Lifestyles VIP Serenity Beach - still valid?

[Keys2Heaven]

as an fyi, half of the store fronts are still empty in port. you are also about 5 miles from town.

 

That's fine. Just being on vacation is enough.

[cruiselovin'momma]

iberostar has a beach and imo is a nice beach. yes, it's on the atlantic side but that is what you have to work with at amber cove and for the atlantic side, it was a nice beach.

 

What I meant by a nice beach is that we had booked the Serenity VIP experience. The Lifestyle resort has multiple beaches, but, we were to have access to the adults only VIP beach. The beach at the Iberostar won't give us that same experience.

 

I have no problem with Atlantic beaches. I grew up around the Gulf beaches of Florida, and, now mostly vacation around the Myrtle Beach area so I get the differences, and, actually most times prefer the Atlantic. I wasn't expecting Punta Cana type beaches. It was about the whole experience to us.

[bobsfamily]

We did not have the best experience at RUI ( awful food, kids galore including one who puked in the pool, lousy beach) so if you cannot get a straight answer from Carnival you may want to consider something else. Hope this helps...

 

Hmmm... perspective is a wonderful thing. We did the same excursion (RUI) and had so much fun/loved the beach/pool area... the staff was great! We met some people staying for a month and decided to book it this coming Dec. for a land vacation.

 

The price is great... OK the ocean was not crystal clear but you sure could see the bottom, the beach stretched for a very long ways, it had guards that watched for un-invited guests. The "compound" included a casino, pharmacy, plenty of little stores.

 

All in all we had a great time, drinks were heavy if you wanted them to be, pool was HUGE and clean (at least it was when we were there), food easy to get, etc. Never had a problem getting a chair, either on the beach or at the pool... again to each to his own.

 

As for the "lifestyle" excursion we had several in our roll call go on it, did not have a good time, in fact asked for their money back and they went to the right place.... this was in Feb. on the Ecstasy. Said all the platform beds/swings/etc were taken when they got to the beach, food required "long pants" and shoes (never told this) to get and the bartender was generally not nice. Just what I heard from those who went.

[Computer Nerd]

That's fine. Just being on vacation is enough.

 

just wanted to let you know since you were thinking of just hanging around the port. if you're interested, the cabanas in the water at the port looked pretty amazing.

[Computer Nerd]

What I meant by a nice beach is that we had booked the Serenity VIP experience. The Lifestyle resort has multiple beaches' date=' but, we were to have access to the adults only VIP beach. The beach at the Iberostar won't give us that same experience.

 

I have no problem with Atlantic beaches. I grew up around the Gulf beaches of Florida, and, now mostly vacation around the Myrtle Beach area so I get the differences, and, actually most times prefer the Atlantic. I wasn't expecting Punta Cana type beaches. It was about the whole experience to us.[/quote']

 

for what it's worth, the day i was there there were no kids on the beach at all. may have been a fluke but i found it odd.

[cruiselovin'momma]

for what it's worth, the day i was there there were no kids on the beach at all. may have been a fluke but i found it odd.

 

Thanks for the info!

[Banks822]

We booked the Lifestyles VIP resort also, and will be on the April 24th Conquest sailing. I guess I've been out of the loop because I didn't realize there had been problems with this excursion. I'm trying to decide if we should make a change while we still have a few days left.

[cmcdonie]

We're going to be on the Magic on the 23rd of this month and a few days ago I tried to add someone else to the Lifestyle VIP excursion I booked months ago and noticed it was no longer showing up in our ships available excursions... So I called Carnival to see if I could get it added over the phone/to find out why it disappeared online. They basically gave me some excuse about it being completely booked (however other completely booked excursions do not get taken off the ships available excursions...) So after reading this topic, it now makes sense to me why it was taken off my ship's available excursions. Looks like I'm going to cancel my tickets and see if theres anything else I'd like to do in Amber Cove. :/

[cruiselovin'momma]

