Excursion suggestions - Western

[TamaraH]

So we are booked for a western itinerary in October 2022. We have done Eastern twice previously and we love it but I wanted to see Grand Cayman so we went western this time. We are a family of 4 (hubby and and I and 2 teens girls). Any recommendations?

 

[Jasper&Bowie]

I just this morning booked the Western for March 2022 and like you I have only done the Eastern before. This will be my boyfriends first cruise and would also like some recommendations.

 

[kathi]

We love Nachi Cocom on Cozumel - very relaxing, all-inclusive beach day. Low key and not crowded.

home | Nachicocom Cozumel beach club All Inclusive (cozumelnachicocom.com)

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We've done the Rum Point excursion and enjoyed it a lot. Rum Point Beach Adventure | Disney Cruise Line (go.com)
Previously we did the Turtle Farm excursion that DCL used to offer and our kids absolutely loved it. Cayman Turtle Centre - Explore the Best Grand Cayman Excursions
If you go there now, you have to arrange your own transportation as it is no longer a DCL excursion.

 

[TamaraH]

We've done the Rum Point excursion and enjoyed it a lot. Rum Point Beach Adventure | Disney Cruise Line (go.com)
Previously we did the Turtle Farm excursion that DCL used to offer and our kids absolutely loved it. Cayman Turtle Centre - Explore the Best Grand Cayman Excursions
If you go there now, you have to arrange your own transportation as it is no longer a DCL excursion.

I was looking at Rum Point. So you do recommend that one? We want to do one sightseeing experience activity day and one relaxation beach day. I thought Rum Point would be a great option as it looked like there were plenty of trees (hubby is not friends with an abundance of sun). I was also thinking maybe the Secret River in Cozumel??

 

[brentm77]

I was looking at Rum Point. So you do recommend that one? We want to do one sightseeing experience activity day and one relaxation beach day. I thought Rum Point would be a great option as it looked like there were plenty of trees (hubby is not friends with an abundance of sun). I was also thinking maybe the Secret River in Cozumel??

Not the person you are asking - but we liked Rum Point too. It was very chill. If that is what you are looking for, you will like it. If you are more of an adventure person, this isn't for you.

You catch a short ride on a bus to the boat. Then a gorgeous and calm boat ride to the beach. The beach was nice - lots of shade, pretty clean, scenic. The facilities were fine enough, with a small shop and drink and food options. It has a fun Caribbean atmosphere. It isn't the prettiest beach we have been too, but it is pretty. We all speak highly of the experience when we remember it. On the way back, they put up the sail and tried to sail a bit. The ship crew was fun and made for pleasant transportation. If anything, the beach time was a little too short.

As always, using Disney's excursions isn't the best experience as a lot of time is spent waiting for everyone to gather to get off the ship, then everyone being herded off the ship, then waiting for everyone to gather again before being loaded onto busses. It's just so slow and it feels like you are wasting valuable time. We will favor private excursions going forward, but if you want to stick with Disney, and want a relaxing day, this is a great option.

 

[Quellman]

Private boat hire in Caymans. You can get boats that have more coverings for the sun conscious. But being able to go to stingray city on your own. Set up snorkel activities. Deep sea fish, or even tube behind the boat are all really unique experiences. Plus personalized service. Operators will often include or pick up lunch for you and your crew!

 

[DizneyNutz]

So we are booked for a western itinerary in October 2022. We have done Eastern twice previously and we love it but I wanted to see Grand Cayman so we went western this time. We are a family of 4 (hubby and and I and 2 teens girls). Any recommendations?

We have been there a couple of times (Cozumel) several years ago and we are going back in July. Many people on our FB Cruise group are saying they are heading to Mr. Sanchos Beach Resort for an all inclusive day. Check out their website www.mrsanchos.com . I believe we booked for $60/person and it includes lunch and unlimited beverages alcoholic included. Looks really nice and great reviews on trip advisor. Happy Cruising!

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We enjoyed it as it was a nice relaxing beach excursion. Our kids (teenaged to young adult) enjoyed the trip over in the catamaran as they got to split their time between lying in the sun on the trampoline portion of the boat and sitting at the very back on the pontoons where they could catch some sea spray. There was plenty of seating at the beach and lots of shaded areas. The food included with the excursion was a choice of items (burgers, chicken etc.) from the beachside restaurant the first time we went, while they had a nice indoor buffet set up on our second visit in August 2019 due to the threat of rain (which never materialized). On the way back, they hoisted the sails and cut the engines so we could enjoy a bit of sailing. After the excursion, we were dropped off in the port area where we did a little souvenir shopping before catching the tender back to the Fantasy.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

For Cozumel, we really liked the Mexican cooking class (have done it twice through DCL) and highly recommend it whenever somebody is looking for something to do there. There is an open bar (beer, pina coladas, soft drinks etc.) throughout the excursion and you get about 1.5 hours to enjoy the beach and pool area at the resort after you have lunch. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-mexico-mexican-cuisine-workshop-and-tasting/

 

[soniam]

Snorkeling is amazing in Cayman. We like the Kittiwake and reef one. We were supposed to do the Secret River on our last WC, but Cozumel got cancelled due to a tropical storm. It looks really cool. I have read that some people really don't like the ferry, ie speed boat, to the mainland. Some people have gotten sick, but others have said they were fine.

