Final yr, Royal Caribbean canceled excursions to the favored Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau following a lethal boating incident. Having resumed operations, I booked a tour to Blue Lagoon Island on a current crusing aboard Attract of the Seas to see how issues had modified and whether or not security measures had been improved.
On November 14, 2023, a water taxi full of cruise passengers en path to Blue Lagoon Island encountered tough seas. Because of the consumption of water, the shuttle boat capsized and killed one visitor. Fortunately, the shuttle was in shallow waters and did not utterly submerge.
Because of the deadly incident, Royal Caribbean canceled excursions to Blue Lagoon Island, and the island closed to endure varied inspections and critiques of its fleet of vessels, tour insurance policies, workers coaching protocols, and different security operations.
The Bahamas Port Authority permitted reopening the island in January 2024. Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean’s suspension lasted by means of March 2024 whereas the corporate carried out its personal investigation.
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean cancels excursions to Blue Lagoon Island following lethal incident
Since I booked my 4-night Bahamas cruise on the final minute, the tour to Blue Lagoon Island was expensive at $114.40 per individual. Nonetheless, if you are going to buy the tour prematurely by means of Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner, you possibly can snag a a lot better deal at round $71 per individual.
Our assembly time was 10:30am, so we weren’t in a rush to get off the ship. As an alternative, my dad and I loved a leisurely breakfast within the Important Eating Room earlier than making our technique to the assigned location.
This was my first time buying a seaside tour in Nassau. I normally keep away from them on account of their excessive prices. After my time at Blue Lagoon Island, I am much more excited for Royal Caribbean to open the Royal Seashore Membership Paradise Island. Even when the worth level is analogous, the all-inclusive facilities on the Royal Seashore Membership will make it effectively price the price in comparison with locations like Blue Lagoon Island.
Learn extra: I paid $830 for an inexpensive last-minute cruise on Attract of the Seas
Hectic check-in
As we made our technique to the Zone 1 assembly spot, we have been met by hordes of different passengers ready to examine in for the tour to Blue Lagoon Island. At first, it was exhausting to determine the place we have been presupposed to go, as there appeared to be loads of confusion.
Two teams have been assembly on the identical time—one for the Deluxe Seashore Break and the opposite for the Dolphin Encounter. As soon as Royal Caribbean crew members stepped in and created two distinct strains, we lastly checked in with one of many Blue Lagoon Island workers and received our wristbands and meal vouchers.
Round 10:50am, we began heading in the direction of the tender boats. Understanding what occurred one yr earlier than, I used to be a bit anxious. Nonetheless, the workers members have been attentive and gave clear directions.
Security briefing
The 30-minute ferry journey to Blue Lagoon Island departed at 11:05am.
Shortly after leaving, the crew carried out a security briefing, informing company the place the life jackets have been and demonstrating learn how to use them. In addition they requested if anybody want to put on one in the course of the journey.
It was easy crusing on the way in which there, although my dad laughed at their music selections. He did not assume “Candy Residence Alabama” match the vibe of a ship journey to an island within the Bahamas!
Lovely seaside however not sufficient umbrellas
By the point we received there, a lot of the chairs and umbrellas near the arrival space have been taken by earlier teams. Whereas the seaside is not large, fewer umbrellas can be found as you trek additional down the shoreline, so we needed to stroll a bit to discover a spot with some shade—a necessity for somebody who burns as simply as I do.
My dad and I initially settled on two seats that weren’t instantly within the solar. Nonetheless, he determined that wasn’t adequate and started looking for a stray umbrella, as just a few have been mendacity on the bottom. One other cruiser helped him discover one and carried it again to our seats.
We have been grateful for the assistance, and as soon as the umbrella was arrange, the shade made all of the distinction. Since there was only one departure time again to Nassau, we have been apprehensive that with out an umbrella, we might find yourself baking within the solar and overheating.
The spot was comfy sufficient for my dad to take a fast nap whereas I ventured into the chilly waters. Nonetheless, we each agreed that if we have been to return with a later arrival time, we might probably spend the additional cash on a clamshell, moderately than waste time looking for a shaded spot.
The setup of the seaside space jogged my memory extra of Carnival’s Half Moon Cay than Excellent Day at CocoCay, the place umbrellas are plentiful. Half Moon Cay, nevertheless, costs company $35 per umbrella, so that they’re scarcely seen on the seaside.
