Freeport, Junkanoo Beach Party or Viva Wynydam Fortuna Beach Resort?

[beach410]

Has anyone been to either of these places? And if so, did you like,dislike and are there options of doing either without booking through Carnival?

[Marie51]

I am also looking for info about this.

[bobsfamily]

Has anyone been to either of these places? And if so, did you like,dislike and are there options of doing either without booking through Carnival?

 

Viva is an all-inclusive beach that is away from everything but is a great beach and we have had a great time there. There is no real shopping and no casino, but relaxation is the name of the game. It is a major European stop, so be aware that there is topless on the beach and the men seem to all wear speedo's which can be scary! Great place though.

 

Junkanoo is a thing not a place... it is a parade of sorts that is put on for tourists most of the year and I believe that is either at Port Lucaya or The Ritz. Once a year - Jan. 1st - the real Junkanoo happens and it is a sight to see!

The whole island stops for this and it is PARTY time.

 

Do not go downtown Freeport - it was heavily damaged by hurricanes and has never recovered - port lucaya has become the default place for shopping/gambling/etc.

 

I would do Viva thru the ship or take a cab to Port Lucaya and have a great time.

[Marie51]

There is a Junkanoo Beach excursion offered through Carnival in Freeport. So it must be a place, right?

[bobsfamily]

There is a Junkanoo Beach excursion offered through Carnival in Freeport. So it must be a place, right?

 

You are quite right that it is in a place... I guess I was just trying to convey that JUNKANOO is thing and if you ask an islander about it they would tell you about it, not where it was held. The one thru the ship is done for the cruiseline, just like going to a luau.

[Marie51]

Well, my DIL and I along with 2 grandchildren are planning to do the Viva Wyndham excursion. My son and another grandchild are going to do the Kayak and Nature excursion. Anyone else make plans for Freeport??

[sandi1967]

Hi,

Can you only book the Viva Wyndam through Carnival or can do it through their site. I can't seem to find anything about on the Wyndam site.

 

Thank you,

sandi

[Marie51]

I booked the excursion for the Viva Wyndham in Freeport through the Carnival site. I am going in May.

[bobsfamily]

Well, my DIL and I along with 2 grandchildren are planning to do the Viva Wyndham excursion. My son and another grandchild are going to do the Kayak and Nature excursion. Anyone else make plans for Freeport??

 

You should have a great time - there are usually kids around - be aware that the bartenders do not look to closely at what age you are... just be aware. And as I said the beach can be topless at any time of day. We were there Christmas 2004 and I was walking with my 11 yo who said " Hey Dad, Look at those women" in a very clear and loud voice... well I looked and it was Grandma, Daughter and Grand-Daughter getting an all-over tan... Verrrry interesting to explain, but a nice view for Dad! lol

[hubofhockey]

Unfortunately, I did the Junkanoo beach excursion with Carnival last Spring. I forget which beach they took us too. But it wasn't worth it. They claim it's a party with music and a barbeque lunch. There was no music. There was a small boombox somewhere which couldn't be heard anywhere. The lunch was burgers, rice, cold fries, and a salad. You get that and a small rum punch and transportation for about $50/person. Oh, the pedal boats are extra. Not sure if I paid $15 for a double for 20 minutes or something like that. Had I known better, I would have taken the family in a cab to Our Lucaya beach. Live and learn.

[NCTribeFan]

But $92 pp for Viva Wyndham doesn't really appeal to me, either! :eek:

 

I'm sure it's a nice place, but there's no way I want to spend that kind of money to go to the beach.

 

Learned on another Freeport thread that you can get a cab to the Sheraton and use their beach and buy food at the snackbar. No charge! You can't use the pool, but if a beach day is all you're looking for, that's much more in my price range.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=722088

[bobsfamily]

But $92 pp for Viva Wyndham doesn't really appeal to me, either! :eek:

 

I'm sure it's a nice place, but there's no way I want to spend that kind of money to go to the beach.

 

Learned on another Freeport thread that you can get a cab to the Sheraton and use their beach and buy food at the snackbar. No charge! You can't use the pool, but if a beach day is all you're looking for, that's much more in my price range.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=722088

 

If you are drinking the $92 might be worth it, but I am not sure. You might check with Wyndham and see what a room would cost for the day. We have stayed at both Viva and the Westin/Sheraton area. Except for in the middle of spring break at the Westin/Sheraton you would be able to use the swim up bar pool fairly easily as they WANT your money. Sometimes they want to see a wristband, but just tell them you are ordering a drink... prices are steep! Beer $5-6/drinks $8 up/hambuger $10 up. Over at Count Basie square things are cheaper.

