Lucaya/Freeport

[joyowen]

We are wanting to go to the Lucaya and spend some time on the beach there and maybe use their pools a little. What is the best way to do this? Can you do it on your own or do you have to do the excursion? Also, how much is it to get a taxi/ride over there? I think we would rather do it on our own. Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[LoveMickey]

I was also thinking of this, when DH does the Golf.

Has anyone done this beach trip, any tips?

 

[joyowen]

LoveMickey, I'm beginning to wonder that we may have to figure this one out on our own!! Joy

 

[Wishing on a star]

Are each of interested in the excursion, or going on your own?

I am interested in going on our own, checking out the Lucayan Marketplace, then walking over to the beach at the Lucayan just for a short while. Then heading back to the ship.

I have heard good things about the excursion spending the day at the Lucayan! But, as you mentioned, it seems that feedback on Freeport is kinda sparse. I think many people do just stay onboard.

My only concern is the taxi to the Lucayan area and back... I have heard of a couple people who were the only ones waiting for a taxi back to the ship at that particular time, and the drivers may not want to make the trip unless they have several paying fares... After waiting for a while, they ended up paying the driver more money to make the trip to get back to the ship.

I too would love any additional feedback about Freeport!

 

[LoveMickey]

Good Morning Fellow Dis'ers.

Any feedback on this.

I was thinking of taking the Disney excursion and then having some shopping time at the marketplace near there.

Is this feasible?

Have a great day.

 

[kellyb2000]

That's part of the reason I wanted to do it on our own, so we could see the little marketplace and go to the beach. Surely someone can help us out a little more!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, I do know this much... The Lucayan Marketplace, and Our Lucayan, are right there together... Simply walk over to one from the other. So, it will not matter whether you go on your own or take the excursion, you can still check out both places!

What would matter about doing it on your own, is whether you want full access to Our Lucayan. Like, the pools, etc. Of course, the beach is there, but you would probably have to do the excursion, or rent a room at the Lucayan, in order you use the beach chairs, and other amenities.


Hope this helps!

 

[kellyb2000]

O.K. that's my question. We were there in 2000 and used the pools and the beaches while doing it on our own. I think we would have had to rent beach chairs if we would have stayed on the beach but we were at the pool mostly. There was also a lot of renovations/expansions going on so I didn't know if this was allowed anymore. Do they allow you to go to the beach in front of Our Lucaya? Can you rent beach chairs? Can you use their pool? Again, while we were there 3 years ago, it seems like I even remeber them renting towels and as long as you had one of their towels you could use the pool and pool chairs.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have NO idea about the using the pools and all just by walking up... I am sure that things have changed a lot, especially now that this resort is now "Our Lucayan". I have heard that they are more restrictive about their pools????

For anyone else interested... Here is a site, with a nice arial photo of the whole place.

http://www.portlucaya.com/

 

[goodstarr]

I did the Lucayan excursion in June and loved it. After we got off the bus at the resort and walked to the pool area, some resort workers made sort of a barrier for us to go through while they took our tx and gave us vouchers for towels and lunch. After the initial crowd went through completely, the workers dispersed (hence, no more human barrier). We didn't have wrist bands to identify who we were and we could walk freely from the pools, beach and marketplace. I remember years ago, before the renovation, they used to use wrist bands, but not anymore (unless it has changed since June) The Wonder excursion seemed to be the only people there. It was not crowded at all. If I had known that I could have done the excursion on my own and still have use of the pools and slide, I may have. Sorry that I waited so long to answer this thread, but it seems that every time somebody says that they took this excursion, dozens of people write to basically say that it's a waste of money. They say just stay on the ship because you can get all of this at CC and it's included in your cruise price. I just didn't want to look stupid again.

 

[Weegl]

We went last year and did it ourselves. Rather than doing the excursion (there were 10 in our group), which seemed expensive just to use the pools and beach, etc., I reserved the cheapest room I could find at the resort, made early check in and then evryone else was our "guests" for the day. Worled out great, because we had charge privaledges at the bar and restaurant, plus had a room for showering and changing before we took in the market and went back. It worked to perfection and was significantly cheaper than the excursion.


FYI, Our Lucaya is now part of the Sheration and Westin chain, so if you're a frequent traveler, you may be able to get an even better one night rate.

 

[kellyb2000]

Well, we definitely don't think you look stupid! Do you remember which part of the resort you were dropped off at. From the Our Lucaya website, I get that there are 3 different resorts all in one resort. One being a family type resort, one being an adult type resort and one for a spa type resort. And they're all run by big name hotels, like the family one is the Sheraton. So were you able to go about all "3" resorts? Which resort has the pool that is as long as the hotel? When I was there it had a "castle" in the middle that was a waterslide? Thanks for all the great info!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks Goodstar and Weegl !

If the weather is halfway nice, then we may take a taxi over there! It is good to hear that they are not super restrictive, using wristbands, etc...

 

[Weegl]

Last year, they used wristbands and seemed a little "touchy" about outsiders (for example, you have to walk right through the lobby to get to the beach/pool area)...the pool area (including the big fort slide and long pools) is for the entire Lucayan Resort.

We were happy that we booked the room...it was only about $150 all in.

 

[joyowen]

Weegl, thanks for all the info. You've helped alot!! How did you get to Freeport? Taxi? How much was it?? Thanks again!! Joy

 

[joyowen]

Weegl, thanks for all the info. You've helped alot!! How did you get to Freeport? Taxi? How much was it?? We have 13 people going with us and 2 of which are under 2, do we have to pay for them too and we also have a 10, 7 & 5 yr old? Are the older kids the same price as adults? Thanks again!! Joy

 

[Weegl]

Take a taxi (or taxis in your case)...$5-7 per person one way...plenty of taxis going back from the Lucayan market.

try www.ourlucaya.com if you want more infor about the resort.

 

[goodstarr]

During the Lucayan excursion, it seemed as if we were let off in the middle of the resort. It appeared that the resort stretched out to both the left and right. We didn't walk through the hotel, there was a walkway that led straight from the sidewalk to the beach/pool area. This was where the building- long pool and slide were located. Hope this helps.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ohhhh, Okay, so they do use wristbands... That is good to know! We may just stick mostly to the public beach area then. I do understand that those are the Lucayan's Private Pools, for their guests.

I am thinking we will only stay for an hour or two, then head back to enjoy the ship. That is, IF the weather is nice!

 

[goodstarr]

Wishing on a star, they did not use wristbands when I went two months ago. They used to last year, but they didn't in June.