Great Family Beaches?

We're cruising the Fantasy on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary starting on Nov. 1 (extremely excited -- 108 days!!). My husband and I have cruised before, so has my mother (who's going us), but my children and in-laws have not and I'm anxious for this to be a vacation that they never forget.

My kids are young (nearly 7 and 2.5 at cruise time) and I'm nervous that some of the family beach excursions offered by Disney might be too long for us. I want to have flexibility to be at the beach for just 2 hours if we want, etc. So ... two questions:

1. Has anyone gone on the Disney excursions? Are they more flexible from a timeline perspective than they seem?

2. Has anyone found some great family beaches (or just great beaches, in general) on their own that we should consider via taxi instead? (We're stopping in St. Thomas and San Juan. I'm particularly interest in a beach in San Juan.)

Thanks, in advance! Every cruise I've been on I've leaned on cruise critic members for the best advice:)

We're cruising the Fantasy on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary starting on Nov. 1 (extremely excited -- 108 days!!). My husband and I have cruised before, so has my mother (who's going us), but my children and in-laws have not and I'm anxious for this to be a vacation that they never forget.

 

 

 

My kids are young (nearly 7 and 2.5 at cruise time) and I'm nervous that some of the family beach excursions offered by Disney might be too long for us. I want to have flexibility to be at the beach for just 2 hours if we want, etc. So ... two questions:

 

 

 

1. Has anyone gone on the Disney excursions? Are they more flexible from a timeline perspective than they seem?

 

 

 

2. Has anyone found some great family beaches (or just great beaches, in general) on their own that we should consider via taxi instead? (We're stopping in St. Thomas and San Juan. I'm particularly interest in a beach in San Juan.)

 

 

 

Thanks, in advance! Every cruise I've been on I've leaned on cruise critic members for the best advice:)

In St Thomas try to go to Megan's busy by taxi it's cheap and a great beach. There is a small entrance fee but easy to get to, we went on a DCL tour Turtle cover and a Honeymoon beach the beach there was a secluded island beach Bentley shelving into the sea.

Do remember you get Castaway a Cay as well with the best Bahamas beach bar none.

Lots of a Fantasy photos in my link below.

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Another consideration in St. Thomas is to do Coral World and Coki beach. Coral World is a water place with an underwater viewing area (walk in and out), a small aquarium, gift shop, snack bar, hiking trails, TOUCH Tanks, etc. They keep adding special attractions also. Coupons for family discounts are sometimes available on line as well as in the tourist magazines that are free at the port. It's an easy taxi ride. Coki Beach is a good, family friendly beach right across the parking lot from Coral World. You can go to Coki without doing Coral World, but the benefit is that CW gives you an arm band that allows you to go in and out all day to use their facilities, etc.

The touch tanks had "educators" working them. Kids could touch things like a sea urchin, nurse shark, etc.

1. I can't speak on Disney Eastern Caribbean excursions, but on our recent Western Caribbean cruise, we booked a beach excursion in Jamaica. The Port Adventure listed it as 3 hours, but once we arrived to the beach, we learned that they had a bus taking guests back to the ship every hour, starting after three hours. So we actually had more beach time than we thought we would (but not less).

2. For San Juan, I think the best choice is to purchase a pass for a resort beach. We've stayed pre/post cruise twice now at the Marriott Stellaris, but I've heard that the resort sells day access passes. I would recommend that resort for families because in addition to a beach with beach service, there is a large pool complex with a waterslide, shallow splash area, and swim-up bar. Also, the resort has a casino and two restaurants.

For St. Thomas, I like Sapphire Beach. I've found it to be a bit less crowded than Magen's Bay (though not as many recreation options).

Megen's bay in STT.

Magen's Bay was rated one of the top 10 best beaches in the world a couple years ago. This rating is a blessing and a curse since it greatly increased the number of people being aware of it and wanting to go there. If you don't mind crowds, it is beautiful....but there are other lovely beaches on the island as well.

As to a DCL beach excursion--unless you are doing DCL for the safety factor (the ship will not leave if a DCL excursion is not back yet), they generally are a waste of money. Transportation is readily available at every port I've ever been to. If you go to the beach on your own, you can choose what you want to pay for whereas the DCL excursion will be a package deal--you may want the beach chair rental but not the rum punch, for example. Or one member of your group may not want snorkel equipment....or whatever.

At most well known beaches, there are taxis ready to take you back to the ship; if not, a mention to a vendor will result in a phone call. Alternatively, tip your morning driver well and ask him to pick you up at a specified time. He'll be there.

DO be sure to allow time to get back to the ship, and figure in traffic and any time changed. We usually plan to be back an hour before "all aboard" in order to be safe.

This is exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for -- thanks everyone! My husband I are big believers in NOT taking cruise line excursions for beach trips, because they are expensive and sometimes locals know hidden jems that you just wouldn't get from a cruise excursion (the beach we were at in Barbados I swear is the same one from those Corona commercials ... just sayin'). However, with the kids I do need to do a little planning and have a destination in mind -- I can't completely be off-the-cuff with the little ones in tow!

In St Thomas I like both Sapphire beach and Coki beach. Entrance was free the last time I was there at both and you can buy food/drinks if you want.

I am not a fan of Megans Bay because there is a charge to get it and it is very crowded.

I suggested Megan's Bay for the kids because there is no drop off or waves which could be a issue for young ones of people with walking issues.

Yes, Megan's bay can get crowded but just walk away from the snack bar area. It clears out nicely further away.:)

My vote goes for Megans as well. I enjoyed both Coki and Sapphire but found that Megans is more kid friendly due to the lack of waves. If you walk to the right of the beach, there is an area that has a bit more fish and sea life the kids can explore.

Megan's bay was absolutely stunning, I hope too that the rating hasn't turned it into a tourist trap too much that it looses it's beauty!

ex techie

How much is a day pass for the hotels in San Juan. We go there for our upcoming cruise and wasnt sure where we should go. I have an 8 and 4 year old. Any other resorts do this?

How much is a day pass for the hotels in San Juan. We go there for our upcoming cruise and wasnt sure where we should go. I have an 8 and 4 year old. Any other resorts do this?

The Marriott Stellaris day pass is available for $60 per adult (includes $10 food credit)/$30 per child ($5 food credit). This includes beach, pool, waterslide and whirlpool access, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and towels. It does not include transportation to and from the resort (5 min cab from cruise terminal runs about $10 for 1-4 guests).

Hi labyrinthgal, I am also going in the same cruise (same dates :)

:):)

Hi labyrinthgal, I am also going in the same cruise (same dates :)

:):)

I can't believe we're only 80 days away ... I hope it goes fast!

Magens Bay in St Thomas. Most times we've been there have been smooth as glass with few waves.

We, too, will be on the 11/1 Fantasy!

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If you're feeling adventurous you can take a trip to the neighboring island of St John and visit Trunk Bay, also a Top 10 in the world beach. You'll get about two hours beach time, along with ferry and jeep rides to and from.

Coki is nice for diving. Looks real rough on approach, though. Don't be scared off, they'll take good care of you.