Questions about Western Excursions

[CaliforniaMom]

1) Has anyone done either the Nautilus Undersea Tour on Grand Cayman or the Ocean View Explorer in Cozumel? I like these excursions because they are not too long and will allow my dd-12 to get a really good look at the coral and sea life she has been studying in school. (The school has an Ocean week every year for the past 7 years, and each class has a different sub-theme. This year, DD-12 has "The Coral Reef" and DD-7 has "The Sandy Beach" - we just had to take our second cruise/first Western to support the school theme and provide the ultimate educational opportunity! )

2) We are still deciding whether to do Stingray City - kids are a bit squeamish and DD-7 might just stay on catamaran - which means so do I! DH is in a wheelchair so this one wont be possible since he can't get into the water. And if DD-12 and mom go, DD-7 will not want to stay behind!

3) After DH looked through all the possibilities, he was most interested in the Catamaran Racing in Key West. And in a wheelchair! Is this remotely possible? He has easily transferred to a waterski boat by just sliding from wheelchair on dock over the edge right into the seat, but have no idea how it would work on a catamaran. And his ability to do any duties will be limited. I will ask Disney same questions, but would like anyone's opinion on how this would work.

4) I will ask Minigolf Sally about wheelchair accessibility from ship to town in Cozumel, but any comments here? I have read about a pedestrian bridge; is it the only way to get to the town?

Thanks for any tips/advice!

 

[CaliforniaMom]

Anyone with any info?

 

[kshabare]

We had a blast on our Western 2/1/2003! Snorkeling was awesome and swimming with the stingrays was really cool. My 8 year old Joshua was not intimidated by them at all. But, he's a boy. Lots of people did not get off the boat. Captain Marvins brought the stingrays close to have people on the boat touch them. Encourage your daughter to touch them. I still have a beautiful feeling inside when I think about how smooth their skin is - they are an amazing creature. We did not do the catamaran. Email them if you are interested and have a wheelchair attendee.

On-line I have read where there is an establishment that will not charge full price if you do not snorkel. Captain Marvins charged us the $34.00 for my mother in law although she did not swim or snorkel. Shop around. Hopefully someone reading this will post the other establishment.

As far as Shirley's mini-golf, there are about 3-6 stairs, pretty steep ones, leading up. I don't recall a ramp. Otherwise, there are sidewalks around her, that is for sure.

I don't recall there would be a problem with a wheelchair access around Cozumel. There must be an elevator to get across because there are alot of escalators going across the street.

Hope I didn't waste your time.

Kim ºOº

 

[CaliforniaMom]

Thanks for the info, Kim. Maybe I'll convince the whole family to do the stingrays, since you say lots of people just stay on the boat. That way, once my girls get used to the idea, they can venture in....or not!

For Cozumel, do you remember if you can you get to the downtown area without going up over the ped. bridge?

 

[CaliforniaMom]

By the way, I recognized your web page name, and double checked - and yes, I had really enjoyed your pictures a few weeks ago. I was looking for pictures from some of the Western ports, and you had some great ones! Now, we'll enjoy them again!