The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[bellebookworm9]

Going to be staying there solo in November for a few days for a conference and then the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon...is there a location I can possibly request that would be a little more ' adult' and less small kids (mine are grown now and I would prefer a quieter stay)....

David

I thought Jamaica was a quiet area, but from what I've read here, the resort is spread out enough that it never feels crowded or loud. Probably avoid preferred areas (Martinique/Trinidad North). Occasionally I could hear noise from the pool party at OPR during the day, but I also have better than average hearing.

 

[Supermom3]

Heck we'll be even one stop further along the stupid train! Hubby has some serious gut issues so we need to buy bottled water!! Even for brushing teeth, so perhaps buying a cheapo kettle somewhere when we get there might be a better plan! Thanks for mentioning that idea Wanna know what turned him onto the French press?? Dinner for our 15th anniversary at Victoria's and Albert's ... my goodness that has become the meal that keeps on giving!! Fool, buys beans and uses his Burr grinder every morning

I am also pretty picky about my coffee. I have traveled with a mini electric kettle and a mini French press. On our last trip we stayed at POR where they had the new Cuisinart coffee makers. I was able to find a pretty good coffee pod before I left, and packed that instead of the kettle and French press. I got Community coffee with chicory which we like in the New Orleans area. It worked out well. I did use bottled water. I think that the water makes a huge difference in taste.

 

[lilkimmyk]

Another important coffee question, do they provide "to go" lids for the coffee cups either in the the room or food court?

 

[magictam2]

MY QUESTION IS HOW DID THEY REFUND YOU THE MONEY,WAS IT IMMEDIATE BACK ON YOUR CARD, OR DID THEY OFFER A GIFTCARD OF BALANCE? I was hoping if they do accomodate, maybe I can just use that difference right back in the parks during my stay...Thanks.

Yesterday I called and was able to switch from a Pirate's room into a preferred room. I was offered the option for a refund of the difference or applied as a credit on my magic band. I took the credit.

 

[Jo-Anne]

Hi there. We just returned from a week at CBR with Free Dining. We were a little hesitant on changing our reservation to CBR from POR as we had stayed there in the past and really enjoyed it. However, after experiencing CBR, I have to say we really enjoyed it, and would not hesitate to book again. We had a great location in Jamaica building 45 which was probably a huge reason why we had such a great stay. It was very close to both a bus stop and Old Port Royale as well as being recently refurbished (the queen beds are nice as well). We all really enjoyed the pool area with the two waterslides. The bus transportation was very good for our stay. We did not wait very long at all for busses either at the parks or the resort (except for DTD). We did book a bounce back offer, but are going to try Wilderness Lodge this time for a new experience. We will likely come back to moderate resorts (primarily due to price) and we will not hesitate to stay at CBR in the future and will certainly recommend it to friends as well. Feel free to ask questions, and I will do my best to answer.

Hey neighbour! Great to hear about your good time at CBR! Can you tell me more about how the bounce back offer worked? Could you rebook for any time of the year with free dining or were there time restrictions? What is yor flexibility to change your dates? Is your down payment refundable if you decide not to return! Thanks!

 

[Jo-Anne]

Looking at the instructions for the coffee maker, I'd think you could heat water in it by just not putting a coffee pod in and running the water through the cycle to heat it. I do that with my Keurig sometimes to make tea and it works fine.

I am an avid tea drinker and I have done this with coffee makers before and while it works fine to just get heated/boiling water, it does have a coffee flavour to the water, so I often have taken a kettle with me for tea, but if you are making French press coffee with that water, then should be ok.

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

While I am not quite a coffee snob, I'm a bit picky. I much prefer a dark or medium roast to a watered down breakfast blend. (I like Caribou or any Columbian roast) Has anyone used the pods they provide? And any idea as to if it is similar to a mild, medium, dark roast?

 

[mparadis718]

60 Days from today!! Fastpasses done, online check-in done, ADR's made....all there is to do now is wait!!!

 

[Hockeyfan17]

Hey neighbour! Great to hear about your good time at CBR! Can you tell me more about how the bounce back offer worked? Could you rebook for any time of the year with free dining or were there time restrictions? What is yor flexibility to change your dates? Is your down payment refundable if you decide not to return! Thanks!

The bounce back offer works if you book your next vacation while still in your room on your current vacation. The current bounce back offer is for free dining, as they do change offers each month (or each other month). I am not really sure about the timing of the return visit, as we are not too flexible with our dates (we are teachers) and thus we like to visit during the last couple of weeks of August (lower crowds than the rest of the summer due to many schools in the south back in). Finally, the $200 deposit is fully refundable up to 45 days prior to the trip, so it is really easy to back out if you can't go. Hope this helps.

 

[Bikkie]

Quick question - I have a King room booked at CBR and I was wondering what the best section to request is. I looked at the touringplans site but I'm still not sure. I preferably want to be as close to the main building as possible (love free refills! )

Any suggestions? If you have stayed in a King room at CBR, could you tell me about it? I saw some people here saying they requested a corner room - does that mean there is more space?

 

[MegEliz]

Another important coffee question, do they provide "to go" lids for the coffee cups either in the the room or food court?

