Help please! First time cruiser *7 day Western

[Raven9 Studios]

I am taking with my 9 yr daughter and my 3 yr old boy on the 7 day Western Carribean Cruise in less then 20 days!

Wanted to know some really good information/hints regarding the ports of call and any recommendations you may have.

I know someone mentioned in Grand Cayman that instead of booking the excursion ahead of time to just get off the boat and there were people there you could go then for cheap?

I love to travel however this will be the first time with my kids so alittle nervous doing it on my own. Its the first time they will see the ocean and I just want them to experience as much as they can but on a really tight budget.

Also what is the FE people keep talking about?

 

[TraciM]

What are you cruise dates? I am leaving January 23 on the 7 day Western. Whatever your dates pop over to the meets threads and look for the one for your cruise. It will give you the opportunity to connect with other disers traveling the same time. If it’s our trip we have quite a few kids in that age bracket. We would love to have you join us. The more the merrier!!!

 

[Raven9 Studios]

You rock! Yes actually it is leaving on Jan 23rd-30th. I have never been on a cruise before and am def looking fwd just hope my kids well actually just my son lol is on his best behavior. He is sooo excited he has put his swim suit on everyday since I told them we were going! Autumn is always good and I am sure would love to meet kids around her same age.

 

[kcashner]

THe highlight of our first trip to Grand Cayman was the turtle farm. We paid $30 for an island tour which included transportation and the admission to the farm as well as some other stops; admission to the turtle farm alone is $30 per adult on your own.

In Key West, I wouldn't hesitate to go on your own, even with kids. Other places, do your homework first. There's a big difference between booking privately and just looking around when you get off the ship, especially in Mexico. If all you want to do is walk around the port area, that's fine. I'd hesitate about just going with someone standing around at the port though...and that's after lots of cruises.

 

[Raven9 Studios]

did you do the excursion thru the cruiseline or on your own and what would you recommend. did it give you enough time with the turtles???

has anyone done the underwater tour

 

[madelinesmum]

Cozumel is a very safe, conservative island! It is not on the mainland and has very little crime.
Whatever you do, do not rent scooters in Cozumel because the traffic laws vary greatly from ours and lots of deaths have been reported regarding cruise line passengers. When we were on Carnival (which I hated) they warned all passengers of the situation and said not to do it.

We did Nachi Cocum beach break through island marketing inc. It was UNBELIEVABLE! A three course meal and all drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic are included! It's very quaint and they only allow 100 guest but we had 25 total the day we were there. They wait on you hand and foot!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You might also consider checking out Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel. It is where they have Dolphin Discovery, but it is a nice, pretty, clean park in its own right. It is a very easy $10 per 4 people taxi ride each way with a reasonable admission fee. You can walk around the botanical garden, enjoy a lounge chair by the ocean or snorkel. They also have a playground, small lagoon and swimming pool for the kids.

 

[kcashner]

On Grand Cayman, we went thru Captain Marvin's. (google Captain Marvin's, Grand Cayman). They offer snorkeling tours of several lengths and island tours. I felt like we had "just enough" time at the turtle farm; it was the highlight of the tour (really the only good part). On the way home, we had the choice of being dropped off at a beach or at the tender port.

The turtle farm is part of a place called Boatswain's that has a lot you can do--lazy river, dolphins, etc. How much you pay depends on what you want to do; you get a color coded wrist band when you go in. You can do any/all of it on your own.

I would totally disagree that Cozumel is safe. There is a lot of poverty. In November, there was a jeep accident involving people from cruise ships (including DCL, but not on a DCL sponsored excursion). Before the legal or medical authorities arrived, the injured people were relieved of the burden of their personal belongings, money, ID, etc. Seems this is not uncommon there.

On the other hand, if you go from the pier area by cab to a known tourist area, you're fine. Paradise Beach is free, for $10 you get a wrist band allowing use of all "non-motorized water toys" for the day. The cabs in Cozumel are priced by the cab, not per person and the rates are posted on a sign at the pier.

