First timer: Disney Western Caribbean Cruise Excursions?

[maquino13]

Any advice on off shore excursions for Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. My family and I are going on a Disney Cruise for the first time ever next September, so any advice will help and be greatly appreciated!!

 

[redheadtove]

The Turtle farm at Grand Cayman is AMAZING.. My DD's who were 12 and 7 at the time LOVED it.. They got to hold turtles. I highly recommend it!!! Cozumel we took at tour of Tulum Ruins.. Loved it as well, it was so beautiful there. The Tulum trip is a all excursion but I thought it was worth it!

 

[kcashner]

Grand Cayman is a wonderful port. I highly recommend excursions thru Captain Marvin's--we've done 2 of them on 2 different cruises. The island tour includes a stop at the turtle farm. The island tour was $30, which is the same as the price of admission to the turtle farm, and you'd still need transportation! The turtle farm was definitely the highlight of the tour although our guide was very informative and even caught an iguana on the road for the kids to see.

On another cruise we did the 1/2 day snorkel which included Stingray City. On either of these if you do a morning excursion you'll have the option of being dropped back at the tender port OR at one of the main beaches (should you choose a beach afternoon). That would save you paying for transportation one way from the beach. I'd recommend Sea Grape beach--very nice and less crowded than 7 Mile Beach. Captain Marvin's "store" is right across the street from the tender port--VERY easy. They require a credit card to book, but they don't charge it unless you are a no show. When you show up, you can pay cash or have them bill the card. If your ship can't tender, there is no charge. They are LOVELY! Very nice company.

All the beaches in Grand Cayman are free. There are brown signs that indicate public walkways between homes, etc. to access the beaches. You can get a taxi for like $3 per person or you can use public transportation for $1 per person if you wish to do one of the "main" beaches.

I don't love Cozumel....but the good things--the taxi charges there are per cab, not per person. Charges are posted on a board at the port, so you know up front what it will cost. There is a little shopping area at the port (there is a Starbucks if you need to use internet....)Paradise Beach is nice and safe. The beach itself is free. $10 gets you unlimited use of all "non-motorized water toys" for the day.

 

[kgoldenh]

what kind of traveler are you? Adventurous or like sticking to the path? that will help you decide. Havng never been to Grand Cayman we went with ship's excursions. this time we are trying it on our own so we can explore. that said - definitely the turle farm. that was really amazing. thinking of doing that again this next trip.

We are divers and honeymooned in Cozumel. - it sure has changed over the years but we still think Cozumel is amazing! - the port area... well it is an island that really depends on the ships' passengers...

Chakkanaab is a great park - easy access with taxi. Nachi Cocom (I hear) is amazing (will let you know about our March 30,2012 cruise). we love the little museum in san miguel.

we are loving the chance to see these places again and explore - we love finding the holes in the walls that locals love rather than the tourist traps.

Good luck choosing.



Kate

 

[micheleq]

We are cruising on the Magic/W. Caribbean in February 2012 and would love to hear rec's too! We have a 4 and a 6 year old, so the 4 year old is too young for many of the DCL excursions.

Keep the rec's coming! Thanks OP!

 

[jessica29]

Chankunnab with dophin swim - highlight for my kiddos at cozumel best prices I have seen to do this( book seperate on the internet they always have specials). They upgraded our belly swim and we got to do the foot push and we got to get in the manatee tank too for free. I think admission was 20 to get in the park but I paid I think 80 a person for the swim which included the admission. So the way I see it, it was 60 a person to swim with dolphins. It has a pool, lagoon, beach with huts etc, fake mayan ruins and walk. The mayan ruins are nice( albeit fake) it is good for the kids to see ( they probably wouldn't know they were replicas) and they can also do other stuff as opposed to doing a Tulum tour.

Grand cayman- stingray city( I mean this is a (#1attraction), snorkel time, and starfish dive( got to pick them up and everything) with native way sports( booked online). This was the best price for us and the kids ages for what we wanted ( make sure you have the order confirmation as they tried to up charge the kids on the boat when we paid!) It was weird finding them at the port as they two guys appeared to be young and unprofessional the way they were dressed and no one else was standing at their sign. I must admit it kinda scared me, but it was okay when I seen other passangers boarding the bus. We loved the price and the private boat feel. No pressure sales for pics. We had 12 people maybe in total on the boat and plenty of room on the boat, then they dropped us off at 7 mile beach at one of the premier resorts and paid taxi back to the ship from there. Also we seen a huge sea turtle on the boat on our way to stingray city. That was so cool for my kids. They also loved the boat ride to and from places!


