Are the beaches at Royals swimable and kids friendly?

[Vicky Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vicky]

We are going to Royal Caribbean in a three weeks and really looking forward to it. Friend of mine told me yesterday that my 8 y.o. would not be able to spend lots of time in the ocean as there are always big waves in Cancun. She said that only lagoon is quiet and nice for younger kids. I looked at the Royals pics and waves do look big. I'm upset. Is that always true? Would we have access to lagoon beaches?

Thanks so much for any info,
Vicky

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

The water can be rough, but sometimes it is OK for kids. Flags on the beach will let you know the wave status. Do not swim in the lagoon ! The water can be very dirty and there are crocodiles in there. You can always take the free shuttle to the oldest Royal (VCI/Club International) where the water is very calm. Try this link for information about your trip: http://www.geocities.com/tonygraz/triptips.html

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

We found the beach at VCI to be lovely and calm on the days it was too windy/rough at the ocean. We were at the oceanfront Royals twice, both times in November. First year, the red flags were up every day and there were strong undercurrents. The following year the weather was beautiful, mild, with relatively mild surf most days.

[Roger Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Roger]

Hi Vicky:

Ditto on the other posts. The waves on the Caribbean side can get pretty rough. Last time I was at the Royal Sands, a young woman's top got completely knocked off by a wave (She didn't seem to mind much--now that I think about it, I didn't mind much either) Anyway, I digress. The VCI idea is a good one. The beach isn't quite as fluffy and the water is not as turquousy (?) but your little one shouldn't find much trouble handling the calm, sometimes waveless water. VCI has an interesting series of interconnected pools, and also good dinners. The free Royals shuttle is very convenient, and the regular Cancun busline goes there too.

Hope this helps. Have a great time.

Roger

[CaliDave Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close CaliDave]

I stayed at Club Med in Cancun a couple years ago during July. The water was calm and gorgeous. We never had a problem swimming.
They also have a fantastic snorkeling area.

[Vicky Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vicky]

Thanks alot to everybody for your replies. You guys are wonderful!
Tonyg, thanks for the links. I printed out "Your trip to the Royals" and going to study it

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

This is good information. We have two young kids 8 and 3 and have considered Cancun but if it is that rough then we will stick with Hawaii and other destinations until they are much older.

The Royals are but just a long term dream now.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

This is good information. We have two young kids 8 and 3 and have considered Cancun but if it is that rough then we will stick with Hawaii and other destinations until they are much older.

The Royals are but just a long term dream now.

I would not necessarily let this put you off. First of all, VCI is a beautiful resort, I find it more peaceful and relaxing than the others and the water there is very calm. You could stay there, and use the frequent/free shuttle to enjoy the Sands and the tri-Royals pools and restaurants at your leisure. When we were last at the Sands, I couldn't get my kids out of the pool and onto the beach, even though the water was pretty calm...

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

The ocean in Cancun is the same as the ocean on LI where I live,,,,there are days it is calm and days when it is rough.
I think it would be the same on any oceanfront resort in the US and Mexico.
The beauty of the Royals is thay you do have the option of the bay-type beach at VCI - I don't think anyone swims in the lagoon side where the alligators are!
Have been to the Royals in May and June...it seems most kids hang out at the pools.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

There were red flags up the entire time we were at the Royal Islander, but the last day we decided to just walk a little ways into the water since it was so beautiful. The waves are indeed very strong, so you can't actually swim in it (well, at least while we were there). The bay (?) at VCI is swimmable, but there were some big patches of algae underfoot that you had to avoid unless a slimy feeling under your feet doesn't bother you. Actually, my kids thought the water at VCI was a bit boring because there were no waves at all...they would just as soon go in the pool!

If you go in the water at the Tri-Royals, just hold your son tight and enjoy the waves!

Sharon

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Sharon, we have been known to swim when the black flags are out. Once you get beyond the breaking waves, it's easy to ride the waves. Only problem with rough waves is that it often goes along with tidal and undertow strength, so it's best to keep an eye on where you entered the ocean and not to swim too far from the shore.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Tony,

Yes, when I think about it...it was really the undertow that was the concern...and we had the girls with us. My seven year old got knocked off her feet by a few of those waves! They really suck the sand out from under you when they recede.

Sharon

[JoanL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoanL]

Cancun

I agree what everyone has said about the rough water...we own 7 weks at VCI and will not be able to use them this year..we have a week in Aug 12-19 and Oct 7-13 and Nov 25th to Dec 17th we will rent out at at fair price if intrested e-mail me at rojo123@webtv.net

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We were at the Royal Mayan last year before Wilma hit. The beach was definitely not suitable for kids due to very large rocks just under the water by the edge. Waves could knock then down into the rocks. I don't know what it is like now post Wilma.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

The waves haven't changed much, but the beaches of Cancun haveall be rebuilt now.