Anyone ever book a hotel for the day on a 7am - 11pm port of call?

We are thinking of booking a hotel for the day to enjoy the hotel amenities for the day (beach, pool, etc) in Curacao. anyone ever done this?? Please chime in if you have done this. Also, do you know, does the ship ever cancel this port of call making this idea unrealistic?

The ship's amenities are insufficient? You will be on the ocean with lounges, pool, food and drink readily available, and showers - and at no extra cost. I'm having trouble seeing the added benefits and costs of a hotel room. However, that was not your question. Although I don't think that Curacao is frequently skipped, can't you get a hotel room that is refundable?

We have done this while cruising the Mexican Riviera. It is a great idea as this provides a comfortable home base while exploring the town. Such arrangements are often called a "day pass" which can include wifi, food/beverage credit, and a changing room/bathroom with towel service for the pool.

Best to search for "day pass" on the forums dedicated to the ports of call, rather than a particular cruise line. In our case, we did not pay until we showed up at the resort so there was no risk if the ship skipped the port.

igraf

We are thinking of booking a hotel for the day to enjoy the hotel amenities for the day (beach, pool, etc) in Curacao. anyone ever done this?? Please chime in if you have done this. Also, do you know, does the ship ever cancel this port of call making this idea unrealistic?

The ship's amenities are insufficient? You will be on the ocean with lounges, pool, food and drink readily available, and showers - and at no extra cost. I'm having trouble seeing the added benefits and costs of a hotel room. However, that was not your question. Although I don't think that Curacao is frequently skipped, can't you get a hotel room that is refundable?

..oh the ship's amenities are awesome. we will earn our 4th star this trip and love each ship ,to be sure. The ship just does not have a sandy beach with snorkeling- ha ha! Glad to hear that you have heard that Curacao is not skipped much. I have heard of other people doing this and wanted more feedback is all...the spot we have an eye on has two beaches and a ton of amenities...on land.

p.s. we will be in Tampa, so any good input on that would be welcome, Tampa Girl

I have not but I know many people who do this. The hotels are aware that people do this and sometimes will run specials for you. I can definitely see the advantage, especially if the hotel is beach- front.

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We have done this while cruising the Mexican Riviera. It is a great idea as this provides a comfortable home base while exploring the town. Such arrangements are often called a "day pass" which can include wifi, food/beverage credit, and a changing room/bathroom with towel service for the pool.

 

Best to search for "day pass" on the forums dedicated to the ports of call, rather than a particular cruise line. In our case, we did not pay until we showed up at the resort so there was no risk if the ship skipped the port.

 

 

igraf

thanks for the feedback.. feeling more comfortable about it now. we might just go for it. i love the home base idea a lot. and we wont have to take towels off the ship either. :)

I have not but I know many people who do this. The hotels are aware that people do this and sometimes will run specials for you. I can definitely see the advantage, especially if the hotel is beach- front.

 

 

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Thanks for the feedback. felt alone until i started getting supportive comments. it will feel like two vacations i guess!

It's a great way to spend an island day. We have done it in many ports. Typically if there is not a excursion we want to do, we know in advance which hotels offer day passes. We spend the day at the resort enjoying the beach, pools and restaurants. We have also booked rooms same day to take advantage of the showers if we were off to another activity before returning to the ship

It's a great way to spend an island day. We have done it in many ports. Typically if there is not a excursion we want to do, we know in advance which hotels offer day passes. We spend the day at the resort enjoying the beach, pools and restaurants. We have also booked rooms same day to take advantage of the showers if we were off to another activity before returning to the ship

Thanks for the reply. Good to hear someone else has actually booked a room as well as gotten a day pass. We were hoping to take full advantage. Have not booked the room quite yet, just waiting for feedback like this one. Have you done this in Curacao by chance?

We have never done that.

We much prefer to book an excursion and learn about the island/port and the culture of the people, it's history, etc. JMO

We haven't rented a room, but have gotten day passes several times. We usually call or email ahead to make reservations.

We have never done that.

We much prefer to book an excursion and learn about the island/port and the culture of the people, it's history, etc. JMO

We have not done that yet either. I agree, we always book excursions through the ship and they never disappoint us. Point being we are there 7 am until 11 pm and what to do for our 16 hours? Excursions are only a couple of hours long, so we thought we would also get immersed into the culture by walking and seeing, going to a beach, snorkel, take a shower, use the hotel towels, go to lunch, head out again and see the port, the culture and the people , go back to the hotel and take a shower and get ready for dinner..and see what Curacao hospitality has to offer, with the convenience of a hotel on sea (cruise ship) and a hotel on the beach (directly on the beach). Seems like a fun idea, right?

We haven't rented a room, but have gotten day passes several times. We usually call or email ahead to make reservations.

Good suggestion, thanks!

