Dall Posted March 18, 2022 #1 Share Posted March 18, 2022 I’m pondering renting a clamshell, or a cabana. The pull towards the cabana is mainly the priority tendering. The description says they’re 3 minutes walk to beach? Can you see the beach/water from the cabanas? I would probably go for the cabanas that are for all ages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug R. Posted March 18, 2022 #2 Share Posted March 18, 2022 The clamshells are closer to the water than the cabanas, view depends on the row you are in. Cabanas are walkable can't vouch for the view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lady Arwen Posted March 18, 2022 #3 Share Posted March 18, 2022 There is a very big difference between a clamshell and a cabana. Clamshells provide only limited shade to one or two people and they tend to be very hot. We had one and gave it to a couple of kids after just a few minutes. They are directly on the beach. Cabanas are little huts that have tables and chairs and fans and are very comfortable. Much, much more expensive than a clamshell, but quite nice and a view of the ocean. You will also be provided with refreshments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbtan Posted March 19, 2022 #4 Share Posted March 19, 2022 3 hours ago, Dall said: I’m pondering renting a clamshell, or a cabana. The pull towards the cabana is mainly the priority tendering. The description says they’re 3 minutes walk to beach? Can you see the beach/water from the cabanas? I would probably go for the cabanas that are for all ages. We've done both. The Clam shells(really just a covered double lounger) are right on the beach. They can get hot, so look for one under a tree. The Cabanas are a several min. walk from where you're dropped off. Transportation is available if needed. They are like small cabins but with water. There is food delivered so you do not have to walk from there to the outdoor buffet & cook out. No real beach in front, but decent snorkeling is in the water in front of them. Price will be a few hundred bucks for a Cabana. On our Oceania cruise in 2018 the cabanas off Belize were $500. These did have hot & cold running water/ shower etc. Still pricey for what you got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted March 19, 2022 #5 Share Posted March 19, 2022 On Princess Cay just got chairs under a shelter. Free and a short walk to the beach. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted March 19, 2022 #6 Share Posted March 19, 2022 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antmaril Posted March 19, 2022 #7 Share Posted March 19, 2022 (edited) This was the view from our Bungalow on Princess Cay. Edited March 19, 2022 by antmaril 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 19, 2022 #8 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Pictures say 1000 words! The Clam Shells are hot. I would avoid them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted March 19, 2022 #9 Share Posted March 19, 2022 In addition to the pictures here, search Princess Cay on YouTube for videos. IIRC cabanas have an outdoor shower, air conditioning, included floats, and are within easy walking distance of restrooms. Check out the description in the excursion section of the website. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GloriaF Posted March 19, 2022 #10 Share Posted March 19, 2022 My son and daughter-in-law rented a cabana and invited us to join them in enjoying it on one cruise we took together. There is golf cart transportation to the cabanas, 4 lounge chairs, and air conditioner is on ~ but who wants to stay inside a 10x10 square cubicle when the beauty of Princess Cay is outside? Bar & Lunch is served to the cabana. The price was at least $200. It is expensive and unnecessary, in my opinion. We have been to Princess Cay numerous times and we always choose two lounge chairs under a tree (plenty of trees) or move two loungers to the shade of a tree, and it's free. We usually arrive early and leave early at Princess Cay, also, to avoid too much sun. The line for the tenders back to the ship is very long and hot if you wait until the end of the day to return to ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antmaril Posted March 19, 2022 #11 Share Posted March 19, 2022 36 minutes ago, GloriaF said: My son and daughter-in-law rented a cabana and invited us to join them in enjoying it on one cruise we took together. There is golf cart transportation to the cabanas, 4 lounge chairs, and air conditioner is on ~ but who wants to stay inside a 10x10 square cubicle when the beauty of Princess Cay is outside? Bar & Lunch is served to the cabana. The price was at least $200. It is expensive and unnecessary, in my opinion. We have been to Princess Cay numerous times and we always choose two lounge chairs under a tree (plenty of trees) or move two loungers to the shade of a tree, and it's free. We usually arrive early and leave early at Princess Cay, also, to avoid too much sun. The line for the tenders back to the ship is very long and hot if you wait until the end of the day to return to ship. I have done what you described and also rented a cabana (twice), as noted above. The last time we were on the Sky Princess we decided against renting the bungalow and found two loungers in the shade and that was fine, too. The bungalow was nice to have. Felt good to have air conditioning available to get some relief from the heat, but we had a good time without it, as well. As you say, it is very small and we certainly didn’t spend any time inside the bungalow. It was nice to have a space for our stuff. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. We have enjoyed Princess Cay with and without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Paula_MacFan Posted March 19, 2022 #12 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Agree with the recommendations to look for YouTube videos. I found some really good ones before our last cruise that toured the entire place so you get a good feel for everything. We also took the CC recommendations to go over the bridge to the smaller area with far less people. We had a wonderful day on the beach and enjoyed our loungers under the palm trees for shade. The clam shells look hot and claustrophobic to me -- give me the island breeze under the palm trees anytime 🙂 Before we headed back to the ship at the end of the day we walked over to the busier side just to check it out, and we were so glad we chose the smaller, less busy side. We still had access to a bar, food carts, restrooms, etc -- so we had everything we needed for a fun day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amtrack Springfield Posted March 19, 2022 #13 Share Posted March 19, 2022 We found the clam shells to be hot and no breeze! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dall Posted March 19, 2022 Author #14 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Lots of helpful info, thank you! Does anyone recall how getting off the ship went…..was there long lines to get the tender? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dall Posted March 19, 2022 Author #15 Share Posted March 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Paula_MacFan said: Agree with the recommendations to look for YouTube videos. I found some really good ones before our last cruise that toured the entire place so you get a good feel for everything. We also took the CC recommendations to go over the bridge to the smaller area with far less people. We had a wonderful day on the beach and enjoyed our loungers under the palm trees for shade. The clam shells look hot and claustrophobic to me -- give me the island breeze under the palm trees anytime 🙂 Before we headed back to the ship at the end of the day we walked over to the busier side just to check it out, and we were so glad we chose the smaller, less busy side. We still had access to a bar, food carts, restrooms, etc -- so we had everything we needed for a fun day. Is it a hassle getting off the ship on the tenders? We haven’t had to tender anywhere for years. I remember long lines in the hallways waiting to get off the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted March 19, 2022 #16 Share Posted March 19, 2022 We were on Princess Cay 8 days ago. They ran both ship tenders (water taxis) and much larger local boats. The process was quick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted March 19, 2022 #17 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Many folks have complained at how hot the clam shells get. Save your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franktown Posted March 19, 2022 #18 Share Posted March 19, 2022 We loved the Cabanas. Usually we only spend a few hours on Princess Cays but with the cabana we spent the whole day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dall Posted March 19, 2022 Author #19 Share Posted March 19, 2022 4 hours ago, Paula_MacFan said: Agree with the recommendations to look for YouTube videos. I found some really good ones before our last cruise that toured the entire place so you get a good feel for everything. We also took the CC recommendations to go over the bridge to the smaller area with far less people. We had a wonderful day on the beach and enjoyed our loungers under the palm trees for shade. The clam shells look hot and claustrophobic to me -- give me the island breeze under the palm trees anytime 🙂 Before we headed back to the ship at the end of the day we walked over to the busier side just to check it out, and we were so glad we chose the smaller, less busy side. We still had access to a bar, food carts, restrooms, etc -- so we had everything we needed for a fun day. Is it a hassle getting off the ship on the tenders? We haven’t had to tender anywhere for years. I remember long lines in the hallways waiting to get off the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dall Posted March 19, 2022 Author #20 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Okay, definitely not the clamshells, thanks for all that feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Paula_MacFan Posted March 19, 2022 #21 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Just now, Dall said: Is it a hassle getting off the ship on the tenders? We haven’t had to tender anywhere for years. I remember long lines in the hallways waiting to get off the ship. It wasn't a hassle for us -- we got on the first shuttle of the morning and stayed until the last shuttle back. We had a beautiful weather day and wanted to make the most of it. We were on the Regal too which is one of the larger ships and didn't find it too annoying to tender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted March 19, 2022 #22 Share Posted March 19, 2022 9 hours ago, GloriaF said: The line for the tenders back to the ship is very long and hot if you wait until the end of the day to return to ship. Looking forward and back from our place in the line 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 19, 2022 #23 Share Posted March 19, 2022 13 minutes ago, caribill said: Looking forward and back from our place in the line OMG - I haven't been back to the Caribbean in a long time. I guess with the bigger ships, bigger lines! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GloriaF Posted March 20, 2022 #24 Share Posted March 20, 2022 About the clamshells: I've read that they can be tilted up in the back so a breeze can flow through, but I would imagine the tilt would inhibit the view forward. I've never tried one, as we are happy in loungers under a tree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now