Just returned from a day at Crane's

[Guest]

Just returned from a day at Crane's...It is definately one of the prettiest beaches I have EVER seen. If you are looking for calm waters, this is NOT the beach for you. If you like to body surf, it sure is. We rented a car and drove to the Crane hotel and parked there, letting them know we were there for lunch. The view from the resort restaurant is incredible. We were able to rent beach chairs for $5 each ( with cushions [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]) and umbrellas for $7. Boogie boards are availible for $5. The vendor also has beers and soda for sale. We did purchase lunch "to go" at the Crane Restaurant and ate at our chairs. Burgers were good and $15 ea. The stairs to the resort are not for the faint of heart or anyone with difficulty walking..but kids and actice adults will have no problem..probably 3 stories..There is a shower on the staircase to rinse off sand. There are no water toys, bands, or crowds, but if you are looking for an uncrowded, BEAUTIFUL beach to body surf and boogie board, this is it.

[TheParrotHeads]

FRAIDYCATS:

Thank you for your review. It was to the point and answered all of our questions without all the selling points. We have decided to make this our beach stop when are in Barbados. Just one question for you...what kind of drinks were there: bottled water, coronas, american beers, mixed drinks?? I am not expecting anything elaborate or a well done beach bar, but just curious if you could remember to satisfy our curious minds. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Again, thanks and hope you all had a great time!

The PH'S (Lauren & Andrew)

<img src=http://www.caribbeansoul.com/images/animation.gif>
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;6;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500> 'Till the AOS

2001 NCL SKY-Western Caribbean
2001 NCL Sun-Exotic W. Caribbean
2004 RCCL Navigator of the Seas-Western Caribbean

[Guest]

On the beach itself they have soda, beer, water. Should you want frozen drinks etc you can get them in the restaurant in the Crane.Your first glimpse of the beach from the Crane will take your breath away [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img].

[nwu]

We were on Crane's Beach on 4/19/04 and also thought it was amazing. Probably the prettiest beach I have ever seen outside of Maui and Kauai. The first time I saw the beach, it took my breath away. I took my less-than-mobile mom and was afriad the steps down might be too much. They ended up being very sturdy and only about 3 levels (three long staircases). It was like the wooden/concrete steps you see down to the beach in Washington state and mexico sometimes. All the steps were sturdy and of equal size.

I would recommend being firm with the cab driver that you want to go to this beach. The cab drivers tried to dissaude us from going b/c it is about 45 minutes away from the ship. We paid $50 round trip even thought Celebrity said it should be about $40 and the signs outside the pier said it should be $34. (Don't let the signs outside the pier confuse you, the prices are quoted in Barbados dollars ($2BD=$1US). I probably could have gotten a better deal but didn't feel like arguing on my vacation.

When we got to the hotel, we told the security guard that we were having lunch and he let us in. The bell hop told us how to get to the beach. He said the pool and all beach chairs were off limits. We rented chairs and an umbrella from a private guy for $15 and used the leftover $5 to by Banks beer (cheapo Barbadian beer). I don't think you really need to buy lunch. Once they let you in, they don't monitor what you do. We decided to get cocktails ($9US each) because the view from the restaurant is breathtaking. You sit outside right over the cliff overlooking the beach.

I swam quite a bit because I enjoy waves over placid water but I was the only one in the water most of the time. Most people just walk in the surf. They seem to have an unoffical life guard there that dissaudes people from swimming unless they are strong swimmers.

There were probably about 15 people there that day from our ship (Celebrity Constellation). People staying at other hotels also seem to come to the beach.

Feel free to post here if you have any other questions and I will answer them.

[abczyx]

nwu,

Thanks for the info on Crane's. We were on the same cruise and it was a tough decision for us between Crane's and Mullins Beach. We enjoyed our 'adventure' but Crane's sounds great also. Maybe next time.

[srphnx]

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[NHRedSoxFan]

We stayed at the Crane last year and loved it so much we bought a time share. Well, we're leaving this weekend to go back. Last year we went to the Folkstone marine park to snorkel.
This was fine but what I would like to know is what is the closest beach from the Crane where the water is calm and there is good snorkelling?
The Gap, maybe?

[Sunniebgi]

HI ParrotHeads,

The drinks he sells are likely soft drinks (coke, sprite, pepsi, locally produces softdrinks), Banks Beer (Local Barbados Beer.. very good).. and possibly Carib, which is produces in several other islands.

the view is fanstatic from the hotel. My husband and I go for Sushi at the Japanese restaurant they have there in the evenings, and after dinner walk around the grounds and just sit and watch the surf roll in under the stars.

Just to let you know.. I'm also a ParrotHead from way back... almost 29years I've been listening to some of the best music in the world.

Have a great time..and enjoy the Crane and Crane Beach.

To LadCad. I would say for Calm Waters and Snorkeling, you may have to go all the way to the west coast, depending on the time of year.

[NHRedSoxFan]

Well, we're back and never did any snorkelling. Somehow we just didn't find the time to snorkel this year. We brought my sister and BILaw and wanted to show them some of our favorite places and never got around to snorkel even though we brought the gear.
Next year we're going for two weeks. One just isn't long enough. We also want to attend one of the cricket matches that take place in '07.

PS - your island has the BEST food! I love Pieces, the Fish Pot and the Cliff - yum! and I think I'm having some kind of withdrawal from those flying fish sandwiches with the spicy sauce.

[Sunniebgi]

hi Ladcad.

Firstly if you want to attend the cricket.. are you coming in April for the World Cup.. if so.. you had better get prepared.. tickets will not stay available long. there is a Cricket World Cup website you can look at and unless you are a huge cricket fan, I'd recommend coming early in April for one of the super 8 matches and not the final. the island will be "crazy" during april so this might skew your few of things. Plan early ...like now..

[NHRedSoxFan]

We now have two weeks of time shares at the Crane so we will be there 4/14 - 4/28 next year. I understand that it will be busy, so have already sent in a booking request for the rental car. Other timeshare owners were talking about this sporting event while we were there. They want to stay away and rent out their units instead. I don't want to do that.

I went to that web site for the Cricket and printed the super 8 schedule. It doesn't say how to buy tickets online, just the dates of the games. I know it will be hard to get dinner reservations, so I will get what I can ahead of time but I'm not worried because we have a kitchen, so the worst case would be having to cook.

[NHRedSoxFan]

PS - not only am I not a fan, we will have to get a book of rules to even understand it.
I know American baseball and the NFL - that's it!
I just thought since we're there anyway it would be fun to go to just one game for a totally un-American experience where the audience is from all over the world. We'll just find out who the underdog is and cheer for them.:)

[Sunniebgi]

HI Ladcad.

Based on your dates, you will be here for most of the Super 8 Games and , Lucky for you, the last 7 days will be cricket free. and you leave on the same days as the finals.. so.. make sure you plane reservations are done early as well, so you don't get stuck.

The Crane will be a great place to stay as you will be far from the madness. and yes get those dinner reservations in early. If you need help and can't get in contact with some restaurants, let me know..

for ticketing.. take a look at [url]http://www.cricketworldcup.com/ticket-applications.html[/url] You actually have to apply for tickets.. I don't think it's automatic. if you don't understand about getting the tickets ask questions.. I'm not sure I can answer them, but I'm sure we can find someone on the board who can.. (I also need a rule book. I've been to 1 one day international match, which is a little more like baseball (don't tell a cricket fan that) (2 innings.. team A plays for 50 overs, 10 pitches each over, then they break for lunch, then Team B plays for 50 overs or till they win or lose based on what Team A does..ok.. thats the quick and dirty as best I can give you)


good luck