll be doing the Northern half of the island

might I suggest a West Coast beach for your remaining time.

 

I'm sure your taxi driver will come up with a suitable beach

such as.. Mullins, Holetown, Paynes Bay(think turtles..)

.

[ookpik]

Aplmac,I posted this on another thread but just in case you didn't read that one would like to say your photographs are gorgeous! Would you have one/info on the Harbour Lights Beach Facility (Ship's tour)

Thank you

Cheers!

[Aplmac]

Aplmac,I posted this on another thread but just in case you didn't read that one would like to say your photographs are gorgeous!

Would you have one/info on the Harbour Lights Beach Facility (Ship's tour)

Thanks for your kind comments.

 

Sorry no pic of Harbour Lights beach facility

but that entertainment center backs right on to Carlisle Bay beach at just about its widest point

so it should be good, really. Oooodles of beach,there!

 

This picture taken about 200 yds away from 'Lights' as it's referred to locally

looking in their direction: if you can make out little red umbrells in the distance

I think that's them!

 

________________________________________________

Harbour Lights is run by a buncha local white boys

who've been in the entertainment/nightclub business,now for two or three decades

so they know how to please their customers. ;)

 

If you feel like doing Harbour Lights, you go right ahead.

Not only that: if it's listed on your Ship's Tours

then that whole scenario has been inspected and vetted by your cruise line

making it even more of a sure thing.

.

[tjaker11]

aplmac, i requested info on another thread maybe you can answer for me, we will be a group of four sailing the end of Oct. the guys prefer great snorkeling and the gals require a beach-bar-restaurant to kill the time, is there a place where we can go to meet all our needs, and should we just hire a taxi for the day

Thank you for all the info you supply to CC members and really great Pics

Tim

[ookpik]

Aplmac

Thank you for the info on the "Lights",sounds good to me and since we are a couple of old f--ts,it is probably better that we stay with a ship's tour,'tho VERY tempted by the sound of Accra/Rockley!

Thanks again

Cheers.

[Aplmac]

Aplmac

Thank you for the info on the "Lights",sounds good to me and since we are a couple of old f--ts,

it is probably better that we stay with a ship's tour,'tho VERY tempted by the sound of Accra/Rockley!

Unless you very Olde *artes, you probably should do Accra/Rockley, it really isn't that difficult.

 

And besides, I think (think) Lights may attract a younger crowd?

It certainly does, as a nightclub, after dark

but not sure about the daytime/cruiser clientele.

 

 

 

 

Accra is not that much further out, and is easy to get to -and back-

by taxi, particularly if you get a group of 2 or 3 couples together and half-fill a van,

for a good deal per person. Be brave -go for it.

 

The Lights thing on Carlisle Bay is nice,I'm sure

but Rockley Bay has that lovely breeeze :)

 

 

You're not going to miss this, are you?

 

.

[hcat]

We are waiting to hear back from two snorkel companies & both e-mail addresses I have for the Hilton (stil our first choice for the day) are not correct...

 

Iin the meantime, I came across a website for Mullins Restaurant & beach bar at mullins beach,,, says it is abt 10. miles friom the port .. do you have any pics of this beach or opinions about the beach & the restaurant there--it looks very nice...with a decent lunch menu-- Would it be easy to get a taxi back to the ship from this spot on a busy port day?

 

we just really want a nice day out without crowds & are nervous by the large number of ships expected in port the day we will be there..it is more about a nice lunch not so much swimming at a each or with turtles!

 

any idea will be appreciated...

[Aplmac]

We are waiting to hear back from two snorkel companies

& both e-mail addresses I have for the Hilton (still our first choice for the day) are not correct...

===> Hilton is a LOT closer to the Port -you can see your ship from Hilton's entrance portal

 

I came across a website for Mullins Restaurant & beach bar at Mullins beach,,, says it is abt 10. miles from the port ..

===> That's correct.

 

Would it be easy to get a taxi back to the ship from Mullins on a busy port day? ===> Should be. Or take a city-bound bus -they pass right there!

