Ever struggled to decide between a cruise and a resort vacation? We know it’s not always an easy choice — ok, for us it’s a really easy choice — but it turns out there’s a way to have the best of both worlds. You can’t hop on a cruise directly from your resort, but you can access private resort pools, beaches, and restaurants during your cruise (without any sneaking around or fence jumping).
Resort for a Day delivers exactly what it promises: cruise passengers can use their time in port to visit hotel and resort properties in the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda and Hawaii. Resort day passes are still a fairly new product, but here’s why we’re so excited by it:
1. It's The Perfect Opportunity for a Pool or Beach Day on a Cruise
Breezes Resort in Nassau, Grand Bahamas - Photo by Breezes Resort
As much as we all want to have adventures on our cruise, most of us want to spend a good chunk of time shamelessly relaxing by the pool or on a beach. Sadly, cruise cruise ships aren’t known for their beautiful pools or adequate number of lounge chairs, and public beaches can quickly become overcrowded if there are multiple ships in port.
When you book a Resort for a Day, you'll have access to a private beach and large resort-sized pools. Most resorts will even include towel service. Only a limited number of Resort for a Day passes are sold for each property, so you don’t have to worry about fighting for space on the beach or lounge chairs by the pool.
2. It’s a Chance to Sample Iconic Resort Properties
Santa Barbara Beach Resort in Curacao - Photo by Santa Barbara Beach Resort
While we prefer to cruise, we understand some cruisers still like to take a vacation to a tropical beach resort once in awhile. Resort for a Day is the perfect way to scout out the best destinations the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii have to offer: Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Elbow Beach in Bermuda, Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica, and the San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino. If you have a great time, you can turn it into your resort for a week on your next vacation. (And if you don’t, you just saved yourself a lot of time and money.)
3. It’s Surprisingly Cheap
Riu Palace Aruba - Photo by Riu Palace
You might think that these resorts would charge top dollar to access their facilities, but many of them are refreshingly affordable. Plenty of resorts are all-inclusive, and others come with a food or beverage credit. A particular budget standout is the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, priced at just $79 per person, including a $40 food and beverage credit. It's even within walking distance of Nassau's cruise port.
In Jamaica, Roatan, St. Lucia and Curacao, Resort for a Day properties include round-trip transportation between the ship and resort. In other destinations you’ll have to arrange your own transportation, but most are a short taxi ride away from the port.
4. It’s Fully Refundable
The Westin Grand Cayman - Photo by The Westin
If you book excursions through some private vendors and your ship has to change course for weather or other reasons, you may be out of luck. Thankfully, your Resort for a Day pass is fully refundable in the event of an unexpected itinerary change.
