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Forum Excerpts - November 2000 |
| Bahamas.com travel packages other than GBV |
| November 27, 2000 6:52:03 pm UTC by Stephanie |
|
We are planning a vacation (me, husband and 4 yr old son) for
June 2001.
When speaking with a travel agent she gave us info on Grand Bahama Vacations and we think that we have decided on Club Viva Fortuna in Freeport, but reading these boards, I want more information about other places like Sandals and Alantis. Can these also be bought as travel packages meaning, flight, hotel and food in one deal. Where is Sandals and Alantis compared to Grand Bahama Islands? |
| November 27, 2000 11:25:49 pm UTC by Barbara |
| Both Sandals and Atlantis or in Nassau, a 30 minute flight from Grand Bahama. Atlantis is located on Paradise Island, 20 minute ride from the airport in Nassau. Grand Bahama and Nassau differ in that Grand Bahama is much more laid back. There is more to do in Nassau for those that prefer to always be on the go. I feel the beaches on Grand Bahama are also much nicer and more plentiful then in Nassau. Having been to both I am partial to Grand Bahama. |
| November 28, 2000 12:17:27 am UTC by David |
|
Good advice from Barbra.
Also, the vacation at Atlantis will be considerably more expensive. If money is no object this is a 4 star + facility but it cost like one as well |
| Bahamas.com taxes and fees |
| November 22, 2000 5:51:28 am UTC by Stephanie j. |
| We just today spoke with a travel agent about Grand Bahama Vacations. And think that we would like to stay at Club Fortuna. Tonight reading over the brouchure they gave us, it meantions additional charges to be added to the rates such as hotel and airport fees and fuel feals. What is this and how much does it cost for a 4 night stay (2 adults and 1 child). |
| November 22, 2000 1:08:30 pm UTC by Sue |
| It is included in the package rate quoted by the travel agent. |
| November 22, 2000 1:18:05 pm UTC by Joe, joekusterer@yahoo.com |
|
Stephanie,
That language is in the Grand Bahama Vacations brochure to cover all the non-all-inclusive hotels that they offer in addition to Club Fortuna. Their package for Club Fortuna covers everything with the exception of the Bahamas Departure Tax. This is $18 per person, payable at the airport, in cash only, upon departure from the islands. We regularly stay at Club Fortuna (in fact, our first time was through Grand Bahama Vacations) and if you'd like to see pictures and info about the place, check out our family's website (URL below). I'm sure you'll have a great time. Joe The Unofficial Club Viva Fortuna Resort Website http://www.oocities.org/clubfortuna |
| November 24, 2000 2:53:39 pm UTC by Stephanie |
|
Joe, I just called the 800 # for Grand Bahama VAcations and
they told me that a 3 night stay would be $559 /person for garden
(which is what is said in their brochure), PLUS $88/person for
taxes, etc PLUS the departure fee, so it looks like all inclusive
does not include everything. We are taking our 4 year old and we
even have to pay $88 taxes for him. They told me that they don't
beleive that he will have to pay a departure fee unless he is at
least 6 years old.
What do you think? |
| November 26, 2000 4:01:08 pm UTC by Joe, joekusterer@yahoo.com |
|
I guess what I was trying to say is that once you've paid Grand
Bahama Vacations the only additional thing you have to pay for
is the Departure Tax. Now, if GBV advertises a base price and
then adds extras, that's a different issue entirely, but whatever
total you end up owing them, once you pay it you're done. I'm
sorry if I misled you.