I'd stick with your Hilton plan, as long as they can accommodate you.

I believe they like you to phone ahead first and ask whether they can take you as a day guest or not.

in case the hotel is way-full and very busy.

 

Hilton's tel. number here on the island is 426-0200

so make a note of that! ;)

 

I'd stick with that because Hilton is a lot closer to the Port

plus their beach is just super! -as are their pools..

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________

But if you need to go with Plan B, here's a shot of Mullins.

 

.

[hcat]

I am still trying to get a good e-mail address for the Hilton-

 

-I wrote very nice letter asking them to allow us to come for my birthday lunch but have nowhere to send it...!!!

 

We have decided to go to the Hilton no matter what--even if it is just for lunch! Such a lovely property & there seems to be a nice place to walk along the water-

 

Thanks for the photos--you are very helpful to those of us who are not that familiar with barbados & want to have a splendid day there!

[Aplmac]

Go here...

http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/aplmac/Carnival%20VICTORY%20-%20Nov%2008/BARBADOS/?start=0

 

and see many Barbados pics! ;)

 

.

[hcat]

Go here...

http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/aplmac/Carnival%20VICTORY%20-%20Nov%2008/BARBADOS/?start=0

 

and see many Barbados pics! ;)

 

.

 

WOW! Thank you for sharing these great photos! NIcely laid out too. This will keep me busy for awhile! I really appreciate it....What camera were you shooting with?

[WeBeGone]

We arrive at 1:20 from Miami to board the Royal Clipper for 11 days. Boarding is not until 4:00. What to do?

[Aplmac]

WOW! Thank you for sharing these great photos! ...What camera were you shooting with?

Nikon D60 mostly

but it's not the camera that takes the picture, it's the lenses I use. ;)

.

[hcat]

true! the photos are great...!

 

Never heard back from either of the catamaran companies I sent to, but finally got a message through to the Hilton--& a reply. They won't do an advance res as you mentioned , but I think it is going to work out fine..

 

We are looking forward to a great day on Barbados--!

 

I appreciate your advice on all of this...

[Aplmac]

.. finally got a message through to the Hilton--& a reply.

They won't do an advance res as you mentioned , but I think it is going to work out fine..

 

We are looking forward to a great day on Barbados--!

Hilton wants you to call ahead on the day you're here, not months ahead.

 

Get to a phone in the Barbados cruise terminal, use the number I provided above

and ask them if you should come over -or not. ;)

.

[Aplmac]

We arrive at 1:20 from Miami to board the Royal Clipper for 11 days.

 

 

Boarding is not until 4:00. What to do?

You're unlikely to get free of our airport until maybe 2:20 ?

and then it's about 20-30 mins. transit time from airport to Bridgetown sea-port..

 

I'd simply present myself an hour early of their stated boarding time.

What are they gonna do? Stand you up for an hour, while the clock ticks?

 

 

I've never been refused boarding simply because I was early!

 

Most that could happen is ..your cabin's not ready,

but at least you're on deck somewhere with a drink in your hand! ;)

 

 

.........................

 

You could linger awhile longer in the Cruise Terminal's shopping area

-help to bump up the economy a bit.

 

 

 

.

[hcat]

That is a nice looking ship--have to check it out...

[sammyjo882]

We'll be arriving on the Serenade and ACCRA sounds perfect for us. Is there a bus that goes there (if so, which one) or do we need to take a taxi? Where is the best place to get off in order to get lounge chairs & an umbrella? Any idea of the costs?

 

Thanks for all the pictures & info you post here!!

[Mr. Luckytoo]

We'll be in Barbados on October 26, 2010 with Celebrity. I was wondering if there are any whale watching tours?

 

We'll be in St. Lucia on October 25, 2010 (day before) and was wondering which island -St. Lucia vs. Barbados would be better for whale watching?

 

Unfortunately our ship doesn't go to Dominica :(

[Aplmac]

We'll be in Barbados on October 26, 2010 with Celebrity.

