Now is a great time to take advantage of Black Friday sales to save money on shore excursions.
While Royal Caribbean has already discounted shore excursions as part of its Black Friday sale, I've found extra savings on the my go-to beach day idea.
When I'm on a Caribbean cruise and want a beach day, I usually book a day pass to a resort instead of taking a taxi or booking a traditional shore excursion that takes me to the beach.
There are a few sites that you can buy day passes to popular resorts around the Caribbean, and ResortPass.com just announced a new Black Friday discount.
When you book with the ResortPass app (free to download) and use the promo code EARLYBFAPP, you'll save $50 off the purchase of at least $200 or more.
It's not clear when the code expires exactly, but it's available now.
The added discount knocks out the service fee and saves a little bit on top of the overall cost.
Why I love resort day passes
The reason why I prefer getting a day pass is because it offers more amenities than you'll typically find at a traditional beach excursion, and that's so helpful for families.
Websites like ResortForADay.com or ResortPass.com make it simple to enter the island and date that you'll be visiting, and find a list of options.
Some resorts offer all-inclusive, while others are merely access to the facilities and you can optionally pay for food and drink.
Each resort has a per-person cost, and it means you could use their beach, pool, and even other facilities.
I've found in the popular cruise ports many different choices of places to go. Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, and other ports have a few places to consider.
It's easy and simple way to book, and in a few clicks you will have a confirmation of the date and resort.
I like that ResortPass offers more than just a day pass. In some cases there are hotel rooms or cabanas you can rent for the day.
On a recent visit to St. Maarten, we booked a cabana at the Morgan Resort. It includes admission for up to 8 people, and their pool is fantastic.
When we visited St. Kitts, there was a Marriott that included a hotel room. This meant we could shower, change, and nap in the room. Plus, the air conditioning was a nice break when it got too hot.
The variety of choices is a lovely bonus for those that want more than just access to the beach or pool.
One thing to keep in mind is transportation is not included, so you'll need to arrange that on your own.
I just walk to the taxi stand in the port and grab a taxi. On the way back, the resort is able to hail a taxi for you.
Costs for a day pass
Depending which island you visit and how much you want included, the prices for a day pass vary. However, I find the prices quite reasonable.
A day pass at The Morgan Resort in St. Maarten costs $60 per person, while the cabana is $480. If you're in Nassau, Bahamas, a day pass to Margaritaville Resort costs $132 for adults and $66 for kids, and it includes access to their waterpark too.
Prices depend on a lot of factors, and you could easily find a cheap pass at a no-frills resort for as little as $25.
ResortPass has a fairly flexible cancellation policy. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, bookings for day passes can be canceled up until 11:59 p.m. the night before your reservation, while cabanas, daybeds, and day rooms can be canceled until 10 a.m. the day before your reservation. You can opt for either a refund to your credit card or a ResortPass credit.
Being able to cancel at the last minute is really helpful if bad weather is forecasted. Remember, Royal Caribbean requires at least 48 hours notice for a refund on a shore excursion.
ResortPass is a good deal for cruisers that want flexibility
I think the ideal ResortPass customer is someone that values having more in their beach day than just the beach.
You get to enjoy resort-level amenities without being a customer, and having the choice of pool and beach, along with chairs, shade, wifi and food or beverage options is a great add-on.
Families will love the choice of beach or pool, and not having to search for food is a godsend. Convenience is the name of the game with a resort day pass.
Of course, going to a public beach is almost certainly going to be cheaper, but you're on your own to figure out everything else beyond the beach.
Royal Caribbean shore excursions make a beach break a bit simpler to book, but I find I get more value from a day pass, even if I have to coordinate transportation on my own.
Before booking, you'll want to weigh the resort amenities you get for the price and determine if it's the right cost for you.
The ResortPass site (and app) is easy to use, prices are reasonable, and their cancellation policy is fantastic.
