Update on the Radisson Beach Use Issue

[scubagirrl]

I've been reading posts on other boards about being kicked out of the Radisson and contacted them today regarding their policy.

They claim they haven't changed their policy, but I know for a fact that I've asked them in the past and gotten more congenial responses.

For those who are planning on using the Radisson, I suggest you read this.. and then move your plans to the Wyndham or Nassau Beach Hotel.

Here's the response I got today.

"We never issue day passes at all since. The most you could do is walk in and dine at one of our restaurant outlets for lunch. Our facilities and the beach are for the exclusive use of our registered hotel guests only. We have security and staff around the property safeguarding our guests and proof of which is you were asked for identification. As of this writing we still do not have any change with our policy. "

 

Happy Cruising !!

[robinzhere]

Thanks for the update. My son and I will be there on Tuesday. Our current plans are to hang out somewhere on Cable Beach (my son wants to try a jet ski -- we'll see if he decides to...) for a while in the early afternoon. We would also like to visit (and drop a little $$$ at) the casino at the Wyndam and have a drink/snack there. We may try to find a shady place to relax there, too. We will let everyone know what we find.

 

I just noticed that the Wyndam does offer an excursion through RCI for $42 pp to use their facilities, but you must go at a specific time and we don't want to be locked into that. (You get $10 match bucks for the casino and a discount at the buffet, so it does make some sense -- but still there's a big difference between that and a $1 bus ride especially when you factor in the loss of our say in when we go and come back.)

 

I can understand the policy of not necessarily wanting lots of people hanging out on their private property, but it's a shame the Radisson does not offer a specific number of day passes. We would be quite happy to pay a nominal amount for the experience and it would seem to benefit both them and us.

 

Maybe the huge number of people wanting to hang out at the pool at Atlantis has had an effect...

[JerseyGirl23]

Keep us posted, we're not going until December so alot of things could change by then.

 

We were still thinking of going to the Wyndam, since their pool has a slide :) Also, the Nassau Beach Hotel has some good points to it, too. It's just for a few hours, then we'll head back to the ship, (formal night). :)

[BethCarp]

I just went in December and I was very concerned about whether or not we could use their beach. I even went so far as to email the Radisson to see if we could buy a day pass and never heard back from them. We figured we would go check it out and if they kicked us out we would just find something else. Well, no one said anything to us. We just stayed on the beach though and didn't try the pool.

 

I would guess that they have this policy to make their guests feel better, but perhaps don't enforce it. I would suggest going and seeing if you can "get away" with it, but have a backup plan if you do get kicked out. Also, you could contact the wyndham to see if they have day passes. It would probably be cheaper than the RCI excursion. At least that way, you'd be legal.

[robinzhere]

As it turned out, we didn't get to Cable Beach. The weather was very cool and somewhat cloudy and while we could see the hotels in the distance, we decided to go with day passes at the British Colonial Hilton (that we could see from the ship was quite lovely) rather than take the taxi to the Wyndam and chance being kicked out. Since the BCH is next door to Senior Frogs (you can go to the end of the BCH beach and look into Senior Frogs) I could let my son go there for the party atmosphere while I stayed by the pool in their comfy chairs.

 

The pool was slightly heated and beautifully landscaped. There were mats to float on. The beach itself was quiet and faced the cruise ships with a small extension of land between the beach and the sea so there was very little surf. There was a small cafe/bar adjacent. (Also a McDonald's across the street if you are so inclined.) I believe the pass also included the use of beach toys and a two-person kayak, but I didn't use them.

 

For $15 a person (includes two towels), it was perfect for us. We went to the Atlantis in the afternoon and while their facilities are much more grand, for the most part, there's never a bad day at the beach.

[dblane]

How did you get the day passes?

[robinzhere]

Easy. Just go to the front desk and tell them you want day passes for the pool. They "register" you, you pay $15 pp (plastic or cash) and they give you a receipt. You give this to the pool attendant, who issues your towels. There's a bathroom for changing next to the pool.

[maggieworkman]

Did you notice if the BCH was still doing the afternoon tea?

 

Thanks,

Maggie

[robinzhere]

No, unfortunately, I didn't. We left around 3 and did some shopping around the port area. Then we went to Atlantis.

[JerseyGirl23]

I'm assuming the BCH is within walking distance of the cruise ship?

 

Does anyone have a website link of the BCH handy?

[robinzhere]

Yes, it's Straw Market then Senior Frogs then the BCH, all about a 5 minute walk from the ship.

 

Here's the link

 

These pictures are quite representative of the real thing. They do mention tea at 4 on the web site.

[somuchluv]

Robin, thank you so much for the information you provided! I have been trying to figure out what I want to do when my 3 children and I visit Nassau in June. I think this might be just the thing. I love the fact that it is not far from port and we wouldn't get kicked out! :eek: Do you think they would allow my children to snorkel from the beach or is there a special area? Did you notice? Are the changing shower areas easily accesible? Thanks again for the info!

[JerseyGirl23]

Yes, it's Straw Market then Senior Frogs then the BCH, all about a 5 minute walk from the ship.

 

Here's the link

 

These pictures are quite representative of the real thing. They do mention tea at 4 on the web site.

