Disney Fantasy merry time cruise W. Caribbean - first cruise questions!

[flashy09]

So excited and so many questions.

I will have a 3 yr old (will be close to 4) and just turned 6 yr old girls. My main questions are about the ports of call. We are stopping at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth and Castaway Cay. I would love to do a dolphin experience, but not sure which port offers the best one (most personal interaction and a feeling the dolphins are happy and in a large/suitable/nice enclosure), and a beach day - looking for a pretty beach that has kids activities, but also relaxation for adults....one with a kids club would be great! Would also like to have a horse back riding excursion, but am a very experienced (was a professional at one time) rider and don't want a typical nose to tail walk along ride. I loved riding in St Lucia with the man who has horses right by Sandals Grande ....rode through the town, plenty of good canters, unlimited time in the sea.

I am open to Disney and non Disney excursions.

Also my mom loves birds and nature (she is 70 though) so any especially beautiful and easy birdwatching trips very appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[RedStars]

We did the Cozumel dolphin Excursion (in 2014)and it was 'ok'. The pictures were very pricey and we didn't buy them.

A friend of mine did the GC one with her kids and she said it was good.

(my kids were 3 and 6 at the time)

As for beach: we just took a cab to the beach in GC. It was a nice day.

 

[phinz]

You'll rarely, if ever, find anything other than a nose-to-rump greenhorn ride on a cruise excursion. Most people don't even know how to handle a canter or a trot so it's just a walking tour so people can say they rode a horse.

 

[flashy09]

I am hoping to find something like the "island riders" of St Lucia. I don't mind booking independently.

Disney says the Dolphin push/pull in Cozumel is open to kids under 42 inches, but they have to ride on a boogie board with a parent. However the park chat lady says they have to be 48 inches to even sign up for the push/pull and can't even be in the water, let alone ride, if under. Only can do the encounter program. So I guess Disney website is incorrect. Disney also says kids 6 yrs old and up and over 42 inches can take part of the Grand Cayman one - is that true? Has anyone done a dolphin push with a kid in the 43 inch range to verify? Thank you

 

[phinz]

The main stable I can find in Falmouth is Braco Stables, and several reviews say that it was slow paced. They have fantastic ratings across a few different travel sites, though, so it might be worth it to you.