Traveling with 9 & 11 year old advice

[Derbie]

My husband and I are taking our two nieces on a cruise. Can anyone recommend the best place to take them while in port? I know they love to swim! Any recommendations are most welcome.

 

Thanks in advance,

[cb at sea]

You can do research with a guidebook! Libraries have them...let the kids read them, too! Beaches seldom require an excursion....most are easy (and cheap) to get to. Let the guidebook guide you!

 

There are several nice beach areas...all accessible by cab...perhaps, even, a bus! Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are favorites! The water is clear and (most of the time) calm!

Edited August 10, 2014 by cb at sea

[Arubalisa]

I would, rent a taxi for a few hours, and in the interest of the kids, tailor the day to them.

 

Three stops:

1. Donkey Sanctuary

2. Butterfly Farm

3. Ostrich Farm

 

You will see some of the sights along the way.

Taxis will run $45 per hour holding a maximum of 5 people.

In three hours you could see all of those places. Perhaps conclude by having the driver drop you off at Palm beach for some swimming. The waters are calm and lake like.

 

OR

 

Spend the day at De Palm Island. Your ship more than likely will include an excursion there which would include transportation.

[Derbie]

I would, rent a taxi for a few hours, and in the interest of the kids, tailor the day to them.

 

Three stops:

1. Donkey Sanctuary

2. Butterfly Farm

3. Ostrich Farm

 

You will see some of the sights along the way.

Taxis will run $45 per hour holding a maximum of 5 people.

In three hours you could see all of those places. Perhaps conclude by having the driver drop you off at Palm beach for some swimming. The waters are calm and lake like.

 

OR

 

Spend the day at De Palm Island. Your ship more than likely will include an excursion there which would include transportation.

 

Thanks so much. I checked out De Palm Island, and it looks great. I think it might be beyond our budget. $400 for the day is bit steep; considering the other ports we are traveling through. I may take the taxi route. Can you recommend a beach to be dropped off, and then take a taxi home. I do think the girls would love the farms and sanctuary.

[Derbie]

Thanks so much. I checked out De Palm Island, and it looks great. I think it might be beyond our budget. $400 for the day is bit steep; considering the other ports we are traveling through. I may take the taxi route. Can you recommend a beach to be dropped off, and then take a taxi home. I do think the girls would love the farms and sanctuary.

 

Yikes-I messed up our port time! I thought we were in port 8-4. We are in port 1pm until 10 pm! I have lost my mind. Thanks.

[Arubalisa]

Kids love Palm Beach. The water is always calm, but be prepared to shell out some money for a tube ride or banana boat. ;) $20 a person for a 20 minute ride.

 

For a private taxi tour see the info in this thread Private Taxi Tours

 

Either way for Palm Beach have the taxi drop you off at the entrance to De Palm Pier. Take the walkway which runs between the Radisson and Riu Resorts out towards the beach and once on the beach there are vendors who rent chaises, umbrellas and can hook you up with any watersports you may need. You can prearrange for the taxi to come back for you or you can walk out of the lobby at the Radisson and there should be taxis waiting there.