9. Trying to book excursions. really wanted to do Mayan ruins but they seem booked already. How do I pick an excursion and is there a chance the Mayan ruins will open up.
Yes, with the exception for Jamaica, I would feel confident with planning your own shore excursions. Now "On your own" means something different to me than others. To us "on your own" means not contracting with any tour group or company. We hop in a cab or on a bus and go where and when we want.
In Cozumel it's almost always Mr. Sanchos. We leave the port area to get the cab along the road and it's almost always cheaper (prices are supposed to be set so YMMV). On the way back we ask another group to share a van and it's even cheaper. The whole day cost $75 for the four of us and that's with plenty of beer. There are several resturants around the melicon and square that are good if you just feel like walkign around and shopping.
In GC we use the public transit $2.50 each (white vans) and head to Sea Grape or Cemetary Beach both are free. We stop at a store and get drinks and snacks. Everything is expensive so usually about $50 total for the day. We have done snorkling and sting rays before so if it's your first time contract with Moby Dick tours. MUCH cheaper than DISNEY. My kids LOVED the turtle farm and swimming with dolphins here too, but that is very pricey.
In Jamaica I would book a tour with someone, doesn't have to be disney but probably not a great idea to hop in a cab if you don't know the area. Dunn's River Falls is far away as is Ocho Rios, Montego Bay is 20-30 minutes but the cab fare is high ($80-100 RT). We will take a cab ($15-20 each way) to a dive bar on the beach that is about 15 minutes away. I do worry a little about making the trek past the port gates with my two kids but we have been to Falmoth before on RCI and have a good feel for it. If you haven't then PLEASE DO NOT go wandering. If you get off the main road things can be very dicey. There is a really great bakery on the main raod where we will pick up treats for the kids. The the rest of the day it's Red Stripe for us and sodas for the kids. Maybe some Jerk chicken if we stay a long time. Whole day $80.
We don't always do things cheap but this time we are and I kind of see it as a challenge. How much fun for how little money?
Yes, with the exception for Jamaica, I would feel confident with planning your own shore excursions. Now "On your own" means something different to me than others. To us "on your own" means not contracting with any tour group or company. We hop in a cab or on a bus and go where and when we want.
In Cozumel it's almost always Mr. Sanchos. We leave the port area to get the cab along the road and it's almost always cheaper (prices are supposed to be set so YMMV). On the way back we ask another group to share a van and it's even cheaper. The whole day cost $75 for the four of us and that's with plenty of beer. There are several resturants around the melicon and square that are good if you just feel like walkign around and shopping.
In GC we use the public transit $2.50 each (white vans) and head to Sea Grape or Cemetary Beach both are free. We stop at a store and get drinks and snacks. Everything is expensive so usually about $50 total for the day. We have done snorkling and sting rays before so if it's your first time contract with Moby Dick tours. MUCH cheaper than DISNEY. My kids LOVED the turtle farm and swimming with dolphins here too, but that is very pricey.
In Jamaica I would book a tour with someone, doesn't have to be disney but probably not a great idea to hop in a cab if you don't know the area. Dunn's River Falls is far away as is Ocho Rios, Montego Bay is 20-30 minutes but the cab fare is high ($80-100 RT). We will take a cab ($15-20 each way) to a dive bar on the beach that is about 15 minutes away. I do worry a little about making the trek past the port gates with my two kids but we have been to Falmoth before on RCI and have a good feel for it. If you haven't then PLEASE DO NOT go wandering. If you get off the main road things can be very dicey. There is a really great bakery on the main raod where we will pick up treats for the kids. The the rest of the day it's Red Stripe for us and sodas for the kids. Maybe some Jerk chicken if we stay a long time. Whole day $80.
We don't always do things cheap but this time we are and I kind of see it as a challenge. How much fun for how little money?
...
. I'm hoping Disney cruises will become a new tradition for our family. 
n their little communities and school. I have lived in South Africa and Japan for a few months and I learned that there is a great big world to see and that there are many people that have very little. It has helped me to be a little less selfish. Also it makes my huge problems in life seem not so big! Keep nurturing that passion for adventure!