That may be why it is $92 for Viva... it is all-inclusive.

[Marie51]

I checked about getting a room for the day at the Viva Wyndham and it would be $328 plus tax. Turns out to be cheaper for us the do the ship excursion for $92 which included food, drinks and transportation. Yes, it is alot of money for one day but we are going to treat ourselves. I hope it is nice as the pictures look.

 

Happy cruising!

[bobsfamily]

I checked about getting a room for the day at the Viva Wyndham and it would be $328 plus tax. Turns out to be cheaper for us the do the ship excursion for $92 which included food, drinks and transportation. Yes, it is alot of money for one day but we are going to treat ourselves. I hope it is nice as the pictures look.

 

Happy cruising!

 

In the past It has cost me around $60 for 4 one way to Viva.. it is a bit out of the way. So if Transportation is included figure $30pp just for that. So $62pp can be drank and eaten in a few hours at what it would cost at Westin.

Figure 4 drinks @ $8 plus tip = $40 and a burger @ @10 plus tip = $12 and that is $52... so drink 6 and have 2 burgers!

 

Have fun. Plus you can use the pool/beach and beach toys.

[cruzermon]

We stayed at the Viva Fortuna back in '03, but since we paid $160/nite AI for ther two of us, I'm amazed that they can get $92 pp for a day pass. I guess we went there because it was a good price.

 

Still, the beach is very nice and large, so if you're primary purpose is beaching it, this is a great place. The food is so-so, but it is decent and filling. And while I thought the drinks tasted "weak" I did watch the bartender's righteous pour, so I guess that explains why I always needed a pre-dinner nap.

 

An alternative, if anyone wants to research it, is that there are a few restaurants down the right side of the beach from the Viva. There is no way we go to the Bahamas and not eat conch and grouper, so that was our quest, even if we had all meals already included, and these places offered it. One of them offered free transportation for dinner guests, so they might do the same for the lunch and drink crowd. But, I have no idea whether they are open for lunch, what kind of beach services they offer (they are on the water, though). It might be worthwhile checking this out. If I were going back there, that would be my preference over paying (yikes) $92 at the VF. I'd probably still have to be stuffed into the cab, but having spent much less money and eaten much better.

 

Sorry that I don't have the names of the restaurants. One is a building, ok, shack, with sand floors, but the other had a nice deck and open air inside dining. Just basic island places, and far enough off the beaten path to have real island flavor. For all I know, they are no longer there, or have become a Senor Frogs!!

 

But, the Viva Fortuna has a nice enough of a beach, good drinks, acceptable food, and makes for a nice day in paradise, even if they charge ungodly prices.

[Marie51]

I am talking about the Viva Wyndham in Freeport. Where is the Fortuna??

[cruzermon]

Marie, I can't swear to the order of the words, but in one form or another it is the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, or some combination or permutation thereof.

 

Same place.

[Marie51]

OK, thanks. We are going to give it a try.

[bobsfamily]

We stayed at the Viva Fortuna back in '03, but since we paid $160/nite AI for ther two of us, I'm amazed that they can get $92 pp for a day pass. I guess we went there because it was a good price.

 

Still, the beach is very nice and large, so if you're primary purpose is beaching it, this is a great place. The food is so-so, but it is decent and filling. And while I thought the drinks tasted "weak" I did watch the bartender's righteous pour, so I guess that explains why I always needed a pre-dinner nap.

 

An alternative, if anyone wants to research it, is that there are a few restaurants down the right side of the beach from the Viva. There is no way we go to the Bahamas and not eat conch and grouper, so that was our quest, even if we had all meals already included, and these places offered it. One of them offered free transportation for dinner guests, so they might do the same for the lunch and drink crowd. But, I have no idea whether they are open for lunch, what kind of beach services they offer (they are on the water, though). It might be worthwhile checking this out. If I were going back there, that would be my preference over paying (yikes) $92 at the VF. I'd probably still have to be stuffed into the cab, but having spent much less money and eaten much better.

 

Sorry that I don't have the names of the restaurants. One is a building, ok, shack, with sand floors, but the other had a nice deck and open air inside dining. Just basic island places, and far enough off the beaten path to have real island flavor. For all I know, they are no longer there, or have become a Senor Frogs!!

