Pros/Cons Western Excursions

[admepo]

Hello everyone! My husband and I have narrowed down our excursion choices to be booked at our 60 day mark this Tuesday and would like feedback from anyone who has done them please - pros and cons so we can make a final decision and book them! Also how advanced are the snorkeling excursions??? I am just a beginner in this area and want to enjoy them.

Key West: Sail, Kayak and Snorkel Excursion

Grand Cayman: Aquaboat & Snorkel Adventure

Cozumel: Tulum Ruins Tour

Castaway Cay: Personal Watercraft Tour and Bike Rentals

THANKS in advance!!!

Melanie

 

[kcashner]

The snorkeling is definitely ok for beginners. Please check out reviews of the excursions. We've never done the Tulim Ruins, but I've read some reviews of it that weren't very positive. Castaway Cay, you'll love. The bikes there are fun....I've never done the personal watercraft. Stingray City (which is included in many excursions) is the "Must" of Grand Cayman.

 

[Mjasp]

Melanie I will also put my choices up and see what feedback I get since we also get to 60 days on Tuesday.

Key West...Glass Bottom Catamaran

Grand Cayman...To Hell and back then off to 7 mile beach on our own

Cozumel...Mr. Sanchos

Castaway Cay...Either Parasailing if I am brave enough OR just putting my chair at waters edge and enjoying the sun. Will probably be doing the latter.

TIA for anyone that has done this. Especially the Glass bottom catamaran in Key West.

 

[S.S.WILSON]

I to would be interested on some suggestions for Western excusrsions, esp. Key West. thx..

 

[admepo]

I have searched the posts and found many opinions on the Tulum Ruins tour but can't find anything on the following:

Key West: Sail, Kayak and Snorkel or Grand Cayman: Aquaboat and Snorkel

Isn't there someone out there who has done either of these and can shed some light???? THANKS!!!

Melanie

P.S. Hello Joanna! Hope your excursions get some feedback too!!!

 

[MoranClan]

Hello Everybody..

This is what We have planned...

Key West...Walking to Southern Most Point..Shop

Grand Cayman...Rent a Jeep,To Hell and back, Turtle Farm, then off to 7 mile beach on our own

Cozumel...Jeep Safari

Castaway Cay... Parasailing , Beach, Snorkeling..

Bobby

 

[Mark_F]

We will be doing

Key West - Catamaran and sorkel

Cayman - Stingray City

Cozumel - Tulum tour

Castaway Cay - Parasailing

 

[cali4niacruisin]

What is "To Hell and Back" on Grand Cayman? Also, does anyone know the cost of a Jeep Rental there?

Thanks!

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by cali4niacruisin
What is "To Hell and Back" on Grand Cayman? Also, does anyone know the cost of a Jeep Rental there?

Thanks!

"Hell" is the town in Grand Cayman, named after a rock formation. "To Hell and back " is a saying when things are going wrong and you after get through them you say I've been to hell and back.

 

[mcnuss]

On our Western, we did not book a single DCL excursion, they were just way too over priced. I venture I saved us at least $200 by booking on my own.

In KW, we did the Trolley Tour, which I booked on line ahead of time. http://www.trolleytours.com/

On GC, we did a catamaran snorkel tour with Red Sail: http://www.redsailcayman.com/gc_index.html. The day long sail including lunch was $75 for adults and $37 for kids. Cab fare ran us about $10 each way.

On Cozumel, we went to Chankanaab State Park: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...ue_Chankanaab-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html. Entry cost was about $10 pp and cab fare was about $10 each way.

We had a wonderful time and we were thrilled not to be among the people herded onto buses like sheep. When we left Chankanaab, we saw some of our DCl friends standing in line waiting for their buses while we jumped into our cab.

You don't have to rely on DCL and you don't have to pay their ridiculous prices!

 

[RKB]

I did all of my own excursions as well - we had a great time!
Key West: You can walk right off the ship and get a Trolley or Conch Train Tour. No need to sign up as an excursion. There are also many things to do and see on your own (all within walking distance). For instance an Aquarium and a Pirate Museum.

Grand Cayman - I booked Captain Marvins snorkel/stingray city on my own. It is within walking distance of the pier. Then we hired a taxi (along with another vacationing family) and went to Hell and the Turtle Farm - quickly since this is a short day in Port. We had an excellent time. And did not have to follow any tour time constraints, herding, etc...

Cozume- I booked the Dolphin Swim ahead of time through shoretrips.com. I highly recommend this company. We easily go a taxi right off the ship (there are a zillion taxis in this town). It was $10.00 each way to the park. We loved it there and had a great time.

These tours were less money and more private and less crowded then the DCL tours (which we did do on our first cruise when I learned my lesson!). Have fun!!

 

[MoranClan]

Originally posted by cali4niacruisin
What is "To Hell and Back" on Grand Cayman? Also, does anyone know the cost of a Jeep Rental there?

Thanks!

Hello..

go to this Link.. Grand Cayman Avis

Hell is a place pn grand Cayman with Jagged Rock Formations..Its tourist Trap..but alot of people go there..

I will be renting a jeep for me and My family to drive around..

Bobby

 

[cali4niacruisin]

Bobby,

Thanks for the jeep rental link. You said Hell is a tourist trap. Is it worth seeing despite that?


Also, how do you get the quote from someone else's message to appear in your reply? I selected 'Quote' in the vB code section and it seems I have to retype it. Is there a simpler way to do it?

Thanks,

Erin

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by cali4niacruisin
Bobby,

Thanks for the jeep rental link. You said Hell is a tourist trap. Is it worth seeing despite that?


Also, how do you get the quote from someone else's message to appear in your reply? I selected 'Quote' in the vB code section and it seems I have to retype it. Is there a simpler way to do it?

Thanks,

Erin

Erin...I'm not Bobby but I'll answer your question. Just click on "quote" on the bottom of the persons reply you want to quote. As for tourist traps Well I like them LOL

Joanna

 

[cali4niacruisin]

Originally posted by Mjasp
Erin...I'm not Bobby but I'll answer your question. Just click on "quote" on the bottom of the persons reply you want to quote. As for tourist traps Well I like them LOL

Joanna

I got it to work. That was easy! Thanks Joanna!

Erin

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I am interested in tulum tour as well - any opinions?

 

[KarenB]

Here is what we will be doing next week


Key West-sail and snorkel www.furycat.com

Grand Cayman-half day snorkel tour www.captainmarvins.com

Cozumel-Paradise Beach http://www.cozumel-beach.com/

CC-hanging out and exploring

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Thanks for the links mcnuss...I will certainly be using them. I too am planning on booking all my excursions on my own rather than thru Disney. Do you know how many people can go in one cab? We are 8 people so I am figuring we will need 2 cabs. We also have 60 days b4 our cruise & for some reason I'm starting to feel very rushed! I do have to say it is hard not to wish the summer away just so we can "Cruising". Look foward to more suggestions for the Western cruise! Kathy

 

[Monstro]

Originally posted by S.S.WILSON
I to would be interested on some suggestions for Western excusrsions, esp. Key West. thx..

We like to explore Key West on our own. We've found it's easy to get a spur of the moment conch train or bus. The first year we walked onto a glass bootom boat tour. Make sure you go to the rum cake factory and try/buy some rum cake. They make great gifts for co-workers

Enjoy!