We opted for the Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino and basked by the sunny poolside all afternoon in this fabulous property.
We were greeted by Kevis Taylor, Front Desk Manager, who provided us with an overview of the resort. There is a large, new casino with great slots, and we spent the first hour there, winning a little along the way, which is always a good thing!
Then we took off to the outdoor cafe, indulged in some Pina Coladas and a quick lunch, which was discounted 10% as part of our Resort for a Day passes.
Although towels were not included in today's pass, Kevin said to drop his name at the Towel Hut, and sure enough, we got more towels for the chairs, each which has its own adjustable shade - a very clever feature that simplifies pool seating options for everyone!
The pool complex is vast, and free cabanas abound along the beach - what a treat! This beach is on the Atlantic side, and the waves are ideal for surfers. It's breezy here, too, which makes the direct sun tolerable and quite pleasant.
We soaked an hour in the giant hot-tub, which is well concealed over a footbridge. Another nice touch in this well-appointed property are the ice-water dispensers all around the pool.
A Calypso band played all afternoon, and I am pretty sure I dozed before a flash shower roused me from my slumber, and mercifully reminded me it was time to head back to port and to our ship.
Another blissful day away from the crowds and the buses, and a short $12.00 cab ride later we are back at the pier.
The one disappointment for me on this itinerary has been the shopping - each port seems is a dull repeat of the others. The same old stores selling the same old stuff - overpriced stores with "duty-free" tag line enticing hapless tourists, unaware that those "bargains" are reported directly to US Customs by credit card companies. These must be reported on the Immigration Form, and the taxes paid upon entry into the US.
That said, tomorrow we are in Antigua where we have no plans for the day, and something tells me the shopping there will be a home run!