Things to do on own on Western

[disneygatorfan]

I have done the Eastern twice, and love it... was able to get some time off, and booked the Western sailing April 23.

Couldn't really afford it, but booked it anyway but can definitely NOT afford excursions. I was wondering what sort of stuff there was to do on your own in Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

I don't mind taking taxi's etc, just have no clue on where to go.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Howdy,
I know you can take a taxi into key west from the dock, but I heard it's about 20 minutes walk to the main area. If you choose to explore on your own you have 2 main choices. One is to walk the downtown area, the other is to buy a ticket for the conch train. The train has about 10 stops where you can get on and off as often as you want so you don't have to walk so far. You can pay for admission to places of interest according to just what you want to see. Most offer a AAA discount, with the train ticket they usually include a free admission to one place of interest.
Mallory square is filled with dozens of shops and restaurants, then there's the historic waterfront with the sea gardens, ripley's believe it or not, museum of art and history,butterfly conservancy, Ernest Heminway's home, Little white house museum, Wylands galleries, Little Switzerland shopping, jewlery stuff, Dry Tortuga National park ferry, Maritime museum and much more. For discount tickets you can go to keywest tickets.com
That will give you an idea of prices. Plenty to do without an excursion at key west.We are not doing an excursion there, just browsing through the town and then we'll choose if there is something we want to see.mom x4,grandma x4

 

[NCRedding]

We did a hurricane modified Western, so our only "usual" stop was Cozumel. We grabbed a taxi at the end of the pier to Paradise Beach ($13 each way per taxi). Paradise Beach has floats, iceberg, and trampoline--they now charge $5 per person if you want to use these items. No charge for the beach or chairs. They do ask that you not bring food and drink in, but the food was excellent and reasonably priced. Then we went back to the main area and shopped and hit Carlos and Charlies Bar.

 

[TheWog]

Seven Mile beach is a $4.00 per person each way cab ride. Bring towels and your own water and won't cost you any more than the cost of the cab ride.

 

[myboysmom]

I will try to post you a link to a thread I started a while back with the same question, we got lots of good ideas. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=766973&highlight=western+excursions

 

[webray]

The western is great.

In Key West you dock at mallory square..the majority of the shopping and such is within walking distance. Also, to catch the little train/trolley..it is within walking distance. There is margaritaville, sloppy joes, southern most point, hemingways house, Bo's fish market, turtle krawl, lots of great little places to check out.

In Grand Cayman..again, all the shops are in walking distance..right at the port. You can catch a taxi tour at the taxi dispatch center at the dock. It will take you to the turtle farm, hell, past some of the famous things, show you some neighborhoods, etc. It is a very nice tour..takes about two hours. There are also rum cake/rum tastings at all the little tortuga shops. We enjoyed a beer (stingray the local brew) at Rackhams. Go left at the top of the dock and walk until you see it. There is a great little souvenier shop in front..the bar is in back, deck overlooks the ocean. Coming back..or before you get to Rackhams there is also a microbrewery...5 beers, quite wonderful.
There is a hardrock cafe, go right at top of dock..maybe a block or so down..across the street.

In Cozumel, thanks to other posters on this board, we grabbed a cab at the taxi stand (top of the dock) and headed to Mr. Sanchos beach area. You can check it out at mrsanchos.com. No charge to enter. There is a restaurant (fabulous food). You can eat on the beach or in the open air restaurant. There is an adorable bar with swings as seats. The beach is beautiful. There is a huge hot tub, tequila tastings, etc. Then we headed back to do some shopping. About dinner time, we went back to the ship with all our packages, freshened up and came back out for dinner at carlos and charlies. Again, fantastic.

If you belong to AAA you can pick up some free travel guides for the areas you are going..will help give you lots of ideas.

 

[Evans Family]

Did anyone have problems getting sick after eating in Cozumel? especially Mr. Sanchos and Paradise beach? You know what you always hear about Mexico!

 

[NCRedding]

I have a very sensitive stomach, and had no problems at all with the food. I didn't drink the water. This was the trip I discovered that Corona isn't really a Mexican beer--they don't carry it in any of the bars I went to in Cozumel. I had no frou-frou drinks--just beer.

 

[webray]

In Cozumel..you can get corona all over the place..lol for $1.

No problem at all eating, none at all. Just remember, drink bottled water if you need water.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Good morning - after reading mom x4's posting, Norm and I decided she needs to recognized as a fresh water conch - she knows as much or more about Key West as Norm and I do and we are salt water conchs (this is a saying for those born in Key West and fresh water are those that have come to Key West and made it home or knows a lot about Key West ).
Anyhow I have some information on Key West that I do not mind sharing.
Just drop me a note at snelsonbrown@aol.com OK.
there is a lot to do in Key West and as momx4 said, you are really close to a lot of things and to book excursions ahead, is a waste of monies - you can save a bunch by doing it on your own.
If I can help further, just drop me a note.
Always
Shirley

 

[natdencro]

You can save an enormous amount of money if you eat a huge breakfast on port days! We NEVER eat off the ship, as we are so full after a big breakfast - it keeps us going until we get back to the ship.

We hired an electric car in Key West (2 and 4 seater cars available), but DONT hire them from the pier, as they are more expensive. There is a place just off Duval Street, and you get an hour free if you book for 2hrs. Plenty of time to tour Key West and see much more than you would on the conch tour.

Hired a private taxi in GC, and had great 2 hr trip around much of the area, including discounted visit to the Turtle Farm (courtesy of lady driver - who is pal of the owner) and a visit to "Hell".

Cozumel has plenty to do and see for free, although the shopkeepers are rather persuasive. If you dont want to spend much money, walk on the beach side of the main road. Much nicer views, and doesnt cost you a penny!

You can also save money onboard by always carrying your camera around with you! The professional photos are lovely, but way too expensive if you have a large family and a small budget. Our best photos are ones taken around the ship............meeting Mickey in the lift..............Stich sliding down the banister in Lumiers............Goofy sneaking up behind hubby and larking about on Deck 10..........etc.Happy times.Nat

 

[disneyfan551]

Does anyone know how much the electric cars cost to rent in Key West?

 

[TheWog]

Does anyone know how much the electric cars cost to rent in Key West?

http://www.reefmobile.com/key-west-elecrtic-cars.html


http://www.vacationkeywest.net/mopeds.htm

 

[webray]

Did anyone have problems getting sick after eating in Cozumel? especially Mr. Sanchos and Paradise beach? You know what you always hear about Mexico!

No problems at all, we have eaten at the restaurants in Cozumel (Mr. Sanchos and Carlos and Charlies), Mazatlan (sidewalk cafe and a diner), Cabo (carlos and charlies). We have never gotten sick. These are all tourist areas, the water is filtered, or they serve you bottled. I even had ice in my margaritas, since I drink them on the rocks. All was well.

 

[jlawall]

In KW, a cheap way to see the island is to rent bicycles and tour around. You can stop at the South End, Margaritaville and other shopping spots along the way.

In GC, there is some shopping off the boat, many taxis available to take you anywhere. The turtle farm is pretty cheap and fun to do.

In Cozumel, there is more shopping, it's usually pretty hot so a beach visit is a good idea for the day.