Poll: Land-based VS. "Water" excursions

[JerseyMom]

I was just look through the list of excursions for my next cruise and I realized that none of the water-based excursions appeal to me. Last thing I want to do once in port is get on a boat many times smaller than the Wonder/Magic with none of the wonderful things that DCL has to offer. I, personally, prefer sight-seeing and shopping in port. DS (9), on the other hand, loves the water sports. Looks like we are going to have to do some compromising (mainly me, that is). How about the rest of you? How do you feel about excursions?

 

[Masonpips]

If we get off the ship in Key West this time it would only be for a water excursion - the town itself does nothing for me (except a slice of key lime pie maybe)

Grand Cayman cannot be visited without a trip to the stingrays

Read first line on Key West and apply it to Cozumel

St. Thomas - we did an independent day sail and it was FABULOUS

St. Maarten - went to Orient Beach; it was fun and the shopping was good so this is the only port where I can live on the land.

Castaway is great from any angle

So, I'm for the water for the most part, with slight exceptions. However, we are landlocked in OK and spend our summer weekends on the water on our boat so we LOVE the water!!

 

[JerseyMom]

Glad to see from the poll that I'm not the only one! I know, I know - in the minority but not the only one.

Masonpips - I've heard many people say the same thing about Key West but Cozumel? I was thinking about the Tulum excursion (I was an archaeology major in college) and I know that will involve a boat ride over to the mainland. As regards Grand Cayman, the idea of swimming with stingrays gives me the willies DS, however will probably love it. Maybe I could stay in the boat and watch from a safe distance?

 

[cotomom]

I try to hit the **good** snorkel stops when possible. If not... then shopping or a quickie island tour does the trick for me.

Last thing I want to do is a 8+ hour excursion that sucks the whole day away from my vacation. I find the rush to return to teh ship and get ready for dinner/etc. non relaxing.

Just my .02!

 

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by JerseyMom
Glad to see from the poll that I'm not the only one! I know, I know - in the minority but not the only one.

Masonpips - I've heard many people say the same thing about Key West but Cozumel? I was thinking about the Tulum excursion (I was an archaeology major in college) and I know that will involve a boat ride over to the mainland. As regards Grand Cayman, the idea of swimming with stingrays gives me the willies DS, however will probably love it. Maybe I could stay in the boat and watch from a safe distance?

LOL! I booked as part of a large group of Disney fans (but we often did our own separate things). While I was in my element on a snorkel/beach excursion in Cozumel, one of my friends took the Tulum tour. She LOVED it, and she was also an archaeology major. Go figure.

When we swam with stingrays, one of the people in our group booked us on a private charter. We were limited to 25 people (which consisted of most of our group), and we had a ball.
The company was professional, and they even had a guy contracting out with a video of our trip. I didn't buy the video (as it was WAY too much money, $40 per video, with the prices reduced by the # of videos ordered), but those who did order the video were pleased with it.

We saw the DCL (or other cruise excursions) in the distance, and they had HUNDREDS of people on theirs. Ours was such a great, intimate experience, and the price I paid ($25 for the snorkeling, equipment provided) was MUCH cheaper than what the DCL excursion would have cost me.

For those interested in booking with the group we chartered, it's called Native Way Watersports. I have the business card with the contact info:

Eldon Ebanks - Native Way Watersports

• Stingray City
• Fishing
• Snorkeling
• Private Charters

P.O. Box 10330 APO
Grand Cayman, B.W.I.
(345)916-5027
email: nativway@candw.ky
website: www.nativewaywatersports.com

If I were with another group of 25 people, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I enjoyed feeding the stingrays, and I actually got to hold one for a while, too.

 

[Masonpips]

I've heard nothing but good things about Nativeway. We used Captain Marvins and it was an awesome experience too. My then 3 yr old DD thought it was the highlight of the cruise. Yes, you can stay in the boat or better yet, stay on the boat for the first 10 minutes when the rays "swarm" you - they know food when they see it and then it calms down a lot and you could get out and still experience it. Cpt. Marvin's had less than 25 people too - the best way to Stingray City is on a private excursion from everything I've read/experienced

I think my issue with Cozumel is the (for lack of a better word) harassment by the vendors. I've visited twice (not on cruises, but while visiting Cancun) and it is a fabulously beautiful place and if you're going to do a tour or a beach/water thing, I think it's great. General shopping is just annoying (but then I *hate* haggling, dealing with salespeople, etc.). Dh and I were not unhappy that we stayed on the Magic all day and didn't feel like we missed out at all