GSC cabana or not

[awilliams98]

Sailing ncl Pearl November 3rd...super excited!! But I have a dilemma when it comes to GSC. My first time visiting GSC was this past June, I got to experience what everyone raved about in reviews, very beautiful island. We enjoyed ourselves 100% while there. We were lucky enough to have a large cabana for just 3 of us, so we had lots of room. We enjoyed the priority tendering (which was also a suite perk, our concierge escorted us, so not sure how this works for non suite guests) as well as the $50 credit and floating mats. This time things are a bit different...the cabana prices have gone up significantly. On our last trip small cabanas were $250 and large were $300, once the small cabanas sold out, they dropped the price of the large cabanas to $250 so I was able to take advantage of that. This time around small cabanas are $315!!!! So, I figured this time we would just get a Clam shell covering (I know it's first come first serve for these) and that would give us an excuse to bar hop as, much like everyone else, we have UBP; we chose not to bar hop last time as the servers would just come to the cabana. My dilemma is, after such a great experience with the cabana, will it be hard to adjust to not having one or is it worth it to dish out the cash for a cabana despite the significant increase in price? I know this is subjective but if anyone has experienced both, I would like to hear your feedback.

[mjkacmom]

Clamshells do sell out - if you wNt one, reserve it when you get on the ship. I'm really surprised they still have cabanas available. We reserved a large for $200 on out last cruise (right after they were built, no small yet) and they were sold out 6 months before our cruise. The ship ended up skipping GSC, so didn't get to experience it.

[awilliams98]

The island is really beautiful!!! And they still have cabanas left. Just so turn with this decision.

[LMaxwell]

That's like $100 MORE than the cruise fare I paid for 4 days in an OV room. No cabana necessary for me.

[hansolosmom]

I really wanted to get one for our trip. I know my mom would love it, however a small is going for $419 :eek::eek: if it would have been in the $250 range I would have done it, but no way with it this expensive. We'll try for a clamshell, if we can't get that then we may stay on the ship. My mom has battled with melanomas so I'm not going to have her sit in the sun.

[LMaxwell]

I really wanted to get one for our trip. I know my mom would love it, however a small is going for $419 :eek::eek: if it would have been in the $250 range I would have done it, but no way with it this expensive. We'll try for a clamshell, if we can't get that then we may stay on the ship. My mom has battled with melanomas so I'm not going to have her sit in the sun.

 

I also am sensitive to sun and can't be in direct sunlight for long. It is my understanding that the clamshells are not ventilated and become very hot; also they could be sold out. I went out and got a 6' beach umbrella in a slim shoulder carry case. I'm taking it to GSC.

[awilliams98]

Lookd luke we will be leaning towards the clamshells, are the Clam shells available to reserve onboard or when we get off at GSC? The beach umbrella is something to consider as well.

[Turtles06]

Lookd luke we will be leaning towards the clamshells, are the Clam shells available to reserve onboard or when we get off at GSC? The beach umbrella is something to consider as well.

 

You can reserve the clam shells on board at the Shore Excursions desk. Do it as soon as you board, in case they sell out. You'll also get a priority tender ticket.

[watchdiva]

DH doesn't "do" much sun so we booked a small cabana last April for our upcoming January cruise. Well worth it for us....we can spend as long at GSC as we like and not have to worry about his sun exposure.....

[FreestyleNovice]

Whoa, some steep prices on the cabanas! Had a small cabana in the past but also not sure if we would pay that much!

 

Demand for the cabana's is high, in the long run it's wiser for NCL to build a 2nd strip of small cabana's toward the lagoon than just exploiting the high demand (and there is a certain maximum price (feel, price elasticity) they can ask for just the cabana and regular service, for let's say $500+ a day people are expecting a The Haven experience in a secluded area, more food, etc) to keep (returning) guests happy. Or implement a cheaper option like day beds to fill up the gap between clamshell and cabana.

 

I am not disputing a supply and demand pricing system, that's fine but there is a point where demand will drop with such high prices and I am guessing NCL hasn't thought of that since prices kinda doubled since the start of the cabana's and they are streeeetching iiiiit... :)

[awilliams98]

You can reserve the clam shells on board at the Shore Excursions desk. Do it as soon as you board, in case they sell out. You'll also get a priority tender ticket.

 

Wow, didn't know it would come with priority tendering!!!! And we plan to be to the port of miami very early so as not to miss out on getting one, hopefully.

[Jane Don]

I also am sensitive to sun and can't be in direct sunlight for long. It is my understanding that the clamshells are not ventilated and become very hot; also they could be sold out. I went out and got a 6' beach umbrella in a slim shoulder carry case. I'm taking it to GSC.

 

There are also some great light weight sun shelters you can buy. What I don't like about the clamshells is the location. I prefer to find a quieter spot with less people (nearer to the lagoon). I like to be at waters edge to keep an eye on the kids. I usually rent cabanas at water parks but the cabana price at GSC is just way too high. I decided on bringing a small, lightweight sun shelter. That way I can pick my own spot, use a lounger inside it and pay nothing extra.

[Sauer-kraut]

I also am sensitive to sun and can't be in direct sunlight for long. It is my understanding that the clamshells are not ventilated and become very hot; also they could be sold out. I went out and got a 6' beach umbrella in a slim shoulder carry case. I'm taking it to GSC.

 

If you prop the backside up off the ground you'll get some air under the canopy and it will help.