Cayo Levantado-Bugs & Box Jellyfish

[islandgirlejfan]

When we stopped in the DR (Casa de Campo) on a cruise August of 1994, we found it beautiful but the bugs (mosquitos in particular) were horrible! I am wondering if that is still an issue and did bug spray provide enough protection for you?

Box jellyfish were also an issue one of our days there and we were not allowed in the water. I just want to know from people who have been to Cayo L. recently if they encountered either and how bad they considered it. Did NCL bar swimming or warn passengers about getting in the water if there were issues?

When I initially booked this cruise we were not going to get off the ship, but reading the comments here made me think twice about that decision and I thought I would give it a another chance just given some of the wonderful reviews I have read here in the forum, which is why we booked the beach break. There is a long story that goes along with the first cruise we went on and I guess I want to give the DR another chance because there were just some bad circumstances on that whole cruise....still had a good time though!

I'm asking this on the NCL forum because Cayo L is a specific stop for them. The DR forum isn't that active...when I did a search, it came up with nothing at all pertaining to my questions.

[kendallison]

We were there a few weeks ago. We did not encounter any bugs. Are they a seasonal thing? There were very small, clear jellyfish in the water. At first we were concerned but apparently they were harmless because nobody there got stung even though they did touch us. When we went to Tortola we asked our guide about them and he said that type was there too and were indeed harmless. (I forget what kind they called them, but they were not box jellies.)

I must say that CL was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to.

[saltmom1]

I will be there in early January. Are there bugs a that time of the year ?

[islandgirlejfan]

Originally Posted by kendallison

We were there a few weeks ago. We did not encounter any bugs. Are they a seasonal thing? There were very small, clear jellyfish in the water. At first we were concerned but apparently they were harmless because nobody there got stung even though they did touch us. When we went to Tortola we asked our guide about them and he said that type was there too and were indeed harmless. (I forget what kind they called them, but they were not box jellies.)

I must say that CL was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to.

We didn't find out until we returned from the DR the reason why Costa was not allowing passengers in the water. My hubby was watching a show on Discovery which was about jellyfish and that is when we found out that many varieties are venomous. The only jellyfish I had ever encountered was just the ocean variety that we were stung by in Ocean City, MD when we would go on vacation there. There was some pain, but nothing serious.

Not sure about the bugs being seasonal which is why I was asking the question about Cayo L.....to see if they were an issue there this time of year . The ship we were on stopped at Casa de Campo/LaRomana. LaRomana had another name at that time but I can't remember what it was. It was a beautiful beach, but my youngest son was peppered in mosquito bites. We were all bit to some degree, but not like him.

Our travel agent only told us so much back then. We were a young family that took our kids on a vacation at the spur of the moment and really didn't know how to prepare. The internet was not as popular as it is now. I am so thankful to be able to ask questions and get answers now from well seasoned cruisers. Had I known what I know now, we would have done things a lot different!

I'm inserting a picture of LaRomana. It is stunning and the snorkling back then was great! Lots of urchins, fish and we even saw a small baracuda!

[philatiger]

ok...I never should have read this thread. How bad were the jelly fish? Were they every where or just scattered? I was stung by a man of war years ago and ever since I have a real aversion to jelly fish and will not go in the water if I see a lot of them. Now I am trying to decide whether I should cancel my CL excursion.

[islandgirlejfan]

Originally Posted by philatiger

ok...I never should have read this thread. How bad were the jelly fish? Were they every where or just scattered? I was stung by a man of war years ago and ever since I have a real aversion to jelly fish and will not go in the water if I see a lot of them. Now I am trying to decide whether I should cancel my CL excursion.

Even I am not going to cancel my Cayo L excursion...no way, and I don't think you should either . The beach looks stunning and I love being on the beach! I do however plan to be prepared. I will take some vinegar with me in case of a sting (best way to neutralize the sting) and we bought bug spray tonight with 100% DEET in it. That was recommended by my physician. I was concerned about the box jellies though....when the cruise line won't let passengers in the water, there's something to it!

I really am beginning to think it might have something to do with the side of the island that it's on because I read a few things in the DR section of the forums and LaRomana doesn't get the same kudos that Cayo L. does.