When I was at POR a few years ago the coffee cups in the rooms had to go lids. I'm sure they are the same here

 

[SGMCO]

While I am not quite a coffee snob, I'm a bit picky. I much prefer a dark or medium roast to a watered down breakfast blend. (I like Caribou or any Columbian roast) Has anyone used the pods they provide? And any idea as to if it is similar to a mild, medium, dark roast?

I would like to know this also.
How is the coffee in the Food Court, is it the same as in the rooms?

 

[sbarisch]

Looking at the instructions for the coffee maker, I'd think you could heat water in it by just not putting a coffee pod in and running the water through the cycle to heat it. I do that with my Keurig sometimes to make tea and it works fine.

I have to say that it will depend on why you need the hot water. Tea would likely work, but I tried making instant oatmeal and it didn't get nearly hot enough. It was a lumpy mess!

 

[themommy]

Last December they had to-go lids in the rooms. I can't see why this would change.

Ok, so I ummmm can't stand coffee! You coffee lovers don't go hate'n on me! Wow that's good English huh?

I just wanted to say that the coffee makers make fine hot water. For all of those others, I am sure that it is not just me, that don't like coffee....take hot chocolate packets with you. If you forget to take them here is a tip for you....For some reason they were having a problem with the hot chocolate machines clogging up in the food court last year. If this happens they put packets out by the jelly. Take a couple to your room for room use. Not all of them though please...you have to leave some for me!

 

[MsMinnieMouse246]

Hi there. We just returned from a week at CBR with Free Dining. We were a little hesitant on changing our reservation to CBR from POR as we had stayed there in the past and really enjoyed it. However, after experiencing CBR, I have to say we really enjoyed it, and would not hesitate to book again. We had a great location in Jamaica building 45 which was probably a huge reason why we had such a great stay. It was very close to both a bus stop and Old Port Royale as well as being recently refurbished (the queen beds are nice as well). We all really enjoyed the pool area with the two waterslides. The bus transportation was very good for our stay. We did not wait very long at all for busses either at the parks or the resort (except for DTD). We did book a bounce back offer, but are going to try Wilderness Lodge this time for a new experience. We will likely come back to moderate resorts (primarily due to price) and we will not hesitate to stay at CBR in the future and will certainly recommend it to friends as well. Feel free to ask questions, and I will do my best to answer.

What was the bounce back offer you received? Was it free dining again? I'm curious - we are definitely hoping for one when we go and will book right away!

 

[Sunday]

What was the bounce back offer you received? Was it free dining again? I'm curious - we are definitely hoping for one when we go and will book right away!

I'm not the OP, but I just returned from CBR where we also switched from POR for FD this August.

We just booked the bounceback offer for August 2015. The offer is Free Dining at all resorts except Little Mermaid Rooms, Campsites, and 3 bedroom suites. QS for Value and DDP for Mods and Deluxe. We booked a split stay August 17-19 at AoA without free dining, and then POR BB FD starting August 20-27th.

We liked CBR well enough, but are returning to POR. It will always be home to us.

 

[Jo-Anne]

I'm not the OP, but I just returned from CBR where we also switched from POR for FD this August.

We just booked the bounceback offer for August 2015. The offer is Free Dining at all resorts except Little Mermaid Rooms, Campsites, and 3 bedroom suites. QS for Value and DDP for Mods and Deluxe. We booked a split stay August 17-19 at AoA without free dining, and then POR BB FD starting August 20-27th.

We liked CBR well enough, but are returning to POR. It will always be home to us.

Thanks Sunday for the info - were you limited to return on the BB during the same time or could you have booked, say, December 2015 with FD on BB?

 

[MsMinnieMouse246]

I'm not the OP, but I just returned from CBR where we also switched from POR for FD this August.

We just booked the bounceback offer for August 2015. The offer is Free Dining at all resorts except Little Mermaid Rooms, Campsites, and 3 bedroom suites. QS for Value and DDP for Mods and Deluxe. We booked a split stay August 17-19 at AoA without free dining, and then POR BB FD starting August 20-27th.

We liked CBR well enough, but are returning to POR. It will always be home to us.

Thank you for the info! I hope it is the same for us. We also changed to CBR and got the free dining, we moved from AoA.

 

[Bikkie]

Quick question - I have a King room booked at CBR and I was wondering what the best section to request is. I looked at the touringplans site but I'm still not sure. I preferably want to be as close to the main building as possible (love free refills! )

Any suggestions? If you have stayed in a King room at CBR, could you tell me about it? I saw some people here saying they requested a corner room - does that mean there is more space?

Not sure if anyone saw my question since people tend to click "last page" or at least I know I do.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Not sure if anyone saw my question since people tend to click "last page" or at least I know I do.

We have stayed in every village with the exception of the two Trinidad villages. For some reason, we like the village of Jamaica better. No real reason why except for I like yellow and enjoy walking through the island. The non-preferred section of Martinique was really nice too. I forgot to look at your ticker to see when you are going. The village of Jamaica has already undergone the refurb and they are working on Aruba now. From there, they will move on to Barbados, Martinique and Trinidad North with each village taking approximatley two months to complete.

I have pictures of our most recent stay in Jamaica in my trip report. I also have detailed picture and written information about our location, walk to the bus stop, food court, etc. Just click on the link in my signature and go to the second post for additional links.