7 night western excursion questions

[DVC Jen]

what excursions have you gone on at Key West, Cozumel and the Caymans?

We are now looking at the different excursions. Did you find yours to be worth the price? Would you do it again/recommend it?

 

[TheWog]

Stingray City on Grand Cayman... do it on your own through a local vendor... much better prices and better experience.

Capt. Marvin
Capt. Bryan
Nativeway
Soto's
Moby Dick's

are just a few.

Cozumel ... we are looking at doing www.cozumelhomes.com 's dune buggy excursion. Drive your own dune buggy, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, beach, etc. Looks like a lot of fun.

 

[pdarrah]

We did the western last fall and are doing it again this October. We missed Grand Cayman last year due to hurricane Ivan - we will be doing Stingray City with Capt. Marvin this year (www.captainmarvins.com).

For Key West, you dock right in town near Mallory Square and it is easy to get around on your own. Many attractions are within walking distance. There is also the Trolley and a bus system (Trolley costs more, but is more picturesque - bus gets you there for less) if you want to go a little further afield of just don't feel like walking. There is a lot of information on-line. If you like to shop or want to bar-hop (Sloppy Joe's, Margaritaville, Hogsbreath Saloon, etc.) you can easily walk. Since my DH and I are gardeners, we visited a "secret" garden there -the walk through the residential area was beautiful - lovely old houses, huge, shady trees, etc. -- Basically the summary of all that is that you really don't need to book an excursion at Key West unless you really want to do something outside of town (like parasailing, snorkeling, etc.)

For Cozumel, there isn't that much near the port except for shopping, restaurants and bars. Cozumel's claim to fame is the fantastic diving and snorkeling available there (and some good beaches). Last year, we did a snorkel trip with Eagle Ray Divers (www.eagleraydivers.com) and had such a wonderful time that we have already booked the same trip for this year. If you just want to do a beach day, don't bother with an excursion - look up info on some of the beaches (Paradise beach, Mr. Sanchos beach, Chankanab Park, etc.) and just take a taxi - there is a taxi stand right by the pier. If there isn't a taxi stand at your destination, just arrange with your driver a time for him to come back for you. Since most of these destinations are popular with cruisers, there will probably be taxis waiting there. Eagle Ray Divers took care of calling a taxi for us for our return to the ship.

I hope that helps,

pdarrah

 

[DVC Jen]

thanks for your suggestions. I can't remember right off hand the name of the excursion we are looking at in cozumel but it is a boat? where you can see underwater.

Due to a very slight disability our oldest daughter really can't swim (she loves the water but swimming is difficult for her) so snorkeling is out of the question. The sting rays would probably flip me out.

Both my DH and I love the thought of being able to SEE the underwater world ..but from the comfort of a boat.

Has anyone done this? What did you think?

 

[NowaSki]

We were on the Western this past April.

In Key West we just walked around the town and did some shopping. Got back to the ship early so the kids could enjoy the less crowded pools.

In Grand Caymen I wanted to do the Sting Rays, but DW was too affraid and we thought the kids were a bit young, and would probably freak out. So, we did the Rum Point beach excursion. It takes a long time to get there, but once you are there it is beautiful. My family is a bunch of beach bums so this was great. Small quiet beach, with only a few people. They had Jet Ski's and other watersports if you were interested. There is a bar right on the beach, and lunch is included. Large selection on the menu, and the food was very good. The long ride back actually was a blessing, because the kids got to nap during the 45 minute ferry ride. Then there is about a 15 minute bus ride back to the port. Kids where now refreshed and ready for dinner and the evening shows. Maybe next time the rest of the family will be ready for the sting rays .

In cozumel we did the Dolphin Encounter. There was a large group of people (50+) on the excursion. You have to take a cab from the port to the park, so it takes forever to get eveyone there. I think we met in the Beuna Vista Theater at 10:30, and did not get into the water with the dolphin until almost 1:30. The progam is short, but fun and entertaining, and the DVD they create is very good. The two younger ones freaked out and didn't want to touch the dolphin, (glad we decided against the Sting Rays, ). We won't do this excursion again, but for the little time left after the encounter, we did enjoy the park. Oh yeah, the name of our dolphin was Ariel.

 

[jennat]

Definately Stingray City and in Cozumel, we just went to the beach (the same one where the dolphin excursion is) Chankanaub Park. It was beautiful and a lovely day. If you want to see pics of it PM me.