IMO I have been to Tulum in the past without kids and it can be extremely hot, long ,and it is not interactive- you are just looking at ruins and walking the whole time unless it has changed. Kind of like going to a art museum, in the manner that you have to like this stuff alot to have fund for 2 hours or whatever it is. IMO unless your kids are older it is not going to be fun for long. I know alot of people on my ship commented that they were bored(adults). It was interesting when I went as I was in Mexico for a week b/c I could take in other stuff on other days and glad I seen it, but for a one day stop I would do something else. It is my understanding you have to take another ferry to get the bus ( which has caused some people sickness, I could be thinking of something else, someone correct me if I am wrong). Then the bus ride to get there etc. It is not right by Cozumel it is in Mexico...You will be eating up alot of your time. Same with Xcaret( however this park is awesome) but you would not have enough time at Xcaret if you did that and would maybe regret not being able to see everything. That park is a morning to night park for sure soooo much to do.

 

[BethC1952]

IMO I have been to Tulum in the past without kids and it can be extremely hot, long ,and it is not interactive- you are just looking at ruins and walking the whole time unless it has changed. Kind of like going to a art museum, in the manner that you have to like this stuff alot to have fund for 2 hours or whatever it is.

I'm glad you said you enjoyed the Dolphin Swim. DH and I are doing that in late November. I was just talking to my brother last night to see which excursion he enjoyed more--Tulum or Chankanaab. He referred to the Tulum excursion as "The Tulum Death March". I guess he didn't enjoy that one very much!

Beth

 

[fzappa51]

Chakkanaab was a perfect day away from the ship.Most seasons they open early so you can get there spend a goodly amount of time there. You can normally find a discount coupon . It cost us $10.00 for a 'CABFULL" to get there and there are always cabs at the entrance/exit to return you to the pier for some shopping and maybe eats before re-boarding the ship. Lots to do and was also very relaxing.

Don't go with an excursion group as it is more expensive that way.

 

[jejojual]

We went on our first DC in Nov of 2009 - Western Car. - We did the dolphin swim/turtle farm excursion in Grand Cayman - it was amazing!! The youngest member of our party was 5 and he was able to do everything with us! In Cozumel just the adults got off the boat for a couple of hours (while the kids hung out in the kids clubs) and shopped. We were back on board before lunch and then enjoyed a fairly empty ship for the rest of the day! It ended up being a great day to enjoy the pool and other areas of the ship that were sometimes more crowded! Have a great time!

 

[Wavegirl]

We have been on the Western a few times now so I have many favs but I don't know the ages of your kids so its difficult to know which is better for your family. I'll tell you about our favorites and you can see what is better for your family.

Costa Maya is a great beach port, we have spent a great day at Costa Maya Beach Break its all inclusive of drinks and food (AMAZING MARGARITAS & FISH TACOS DO DIE FOR!) on a beautiful beach. They had kayaks, floaties it was $40 for adults, $20 for kids and free for kids under 6 years. GREAT DEAL and a great place. You can add on wave runners and snorkeling trips from this place too.

In Grand Cayman, I have 3 favorites -

1) The Grand Cayman Wave Runner Stingray City & Rum Point Tour which takes you to stingray city and to Rum Point Beach, both are INCREDIBLE. This is great for families with kids that are I would say at least 7-8 years of age The wave runners are a blast and the tour is excellent!

2) WE LOVED the Cayman Outrage Eco tour- Stingray City- Star fishing beach & Tubing it was a private tour, but worth every penny. You can customise it and decide where you want to go. Kids LOVED the stingrays and starfish!

3) then the best value for a great tour is the Buccaneer Stingray City Catamaran it was only $39 for adults and $27 for kids and under 4 years are free!

Then for Cozumel the Dune Buggy tour was an awesome trip and we also love the All Inclusive Beach Break which is the best beach in Cozumel, great food, drinks, pool, water trampoline for the kids and floaties.

GOod luck with your tour choices, its never easy but there are great deals out there and a lot of fun to be had!

 

[DisneyKarenG]

following

 

[CamColt]

We enjoy relaxing at Paradise Beach in Cozumel.