Cozumel and Grand Cayman

[Jeni1781]

What excursions do you recommend in these ports? Leaning towards doing a dolphin swim in one so would love recent reviews of that too. Thanks

 

[Skippyboo]

my friend and I did Isla Passion by Catamaran in Cozumel. It was a pleasant boat ride to and from, nice beach with lounger plus open bar, food buffet included.

We had stingray experience scheduled for Grand Cayman but we were able to cancel the day of because there was a storm coming and the ship couldn’t dock in its normal spot. We had table mates that did it. Spent 2 hours on a bus since we weren’t parked by Georgetown.

 

[SallySkelington]

Following because I am also curious. We're looking into doing the Cozumel Ruins, Chocolate and Beach Break port adventure, but I'm wondering if my 3yo will get bored. I know she'll love the beach, I'm just not sure about the rest.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Something to know about Cozumel is that many of the excursions involve alcohol. Depending on who is in your travel party, this may or may not matter. One that did not involve alcohol in Cozumel was chocolate making and piñatas which I really enjoyed. This is good if you have kids who love chocolate or adults who love chocolate but not alcohol.

 

[DWillowBay]

We've done the Dolphin Swim in Grand Cayman and it was really fun. The dolphins were really interactive and playful. I can recommend that one.

 

[croschek05]

Anyone do the Mexican wrestling excursion in Cozumel? Looking for something to do with 12 year olds there. Seems like it could be interesting.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

We did a beach day at Nachi Cocom on our own in Cozumel, and a 3rd party sailboat trip to Stingray City in Grand Cayman.

 

[Jeni1781]

We did a beach day at Nachi Cocom on our own in Cozumel, and a 3rd party sailboat trip to Stingray City in Grand Cayman.

How was stingray city? Started looking at that one yesterday. Was the water deep? How long was the boat ride to stingray city?

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

How was stingray city? Started looking at that one yesterday. Was the water deep? How long was the boat ride to stingray city?

We went on Stingray Sailing with Captain Chip. The boat ride was maybe 45 minutes to stingray city. Then we were anchored there for probably 45 minutes. The water was maybe 3-4 feet deep, where we were, and very nice. The stingrays were all around us and we all loved petting them - they are really soft! Then we went to another place close by for 15-30 minutes of snorkeling time if we wanted. Then 45 minutes back to the marina. They provided transport to and from the port. It was really easy, a very small group, one of the highlights of our trip.

 

[DonnerB]

A friend is building a vacation home in Playa del Carmen and goes to Cozumel frequently, his advice to me was rent a Jeep and explore the eastern side of the island and grab drinks at Rasta's. Instead, we booked a private Tacos & Bar Hopping tour through Leon Tours (https://leontours.com/en/produkt-kategorie/shore-excursions-cozumel/) which took us all along the "other side." Our guide Jose Carlos also has his own tour company, https://cozumeljctours.com/. He was fantastic, and the prices were too.

Of note, almost all (maybe ALL, I don't recall) of the DCL excursions were canceled on our Cozumel day. Glad we had this one booked as we were unable to tender in on our scheduled Grand Cayman day (had another third party excursion booked).

 

[bookbabe626]

We had stingray experience scheduled for Grand Cayman but we were able to cancel the day of because there was a storm coming and the ship couldn’t dock in its normal spot. We had table mates that did it. Spent 2 hours on a bus since we weren’t parked by Georgetown.

I would venture to say that your tablemates were exaggerating, unless there was some accident or other road closure impacting travel that day. I live on Grand Cayman, and two hours would allow you to do a complete circuit of the whole island, likely with time left over.

Spotts, the backup cruise port, is maybe 15 minutes away from the regular cruise terminal in George Town in normal traffic. And the tour operators that run the excursions are about 10-15 minutes from the regular terminal. So, they spent a half hour on the bus rather than 15 minutes. That's not a difference that would greatly impact your experience, and Spotts is not used that often, maybe once or twice a month.

To the OP, Stingray City is a fabulous experience if you love marine animals. Nothing like it. We take all our visiting friends and family there at least once a trip.

 

[princesscinderella]

We did the Coral Reef Restoration excursion on Cozumel and it was not at all as advertised. You watch a 10 slide power point about coral reefs and touch a few dead pieces of coral and then the whole rest of the excursion is snorkeling. There is no beach like in the description it’s a sandy area behind a sea wall with a tiki bar with food operated by sand dollar sports. The 20 minute boat ride to the location from the ship was our favorite part. They also ran snuba from this location. It should just be listed as snorkeling activity as there wasn’t much in the way of reef restoration.

 

[gsdweller]

We stay on board these days in Cozumel. Biggest tourist trap in the Universe.

 

[PAGA2003]

We went on Stingray Sailing with Captain Chip. The boat ride was maybe 45 minutes to stingray city. Then we were anchored there for probably 45 minutes. The water was maybe 3-4 feet deep, where we were, and very nice. The stingrays were all around us and we all loved petting them - they are really soft! Then we went to another place close by for 15-30 minutes of snorkeling time if we wanted. Then 45 minutes back to the marina. They provided transport to and from the port. It was really easy, a very small group, one of the highlights of our trip.

We went with Stingray Sailing as well! Such a wonderful trip and we so appreciated how how he interacted in such a humane way with the stingrays.

 

[Calantha]

On Cozumel, we went to the Iberostar Hotel independently through Resort for a Day. It was me and DS (then 9). Nice pools, decent all you can eat buffet + drinks. There were a lot of kids around actually, so there wasn't anything crazy going on. Beach was meh, but I got the impression that was generally an issue in Cozumel.

The first time, we did a Disney Excursion, and it was not good. It was supposed to be the private yacht experience...and while it was a 'private tour' - it was definitely not a yacht by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[mollygirl13]

We are booked for the Fury Catamaran Excursion through DCL for early May. We typically take a taxi to Paradise Beach and just stay there for a bit and head back to the ship but wanted to try something different. Anyone have any input good or bad about Fury Catamaran?

 

[MickeyD]

We are booked for the Fury Catamaran Excursion through DCL for early May. We typically take a taxi to Paradise Beach and just stay there for a bit and head back to the ship but wanted to try something different. Anyone have any input good or bad about Fury Catamaran?

We did the Fury Catamaran years ago and we really liked it. The crew was very engaging, they got us to the beach before the crowds hit it. We also were allowed a few different snorkel spots. At the time, our son was only 17 and the crew does a "conga line" with the guests and you either get tequila or 7 up, depending on age and preference. They squirt it in your mouth. So I turn around and see my son and the crew member smiling and acting like they gave him tequila. (they did not, but they thought it was a huge joke). It was just a very fun day.

 

[MickeyD]

We did stingray city last year and it was a blast. The water was high waist level to me (I am 5' 7"), my husband is 6;2" and he was able to stand easier. The waves were a bit much for me, but it was fun having so many sting rays around and they love to "bump" you. Wear ALOT of sunscreen though. I got burned and I had a lot of reef safe sunscreen on.