Manage My Expectations - 75 Day window

[DisneyJade]

We are first-time Disney cruisers, and I'm feeling nervous about being 5th in line to book port adventures. Help to manage my expectations when our 75-day window opens. Are these excursions likely to be available?

COZUMEL:
Isla Pasion – CZ90
Fury Catamaran – CZ12

FALMOUTH
Dunn’s River Falls Express – FA29
Good Hope Estate – FA63

GRAND CAYMAN
Stingray City/Starfish Beach – G81
Rum Point & Stingrays – G14
Any stingray tour – G08, G09, G76,G78
We are also considering booking a private excursion (not through DCL) in GC, but I have a deep fear of missing the tender back to the ship.

If anyone has opinions about these adventures, that's welcome too. But mostly I just wonder if these are popular ones likely to sell out. We have two small children, so we're prioritizing family-friendly excursions that will hold their interest. I worry those might all be snapped up by the time our window opens.

Not planning to book anything for Castaway Cay. Want to just relax there and enjoy the sand and surf!

Thanks in advance for any insight.

​

 

[MomOTwins]

i think there is a good change least one of your choices will be available, but as you say you have 2 small kids, have you checked the age minimums? Dunns river is age 6 and up and a bunch of the others are 5 and up.

 

[Clarkson U]

Also when you are sailing makes a big difference. Does your sailing still offer concierge rooms for booking or all room types because that might indicate not a busy cruise or not close to full and you may have more luck for your choices. If going at popular time of the year or on sold out cruise it will get harder in general.

 

[Clarkson U]

We are first-time Disney cruisers, and I'm feeling nervous about being 5th in line to book port adventures. Help to manage my expectations when our 75-day window opens. Are these excursions likely to be available?

COZUMEL:
Isla Pasion – CZ90
Fury Catamaran – CZ12

FALMOUTH
Dunn’s River Falls Express – FA29
Good Hope Estate – FA63

GRAND CAYMAN
Stingray City/Starfish Beach – G81
Rum Point & Stingrays – G14
Any stingray tour – G08, G09, G76,G78
We are also considering booking a private excursion (not through DCL) in GC, but I have a deep fear of missing the tender back to the ship.

If anyone has opinions about these adventures, that's welcome too. But mostly I just wonder if these are popular ones likely to sell out. We have two small children, so we're prioritizing family-friendly excursions that will hold their interest. I worry those might all be snapped up by the time our window opens.

Not planning to book anything for Castaway Cay. Want to just relax there and enjoy the sand and surf!

Thanks in advance for any insight.

​

Grand cayman we have used captain Marvin’s and back in plenty of time for the ship

 

[Nike4000]

I don't know how old your kids are, but I would strongly recommend All Inclusive Passion Island by Twister (CZ59) in Cozumel - if they meet the age requirement. We've done this excursion multiple times and, when my kids were younger, they absolutely loved the Twister boat part of it.

We liked this excursion so much, my wife and I have booked it on our separate, kid-free, trips to Cozumel. The Isla de Passion is fantastic and the twister boat is so much fun!

 

[dreamer17555]

I love the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel (done it twice) but only recommend it if your kids are strong swimmers. It’s open ocean snorkeling and depending on the current can be tough to get back on board. Otherwise it’s a great excursion

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Most independent tour operators will promise that you make it back to the ship in time. We always try to book the tour to end an hour before all aboard time. We booked an independent tour to Stingray City in Grand Cayman through the Crazy Crab. They were awesome.

 

[DisneyJade]

Thank you, everyone. I don't want to spam the thread by quoting everyone with individual thank you posts, but I so appreciate the insights and am taking notes!

 

[DisneyJade]

I don't know how old your kids are, but I would strongly recommend All Inclusive Passion Island by Twister (CZ59) in Cozumel - if they meet the age requirement. We've done this excursion multiple times and, when my kids were younger, they absolutely loved the Twister boat part of it.

We liked this excursion so much, my wife and I have booked it on our separate, kid-free, trips to Cozumel. The Isla de Passion is fantastic and the twister boat is so much fun!

Oh, that Twister looks SO fun! But I think my kids are too young, and they're also pretty timid, so I think they'd be terrified. I'd love it though. Haha.

I love the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel (done it twice) but only recommend it if your kids are strong swimmers. It’s open ocean snorkeling and depending on the current can be tough to get back on board. Otherwise it’s a great excursion

We actually did the Fury excursion on another cruise line a few years ago and you're right. We ended up taking turns snorkeling so the kids could stay on the boat. We tried snorkeling again with them in Hawaii last year, and they still weren't into it. They are reluctant swimmers, and the open ocean is tough for them. We loved the beach part of the Fury excursion, though! I recall the food was pretty yummy. That's why I picked it as a backup to Passion Island, but now I'm worried they'll both be booked!

 

[ballarinamom]

We have done these ports many times. In jamaica, contact Courtney Taylor tours. Samantha is very good with communication and help you plan out a great day for your family based on age and needs. Private tour so you can play it by ear based on your kids. Just tell the driver you want back to the port at least an hour before gangway up. There is shopping options at the dock so no need for a shopping stop

In Cozumel you can book a private beach at Mr Sanchos, Nachi Cocom or Paradise beach on your own. A $20 cab ride will get you there and there will be plenty of cabs for your return.

In Cayman, Captain Marvin's is very reliable. The island is very small. Make an early reservation and you'll have plenty of time to shop and get something to eat before you get back on the ship

 

[CisforCookie991]

Before my 75 day window, I made a list of 4 excursions (based on what's listed on the website) I could maybe be interested in. Refreshed just before midnight and got on. Only 1 of the 4 was actually available. The other 3 were not even sold out - just not there. I tried to make a reservation for that 1 for our party of 4 but the times were greyed out and it took me a bit to realize it was because they didn't have enough spots. I tested with just 2 of us, and it worked, and I got the last spots. I figure I'll hold on to them for now and see if anyone cancels.

This was for Grand Cayman, and within a couple of days, all the stingray excursions were gone.

 

[ballarinamom]

I would check with one of the independent contractors for the stingray excursions. They also sell them at the dock as you get off. But better to have it all arranged ahead of time. They will most likely be cheaper as well