From: paul.graveline@travel.com (Paul Graveline) 
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: CARIBBEAN TRAVEL ROUNDUP6
Date: 29 Sep 92 14:26:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Travel Online / St. Louis Online - St. Louis, MO
Reply-To: paul.graveline@travel.com (Paul Graveline) 

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surprise.  What we thought was good before is even better now. We took  
our  first ever Fling Tour because this was a last minute decision and  
we  couldn't  get  air  space  otherwise. I think we paid too much and  
Fling  jumped their price $100 between 9am and 11:30 am the morning we  
booked. We will plan in advance, as usual, in the future.  
 
Other  than  that  incident the trip went well and we had a good time.  
My  advice  to  travelers  to  Freeport would be to stay in the Lucaya  
area.  Most  of  the  resorts  are  on  or  very  near  the  beach and  
everything  is within walking distance. The Lucayan Beach Hotel/Casino  
and the Radisson are the biggest resorts in the area.  
 
We  stayed  at  the  Atlantik Beach which is right in between the two.  
The  AB is smaller and easier to get in and out of and we recommend it  
highly  for  those  of  you  who  prefer  more  quiet and less crowded  
accommodations.  The room we had was Ocean Front with a great view and  
all  are air conditioned. There is a big fresh water pool, a snack bar  
right  on  the  beach with hot and cold sandwiches and drinks. A great  
beach  with all kind of activities available. In addition we found the  
staff  to  be  most  friendly.  There  is a new restaurant at Atlantik  
Beach  called  ALFREDO'S.  Each night they offer 2 dinner specials for  
$12.95  including  soup  or  salad,  entree,  and desert. The food was  
excellent,  the  service  very good, and the price was certainly right  
considering  the setting. You can choose indoor or outdoor dining with  
the  indoor  room being comfortably air conditioned. Live dinner music  
was  provided while we were there. We dined there 5 out of 7 nights so  
can't provide too much info on other dining.  
 
We  did  go  to Fatman's Nephew in the Lucayan Market Place across the  
street  one  night.  The  food  was  good,  prices reasonable, but the  
service  was  slow and dining outdoors was very noisy so we ate in and  
it  was  dark  and  hot  inside.  We also dined at the Brass Helmet at  
UNEXCO  also  across  the  street from the hotel. This informal eatery  
has  a  varied  menu  with modest prices and the food and service were  
outstanding.  This  was  the  only place we went where they do not add  
15%  gratuity. I think this may have had something to do with the fine  
service-the  servers  have to earn their tips. We found a great little  
place  for  breakfast at the Market Place called the Picnic-again good  
food  and  good  pleasant  service.  The three hotels I have mentioned  
offer  only  breakfast buffets starting at $10 per person and we don't  
do big breakfasts.  
 
Back  to  the hotel. Free lounge pads for the beach lounges as well as  
beach  towels  for  hotel  guests  are  available. Also plenty of palm  
shades  with  tables which is handy for drinks etc. There are a lot of  
beach  vendors  selling  T-shirts,  water  sports,  and  hair braiding  
service.  We  found if you are reading, feigning sleep etc. they won't  
bother  you.  Based  on what we heard, it is best to sign up for water  
sports  (snorkeling,  para-sailing,  etc.)  at  the tour desks in each  
hotel  or  at  the  booth  on the beach. Don't give a beach vendor any  
money in advance-pay as you depart. 
 
The  Lucayan  Marketplace  is  a relatively new development and really  
eliminates  the  need  to  leave the Lucaya area. The MP is similar to  
the  famous International Bazaar in town but in many respects- I think  
better.  There is less duplication and walking and still good variety.  
A  whole  host  of  shops  and  vendor stands offer everything from T- 
shirts  and inexpensive souvenirs to Gucci. In addition, and important  
for  travelers  staying  in  the  area,  there  are  no  less  than 15  
restaurants-everything  from  Pizza  Hut  and  local  deli delights to  
Gourmet  Dining.  We were there on Saturday night and there was a band  
playing  and everyone seemed to behaving just a great time. Allow lots  
of  time  to explore this area and remember that most of the shops are  
not open in the evening or on Sunday.  
 
UNEXCO-the  famous Underwater Explorers Society is located next to the  
MP  and  they  feature  the  largest dolphin observation, training and  
research  facility  in  the  world.  You  must visit this facility and  
participate  in  at least one of the dolphin experience programs. Call  
1-800-992-3483  and  ask  them  to send info on the program. There are  
several;  you  can swim($59)snorkel($59) or dive with the Dolphins but  
reservations  for  these activities require advance reservations-don't  
wait  until you arrive on the island as it will be too late. The Close  
Encounter   requires  no  advance  reservations  ($19)  and  I  highly  
recommend  it!!  It  is both educational and exciting. They offer it 2  
or  3  times  a  day  and it lasts about 2 hours. Call 373-1250 on the  
island  for  information  or  go to their booth in the MP or just walk  
over  to  UNEXCO.  You will be able to feed and touch the Dolphins all  
of  whom  have open access back to the sea anytime they want to leave- 
believe it or not. This is a MUST DO!!! 
 
Another  must  if  you  have  never  done  it-or  if  you  have - is a  
snorkeling  trip.  Anyone  can  do  it - you don't have to be a strong  
swimmer.  I  went every day and three days of our trip I went twice. I  
literally  ran  into  other snorkelers on the boat from 8 to 80. There  
are  many  snorkeling  trips  available  every day weather permitting.  
Jolly  Roger  and  Pat  and Diane are two of the most popular. I liked  
the  Jolly  Roger  Best  but  they  are all good. There is info at all  
hotels  concerning  these trips and they all cost $15 and last about 2  
hours.  The  boats  go  out  3  times  a  day  at 10 am-noon-and 2P.M.  
approximately.  Don't  travel  to  the  islands  without  trying  this  
experience-you have to see the beauty under water to believe it!  
 
While  I  heartily  recommend  one  of  the  Dolphin Experiences and a  
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