Depends on your budget. A day pass might be $20 to $100 per person (the higher amounts would include dinner and extended evening stay) and might include access to a shower. A room will be closer to the full hotel rate and the resort would have to offer special arrangements to avoid the usual check-in/check-out times.

I don't see the point of paying too much for a day pass as you have a comfortable ship waiting for you at the end of the day. We go for the lower amount that includes a lunch and drinks, but then we had to be back on board before dinner.

igraf

Thanks for the reply. Good to hear someone else has actually booked a room as well as gotten a day pass. We were hoping to take full advantage. Have not booked the room quite yet, just waiting for feedback like this one. Have you done this in Curacao by chance?

We are thinking of booking a hotel for the day to enjoy the hotel amenities for the day (beach, pool, etc) in Curacao. anyone ever done this?? Please chime in if you have done this. Also, do you know, does the ship ever cancel this port of call making this idea unrealistic?

We booked a room at the Marriott in Curacao years ago while the ship was in port. It was incredible.

We have sailed into Curacao eight times; ship never cancelled port.

Depends on your budget. A day pass might be $20 to $100 per person (the higher amounts would include dinner and extended evening stay) and might include access to a shower. A room will be closer to the full hotel rate and the resort would have to offer special arrangements to avoid the usual check-in/check-out times.

 

I don't see the point of paying too much for a day pass as you have a comfortable ship waiting for you at the end of the day. We go for the lower amount that includes a lunch and drinks, but then we had to be back on board before dinner.

 

 

igraf

Thanks! We all have a budget, right? This is about the price of an excursion for two people when we pencil it out. We might just do late night Canaletto when we get back on board at 9 or 10. Still thinking it through...

We booked a room at the Marriott in Curacao years ago while the ship was in port. It was incredible.

 

We have sailed into Curacao eight times; ship never cancelled port.

Wow, thanks, this is very very helpful. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary, so we want it to be incredible! That is about the area we were looking at...

We did it in Acapulco. It got us a place to shower and change, use of the pool, and discounted golf at the hotel's course.

We did it in Acapulco. It got us a place to shower and change, use of the pool, and discounted golf at the hotel's course.

Nice! that is what we were thinking...travel light and enjoy land and sea. thanks for the input!

We did it at the Westin in St. Maartin. Great way to spend the day (almost wanted to stay there instead of getting back on the ship). We got there early, and seemed to have their resort pool to ourselves until some guests started to show up later in the day. We did spend a little extra to get a cabana. The room was cool and inviting, and a nice option for a nap or shower. Their pool-side restaurant and swim up bar could be charged to the room. They even had a small casino, although it didn't open until the evening. The hotel gift shop had some nice things, to satisfy any shopping urges. Their beach was pretty rocky and was a little disappointing, but the pool was so lovely that it really didn't matter. Transportation back & forth to the pier was a breeze. I'd definitely do it again.

I just did a quick Google search for a day pass and came up with this web site:

http://www.resortforaday.com/category-s/1817.htm

It's a start, but the prices on this day pass web site seem high to me and it looks like the the web site operator is pocketing the "deposit". You should search the port forums for more information as you will likely pay less if you deal directly with the resort.

igraf

..oh the ship's amenities are awesome. we will earn our 4th star this trip and love each ship ,to be sure. The ship just does not have a sandy beach with snorkeling- ha ha! Glad to hear that you have heard that Curacao is not skipped much. I have heard of other people doing this and wanted more feedback is all...the spot we have an eye on has two beaches and a ton of amenities...on land.

p.s. we will be in Tampa, so any good input on that would be welcome, Tampa Girl

How long will you be in the Tampa area?

I've done this in the Southern Caribbean, it was a great way for a small group to enjoy time together....the part of the island we wanted to see was across the island from the ship, and one member of the party was sun-sensitive. So we were able to tour together and eat lunch. Then I went to the pool, my friend went to the beach and my mom went to the room to relax. We were all able to shower and change and then enjoy some shopping near the pier when we weren't covered in sand or wearing a wet suit under a cover up.

I think this would be a great idea for families as well if there are little ones that need a nap and older ones that want to play on the beach. You could also use a hotel to get a spa treatment for half the price of the ship, noting that you don't need to be a guest to do that, it is just another idea.

If having a home base is great for you, go for it! It only cost us a little more than it would have to get umbrellas, chairs etc. on the beach.

How long will you be in the Tampa area?

Two nights before we sail two after we disembark. Later afternoon flights before and after, will stay downtown on both legs, looks like lots to see and explore. The trolley will be useful to go between our lodging and other areas. Anything we might be missing?

truluv, jobinhume good encouraging must do stories, so we booked a room. Will contact the hotel to see if we can get just a day room rate, or if they can do something extra for us. Thanks everyone, but don't stop with the good stories that is what makes this site great.