missamy

We just returned from our cruise this weekend and did Miguel's Prickly Pear Island Holiday Adventure. I am SO GLAD I read reviews and knew what to expect on this before we went!

 

It was a beautiful day, and the island is gorgeous. PLEASE know that you are going to be picked up from behind an abandoned hotel! Don't freak out. The taxi drivers will know where to drop you. The hotel is abandoned, but there is a gate that they unlock with a path that takes you right to a gorgeous little cove / beach. You can see Prickly Pear Island from this cove. They'll bring over a boat to take you to the island about 10am.

 

On the island there is a finger of sand, and it is surrounded by some shallow reefs. There is a shaded area with picnic tables and a bar. There is a bathroom / changing room. The sand is nice and only has some rocks and shells. I didn't need water shoes, but had to watch where I was stepping. They have snorkeling equipment available and you can snorkel around the island. The current is pretty strong, and the water is not deep. In several places, it was really too shallow to snorkel. The drinks were fantastic (open bar), and the lunch was really really great.

 

We had a great time chatting with Miguel's family and relaxing on the island. We were taken back to the beach around 3pm and made it back to the ship by 4ish.

 

This is great for a relaxing beach day with good local food and drinks. If you are looking to snorkel, I might not choose this one first though. It was just too shallow with too much current. But, that might have just been due to weather and tides the day we were there.

hi - not sure if you are still active on CC but if you are...some questions about Miquel's holiday pear island adventure, how did you reserve (directly or with ship) and what was the price?? Thanks for your time! Amy

Hey "Barb & Steve" - what a terrific review. Doing the same itinerary in late sept/oct. Can't wait. Jack's Shack sounds like a must. And Eagle Beach looks like my dream beach spot. Can't wait. I am a Carnival virgin, but my cruising buddy convinced me & she says the food on Carnival is better than RCI where I have done most of my cruising over the last year. Your dinner pictures sure back that up. Add my thanks to all the others for the great review & pictures!

thinking about a cruise later this month - in & out of FLL, return flight @ 8-ish pm. Are there any hotels in the city that offer a "day pass" for use of pool and/or beach? Found one in Miami when i had a similar situation. thanks for any info.

just booked the vision 10/28! and signed up for meet n mingle, when is the alaska one again....??????

omg i totally have been bitten by the cruise bug!

hi all, thanks for invite, what a great trip, i see someone, Elayne? is going back in october, i have my eye on that cruise plus another one as well in november, i think the one in october has all the balconies sold out so may do the one in november, from southampton UK, ends up in FLA with stops in several caribbean ports. trying to decide when i can afford to put a deposit, this one will take some time to pay off, LOVED Lisboa (picture me pronouncing it liszboa...) and will make every effort to try that city again. reminded me so much of San Francisco (where i lived for a few years in the 80's, but better, not as crowded).

Thank you all for all the great posts! I am going on my second cruise next month, 1st x solo, and cannot wait, a bit nervous about cruising alone but have been traveling alone for years (I find it is easier as I get older...not sure why...maybe I'm getting a bit cranky in my old age...:D). Anyway, have checked out some posts/forums for my cruise & since it is only 6 nights the cruise line does not sponsor a meet & mingle but the forum group is already planning a get-to-gether so I think I will start there.

I am a bit worried (maybe too strong a word) about the shore excursions..not sure I want to use the ship sponsored ones, would like to be a bit more independent but that may not be too smart traveling alone. I just want a nice beach chair and some warm sand.

Cannot wait to go next month, am so envious of all you big time cruisers,maybe I can catch up!

Amy