Joe The Unofficial Club Viva Fortuna Resort Website http://www.oocities.org/clubfortuna |
| November 28, 2000 3:11:19 am UTC by Carrie |
|
Hi Stephanie,
As Joe said the all inclusive just means that you pay everything before you go. But there is a compulsory hotel tax on all rooms. You always have to read the fine print....I'm sure in the brochure, there is probably small print stating the add on taxes, etc. Hope you will have a nice time. Joe is a great source of info. for Club Fortuna. best regards Carrie carriek5@hotmail.com |
| Geographia Trip Report - Viva Fortuna |
| 11/21/00 3:49:58 PM by Diane, thesherids@aol.com |
| After reading some very negative comments, I was very nervous about our trip to club Viva Fortuna. I am happy to say that the bashing that it got was totally unwarranted. However, if you are going for luxury sleeping accommodations, you'll be disappointed in that. The rooms are farely spartan but very clean. The furnishings are old and not very decorative but the bed, bath and rooms were clean and comfortable. With that said, the rest of the accommodations are first rate. The outside grounds, the beach and the equipment are well maintained and beautiful. The people were very helpful and responsive to every request we had. The food is buffet style and may get tiresome if you want gourmet food but there was plenty of variety every day and we always found something that we particularly enjoyed. There are all kinds of activities. We went snorkeling right at the resort, and kayaking all included at the resort. We also did archery and our friends took tennis lessons every day. They also had sail boats, windsurfing and scuba diving (may be extra for some of the last three). Every night the staff put on shows - not broadway level yet, but lots of fun. And contrary to some of the reports I had heard, the bartenders were very friendly and we never had trouble getting service. There is no way I can even begin to say how beautiful the beach and the water are. Just thinking about it makes me long to go back. We were there Nov.4 -11. The water was a little cool but we could still get in, The air temp was 80 - 85 every day - no rain, only once in the middle of the night. So if you have a trip planned, look forward to it and have a great time. |
| 11/21/00 4:41:23 PM by Carrie, carriek5@hotmail.com |
|
Hi Diane,
Glad to hear you had a nice time. Yep...the only downside might be the size of the rooms, and some people don't like the tile floors....but i prefer floors to carpet. The other thing is that it's a bit remote...but then everything is at hand right at the resort and it's good value for your money. Nice to hear that those "bad reports' on some of the message boards were probably just isolated incidents. best regards, Carrie carriek5@hotmail.com |
| 11/22/00 9:45:42 AM by Chris Frezza, chris@camaroz28.com |
|
Good report! :) I'll be taking my vacation to Viva Fortuna December 1-6,
2000 and am very much looking forward to it :)
Did you see if they had Internet access there in the club itself? -Chris |
| Bahamas-On-Line Club Viva Fortuna |
| Nov 16 19:45:07 2000 by Bill Ross |
|
My girlfriend and I are staying at Club Fortuna for a 4 day
3 night stay starting December 17, and I have a few
questions. My agent tells me that there is transportation
between Club Fortuna and the Freeport Airport. This is
different than everything that I've read on this board. What
should we expect as far as mosquitoes, jellyfish, and fire
coral this time of year. Is beer available at the club bars or
just mixed drinks? How much is a cab to shopping areas?
What are the prices of Waverunner rentals and
para-sailing? Are both these options available at the
resort? Is there a cheaper place to do these things away
from the resort? Would we be able to wear a shirt/tie and
dress without feeling out of place at dinner? We are flying
Laker Air from Cleveland, and I've never heard of it. How
are the planes/crew/etc... Can we take our own beer from
the US to the resort? Are there smoking areas in the
restaurants, poolside, beach, rooms, etc... How far is the
shopping area from the port? (She has never seen a cruise
ship up close before) That's all for now. Any help is
appreciated. If you want to reply by slandering the resort,
don't waste your time. I'm going there anyway and I'll
make up my own mind. Thanks. PS: I'd appreciate it if you
could e-mail responses directly to me at
bill2410@bigfoot.com rather than here on the board. Thank
you.
Bill Ross Sales Manager Erie Otters Hockey Club www.ottershockey.com |
| Nov 16 20:31:46 2000 by Joe |
|
"My girlfriend and I are staying at Club Fortuna for a 4 day
3 night stay starting December 17, and I have a few
questions. My agent tells me that there is transportation
between Club Fortuna and the Freeport Airport. This is
different than everything that I've read on this board."