 

[TraciM]

You rock! Yes actually it is leaving on Jan 23rd-30th. I have never been on a cruise before and am def looking fwd just hope my kids well actually just my son lol is on his best behavior. He is sooo excited he has put his swim suit on everyday since I told them we were going! Autumn is always good and I am sure would love to meet kids around her same age.

I sent you a PM.

 

[Tinkerkell123]

You rock! Yes actually it is leaving on Jan 23rd-30th. I have never been on a cruise before and am def looking fwd just hope my kids well actually just my son lol is on his best behavior. He is sooo excited he has put his swim suit on everyday since I told them we were going! Autumn is always good and I am sure would love to meet kids around her same age.

We are on that cruise too. My DD is also 9. Glad to have you aboard. Go to this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1982983
and see our cruise meet! If you go to the last page of the thread there should be a list of who all is on that cruise from Dis and kids ages, etc.

Kelli

 

[bmalonef45]

We went on at Western a couple of years ago with kids of similar ages and did the Sub tour in GC and National Park in Coz. They liked both of them pretty well. Saw lots of fish on the sub tour. After it was over we took a cab to 7 mile beach and had a good time just hanging out. GC was easily our favorite stop besides CC. On our own we rented a golf cart/car for KW and enjoyed it. The Butterfly house was easily a kid favorite. My wife had gotten sick our first night on board so she stayed on the ship all day and it was just me and the kids at KW. Just means we'll have to go back sometime so she can enjoy it. KW isn't the best place for kids but we did the basics. Southern most point, butterfly house, and pirate museum and had a good time on our own. The cart rental wasn't too bad and was a nice way to get around with little ones.

 

[karibritt01]

We did the Pirate Tour in GC. It was $35/person. My kids (10 & 5) really enjoyed it. The pirates were dressed up and played the part to the hilt. They were very nice and professional. We loved snorkling and swimming off the pirate ship, and had a wonderful view of the Magic while doing it. We were finished by lunchtime, so shopped a little near port, then enjoyed the empty ship!

In Coz we did Paradise Beach. Taxi was $15 US each way. The beach itself was free. Food was good, and staff was excellent. The kids had a great time playing on all the toys.

 

[dismommy2]

We are also doing the 7 day Western in March. I have 2 litle girls ( 3 years old and 9 months). Has anyone ever been to the aquarium in Key West? Was that fun? Do you think my 3 year old would like it?

For GC and Coz I think we would like to just play at the beaches. Anyone suggest any for my age kiddos?

Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel?

How about GC?
Thanks for your help!

 

[beargolf2]

We are on that cruise too. My DD is also 9. Glad to have you aboard. Go to this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1982983
and see our cruise meet! If you go to the last page of the thread there should be a list of who all is on that cruise from Dis and kids ages, etc.

Kelli

Tink and Raven, I also have DD8 and DD10 going on that cruise. We have another family with 2 DD's the same age going with us. If interested in having the girls email each other prior, and getting to know each other before the cruise, let me know. They are looking to connect with a couple other DDs their age while onboard....

 

[Raven9 Studios]

That would be GREAT! she would love that....I have another really really silly question how do you add the ship and how close it is to leaving sticker? everyone seems to have one lol

 

[Raven9 Studios]

thanks very much! I was wondering kcashner if the island tour you did which you said included entry to turtle farm was enough time there or are you talking about a different tour

 

[Raven9 Studios]

please PM me the email address and I willhave autumn send an email tonight!

 

[beargolf2]

That would be GREAT! she would love that....I have another really really silly question how do you add the ship and how close it is to leaving sticker? everyone seems to have one lol

Just sent you a PM with some info as well as Tink. We can get the girls together at the Meet on launch day...

 

[Princessfeliz]

My family and I are on too. We have DD 4 and DS 6. Was wondering about Key West Too and the Aquarium? Does anyone know if they have kib bike rentals at CC. With training wheels or the kind you pull

 

[nemofans]

Great info! We have awhile b4 our western cruise, but it's always good to hear the experiences/tips for the excursions.