Blue lagoon turned into the Boring Lagoon

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

We had a great time on the cruise. The Blue Lagoon trip was perhaps the only dissapointing part. Here's why:

Went to the Blue Lagoon on Monday, April 19th.

First, we went down to Wavebands at 9:15 like everyone was supposed to. Then we sat around there for about 30 minutes and they passed out small white towels for everyone (Carnival passes out large fluffy towels). Then they led us off the ship and out onto the dock. We then stood on the dock for 15 minutes, then moved halfway down the dock for 15 more minutes, then through the port building, and onto the city dock. Stood around the city dock for another 15 minutes. Then we got on the ferry and boarded. At around 10:45, the ferry took off for the island and after 45 minutes, we finally arrived at the Blue Lagoon at 11:30. Some people did not fit on this ferry and had to stand there for another 1/2 hour before another boat came to get them. So, we were dissapointed it took so long, but at least we were on the first boat. On Carnival, it took less than an hour to get there. Also, the live calypso band is now just some boring taped music.

Upon arrival, we walked over to the Atlantic side, to the three snorkeling spots marked on their map. Lifeguards were chasing people out of these spots, so we couldn't snorkel there. Then we went over to the tide pool areas that are fun to explore. Lifeguards came and told me this area is also off limits. The lifeguard said the only place we could go was in the small man made trickle of water near the dolphin encounter. This water was about 50 feet wide by 400 feet long and only 3 feet deep. There were a few tiny fish in one spot, otherwise it was just white sand to look at. The lifeguards looked to be having a good afternoon snooze, but it would be hard to drown in such shallow water.

Lunch was a main course and a side dish:

Hamburger (school cafeteria quality)
Chicken (rubbery and not very good)
hot dog (OK, even they can't mess up hot dogs)

Salad
French fries

Koolaid style fruit punch served by a guy out of old milk jugs.

We didn't bother to rent a kayak or water trike since the area for these sports was about 150 feet wide by 200 feet wide and 3 feet deep.

We left on the 3:00 ferry after being bored just sitting on the sand for the afternoon. If I had it to do again, I would have spent a whole lot less money to take cab out to cable beach or one of the other beaches and pocketed the extra $100.

This was my third trip to the Blue Lagoon, and back in 2000 it was not like this at all. It seems like they are making money on the dolphin encounter and the stingrays and don't care about the beaches or swimmers.

 

[CoMickey]

After your post I am wondering if I should re-think our plans for Nassau. We are not huge into snorkeling but thought that Blue Lagoon would be a nice beach/lay in the sun day. There will just be two adults no kids this trip. I am wondering if it is worth the time or effort to just lay in the sun/ play in the ocean day or if it would be better just to stay on the ship by the pool.

Your thoughts?

Vicki

 

[MrsPete]

I was just there in November, and my experience was very different:

We did wait around a bit in Wavebands while everyone turned in his or her waiver tickets. I don't think that's avoidable. The towels were sitting out for us to take -- we were allowed as many as we liked, so size really wasn't an issue.

The ride to Blue Lagoon was somewhat lengthy (45 minutes), but everyone did get on the ferry the first time.

I believe the Atlantic side is the side opposite from where the boat docks. It was absolutely beautiful, but it's full of sharp-looking rocks. We took pictures, but I didn't even consider letting my children swim there. The other side was plenty spacious for the "crowd" that was present on the day we visited, and the center of the island had plenty of shade and hammocks for all.

I had BBQ chicken for lunch, and my husband had a burger. Other choices included a hot dog (not really hot dog, but a sausage-type dog) and -- I believe -- a fish dish. Perhaps we're just easy to please, but we enjoyed our lunches. I do agree about the punch -- yucko.

 

[wdwmom2]

My family and I snorkled 2 days ago at Castaway Cay and saw plenty of fish and 1 very large stingray!!!

 

[inkkognito]

We have never gone to Blue Lagoon, so I can't give an opinion on that experience. But we are two adults who have sailed Disney without kids 37 times, and personally we love staying on the ship. The pool won't be very crowded (not that the adult pool is usually very crowded anyway), so you could have a very pleasant day there. You'll have your choice of buffet or sit down lunch on the ship instead of paying for food.
Alternately, you could take a cab over to the public beach on Paradise Island for $4 to $5 per person each way, but there are no chairs so you'd need to bring some towels to lay out.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

We would have liked to sit in the hammocks and lounge around like we did when we went without kids, but since the kids wanted to play in the water, we had to put our towels down on the sand where we could see them.

The boat ride is also nice, just not as much fun as when the live band used to get everyone out on the dance floor. If you like sitting on the beach and the boat ride, the trip is certainly ok.

IMHO, we could have spent a lot less money to take a cab out to one of the free beaches, and also used the hour and a half of standing on the dock waiting around to spend that extra money in the shops in town.

Perhaps we just happened to be in port at the wrong moment this time, and the hour and a half wait to get on the ferry was due to some logistical problem.