Generally, what can you walk to from the pier

[kpgclark]

We'll be taking our first cruise to the Western Car. Generally speaking are there things you can walk to when the ship makes a stop? Are there usually beaches nearby? I hate to spend $200 or more to take the excursions when all we want to do is play in the sand and water.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

It's hard to say what you'll be able to walk to. The only port I've been to at which the Western itinerary calls is Key West, and there is not a beach within walking distance there.

I never buy the ship's excursions, because I like to just hang out at the beach for a while, and then wander around the town in the afternoons. At most every cruise ship pier, there will be a line of cabs waiting to take passengers wherever they want to go. You can do a bit of research on the ports and figure out which beach you'd like to visit, and then just grab a cab when you get off the ship. This is usually much less expensive than booking an excursion throught the ship. In many ports, the cab driver will arrange a time to pick you up from the beach, but if not, there are a lot of cabs around for you to get back to the ship.

 

[tecdavidt]

If it is beaches you want you will have to take a taxi to use it in all three ports. That is why Castaway is so nice! Shopping, in Key West we had to use the Trolley car to take us to the shopping district since we were docked on a Naval base. In Cozumel there is a little shopping close to the pier at one of the piers, but to go into the main shopping area again you will have to take a taxi. Grand Cayman looked like you could walk to the shopping. We didn't get off the ship. Kathy