What are your favorite DCL excursions in Cozumel, Grand Cayman or Jamaica??

[Angeliki19]

Hi! We are booked on our first ever 7-night cruise. We have only ever done 3-nights, and didn't get off at Nassau either time, so we have zero experience with excursions. From what I gather, it is safer/easier to book through DCL if you are a newbie to this and/or are somewhat risk-averse (which we are.) I don't mind paying a little more for peace of mind, this being our first experience.

I have looked at the offerrings but nothing is really jumping out to me immediately. I can say that we would like to prioritize:

1) One amazing snorkeling experience
2) One day where we do nothing but chill on a beautiful beach
3) Something that would be fun for pre-teens, so maybe something a little more "adventurous"

I assume that there is some of this at every destination, so trying to figure out what is best to do where. Looking for specific excursions that people loved that might help us start to make a plan!

TIA!!

 

[chuff88]

When we were in Cozumel we did a Mexican cooking class at a resort and really had a blast. The excursion also included access to the resort's beach when the class was over, which was nice. I believe it was the Mexican Cooking Workshop and Tasting (CZ33).

 

[PAGA2003]

Based on what you are looking for I would do the beach day in Cozumel, snorkel in Cayman and the adventure excursion in Jamaica. I can't speak to DCL excursions because we use outside vendors with the exception of Jamaica. In Mexico there are several beach club options. Cayman is known for swimming with the stingrays so you can do an excursion that visits Stingray City and a second snorkeling stop. In Jamaica you would probably want to look at Dunn's River Falls, ziplining or river tubing.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

We have loved all of our Jamaican excursions:
River tubing was nice and relaxing and our guide was really knowledgeable about the land's history so I especially enjoyed that. The river was pretty smooth and refreshing. The "adventurous" part of that was the truck ride to get to the head of the river - yeesh!

The "bobsled" was a lot of fun as well! I was a bit nervous and pumped the brakes more than I should have while my husband never touched the breaks once so that is an activity that can be as calm or crazy as you like.

Dunn's River Falls was also a good time - the marquis Jamaican activity, in my opinion. It can be a little nerve wrackng for the faint hearted - the river was moving pretty heavy when we were there and you realize that one slip cause you to have a serious issue. However, the guides know every inch of the river, rocks and every obstacle so they show you exactly where to put your foot and where you can have some fun in the deeper parts of the water. It's very crowded and you have to hold hands so you don't lose anyone, but we really had a good time. You have to be nimble enough to take high steps and also stoop low enough to get under the overpass. I was worried about my surgically repaired knee, but I made it the whole way to the top. Of course, you need to be reasonable shape to do this.

 

[BrokeMack]

Based on what you are looking for I would do the beach day in Cozumel, snorkel in Cayman and the adventure excursion in Jamaica. I can't speak to DCL excursions because we use outside vendors with the exception of Jamaica. In Mexico there are several beach club options. Cayman is known for swimming with the stingrays so you can do an excursion that visits Stingray City and a second snorkeling stop. In Jamaica you would probably want to look at Dunn's River Falls, ziplining or river tubing.

I was pretty much going to say the same thing. I've snorkeled Cozumel and GC. GC is better. That said, our Cozumel snorkel included a beach day and lunch,so you could do both. Jamaica has a lot of adventure stuff. My son and I did the zip line. My wife did the beach Horseback Ride. Falmouth has a very nice (and safe) terminal, but I've heard not to venture out on your own because of crime (excursions are safe). There used to be a pretty nice Margaritaville in the terminal, but I think it shut down.

 

[dreamer17555]

I highly recommend the Fury snorkel and Catamaran in Cozumel. You get some snorkeling plus beach time it’s perfect.

 

[soniam]

GC for snorkeling. Dunn's River Falls and bobsled/aerial tram in Jamaica. I liked the Atlantis sub in Cozumel.

