Advice for Beach Days?

[adg06]

My kids love the beach, but unfortunately we are very fair skinned and cannot take the mid afternoon sun for very long at all. My typical strategy for the beach is to go early in the morning, then have a nice sit down lunch followed by a nap. Quick dinner then back to the beach in the evening when the sun is low and most people are at dinner.

Obviously this will not work on a cruise! So I am wondering how to make the most of it. On CC, are umbrellas provided or readily available? Free or extra cost? Enough for everyone? What about the kids play areas, are they shaded or in full sun? A cabana is probably not in the cards for us, though it sounds heavenly. And what about at the other ports? We will be on the Fantasy 7 day Western Caribbean in October, so Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, and CC.

I don't want to deny my kids beach time, but even rash guards and slathered on sunscreen are not enough for full on afternoon sun for us. Advice?

 

[hpsalb]

There are tons of umbrellas available at CC, no extra charge. They are in set spots with the chairs, so you can't move them though.

The kids club at CC has some shade, but it's not completely covered.

I've always felt we could find plenty of shade at CC. Sorry I'm no help on the other ports.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My kids love the beach, but unfortunately we are very fair skinned and cannot take the mid afternoon sun for very long at all. My typical strategy for the beach is to go early in the morning, then have a nice sit down lunch followed by a nap. Quick dinner then back to the beach in the evening when the sun is low and most people are at dinner.

Obviously this will not work on a cruise! So I am wondering how to make the most of it. On CC, are umbrellas provided or readily available? Free or extra cost? Enough for everyone? What about the kids play areas, are they shaded or in full sun? A cabana is probably not in the cards for us, though it sounds heavenly. And what about at the other ports? We will be on the Fantasy 7 day Western Caribbean in October, so Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, and CC.

I don't want to deny my kids beach time, but even rash guards and slathered on sunscreen are not enough for full on afternoon sun for us. Advice?

Castaway Cay, lots of umbrellas. You may need to adjust where you are actually sitting in order to stay in the shade, however.


No extra cost for umbrellas.

 

[adg06]

The pics are helpful, thanks! Can those umbrellas be angled or repositioned at all?

 

[adg06]

Also, I'm wondering about shade in the pool areas on the ship. Are these full sun?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The pics are helpful, thanks! Can those umbrellas be angled or repositioned at all?

I don't think so. I don't recall that I've seen any of them angled.

Also, I'm wondering about shade in the pool areas on the ship. Are these full sun?

The pools themselves, full sun. There is shade around the sides:

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We're like you, we love the beach but like to stay in the shade. I would recommend a long sleeved rash guard and hat for your kids. Also, when we've done beach excursions on Cozumel (and St Maarten and St Thomas ) we've always chosen a beach day that includes umbrellas (and beach loungers ) to rent for the day. Grand Cayman we went snorkeling instead (rash guards a must ) and the boats had shade. Unfortunately, the pools on the ship are in full sun, so we had to move around a bit to stay in the shade. CC is okay with umbrellas and shade from trees. Again, you might have to move around a bit to stay in the shade. It's doable, so good luck!

 

[LSUfan4444]

You'll get toasted on deck without enough sunscreen no doubt. Sunscreen, keep applying and swim shirts or long sleeve tech tees help too.

These shirts are amazing. I usually wear one when I know I am going to be on deck all day long. They breath very well so you dont really get hot and if you keep the shirt wet/damp it actually cools you off more than just having the sun beat directly on you.

• Contrast-color long sleeves
• Round neck
• Regular fit
• 100% polyester interlock fabric utilizes Omni-Wick™ moisture-management technology that pulls moisture away from the skin for dry comfort
• Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 technology for protection from the sun's rays

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/col...tream-long-sleeve-shirt#repChildCatid=3760532

 

[adg06]

Also, when we've done beach excursions on Cozumel (and St Maarten and St Thomas ) we've always chosen a beach day that includes umbrellas (and beach loungers ) to rent for the day.

Well worth the rental fee, glad they'll be available!

You'll get toasted on deck without enough sunscreen no doubt.

I was afraid of this, but thanks for confirming! We'll definitely be coming prepared. And those shirts sound awesome!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Our Cozumel excursion ended right after lunch, about 1:30 or so (we did Playa Mia). We sat right at the water's edge, but I believe there were some trees farther back you could sit under. I do not remember any umbrellas there.

 

[MunFam]

Do a search for pop up beach tent. They fold up the same way car window shades sort of twist and collapse in to rings...they are fairly cheap and lightweight and small. It would work well at the beach...and then you can use it back home at the park or at sports events. We do not get sunburns and do not wear sun protection, but my sister's kids are fair (Irish!), so they use this tent to stay out of the sun whenever possible.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Do a search for pop up beach tent. They fold up the same way car window shades sort of twist and collapse in to rings...they are fairly cheap and lightweight and small. It would work well at the beach...and then you can use it back home at the park or at sports events. We do not get sunburns and do not wear sun protection, but my sister's kids are fair (Irish!), so they use this tent to stay out of the sun whenever possible.

We have one of these too. Got it when the kids were babies, and we still have it. Folds up flat as mentioned and has straps on the carry bag so you can wear it like a backpack. You put sand in the built-in side pockets to anchor it. It doesn't have a floor, so we use our beach towels, but it sure blocks the sun well.

 

[adg06]

I have heard that at some beaches those tents are frowned upon or banned, due to blocking other people's views. But they are fine at CC and beaches at ports? If so, that could be a great option for us!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I have heard that at some beaches those tents are frowned upon or banned, due to blocking other people's views. But they are fine at CC and beaches at ports? If so, that could be a great option for us!

Never had a problem with ours at any beach. They block the view far less than umbrellas. Plus, we never put it TOO close to the water anyway, so that we don't have to move it with the tides.