 

 

Thanks so much! The BCH looks beautiful!

[robinzhere]

Do you think they would allow my children to snorkel from the beach or is there a special area? Did you notice? Are the changing shower areas easily accesible? Thanks again for the info!

 

It was a bit cool so I didn't actually see anyone in the water. (The pool was heated so it was more comfortable.) There isn't a special area for snorkeling with a reef or anything like there is on Coco Cay, but if your kids wanted to try snorkeling, I think that would be possible.

 

The bathrooms were right off the pool. There was no shower area, though. Only bathrooms with 3 stalls.

 

I have a couple more pictures on my picture site. Click here. The BCH pictures are about 10 or 12 pictures into the "roll" but it will allow you to compare this beach, Coco Cay and Atlantis a little.

 

Hope it helps!

[kamari]

Do they offer drinks with the day pass there?

[debbie9703]

We will be in Nassau till only 2 . We were planning on going to Cable Beach and then trying to get to Senor Frogs for an hour before heading back to the boat. Might be easier to go to the BCH beach since it is closer. Does anyone know how this beach compares with Cable Beach? We just want to relax by a beach and maybe swim a little.

[somuchluv]

Robin, you have no idea how much help you have been! Thanks!

[two cruisers 723]

Robin, thanks for the pics of your trip. We're going to go to the British Colonial Hilton in 9 more days. It looks like my kind of place. Looking at your pictures makes me look forward to it even more. We'll be in Nassau overnight. So we'll be able to enjoy it all day. Did you happen to eat at their outdoor grill? If so, was it any good. I've heard they serve conch fritters and I've been wanting to try them. But that will just be an appetizer. So I was wondering if the rest of what they served there was tasty too. Also, did you indulge in any of their alcoholic beverages on the beach? I understand they have servers on the beach also. If you did, how were the prices? Do you know the average price of a beer or a frozen fruity drink? Any info you have would be much appreciated.

[Kteacher]

Thanks for the great info! I'll be on the Sovereign in a month with a friend, her adult daughter, and her 75 year old mother, and this looks perfect for us :)

[scubagirrl]

Did you happen to eat at their outdoor grill? If so, was it any good. I've heard they serve conch fritters and I've been wanting to try them. But that will just be an appetizer. So I was wondering if the rest of what they served there was tasty too. Also, did you indulge in any of their alcoholic beverages on the beach? I understand they have servers on the beach also. If you did, how were the prices? Do you know the average price of a beer or a frozen fruity drink? Any info you have would be much appreciated.

The Patio Grill has a simple, but diverse menu. From Conch Fritters, Ceasar Salad and Fruit platters to Grouper fingers, Chicken and the local catch of the day. Even simple sandwiches and burgers. Nothing Fancy, but enjoyable. As for drinks, I think a beer or rum and coke runs about $5.80 or so with gratuity included. Fruity drinks are closer to $7. These prices are a bit lower than you find at Atlantis or most of the other tourist hotels since the BCH is basically a business hotel.

[two cruisers 723]

Thanks scubagirl. Grouper Fingers sounds interesting. I'd like to be able to try something that I wouldn't be able to get at home. Do you know if Grouper is a white fish? I'm not a big fish eater. But I do like most all white fish. And do you know if they serve hush puppies with them. I can get hush puppies at home, of course. But I tend to like them with my fish if they're available. Thanks again for all your help.

[scubagirrl]

Thanks scubagirl. Grouper Fingers sounds interesting. I'd like to be able to try something that I wouldn't be able to get at home. Do you know if Grouper is a white fish? I'm not a big fish eater. But I do like most all white fish. And do you know if they serve hush puppies with them. I can get hush puppies at home, of course. But I tend to like them with my fish if they're available. Thanks again for all your help.

 

Yes, grouper is a white fish and very delicious. They are served with french fries. Sometimes served with waffle fries, but when I ate there a few weeks ago, they were just french fries.

Add a nice cold Kalik (local beer) and you have a treat.

[two cruisers 723]

Thanks scubagirl. I'll be looking forward to it just one week from today.

[snidly]

robinzhere,

reading your post about your cruise I noticed you said formal night was when you were in Nassau. We are taking the same cruise April 4th and thought that was strange. We're in port till 11:59pm and I didn't think they would have it that night. If that's the case there is no reason to take formal clothes because we don't plan to be back till after dinner time. We have early seating. Also you stated that you arrived back in Miami at 5:30 am but ours states it arrives at 9:00am. Did you have the time right?

[robinzhere]

That was our dilemma, too. I really don't understand why they have it that night instead of the "Coco Cay" night when everyone is back on the ship at 4:30pm.

 

Other than going to Atlantis later on, things did seem to close up in Nassau pretty early -- that may be the reason.

 

And they probably don't want you to count on being in port in Miami that early, but we were -- and I'm pretty sure they said it would be 9am. Because you clear immigration in Key West on the day before, you are off the ship very early, too. Our color was called at about 7:30am -- and we hadn't even been to breakfast yet. We did depart at about 8:30 and were at the car rental place at about 9. And we were trying to take out time because our plane wasn't scheduled to leave until 7pm.

 

 

Hope you have a good a time as we did!!