 

[TheWog]

thanks for your suggestions. I can't remember right off hand the name of the excursion we are looking at in cozumel but it is a boat? where you can see underwater.

Due to a very slight disability our oldest daughter really can't swim (she loves the water but swimming is difficult for her) so snorkeling is out of the question. The sting rays would probably flip me out.

Both my DH and I love the thought of being able to SEE the underwater world ..but from the comfort of a boat.

Has anyone done this? What did you think?

In Grand Cayman and Cozumel they offer a submarine excursion. You get to go into a real submarine and go up to 100 feet below the water. I think they also offer the glass bottom boats. Check it out.

http://www.atlantisadventures.com/destinations.php?site=5

http://www.atlantisadventures.com/tour_info.php?site=3&tour=19&cat=16

 

[Jillpie]

We did the western last fall and are doing it again this October. We missed Grand Cayman last year due to hurricane Ivan - we will be doing Stingray City with Capt. Marvin this year (www.captainmarvins.com).

For Key West, you dock right in town near Mallory Square and it is easy to get around on your own. Many attractions are within walking distance. There is also the Trolley and a bus system (Trolley costs more, but is more picturesque - bus gets you there for less) if you want to go a little further afield of just don't feel like walking. There is a lot of information on-line. If you like to shop or want to bar-hop (Sloppy Joe's, Margaritaville, Hogsbreath Saloon, etc.) you can easily walk. Since my DH and I are gardeners, we visited a "secret" garden there -the walk through the residential area was beautiful - lovely old houses, huge, shady trees, etc. -- Basically the summary of all that is that you really don't need to book an excursion at Key West unless you really want to do something outside of town (like parasailing, snorkeling, etc.)

For Cozumel, there isn't that much near the port except for shopping, restaurants and bars. Cozumel's claim to fame is the fantastic diving and snorkeling available there (and some good beaches). Last year, we did a snorkel trip with Eagle Ray Divers (www.eagleraydivers.com) and had such a wonderful time that we have already booked the same trip for this year. If you just want to do a beach day, don't bother with an excursion - look up info on some of the beaches (Paradise beach, Mr. Sanchos beach, Chankanab Park, etc.) and just take a taxi - there is a taxi stand right by the pier. If there isn't a taxi stand at your destination, just arrange with your driver a time for him to come back for you. Since most of these destinations are popular with cruisers, there will probably be taxis waiting there. Eagle Ray Divers took care of calling a taxi for us for our return to the ship.

I hope that helps,

pdarrah

Wow! Thanks for that link for Eagle Rays, I just spent about an hour reading all the great comments! Fantastic. This is JUST what I wanted to do. Can you tell me...how did you get to their location from the ship? Did you do the 3 reef or 2 reef, and did the 3 reef take all day? What time did you have to leave the ship in the morning to get there? How did you like the lunch and do you think my kids will like it? This would be our first time snorkeling, it sounds like so much fun! Thanks so much.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Jillpie - We took a taxi to the marina where Eagle Ray Divers is located. After we booked, they sent us a detailed email of where to go and what to tell the taxi driver. I think it cost about $7 or $8 for the 3 of us. They asked us to be there by Noon (they seemed to think that any earlier might be a rush for us - I think we docked around 10:30, so we had plenty of time.). We did the 2-reef snorkel last year, so we did not have the lunch. Chellie (one of the owners) wasn't sure if we would have enough time to do the 3-reef with lunch for this year's trip, so we are "playing it by ear". We are technically booked for the 2-reef trip, but if there is time we will change it into the 3-reef on the fly. (Chellie was also concerned that the 3-reef might be too long for our DS6.) After our trip, Chellie called for a taxi for us and made sure he knew where we were going. It was all very easy.

Chellie was a terrific guide and our son loved her! This was his first snorkel experience in the ocean (we had practiced at the pool) and he was pretty freaked out. He was perfectly happy just bobbing around in the swells and Chellie let him hold onto her or float nearby and "babysat" while DH and I snorkeled! Every so often when one of us was visiting DS, she would dive down and bring something up for him to see (a star fish, a sea cucumber, etc.) She also told him how she was putting them back right where she found them so as not to disrupt the life on the reef. She was fantastic at pointing out things we would have missed and telling us the names of all the different fish and corals.