We're going to be on the Magic on the 23rd of this month and a few days ago I tried to add someone else to the Lifestyle VIP excursion I booked months ago and noticed it was no longer showing up in our ships available excursions... So I called Carnival to see if I could get it added over the phone/to find out why it disappeared online. They basically gave me some excuse about it being completely booked (however other completely booked excursions do not get taken off the ships available excursions...) So after reading this topic, it now makes sense to me why it was taken off my ship's available excursions. Looks like I'm going to cancel my tickets and see if theres anything else I'd like to do in Amber Cove. :/

 

That's the sailing we're on, also! We did cancel our Serenity excursion. Too much uncertainty about it to make us feel comfortable keeping it. Plus, if there's been problems between the resort and Carnival, then we really don't want to be the first ones going there after all that! I did notice this morning that the Secluded Villa for the Day that goes to Lifestyle's is showing up again as limited availability. I wonder if that's because the ones going there pretty much stay at the villa and don't wander around the resort.

 

I also wonder if it's just Carnival experiencing problems here or all the other cruise lines, too?

[Keys2Heaven]

I won't tell anyone what to do if they've booked. We decided to cancel based on our opinion that we most likely would be rerouted to another resort.

 

It would be great to hear from those who did book VIP Serenity, if they, in fact, did go to the Lifestyle's resort on any sailing within the next 2 weeks.

 

We'll be on the April 24th Conquest cruise.

[cmcdonie]

Doesn't look like anyone will be going to Lifestyle anytime soon. Carnival finally got back to my email I sent them a few days ago about my concern. See below:

[Keys2Heaven]

Doesn't look like anyone will be going to Lifestyle anytime soon. Carnival finally got back to my email I sent them a few days ago about my concern. See below:

 

Thank you for posting this. I also reached out a few days ago and just received the same email which I was going to post here as well.

Edited April 16, 2016 by Keys2Heaven

[cruiselovin'momma]

Thanks for sharing! I haven't received that email yet.

[cmcdonie]

No problem, guys! It's rather unfortunate, it seemed like a really solid excursion - and the never ending drinks was a nice thought. Nothing else in Amber Cove really piques my interest (well, except the Two Reef Snorkel by Sailing Catamaran, but we're already doing two other snorkel excursions in Grand Turk and St Thomas... a third just seems a bit repetitive for this sailing), guess it might just end up being a port day by the pool.

[Keys2Heaven]

No problem, guys! It's rather unfortunate, it seemed like a really solid excursion - and the never ending drinks was a nice thought. Nothing else in Amber Cove really piques my interest (well, except the Two Reef Snorkel by Sailing Catamaran, but we're already doing two other snorkel excursions in Grand Turk and St Thomas... a third just seems a bit repetitive for this sailing), guess it might just end up being a port day by the pool.

 

I figure we'll at least take in the port area, browse, maybe even barter, but probably a quick stop and then back onboard.

[LittleBee]

My husband and I just became members of Lifestyles last year. It is a huge and beautiful resort with many beaches and restaurants. I'm so disappointed to hear that Lfestyles is selling day passes. I, for one, am hoping that Lifestyles owners are disagreeing with this arrangement and that is why there is a hold on Carnival excursions here. I DO hope that everyone is able to get their money back or able torebook another excursion. When you get back from your cruise, and you're planning your next vacation, try a Lifestyles land trip! P.S. Puerto Plata beachers are on the Atlantic and are not the blue water, white sand beaches of Punta Cana. But this resort has several "platform beaches" that I suppose are manmade. But they're wonderful!

[cruiselovin'momma]

I figure we'll at least take in the port area, browse, maybe even barter, but probably a quick stop and then back onboard.

 

Exactly what we are going to do, also!

[ready2cruzagain]

Well, this stinks. Was looking forward to it. Wonder when they will let everyone know or if they will keep those of that have reservations in December hanging.

 

Ticks me off that they aren't cancelling and letting people know.

[Computer Nerd]

My husband and I just became members of Lifestyles last year. It is a huge and beautiful resort with many beaches and restaurants. I'm so disappointed to hear that Lfestyles is selling day passes. I, for one, am hoping that Lifestyles owners are disagreeing with this arrangement and that is why there is a hold on Carnival excursions here. I DO hope that everyone is able to get their money back or able torebook another excursion. When you get back from your cruise, and you're planning your next vacation, try a Lifestyles land trip! P.S. Puerto Plata beachers are on the Atlantic and are not the blue water, white sand beaches of Punta Cana. But this resort has several "platform beaches" that I suppose are manmade. But they're wonderful!