Transportation means taxis. There's always plenty at the airport and they'll take you to Club Fortuna. The speed limit is something like 30 mph so the trip takes 15-20 minutes. Last summer our family of four plus luggage was $20 US. "What should we expect as far as mosquitoes, jellyfish, and fire coral this time of year." We've never had a problem with mosquitos but some people have. In any case, they shouldn't be a problem that time of year. Also have never had any problems with jellyfish or fire coral. "Is beer available at the club bars or just mixed drinks?" Yes, beer (usually two different choices) is available at the main bar. "How much is a cab to shopping areas?" A cab to Port Lucaya was $8 US one way for one or two passengers. "What are the prices of Waverunner rentals and para-sailing? Are both these options available at the resort?" Waverunner (jet-ski) rental is available and was pretty steep, something like $40 or $50 per half hour. Parasailing is not available at Club Fortuna. You would need to go to Port Lucaya for that and I don't know what it costs. "Is there a cheaper place to do these things away from the resort?" Probably not. "Would we be able to wear a shirt/tie and dress without feeling out of place at dinner?" You certainly don't need to as the atmosphere is much more casual but you could if you want. "We are flying Laker Air from Cleveland, and I've never heard of it. How are the planes/crew/etc... " Laker is a charter airline. It's a pretty decent way to get a direct flight to Freeport. The planes are ok - they're the kind with 3 seats on each side of the aisle and hold about 175 people. The crews are like any other airline. "Can we take our own beer from the US to the resort?" There's some limit on how much you can but my recommendation would be don't bother. One of the local beers is called Kalik and it is most excellent! "Are there smoking areas in the restaurants, poolside, beach, rooms, etc..." I think there are smoking and non-smoking rooms. There are smoking areas in the restaurant and ashtrays available at poolside. "How far is the shopping area from the port? (She has never seen a cruise ship up close before) " Downtown Freeport is about 8-10 miles and the cruise ship port is about that much again further. "That's all for now. Any help is appreciated. If you want to reply by slandering the resort, don't waste your time. I'm going there anyway and I'll make up my own mind. Thanks. PS: I'd appreciate it if you could e-mail responses directly to me at bill2410@bigfoot.com rather than here on the board. Thank you." For more info and pictures of Club Fortuna, check out our family's website below. We love the place and I'm sure you'll have a great time. Joe The Unofficial Club Viva Fortuna Resort Website http://www.oocities.org/clubfortuna |
| Geographia Viva Divers/Chamber? |
| 11/5/00 5:40:12 AM by Nige F, Capcom@ntlworld.com |
|
Has anyone dived with Viva Divers at Club Fortuna - any comments
(good/bad) would be appreciated. Also is there a hyperbaric recompression chamber on Grand Bahama? Thanks |
| 11/5/00 9:24:16 AM by Marilynn, pcltd@mail.batelnet.bs |
|
Nige F, I'm not sure who Viva Divers is- really never heard of this particular organization, however, if they are a part of another group who used to use the name Viva- I would not want any part of them. Yes, there is a Hyperberic Chamber located at UNEXSO in Port Lucaya |
| 11/5/00 11:20:30 AM by Frank, digerfrank@aol.com |
| Yes, I know these folks at Viva Fortuna Resort..Yes they are very good and offer two dive trips each day a two tank dive in the AM and a one tank dive in the PM..Also will arrange special dives(night and shark dives)..I just got back and spent several days with these folks and they are first class and have everything on premises if resort..They are associated with PADI and follow strict rules for diving..Classes are available for certification..They staff is multi-national from Europe, S. America, America, and New Zealand. I Know you will enjoy your stay...Frank |
| The "Pink" Board club fortuna jan.2001 |
| 10:30 pm friday november 3, 2000 by nancy |
| we are planning a trip to freeport/club fortuna in jan 2001. Have 2 kids 10 -&- 11 . Is this a good place to go? will it be warm in january? Can you get a ferry from lauderdale or fla. and how much would it be? Is the water warm enough to swim in? |
| 0:02 am saturday november 4, 2000 by Janice |
|
Dear Nancy,
I think that you would enjoy Club Fortuna. It is all inclusive and they have lots to do on their property. Snorkelling, Disco, bars, Kids Club, Shows etc. Only problem is transportation to other attractions. It's a little out of the way and there is no public trans. that goes out there. Only thing available to you out there is bicycles and taxis. However, a lot of tours that you might sign up for do offer free transportation so that should help you out. The Discovery goes out of Port Everglades and is very economical. Janice |
| 10:47 am saturday november 4, 2000 by Barbara |
| Nancy in addition to what Janice has mentioned you may want to check out this website for Club Fortuna, http://www.oocities.org/clubfortuna very informative and great photos. Joe the webmaster of the site is a Club Fortuna guru. He and his family visited often, drop him an email with any questions or concerns you may have. |
| This page is owned by Joe Kusterer. |
| This page was last modified on 10 February 2001. |