Basically, I couldn't recommend them more. We had a wonderful, personal snorkel trip. Their boats aren't that large. The day we were there, they had 2 scuba groups (2 guests and 1 guide for each group) and the 3 of us for snorkeling with Chellie as our guide, the driver & 1 other "crew" for the boat. The boat wasn't crowded, but I can't imaging too many other people fitting so you will never end up with a huge group like some of the ship excursions.

I hope that helps. If you have any other questions, just ask!

pdarrah

 

[Jillpie]

Thank you pdarrah! I would love to do the lunch part of it, that sounds so fun and relaxing, but not sure about the time. I'll have to check the schedule when DCL docks and leaves on their "special" CC cruises. We're going next June. When do you think I should book this? Did you send them a check? Did you get the hang of snorkeling right away or does it take a while? Do you think the 2 reef is plenty, were you ready to go back to the ship at that point? Did you bring any snacks with you? Thanks again!

 

[DIS NURSE]

We, too, are very interested in this excursion and I thank you for all the great info! I loved their website and I tried to email them but it didn't go.

We are not scheduled to go until the double dip of CC in Nov of 2006 but I want to play around with options now! We want to do this excursion and when I went to DCL's website they had the "Fury" listed as an option. Is this the same thing or do I neeed to arrange this excursion on our own?

Thank you for any advise.

 

[webray]

At Key West, the trolly tour is great. Doesn't take up much of your time and leaves plenty of the day for you to explore on your own. You can do this tour on your own, easily..so don't book ahead of time. Lots of places are within walking distance. We shared a bite to eat in a few of the more popular places so we could test a bit of everything..lol. Carolyns is a great place to stop for a beer also, and they had the Packer game on which worked for us.

At Key West..we have also just rented a golf cart and cruised around on our own. This is by far the best and most fun way to see Key West. We rented for 4 hours..only used two, returned cart, no problem, they just readjusted the contract and only made us pay for two hours. It was excellent. We went to southern most point, hemingway house, Bo's fish market for a quick bite to eat. A few other stops, then returned the cart and did the rest on foot. They give you a map to make driving easy and a phone number to call if you have any problems with the cart..they come get you right away.

In Cozumel we went to Mr. Sanchos and we loved it. We went right when the ship docked and planned on having lunch there. Mr Sanchos was recommended to us by previous cruisers from this board. Beautiful beach, hot tub, wonderful restaurant..you can eat in the open air part, or down on the beach. Very very clean restroom/shower area. Nice bar area with swings as seats. There are also recreational activities that you can pay for like ATV's and horseback riding. Mr Sancho's beach area itself is free of charge. Just hop a cab at the top of the dock, negotiate price before you get in. Price is also posted on sign. When we come back from Mr. Sanchos, we asked to be dropped at the Forum shops..so we could walk our way back to dock while shopping. This worked out great. When we went..this was also the place where you picked up your free diamond and tanzanite earrings, if they are still doing that. Check your shopping brochure. If you have a cigar lover in your group..upstairs is also a wonderful humidor. Best we found on the western intinerary. The bar also makes a great mojito, and the manager and staff are lovely to talk with. We shopped our way back..about 1/2 way we had too many packages to carry. It was late afternoon, we headed back to ship, dropped everything off, freshened up and headed back out to finish checking out the shopping area. We had already planned to have dinner at Carlos and Charlies, right across from dock. The magic looks beautiful all lit up at night. We went back on the ship with about 15 minutes to spare.

In Grand Cayman..we also did our own thing. When you get to the top of the dock, just a bit down on the left there is a taxi dispatch station. There you can catch a two hour tour of Grand Cayman. It takes you to all the popular places, Hell, Turtle Farm, etc. Lets you get in and out, having plenty of time to look around. This was well worth it. We did it first thing when we got off the ship, then we explored the rest of the time on our own. We had noticed some microbreweries on the way back..so when the cab dropped us off, we walked back to them. Rackams and Big Bamboo. Rackhams has the popular stingray beer and serves wonderful food on a deck overlooking the ocean of course. Big Bamboo serves lighter fare, fresh grilled on a deck overlooking the ocean. They have 5 (I think) wonderful, wonderful beers to try. The people in both are excellent and we really enjoyed visiting with them. The food is fantastic also. Rackhams also has a wonderful little souvenier shop.

The western intinerary is excellent, take full advantage of your day. As you can see, we ate out in every port..lunch and dinner if we were there long enough.