I was wondering if there are any whale watching tours?

 

We'll be in St. Lucia on October 25, 2010 (day before)

and was wondering which island -St. Lucia vs. Barbados would be better for whale watching?

 

Unfortunately our ship doesn't go to Dominica :(

Barbados is the wrong island for whale-watching or tours thereof

despite us having a few whales that hung around the South Coast of Barbados, earlier this year

for some 2-3 wks. -not the norm.

This photo taken by someone out fishing, off the S.coast

 

 

St.Lucia might be better,generally for your whale watching interests

but I'm thinking that October may be a bit early in the year for whales?

.

[Aplmac]

We'll be arriving on the Serenade and ACCRA sounds perfect for us.

Is there a bus that goes there (if so, which one) or do we need to take a taxi?

Where is the best place to get off in order to get lounge chairs & an umbrella?

Any idea of the costs?

 

Thanks for all the pictures & info you post here!!

This thread..

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1063139&highlight=bus+accra

should answer many of your questions. ;)

[reklawr]

Alpmac, We have several couples who are planning to have lunch at Lobsters Alive. We are planning on getting a large umbrella on the beach while lunching. The ladies can relax on the beach while a few of the guys go jet skiing at the boat yard. Are the Boat Yard and Lobsters alive close enough that we can do this or will we have to leave lobster alive to go to the boat yard?

[Aplmac]

Alpmac, We have several couples who are planning to have lunch at Lobsters Alive.

We are planning on getting a large umbrella on the beach while lunching.

The ladies can relax on the beach while a few of the guys go jet skiing at the boat yard.

Are the Boat Yard and Lobsters alive close enough that we can do this ===> Spittin distance! :D

or will we have to leave lobster alive to go to the boat yard?

They share a 150 yard section of Carlisle Bay beach(which is free and open to the public)

so it's a loose arrangement on the beach -you'll see.

God knows there's enough beach to share, there!

 

Not sure if Boatyard will allow you access into their beach clubhouse

from the beach side, without the wristband they issue,upon payment at the (street)door..

but you certainly can mingle on the beach side of their activities.

 

 

Lobster on the other hand is an open house affair.

 

If I were you, I'd just get myself over to Lobster

get your umbrella/chairs/drinks situation all set up and established

and then wander over, see what gives

but don't be surprised if they want $15(Barbados money??) to get into their clubhouse.

 

No doubt they serve the same drinks, at either place

and Boatyard's music is loud enough to be heard pleasantly at Lobster distance.

 

The jetski thing is not (I'm fairly sure) run by/for Boatyard people.

The jetski guys are privateers, who simply run up and down the coast

looking for your business

-from people stationed on any beach, at any bar or restaurant.

You'll find them all along Carlisle Bay at some time of the day or other!

-just wave your arms when you see them, if they haven't spotted you first!

.

[reklawr]

They share a 150 yard section of Carlisle Bay beach(which is free and open to the public)

so it's a loose arrangement on the beach -you'll see.

God knows there's enough beach to share, there!

 

Not sure if Boatyard will allow you access into their beach clubhouse

from the beach side, without the wristband they issue,upon payment at the (street)door..

but you certainly can mingle on the beach side of their activities.

 

 

Lobster on the other hand is an open house affair.

 

If I were you, I'd just get myself over to Lobster

get your umbrella/chairs/drinks situation all set up and established

and then wander over, see what gives

but don't be surprised if they want $15(Barbados money??) to get into their clubhouse.

 

 

No doubt they serve the same drinks, at either place

and Boatyard's music is loud enough to be heard pleasantly at Lobster distance.

 

The jetski thing is not (I'm fairly sure) run by/for Boatyard people.

The jetski guys are privateers, who simply run up and down the coast

looking for your business

-from people stationed on any beach, at any bar or restaurant.

You'll find them all along Carlisle Bay at some time of the day or other!

-just wave your arms when you see them, if they haven't spotted you first!

.

 

 

Thank you Aplmac. Thats exactly the info I needed.:D