Key West Excursions - NOT Through DCL

[stormkrow]

Many on this board have talked about signing up for excursions on their own and avoiding the mark-up on DCL (or just renting a car). I'm somewhat unsure of trying this in a foreign land for fear I would get lost or not get back to the ship on time. Key West is a different story, though.

For those of us that are now looking into signing up for excursions on the Western Cruise, there is an alternative for Key West.

I found a website for the company that provides alot of the same tours that DCL is arranging - its Historic Tours of America. Check out the website: www.historictours.com/keywest

We just ordered the Old Town Trolley and the Key West Shipwreck HISTOREUM for the four of us at a cost of $100. Their regular prices are lower than DCL and they give a 10% discount on top of it if you order online.

Just another option!

 

[1disfan]

Sounds good but how do you arrange for ticket pick-up?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Key West is <i>very</i> small and parking is very limited. You're better off renting bicycles than renting a car.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Make sure you stop at Hogs Breath Saloon

"Hogs breath is better than no breath at all!"

Since we were only in Key West in the morning, when MIL and I cruised on NCL, we had a drink there at 1030am!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Since Key West is only 2 X 4 and at one time very easy to walk - Dave is correct - parking is very limited and tow trucks are on the prowl for over extended time - KW is horrible for towing off cars and the price to pay is high - you can either rent a bike or scooter - you can get the trolley and get off anywhere and then catch the next one - Hog's Breath is crowded but not bad - I like Two Friends Bar and Grill - right on Front Street. I still say catch the sight of the city on top of the Laconcha Hotel which is on
Duval and Flemming Street - so much to see in so little time - Anyone interested in a scooter - see Charlie (Norm's son) at Moped Hospital on the corner of Simonton and Truman - they rent scooters there and they treat their customers very good. Anyhow have a wonderful time in my hometown and please write and let me know how the trip there goes.
Stay safe and happy.
Always,
Shirley

 

[erikthewise]

You don't even need a bicycle. You can easily walk anywhere you want to go on the West End of the island. I stayed in a resort on the south shore and had no trouble walking to the north shore (business district/cruise docks) in about 20 minutes. Most people won't even want to walk that far. Just be sure to wear sunblock and a hat.

 

[stormkrow]

Originally posted by 1disfan
Sounds good but how do you arrange for ticket pick-up?

They mail the tickets to your house and add $1 for postage. Of course, you can buy the tickets when you get there. We saved 10%, though, by ordering and paying for them in advance.

 

[Donald1]

Key West is a great place (especially if you have not been before). There are many (and I mean many) shops to visit. If you are a Buffett fan then you can actuall walk from Mallery Square up Duvall street visit Margaritaville. You can also Visit Capt. Tony's On Green Street not to mention Sloppy Joes wich is another famous Icon in Key West. Hogs Breath is another ggo place.
There is no need to take the trolley or the train after being on the ship you will find much pleasure searching the different shops and taking in the culture. The atmosphere is very layed back and people are extremely friendly. I agree with Dave, rent a bike or even a scooter but be careful of the automobile drivers they tend to not pay close attention, there has been many accidents involving tourists.

We went to this shop on Fitzpatrick street (Touch of Gold next to Kino Sandals) and the guy in there was most helpful. I think his name was Vinod, anyway he pointed us in the right direction and gave us some information on where to eat and not to mention a good price on gold.
Be very careful, there is much to see and much to do but there are many people that take a tourist for their money when they least suspect it. Ask questions and you should have the time of your life in Key West, we did.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello Donald1
glad to hear your enjoyed KW - it has changed so much since I was young - Glad to hear that you met Vinny from The Touch of Gold - I know vinny very well and he is very fair with his customers - if you ever had the chance to go in there again - just tell him that Shirley Nelson from KW is a member of this board - he always gives extra discount to anyone that mentions my name to him - did you ever get to go to the top of the Laconcha Hotel - you can see all of KW from up on the 9th floor - KW has so much history - and for most part the folks are super nice and helpful - most of the old conchs don't go to what is known as "Old town" simply b/c of the change - anyhow you are correct about Capt. Tony - I know him well and he is a super nice person - quite up there in age now - he as a humdinger in his time - that was the original spot of Sloppy Joe's- until it moved back in the 30's - anyhow nice chatting with you and have a great weekend.
Always
Shirley

 

[westjones]

We have never been to Key West and are looking forward to it in Sept. on our Western Cruise. I have heard that Key West tends to be very 'adult' themed, but are there any sites for families (with kids age 9 by then) to enjoy? I really want to take the kids with us because I figure it is our only time we will ever be there.

So any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!
DJ

 

[lmcastelli]

We took our April vacation to Key West with our two children ages 14 and 10. They loved it! We went snorkeling, rented wave runners , kayaks and bicycles. We went to the Key West Aquarium. We also walked-alot!! The island is only 2 miles by 4 miles. The most fun they had was the sunset celebration. The area near where the ships dock is called Mallory Square. Every night 1 to 1 1/2 hours before sunset the street performers start their shows. There are many different talents: magic shows, juggling, musicians etc. We watched for a while then the sun sets. Everyone claps at the beautiful sunset. Then the performers go on for about another half hour or so. My children loved it. We went back four nights in a row. As a mater of fact while we were walking around Mallory Square we saw the beautiful cruise ships docked there. We all decided our next vacation we would try our first cruise. When we got back home I went to the travel agent and booked the Disney Magic 7 Day Western Carribean for May 24, 2003. The first thing I told the kids was that it stopped in Key West. Their first question was "Can we go to the sunset celebration?"

There are a lot of cute stores to browse through. Duval street is where a lot of the stores and bars are. While it is ok during the day, I did feel that it got a little more "Adult" at night. There are many bars and very loud music. While we didn't have any problems when we walked down the street, I did try to avoid it when we were going back to our hotel late at night. I just didn't feel it was the right atmosphere for the kids. I'm sure you will have fun. We're looking forward to going back. Just a note- the beaches are mostly coral not the beautiful sandy beaches like the rest of Florida or the Bahamas. Some of them do have sand that was imported from other islands.

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks for all the great info on Key West, everybody! Sounds like a great place to visit (though, I think our first cruise will be the Eastern itinerary).

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by snelsonbrown

did you ever get to go to the top of the Laconcha Hotel - you can see all of KW from up on the 9th floor

Shirley, last time I was in KW, the LaConcha Hotel was being run by Holiday Inn... is that still the case? I didn't know you could go up on the roof!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello Dave,
Like everything else in KW - places either fold or get brought out by other companies - La Concha Hotel was once a hit of KW - this is where some big timers spent much of their time if they didn't want to be at the Casa Marina - (rather be closer to KW) - you can go up to "The Top" - the view is awesome of KW - the last time I was there, they had quit serving drinks and food but I understand it is back open again - I like to go up there for I can see most of the places that meant so much to me growing up - KW at one time was very clandish - it was hard for us to understand why "strangers" wanted to come to our hometown and live - I felt very sorry for the young sailors that came and were ignored by the residents - yet many of us local girls married sailors and many of our local boys left to join the service - all the old conchs just did not want to see progress - wanted nothing changed - i often wonder what my family would think if they saw KW as it is today - I love my hometown tho sometimes I get angry at what is pulled on the vistors by "outsiders" - If and when you get to KW, please let me know and will give you some neat ideas of where to go - especially for interesting history including the cemetary - I read in the local paper this morn, Magic made front page of the local paper - nice review - anyhow will chat with you soon.
Always,
Shirley

ps got to meet Joe and Joanne, Wildgoose and Hygeine99, and many more, but screennames pass over my head sometimes - what a super nice group.