Princess Cays

Hey Yall! Hubby and I are booked on the Carnival Ecstasy this august to freeport and princess cays. I want to know, from those who've been and are more experienced than myself - i really dont feel like paying for an excursion at princess cays if at all avoidable. Is it free to just plop on a beach chair and watch the waves?? Im much more agreeable to that, maybe buy a drink or two (not big drinkers) and just....chill for the day.

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Hey Yall! Hubby and I are booked on the Carnival Ecstasy this august to freeport and princess cays. I want to know, from those who've been and are more experienced than myself - i really dont feel like paying for an excursion at princess cays if at all avoidable. Is it free to just plop on a beach chair and watch the waves?? Im much more agreeable to that, maybe buy a drink or two (not big drinkers) and just....chill for the day.

 

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yes to the questions. I would suggest that you at least rent a clamshell for shade. the beach gets very hot in the sun.

Oh i absolutely want something to prevent us from turning into bacon, LOL. How much are the clamshells?

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Oh i absolutely want something to prevent us from turning into bacon, LOL. How much are the clamshells?

 

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I think about $30 to 35 for the day. Pre order because there aren't many available as a walk up. You can also purchase onboard as well from the excursions department.

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How would I pre order, im not seeing anything in the shore excursions section of the website for just a clamshell, theyre all 100$ plus beach breaks.

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There are two drew backs with the clamshell

- they would get very hot as there is no where for the hot air to escape the clam

- they are poorly located, much better bathing areas on other parts of the beach

if you leave the ship early you can get a beach chair under the many trees, located in better bathing areas

Will be my first time on Princess Cay. what is the best beach? quiet, sandy, ..

Also, how far are those beaches? Is there a trolley?

Thanks,

When you get off the tender, the beaches are right there...it's pretty much all beach! The 1st "beach area" you come to will be the most crowded, so walk past it, and you will fine less jam=packed areas! You don't need to pay for shade...pull a lounger under some trees! You can move them about!

Just of the Elation. They do not pre book clamshells. You go to kiosk and pay $30.00 then the set up the one you choose. Take water shoes the beach is very Rocky!

Anyone have a price list of everything you can rent ?

I'm asking about Carnival visits, not Princess. Not sure if the prices are different.

Once off the tender, the beach is there.

We've never needed a clam shell to find shade.

The chairs and buffet lunch are at no charge.

Enjoy! :)

Hows the snorkeling? And yes we have water shoes. Swimoutlet dot com has a huge sale on them right now.

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I too would love to hear how the snorkeling is. Another post I read said there is virtually none, but I'm hoping that poster just didn't happen to see any. Really want to snorkel!

I saw some youtube videos where people were throwing food to some fishees on a platform and there were people just swimming around. Dont know if thats a paid excursion or what but it looked fun!

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I too would love to hear how the snorkeling is. Another post I read said there is virtually none, but I'm hoping that poster just didn't happen to see any. Really want to snorkel!

https://cruisingmartinistyle.shutterfly.com/pictures/45

There are some fish all over in the water but the designated location is really nice!

Can you rent snorkel gear there and if so how much?

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We saw allot of fish, star fish and such at the location on the map below:

 

https://cruisingmartinistyle.shutterfly.com/pictures/45

 

There are some fish all over in the water but the designated location is really nice!

That map is HMC, not Princess Cays.

Moonlit, yes, you can rental snorkel gear, kayaks, floats, etc. I asked earlier whether anyone had a price list for rentals and there's been no response. I believe I also asked in the "big" comprehensive thread on this port but no response in that one, either.

Guess we'll just have to wait 3 more weeks and find out what the rental fees are.

That map is HMC, not Princess Cays.

Here is a good place to see the snorkel area,

http://www.beyondships3.com/princess-cays-3.html

Can you rent snorkel gear there and if so how much?

 

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Just bought our snorkel gear. Amazon had a great sale and i dont think we will need flippers as calm as that water appeared to be.

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NcTribe: I bought from amazon, a Phantom Aquatics brand mask/snorkel set for $25, but if you don't care what color your snorkel set is (I did... everything I own is PINK), swim outlet dot com has the intex reef rider mask and snorkel set for... $9.99!!!!!!

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If you have a Target in your area and your cruise is this fall, be on the lookout for the Spedo brand snorkel set to be put on clearance. We got our gear there a few years ago for about $15-20 each. Or check Target.com, if you have the TargetRed card it's free shipping.

MUST have water shoes! We didn't know a year ago, so I had multiple cuts to my feet from very sharp rocks both on the beach and in the water, and my kid sliced his foot pretty badly. This year all of us are wearng water shoes!

These are older photos but you will get a good idea of the cabanas and snorkeling:

http://s14.photobucket.com/user/Ziggysmoney/library/Cabanas?sort=3&page=1

We DO have water shoes and plan on wearing them. The youtube videos I saw showed me nothing but rocky bottom. Ouch!

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