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay vs Carnival’s Half Moon Cay
Having lastly gotten located round midday, it was time for lunch earlier than we knew it
Lunch labored otherwise than on the cruise line non-public islands I’ve visited. To assist management crowds, the ships have been assigned completely different eating occasions. Attract of the Seas, together with Carnival Dream and MSC Meraviglia, have been scheduled to eat from 12:00pm-1:30pm, whereas some ships, like Carnival Conquest, dined as early as 10:00am.
As we have been ready in line, an worker collected our meal ticket, which was included within the tour’s value. The cafeteria-style choices on the Shifting Tides Restaurant featured a choice of cheeseburgers, grilled rooster sandwiches, veggie burgers, sizzling canines, BBQ rooster, Bahamian peas and rice, and corn on the cob. There was additionally a toppings and condiments station, together with backyard salad and inexperienced beans.
The restaurant additionally had à la carte choices for many who booked a tour that did not embrace lunch—assume chips & queso ($12.60), crispy rooster wraps ($19.80), fish & chips ($21.60), and Caesar salads ($14.40). Nonetheless, since our $230+ tour included lunch, we opted for the cafeteria-style choices.
The cheeseburger was surprisingly tasty. It is precisely what you’d count on at a beachside grill. The BBQ rooster was one other stable choice. The rooster was juicy and coated with a tangy but candy barbeque sauce. That stated, I wasn’t a fan of the overly cooked corn on the cob—it was too mushy for my liking.
After we checked in for the tour, we got a drink ticket that we have been excited to redeem for a tropical beverage throughout lunch. Sadly, we discovered it was solely legitimate for watered-down iced tea, fruit punch, or lemonade within the eating pavilion.
Different non-alcoholic drinks, together with water, have been an additional value. For instance, a bottle of Dasani water was priced at $5.50, whereas sodas have been $3.60 every.
Different actions
My dad and I completed lunch round 12:45pm. With about two extra hours on the island, we returned to our shaded oasis for a bit bit earlier than deciding to discover the opposite facilities.
The turquoise water was so inviting that I could not resist dipping my toes in for some time. Nonetheless, the sand was tough and gritty, so I would advocate bringing a superb pair of flip-flops or water footwear! Additionally, do not forget a towel out of your cruise ship and loads of sunscreen.
As soon as we have been completed with the seaside, we wandered into the memento shops and tried an area sizzling sauce. Then, we ventured to the animal reveals, watching folks swim with dolphins and work together with sea lions.
If spending all day lounging in a seaside chair is not your factor, you possibly can pay for a water exercise upon arrival, together with a snorkeling package ($20), kayak and paddle board ($20 for half-hour), or the floating aqua park ($20 for all day entry).
Need to do all of it? Take into account the Junkanoo Go, which incorporates all of the water sports activities actions for $30 or $45 relying on which tour you booked. Adults may also improve to the adults-only seaside for $65 per individual.
Different actions at Blue Lagoon Island embrace hair braiding, henna artwork, and a seaside volleyball courtroom. There’s additionally complimentary Wi-Fi.
The velocity was what you’d count on with a whole lot of individuals on a small island. It might randomly reduce out at occasions, akin to once I was attempting to examine in for my flight dwelling.
It served its function; nevertheless, I would not essentially depend on it for something. The additional down the shoreline you go, the extra spotty it will get. It was good to have included Wi-Fi whereas ashore, although.
Return shuttle
Attract of the Seas’ return taxi was scheduled to start boarding at 3:00pm with plans to depart the island at 3:15pm. Nonetheless, we observed company lining up round 2:40pm. The workers allow us to start boarding early, and we have been on our approach again to the cruise ship piers at 3:00pm on the dot.
Fortunately, the journey again was easy and uneventful. Like on the way in which to Blue Lagoon Island, the crew carried out one other security briefing to make sure company knew the place the lifejackets have been positioned and the place to disembark within the occasion of an emergency.
Whereas the calm turquoise waters have been lovely, I would not spend over $100 on one other tour to Blue Lagoon Island
Regardless of the reassuring security measures, the excessive value of the tour was exhausting to justify. Ultimately, I felt a bit ripped off; nevertheless, that is partly as a result of I booked the tour on the final minute with none reductions—$70 feels rather more affordable for what the Deluxe Seashore Break presents!
Ultimately, I want my dad and I had thought-about an all-inclusive seaside day. The Warwick Paradise Island, for instance, presents inclusive day passes for $125 every. Equally, Breezes Resort has a move for simply $100 per individual.
Whereas company are liable for their very own transportation, the worth consists of entry to all meals and drinks, which appears like a a lot better worth for the cash.