 

don't know why you would be upset since the income made from selling day passes helps hold down your maintenance fees :confused:

 

same reason why they rent vacant units out to non-owners ;)

Edited April 17, 2016 by Computer Nerd

[Computer Nerd]

Well, this stinks. Was looking forward to it. Wonder when they will let everyone know or if they will keep those of that have reservations in December hanging.

 

Ticks me off that they aren't cancelling and letting people know.

 

because maybe they are expecting/hoping the negotiations are to be completed soon. december is 8 months away but you don't have to wait for carnival to cancel if you want to cancel.

Edited April 17, 2016 by Computer Nerd

[cruizinisthebest]

because maybe they are expecting/hoping the negotiations are to be completed soon. december is 8 months away but you don't have to wait for carnival to cancel if you want to cancel.

Exactly! It's still showing on my cruise for August as well. There's plenty of time to work out any kinks for a visit there in August, which is why the 5 or so people in my group have decided to just hold tight. It would make no sense to cancel folks out for December at this point. The folks who were concerned in this thread have cruises coming up in a few weeks. Not 8 months or even 4 months from now like with my cruise date.

 

Plus as also reported, many were satisfied with the substitute resort. I would hold off. Give it some time. None of the Amber Cove excursions will be sold out. We booked a cabana the day they became available way back in November. And even with limited quantity, there's still plenty left.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[kct5]

We have it booked for our cruise next month and it's still showing. We booked the $79 vs the $59 one because it included food and drinks.

[Computer Nerd]

Exactly! It's still showing on my cruise for August as well. There's plenty of time to work out any kinks for a visit there in August, which is why the 5 or so people in my group have decided to just hold tight. It would make no sense to cancel folks out for December at this point. The folks who were concerned in this thread have cruises coming up in a few weeks. Not 8 months or even 4 months from now like with my cruise date.

 

Plus as also reported, many were satisfied with the substitute resort. I would hold off. Give it some time. None of the Amber Cove excursions will be sold out. We booked a cabana the day they became available way back in November. And even with limited quantity, there's still plenty left.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

and even if they do cancel it on the ship you have the option of taking the substitute resort......at a reduced price......or a full refund. as i stated before, the substitute resort was exactly what i had hoped for in an all inclusive beach day in the amber cove area.

[hbrote]

Just back from the Valor and had also booked the VIP resort with limited guests, 40 I think. This was in fact cancelled and replaced by an Iberostar resort. I sorry but it was nothing like the VIP Serenity tour described. We were assured by the tour desk it was the same, WRONG. We left the resort after 30 minutes, no chairs available at the beach or around the pool. You got to eat at the buffet and they gave you a 10% off coupon for their restaurants, not much like "All Inclusive". There were no instructions given of what time to meet the return bus or where it would be. Our cab ride back to Amber Cove was $60.00. I would not suggest this replacement tour to anyone.

[LittleBee]

don't know why you would be upset since the income made from selling day passes helps hold down your maintenance fees :confused:

 

same reason why they rent vacant units out to non-owners ;)

 

Lifestyles is not a timeshare. I have no annual fees. When we were there last year, there was a buffet restaurant that was taken over by a day trip mob. Same at a previous timeshare that we used to own in Cozumel. Selling out vacant rooms is different from day pass visitors. I'd be okay with it if it were a limited number, but that's not what I've seen. Put yourself in our shoes. I'm guessing/hoping that this is what the problem is.

 

Also, there are many restrictions for dress codes at Lifestyles that I couldn't see working out with a day pass. That's why they only include the casual buffet.

 

I do hope you can all get things worked out and get refunds. I don't know anything about the Puerto Plata Iberostar, but I do recommend a land trip to Lifestyles! Good luck everyone!

Edited April 17, 2016 by LittleBee