Best excursions for western cruise?

[hankt10k]

Just booked our first cruise ever (western in March, 2004). Will be me, my 17 year old daughter, and 11 year old son. We are now planning excursions, and would be interested in any recommendations of any "not to be missed" activities. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Tandyc]

Bump!

 

[webray]

We didn't do it, but everyone else at our table did...the stingray excursion in Grand Cayman...everyone loved it.

In Cozumel, we went to Mr. Sancho's beach area on our own...it is wonderful...we had lunch there, went back to downtown to do some shopping, and then had dinner at Carlos and Charlies...wonderful also...and a lot of fun.

 

[MarkLem]

For my opinion:

Stingray City (look into Captain Marvin as alternative to Disney) in Grand Cayman

Jeep excursion in Cozumel

Horseback riding Cozumel

Grand Cayman & Cozumel are two of the top diving spots in the world, so dive or snorkeling is a must if you are into that.

Mayan ruins trip to Cozumel if you are into that kind of thing and have never been.

 

[cjsmith]

On our western this past June, we did Captain marvins for the stingray city tour and loved it.
while in Cozumel, we rented a jeep and toured the island and then spent the afternoon at Mr Sanchos. We'll be heading back to Mr Sanchos while on the 1/3/04 cruise.

 

[decolady]

webray, how did you get to Mr. Sanchos beach? Is it within walking distance of the ship?

Thanks for the info!

 

[cjsmith]

You'd have to take a cab to Mr Sanchos. I believe it's $15 for 4 people.

 

[funnelcake88]

hello

We just got back from our 10-25-03 western and it was awesome. While we were at Grand Cayman we did the stingray city snorkel it was very cool.While in Cozumel we did the xcaret eco archealogical park it was by far the best excursion i have done so far. The best thing was the underground river snorkel it was really coool (average water temp 62 deg ) lol. The park also has many areas to see Mayan ruins ,swimming ,zoo animals and snorkling. Included is transportation to the Mainland from cozumel (@50 min boat ride great place to buy T-shirts only 5bucks U S dollar)also bus ride to the park,lunch and all return transportation.AWESOME!!

Also while at Castaway Cay if you want to snorkel there try to get off the boat as soon as possible. I say this from experience,once all the kids get in the water it clouds up and the sea life takes off. this past trip we were the first ones in the water and we saw so much sea life it was incredible.We tried snorkling later in the day and saw nothing but dirty water. If you have never snorkled before CC is the one place you dont have to worry about anything they have predator nets up to protect you.You will need to get life vest from the snorkel rental building before you get in .If you stay in the water as much as we did the vests are great because you can inflate when you get tired.

i Hope this info helps
happy sailing JP

 

[ExecuMom]

Key West - Jet ski (not DCL excursion, but can get them right at the dock!

Grand Caymen - Hands-down, Stingray City. Was awesome!

Cozumel - Horseback Riding - great time!

Hope that helps!

Michele

 

[rae519]

For great riding, on a beach, we have used Nicki's at Grand Cayman. Her horses are healthy and well-treated, easy for beginners and non to ride - plus she is a fabulous person to boot!

There is nothing compared to riding horses on a beach -

Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by funnelcake88
snorkling later in the day and saw nothing but dirty water. If you have never snorkled before CC is the one place you dont have to worry about anything they have predator nets up to protect you. JP

It is best to go early to snorkel, but we have seen barracuda at CC - predator nets are great but some just "sneak in"!!!!

Rae

 

[funnelcake88]

yes you are right we also saw barracuda . Barracuda are not usually aggressive unless provoked .Just make sure when you snorkel to remove items that reflect sunlight, (rings ,earings,necklaces etc..)barracuda have poor eye sight and they sometimes mistake jewelry for fish.We swam very close to several of them for pictures and they just tried to hide.No worries,enjoy!!

 

[Doctor P]

The Tulum Ruins tour (at the Cozumel stop) is awesome.

 

[webray]

decolady....

There is a cab stand once you reach the top of the docking area...there is a sign with prices. The $15 is correct for up to 4 people.

Cab drivers are great...there are also plenty of cabs lined up at Mr. Sancho's to bring you wherever you want to go next...we had ordered a map of cozumel from mapchick.com (very helpful...a little outdated, but most things were still there..lol...we went on a while goose chase looking for the Hogs Breath Saloon...lol).

We can highly recommend Mr. Sanchos...it is beautiful..in fact...it was recommended to us by cjsmith..Carolyn...thanks, thanks, thanks!!!!! we loved it!

 

[cjsmith]

You're so welcome! We're going back to Mr Sanchos while in Cozumel on ou 1/3/04 cruise!

 

[moocow35]

Rae,

Thanks for the info on the riding in Grand Cayman. Do you have a contact phone number, fax, or website? Also, since the day in Grand Cayman is pretty much limited, what time frame does she work with? What are the transportation options?

Sorry for all the questions! Thank you in advance,

Robin

 

[rae519]

Nicki will pick you up at Hard Rock Cafe and bring you back there. She met us at 9AM and we were back by 1PM (only because she took us to visit her friend Marlin and we had fresh coconut water and coconut meat).


Nicole Eldemire
Nicki's Beach Rides
e-mail nikiride@candw.ky

Tele - (345) 945-5839
Cellular (345) 916-3530


Make your reservation soon - she books fast because of both the quality of her ride (her horses ARE outstanding) and her personality. She gives 100% all the time and you will love both the ride on the beach and her.


Rae

 

[moocow35]

Thank you so much Rae!


Robin

 

[Michelemouse]

I will have to agree with those that have already said Captain Marvin's Stingray City tour. But...if you can afford it I would highly recommend doing a private charter. The 1/2 day charter runs about $450. We sailed with friends and there were 11 of us so it worked out to a little over $40 each.

If you can't afford the charter on your own (or just don't want to go alone) maybe you could hook up with another DISer on your cruise and share the expense. We had the boat all to ourselves and it was terrific. We stopped at two locations before Stingray City, the barrier reef and a place our captain called The Aquarium. At the Aquarium we were completely alone. At the barrier reef our captain dove down and coaxed a moray eel out of his cave then carried him to the surface and let him go so we could watch him swim back to his home. He did this 8-10 times.

Once we got to Stingray City there were lots of other people (some boats were carrying 30-40 people each), but each group stands near their own boat so it still felt somewhat private. We got such personal attention from our captain. I would highly recommend it.

In Cozumel we did the Tulum Tour which was also excellent. In Key West we did the Trolley Tour and DH and the kids went to the Aquarium, which they loved. We would have enjoyed Key West more if it had not been so hot. It was almost unbearable the day we were there.

Sorry this was so long. Hope it helped.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by moocow35
Thank you so much Rae!


Robin

If you think you want to thank me now, wait til after you ride with Nicki!!!!

ENJOY!

Bring your camera - Nicki takes pictures and believe me, she does a great job!!!!

Rae