I'm also curious about this, as my husband and I are staying at the Island Beachcomber in a couple of weeks. I did some quick research and found this from Carnival's website:

http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?portcode=STT&excursionname=Northside+%26+Emerald+Beach+Retreat&excursioncode=434043

I wonder how crowded the beach gets?

I wonder too. I saw a post on a review site of the Beachcomber. One person complained about all the people on the beach now. We have always stayed at the Beachcomber and never had to contend with that.

My husband called the Beachcomber and they said that Carnival doesn't do that any more. But now I am wondering how truthful that is after reading that link you attached.

Carnival did not build any dock. The Port Authority improved the facilties around the existing dock. They have agreements with Princess and Holland America to berth their boats there. If Carnival has a tour that ends at that beach, it is not all the people on the ship. All Carnival boats dock at Havensight unless they spill over to Crown BAy. There do not have Carnival boats every day, so there will be days with no tours to the beach. The beach is big enough for all as well, and most of those beach tours stop for an hour or two max.

RL

I noticed the tour only lasts 3 hours, that includes the tour of the island etc. We aren't going to worry.

The post we read talked about it as if there were hundreds of extra people or something. I think they referred to it as like "Coney Island" lol

We will just find another beach on that day then. There are plenty to choose from.

T