Why excursion on a beach?

[TDC Nala]

I don't go on beach excursions most of the time but I am not a big beach fan. I only go to Castaway Cay to have lunch, not hang on the beach. Unless I'm with someone else who wants to hang on the beach. On the other hand, there are people who absolutely love beaches, and will go to whatever beach is available.

Sand in the pants, yuck.

 

[Keurigirl]

Well why not? The beach is the best feature of some ports.

 

[dizzi]

In New England our beaches are totally different, more rocky and colder. So a Caribbean beach is a real treat. I might feel differently if I was from Florida and had access to nice beaches. It's kind of like when we see cruises going up the east coast to Maine and Nova Scotia. Why would anyone want to do that? But for some people it is very different and a neat thing to do.

If you live by a beach, the beach is no big deal. If you live in a place that does not have a beach, it is a big deal. Or if you are like me where we have a beach 2 hours away but it is so cold all the time that you cannot go swimming, then the warm beaches of the Caribbean is a big deal.

Well why not? The beach is the best feature of some ports.

We live less than 10 minutes from the beach. i was just there today for 3 hours And even though i wont do a beach at every port, ilove different beaches and everything about beaches.

 

[hrhdhd]

Don't pass judgement on how I choose to vacation, and I won't pass judgement on how you choose to vacation.

Wow, that's a little harsh. The OP wasn't passing judgment or telling you not to go to the beach, just asking for information.

 

[nunzia]

Well why not? The beach is the best feature of some ports.

True..my DH likes to do all inclusives in the area around Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Gorgeous beaches, nice resorts, free food and drink..all good. BUT..I HATE leaving the resort..icky icky tourist traps with people hollering at you to come buy their junk. I live little over an hour away from Juarez, no thanks...but the beach experience time is laid back and lazy and fine (I just get a little stir crazy after a few days into a 7 day trip ). Visiting the ruins at Tulum was nice, and Xel Ha was good (Ixcaret not so much) but I told DH that if we ever go again, I'm not setting foot off the resort.
I live in the desert and see that every day and wonder..why on earth would people want to visit here???

 

[MichelleVW]

We love the beach too, but the closest one (South Padre Island) is a 10-hour drive from us. We eat up the time we can spend on a Caribbean beach.

Same here!!! We used to live in NC an hour from the beach and were there all the time. Been in DFW for almost 5 years and still have never made it to the beach in Texas.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Different strokes for different folks.

If they weren't popular and well attended, they wouldn't be offered.

When dh and I travel alone, we rarely book ship excursions.

When we travel with the kids, we almost always book ship excursions, partly because we know the transportation will be taken care of, and partly because they're self limiting options.

My kids like the ocean. We don't have an ocean within a day's drive.

I like to sit and chill out - and when my kids are at the beach and in my eyesight, I can do that.

Don't pass judgement on how I choose to vacation, and I won't pass judgement on how you choose to vacation. If you don't like something? Don't do it. Problem solved

What was that about? Did I miss something?

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[mmouse37]

Can you help me understand what are the different reasons people take an excursion to spend a day at the beach while cruising? I can see if this is their only vacation of the year and they love to hang out at the beach. I really just want to know if I am missing something else from the beaches at different ports. Thanks a lot for any inputs.

Op..where do you live? Are you close to a beach? Are you just not interested in spending time at beaches at all or you don't understand visiting beaches on vacation? Or are you wondering why people would do an excursion to a beach instead of doing one on their own? Just trying to understand the question better as it is pretty random...like asking why do some people like pizza?

Most reasonable answer is because people like the beach!!!

MJ

 

[dskib]

Why would one go to a gorgeous tropical island and NOT go to a beach??

I think most people only take 1 vacation a year, if that, and if they're not from a beach area, they'll go to the beach. At least I would

I look at the ship as a moving resort taking me to beautiful places where I want to relax on a beach. If my plans were to just stay on the ship, I'd find myself a nice all inclusive resort and go there instead

 

[peyjax]

Why would one go to a gorgeous tropical island and NOT go to a beach??