 

But, the Viva Fortuna has a nice enough of a beach, good drinks, acceptable food, and makes for a nice day in paradise, even if they charge ungodly prices.

 

Cruzer - they had 2 bad hurricanes since then and those places near VIVA are in the water... There is really not much near VIVA. Last time I was there was spring 2007.

The drinks and food are the same after a couple of days - but for one day they may seem wonderful. Burgers and dogs and pizza can be found. The liquor is not top-shelf, but if you stay to bahama-mommas and the like you will be fine.

The beach area is watched by VIVA employees and is safe. We have walked down the beach both ways for a least a mile. To the left you will encounter a lady selling beads/braclets/etc. and hair braiding. She is just off the property. A little ways down are some homes that are stange looking. To the right is empty beach.

Have a great time.

[Marie51]

Bobsfamily......thanks for the heads-up about folks getting an all over tan at the Viva Wyndham. We will chance it anyway.

One thing I know is that it won't be me!

 

Happy cruising everyone.

[bobsfamily]

Bobsfamily......thanks for the heads-up about folks getting an all over tan at the Viva Wyndham. We will chance it anyway.

One thing I know is that it won't be me!

 

Happy cruising everyone.

 

Your welcome... there may not be anyone, but then again there may. The europeans have a different take on topless. We were at the pool area and this 40ish woman came up, dropped her top and start strutting around the pool looking for a chair. The pool attendant rushed over and showed her the beach. It is just normal for them and I guess we shouldn't be so prudish, BUT you should have seen the teen boys around the pool - I thought heads were going to snap... I guess they didn't know it was legal at the beach.

Having said all that it was not everywhere and usually most of the day there was no-one at the beach topless. It was not a matter of everyone and it seemed to be mostly to the left looking at the beach.

To the right are all kinds of non-motorized beach toys... and you can sign up (and pay) to go out snorkeling a mile or so off thge beach.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[cruzermon]

Bob, thanks for the update. I did enjoy those two places. We also walked the length on the beach in both directions. If those strange looking homes you were referring to were new builds, we saw them, and I do believe I saw an ad for them starting at around 3/4 Megabucks--the "affordable", few and far between, ones.

 

Too bad these restaurants aren't like Sunshine's on Nevis. Legend has it his place has been destroyed by hurricanes 6 times, and each time, after the storm passes, he starts rebuilding in the morning, and is open for business in the evening.

[bobsfamily]

Bob, thanks for the update. I did enjoy those two places. We also walked the length on the beach in both directions. If those strange looking homes you were referring to were new builds, we saw them, and I do believe I saw an ad for them starting at around 3/4 Megabucks--the "affordable", few and far between, ones.

 

Too bad these restaurants aren't like Sunshine's on Nevis. Legend has it his place has been destroyed by hurricanes 6 times, and each time, after the storm passes, he starts rebuilding in the morning, and is open for business in the evening.

 

There is a guy near the Westin complex that does the same. His "shack" is at the extreme right - if looking at the beach - of the complex. Great fried lobster.

 

For some reason most locals consider ViVa in the boonies and think that it is no place to look for tourists. It may be the reason nothing was really built outside the compound after the last 2 "blows". The lady doing hair and selling trinkets has a little lean-to that a strong wind would blow down, but looks very "local". I have dealt with her several times as it is a $10 taxi to the Westin (the Port Lucaya area that has taken over for downtown) to get hair done or buy anything to take home. Still a great place to go relax.

 

Usually when we go to GBI we always rent a car for at least one day to do the Port Lucaya thing and also to go to Bishops... best conch fritters I've ever had. He has about 8 rooms in a motel kind of building that are right next to the beach... and you want to talk about deserted... he has his restaurant and he has a bar on the beach - I think there is another bar there also - and that is it. When it gets dark it gets DARK! but fun.

[cafe rose]

Cruised on the Gem week of 2/16/08. Did their excursion-junkanoo Beach club. Do NOT DO IT. It was JUNK. Chairs all broken, not a private beach and just plain awful.

[hubofhockey]

Cruised on the Gem week of 2/16/08. Did their excursion-junkanoo Beach club. Do NOT DO IT. It was JUNK. Chairs all broken, not a private beach and just plain awful.

 

I wish you had seen my post a few months earlier when I gave it a terrible review. The lunch was awful and this was not a cheap excursion. RIP OFF!!!!