Hubby and I loved the raddison...it is very close to port..full of cruisers enjoying themselves the day before their cruise. The pool is very nice and their is music on friday afternoons to get you in the mood for cruising. We had lunch, dinner, and then breakfast the morning of the cruise at Grills...fantastic.
In Key West...we rented one of those golf carts that look like a space car and just cruised around..it was wonderful. You can head down to turtle Krawl, Bo's fish market (the best fresh fish sandwich you will ever have), hemingways house, the sunset party in mallory square, sloppy joes for a sandwich and great music, boarshead...just because, and plenty of shopping. Don't miss the kino sandal store..excellent. Hand made leather sandals for about $8 per pair.
In Grand Cayman...we didn't book an excursion..it was our first cruise and we preferred to check out the island, rather than having the day tied up with an excursion. We got off the ship right away in the morning, hopped a taxi tour (approx $15 per person) for two hours, they took us to the turtle farm, hell, past the first gingerbread house on the island, through some neighborhoods and offered to drop anyone who wanted to go, at the beach on the way back. They allowed plenty of time to shop and check each place out...it was wonderful...and I would definately do it again. Then we explored the downtown area on our own...a little shopping and talking with the locals..our two favorite places..rackhams and big bamboo. Both brewpub/restaurant type places, ocean side...a short walk up from the docking area. Very nice people, great souveniers...we had a blast. food delicious.
In Cozumel..again...we had never been there, so we didn't book an excursion..we wanted to check the place out. We took the recommendation of another cruiser from this board and headed to Mr. Sancho's..first thing when we got off the ship. It was wonderful...clean and beautiful. The food and service are excellent. We will definately go there again....hubby said he could have spent days there..lol. The best guacomole dip ever..again..a recommendation from a previous cruiser on this board. Then we grabbed a cab and headed back to town for some shopping and exploring....we started on the far end, in the forum shops...cigars for hubby, mojitos in the bar and then downstairs to the jewelry are for me. We got recommendation of a near by grocery store to purchase some tequila and vanilla..it was only two blocks further up the road..so that was excellent.
We did a lot more shopping and exploring...then decided to take all our packages back to the ship...get out of our sweaty clothes and come back out for some more fun and dinner. We had dinner at Carlos and Charlies...right across from the dock, it was excellent...and a lot of fun...your boys will love it.
have a great time!
If you go to the search box and type in snorkel equipment it will bring up several threads with you'll find very interesting, including tips on what and where to buy if you decide that's the way to go. Have a blast planning!
I am twice as excited after reading the experieces of Mary and Webray. And like Kathy, am having fun planning. 