ITA

To be honest I never understood why people piled on busses with the masses for a paid tour to go shopping? Like it has been mentioned before different strokes for different folks.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

If you live by a beach, the beach is no big deal. If you live in a place that does not have a beach, it is a big deal. Or if you are like me where we have a beach 2 hours away but it is so cold all the time that you cannot go swimming, then the warm beaches of the Caribbean is a big deal.

We live in the Tampa Bay area and can easily reach several nice beaches in 20-30 minutes. But, as an example, Trunk Bay in St. John is a whole different level of beauty and serenity. You're talking about some of the best beaches in the world, and one of the main draws of going to the Caribbean for most people.

 

[Silverfox97]

We live in the Tampa Bay area and can easily reach several nice beaches in 20-30 minutes. But, as an example, Trunk Bay in St. John is a whole different level of beauty and serenity. You're talking about some of the best beaches in the world, and one of the main draws of going to the Caribbean for most people.

Exactly what u said! I love Anna Maria Island, but nothing compares to St. John!!!

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[goosedwn]

Op..where do you live? Are you close to a beach? Are you just not interested in spending time at beaches at all or you don't understand visiting beaches on vacation? Or are you wondering why people would do an excursion to a beach instead of doing one on their own? Just trying to understand the question better as it is pretty random...like asking why do some people like pizza?

Most reasonable answer is because people like the beach!!!

MJ

First, thank you every one for the response. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me understand my own curiosity and better plan our cruise excursion.

Hi mmouse37, I live near the beach but cold beaches (CA). ). I understand why people go to beaches for vacation but just don't understand why during cruising because Disney has almost always have a stop (or double dip) at Castaway. We also go to Florida beaches (for our kids) during our vacation as well so during our cruise, I want to do something else (or enjoy the ship) but since lots of people talk and recommend beaches so I wonder what am I missing. ).

Also, I am not judging any one on what they want to do. People are different, I understand. I just want the reasons so that I can understand and plan better. Again, thank you every one and have a great weekend.

 

[DeniseMarie526]

My opinion specific to only me...lol I do not enjoy the beach or the ocean. But I will be there in April 2014 cause my children will be there. Enough said...lol

 

[PWammy]

This will be my first beach excursion, I usually do my own thing, bu since I'll be alone with my daughter I decided to go this route; I also find that resort beaches are much nicer than the cruise line beaches.

 

[Zeppelin]

Because we love the beach and go whenever possible.

here, here....big difference between a beach on an ocean and a pool on a ship...

 

[McDonald5]

Why would one go to a gorgeous tropical island and NOT go to a beach??

I think most people only take 1 vacation a year, if that, and if they're not from a beach area, they'll go to the beach. At least I would

I look at the ship as a moving resort taking me to beautiful places where I want to relax on a beach. If my plans were to just stay on the ship, I'd find myself a nice all inclusive resort and go there instead

THIS exactly!!!

We get one vacation a year and the only thing the kids (and adults!) want to do is spend at least a few days on the beach with some drinks in our hands, warm water, and maybe a little snorkeling. One day would definitely not be enough! Even 3 doesn't seem like enough so we're adding a day or two after at the beach in Florida. But we are used to spending 7 straight days at the beach on our usual vacation. At this point in our lives, our kids are too young to really enjoy a European cruise to see some sights (though we hope to do one when they are older) and I certainly don't want to waste my vacation shopping. We asked the kids if they would rather go to Disney World (never been), a Disney cruise or to the OBX like we usually do. It was unanimous...Disney cruise!!! This way we get a little Disney (as in, meeting the characters) and we get the most important thing-beach time! If we dragged our kids to some sight-seeing tour, we'd most certainly regret it after the first hour of whining.

But if your question is why do people take excursions to the beach instead of booking it themselves, I have no idea. We prefer to find our own way with a little googling before we leave.

 

[iambrink]

Can you help me understand what are the different reasons people take an excursion to spend a day at the beach while cruising? I can see if this is their only vacation of the year and they love to hang out at the beach. I really just want to know if I am missing something else from the beaches at different ports. Thanks a lot for any inputs.

I have been reading the responses to your question and it really makes me think, "that's why cruising is so great"! There is something for everyone. We love going to the beach, but not sure if i am going to do an excursion on our next cruise or just stick with Castaway Cay. The ocean up here in NH is quite cold, so any opportunity to swim in warm water is perfect!