Questions about Western Excursions

[mom+3girls]

I am on the Sept 10, 2005 Magic Western Cruise, and would like to know if anyone has every walked from the port in Key West to the Southern Most Point, how far was it? Is it a good area to walk?
I have seen where people have taken a cab in Cozumel to some of the locations, has anyone ever taken a cab on Grand Cayman to Seven Mile Beach? If so what was the cost?
I am trying to save money yet enjoy the islands. I am a single mom traveling with my children, my kids will be 17, 12 and 10 at the time of the cruise.
Any help will be appreciated.

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

Hey we are on the same cruise!! While I don't know the answer to your question (yet) I too am investigating alternatives to Excursions (my DS5 and DS2 1/2) are too young for most of them.

I am checking out the Aquarium and the Shipwreck museum on our own (cheaper than the $40.00 per adult that Disney wants ) We can buy the tickets online for $9.00 per adult and $4.00 per child (for each museum).

I will still look for the information that you are looking for and pass on what I know.

Please feel free to PM if you want.

Jenna

 

[ErinC]

Check out this link for Key West. http://www.historictours.com/keywest/default.htm

I've looked at prepurchasing either the conch train or trolley tour tickets. I'm pretty sure it would stop at the southern point. At least you could purchase these ahead of time, so one less expense out of the way.

I'm pretty sure people have reported taking the taxi in GC. Not sure how much. It seems like someone had a list posted of taxi fees somewhere, not sure if it was for Coz. or Grand Cayman. I too would like to hear the replies that you receive. We sail on the Western after you.

 

[webray]

With kids it would be quite a hike. I would suggest taking the trolley tour..you all would love it. You do not need to book through disney, you can grab it yourself, at your convenience when you get off the ship in Key West.
Another option would be grab a golf cart to get you and the kids around for a couple hours. Very easy and convenient.

In GC..it is very easy to grab a cab. When you get to the top of the dock, go left (oceanside). There is a taxi dispatch station right there. Just tell them where you want to go, they will tell you the price and you are off. No problems. You can also grab the two hour island tour there which takes you to hell, turtle farm, and the other major sites. It is very good, especially the holding/petting of the turtles. This can be done on your own easily as we did...no need to book an excursion there either. All the shops and such are in walking distance.

 

[lUVTOGO]

We took a cab in Grand Cayman to the Sea Grape Beach (public beach) and it was 3.00 a person. It was beautiful, there was still a lot of hurricane damage, as we were one of the first cruises to go back to the island.

In Key West we took the trolley tour, and got off by the Southernmost point, had lunch at a nice place on the water, got back on the trolley, and continued the tour. Very informative and had a funny driver who made the whole trip a lot of fun! I do not think you can walk to this point as it was pretty far away from the dock.

 

[PattiO]

We were on the Western Magic in Feb and walked from port to the southernmost point. My parents, myself, DD 16,DS 14,and DS 8 took the long hot walk. My older kids complained a little!!! We hailed a cab on the way back. I agree with the above poster try the trolley tour. But it is possible to walk to the southernmost point-- a good 30 minute walk thats with a few photo stops and stops to pick up some souvenirs. At Grand Cayman an absoulute must is Stingray City! We took the Island tour and stingraycity. The tour was interesting to see the hurricane damage, stopped at hell , which was boring, went to the turtle farm which was very short but my youngest enjoyed it, then to stingray city. We had the best time there as a family. It was great swimming with the stingrays. It was an experience my kids and I will never forget. Have a great cruise!

 

[BaileyEvanH]

I don't know how long to Southern point, but I agree that Stingray city is a must-see. We booked with Captain Bryan and our friends booked through Captain Marvins. We were both pleased with the experiences we had. My DD10 and DS 7 will never forget it. The rays are HUGH and they let you hold them and feed them.

 

[abitjaded]

It is a long walk to the Southernmost point, and not really earthshakingly amazing. The Trolley tour is good, and if the day is hot, the breezes when the trolley moves will cool you off. It drives right by the point, but the actual stop is several blocks away. May be worth the investment, coupons on the web. You can jump on and off at lots of stops. Some drivers are more entertaining than others, and even if you repeat parts of the route, you will hear new information. There are plenty of interesting places to walk around on the tour without popping for tickets for Hemmingway's and the Light House, for example. We did pop for $40 worth of tickets to see the Mel Fisher Treasure (walkable easy from the ship), too much $$$$ IMHO, but the kids loved hefting the gold. Most of the stuff in Key West is pretty pricey. If you opt out of the tour, just walk around a bit, the oldest and most interesting part of KW is right near the dock.

We took a taxi in Cozumel, quite cheap. You catch them across from the dock near the shopping center, take the escalator up and over the street, then back down again. Know where you want to go, and be insistent. We wanted to go to Dzul Ha, a good snorkel site, but the driver kept saying "no, no", wanting to take us to one of the more developed (read: admission required, kick-back received) beaches. Finally he took us, smoldering a bit. It is not as far south as the fancy places, but was great and FREE. No sand entry, but restrooms across the road, a fresh shower on the raised sea wall, sand under the "restaurant" palapas, a shack with snorkel and dive rental. We bought beer and soda in between snorkeling forays and kept our gear at one of the tables and used the chairs, no problem. Cost for four about $20 for a great time. We watched all the expensive snorkel boats cruise by and drop folks in the same water. Did I mention the snorkeling was fantastic? Spent most of the day there, very easy to hail a return cab on the road a few steps away. If snorkeling is not your intended activity, there are plenty of sandier beaches, just check out the web, Dave's site has links.

Carla