 

[MomOTwins]

Our favorite excursion we did on the western was Deluxe Jewel Beach Break (FA68). The beach was postcard perfect, the water park with lazy river and slides was small but very fun, and the Jamaican food at the included buffet was really delicious.

I wouldn't recommend our excursions at the other two parts. We the glass bottom boat semi-submersible in Grand Cayman and it was pretty disappointing -- water was cloudy, and the "shipwrecks" were really worn down to just debris. In Cozumel we did the ruins/chocolate excursion and it was the worst of the bunch. The ruins were not much to see, the mosquitos were soooo bad, and it felt like the tour guide spent more time sticking us in gift shops encouraging us to buy stuff than actually guiding the tour.

 

[lilozz_6]

We have done Mr Sanchos in Cozumel through a shore excursion website and it worked out great. Kids and adults had a blast. We had 11 in our group.

 

[mevelandry]

The best excursion we’ve ever done was Save a Sea Turtle Experience in Cozumel but I don’t know if DCL offers it. Our favorite « non-excursion » was spending the day at Mr.Sanchos.

Our favorite non-excursion in Grand Cayman used to be renting a cabana in Royal Palms but I hear they are permanently closed now. The beaches are amazing in Cayman.

 

[DizneyNutz]

The best excursion we’ve ever done was Save a Sea Turtle Experience in Cozumel but I don’t know if DCL offers it. Our favorite « non-excursion » was spending the day at Mr.Sanchos.

Our favorite non-excursion in Grand Cayman used to be renting a cabana in Royal Palms but I hear they are permanently closed now. The beaches are amazing in Cayman.

We are looking forward to our visit to Mr. Sanchos next month. We have heard a lot of good comments. Ready to get back cruising.

 

[mevelandry]

We are looking forward to our visit to Mr. Sanchos next month. We have heard a lot of good comments. Ready to get back cruising.

There is something about Mr. Sanchos. Not only is the beach very nice (and the food, and the drinks) but the staff over there makes you feel so welcome. It's like a continuation of your cruise but on land.

 

[JMommyof3]

For those who have done Mr. Sanchos, how did you get there? Also, is it good for kids? Mine will be 8/12/15.

 

[piglet1979]

In Cozumel we did a boat ride where you sit under the boat and are able to see the sea life. iI wasn't the glass bottom boat. It had windows. My kids and husband loved this. I on the other had lasted all of 2 minutes below before feeling really sick and had to sit up top the whole time. If you remotely get a little sea sick this is not for you. This cruise was the first time I have ever been sea sick. I should have just stayed on the cruise ship and let the rest of the family go on this one. I so wanted to do this one and didn't think about being sea sick.

In Grand Cayman we did the dolphin encounter. Kids loved this. It was ok for me. A few years earlier, DH and I, did this in Cozumel and I liked that one better. Still nothing wrong with this one and a fun experience.

We didn't do an excursion in Jamaica. We did walk around the port and shop a bit but just rested on the cruise ship for most of the day.

My kids at the time were about 10 and 11.

 

[DizneyNutz]

For those who have done Mr. Sanchos, how did you get there? Also, is it good for kids? Mine will be 8/12/15.

I put a link to their web site in post number 8 above. They are about 15 minutes from cruise port. taxi is $15 I believe. The prices are for their Beach, Pools, Buffet and Unlimited drinks/ including alcoholic is $60 adults, $40 12-17 year olds and $35 4-11 Year olds. The have an aquatic play area that the boys may like also that is $12 /person extra. On their website homepage their is a slide show. Slide number 8 is of the waterpark area.

 

[mevelandry]

For those who have done Mr. Sanchos, how did you get there? Also, is it good for kids? Mine will be 8/12/15.

Cab ride. Last time it cost us about 20$-22$. The cab drivers at the port are used to bring cruisers to Mr Sanchos. It’s a 10-15 minutes ride from the port. Super easy.

You reserve on their website. 5$/pp and you pay the balance (55$/adult, 35$/child) only when you get there.