 

[Girl of the South]

The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel warning for Jamaica. There is a decent gated shopping center right off the ship that was nice. Suggest not leaving the gated area except on an escorted tour.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...traveladvisories/jamaica-travel-advisory.html

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel warning for Jamaica. There is a decent gated shopping center right off the ship that was nice. Suggest not leaving the gated area except on an escorted tour.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...traveladvisories/jamaica-travel-advisory.html

We are considering the Western Caribbean itinerary for this December and saw someone said DCL was really pushing people to stay at port and enjoy the shopping and restaurants versus an excursion. We’ve decided if we go on this cruise to do just that.

 

[PAGA2003]

We are considering the Western Caribbean itinerary for this December and saw someone said DCL was really pushing people to stay at port and enjoy the shopping and restaurants versus an excursion. We’ve decided if we go on this cruise to do just that.

We're doing Western this summer and have recieved no information from Disney regarding a push to not leave the port area. They have a full range of excursions offered and we're booked on one.

Everyone has their own comfort level but the travel advisory has been out since last year and just keeps being renewed and updated. The important thing is to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. For comparison, the Canadian advisory just says 'exercise a high level of caution'.

 

[Cheburashka]

The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel warning for Jamaica. There is a decent gated shopping center right off the ship that was nice. Suggest not leaving the gated area except on an escorted tour.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...traveladvisories/jamaica-travel-advisory.html

By comparison, the State Department has a level 2 warning for Nassau. I wouldn't wander around Nassau's port area solo, but I don't have a problem in Nassau taking a taxi to and from Atlantis. Likewise last year, I took a DCL excursion while in Jamaica. We boarded a bus in the gated area, then drove to the excursion site and did the activities. There were no problems or hints of problems at all.

I agree to stick to DCL excursions in Jamaica, but I don't agree with some posters suggesting to others that they shouldn't take a DCL excursion or that DCL is telling guests not to take excursions. The latter isn't true because DCL is still offering those very excursions. If DCL didn't want guests to take those excursions, they would cancel them.

 

[mschanandlerbong]

I did this cruise last year and had an amazing time! I chose snorkeling in Cozumel (We didn't go with Disney for this as the location I wanted to Snorkel was too expensive) and that's one of my favourite things I've ever done. For Jamaica we wanted the safety of booking through DCL and chose Dunn's River Falls which was another great experience.

 

[jillinastoria]

I did this cruise last year and had an amazing time! I chose snorkeling in Cozumel (We didn't go with Disney for this as the location I wanted to Snorkel was too expensive) and that's one of my favourite things I've ever done. For Jamaica we wanted the safety of booking through DCL and chose Dunn's River Falls which was another great experience.

We are booked on this cruise next April tanned this is so helpful, thanks! Also, GREAT user name, it made me laugh out loud!

 

[71 Truck]

My wife and I usually do not do excursions. We like to wander on our own. When ever we visit an Island we like to find local brewery's.

If you are into craft beer
On the Cayman Island stop we go to Caybrew. As soon as we get off the ship we get a taxi to the brewery. At one time they would call a taxi to get you back to the port, you of course had to pay for it however I do not remember it being that expensive. My wife communicated with them to find out all the information about hours and taxi info through their Facebook Page.
As always you do need to keep track of your time because you are on your own, this is not through Disney.
Next trip we are looking at a different brewery and possibly a distillery.

As far as Jamaica, we have gone to Green Grotto Cave by bus through Disney's excursions.
My wife and I are not beach people so this was some thing different however their are stairs involved because you are going down into a cave so you might want to look it up before you book it .

The other thing we will do is stay in the port. We were told there is nothing you need that bad past the gate to go out on your own for.

 

[mschanandlerbong]

We are booked on this cruise next April tanned this is so helpful, thanks! Also, GREAT user name, it made me laugh out loud!

Haha thank you!
If you're interested we used a company called cozumel cruise excursions and did the El Cielo & snorkeling tour. It was just as beautiful as the pictures!