Western Caribbean and excursions

[ALdis]

Taking a western Caribbean cruise ( Cozumel, GC, Jamaica and CC) this year. Considering skipping excursions for at least one port day. We do like snorkeling and adventure, but not much beach break (other than castaway). Which port would you skip and why?

The only places we’ve been before are castaway and Jamaica (ocho rios). Also, sailing adults only, no kids.

 

[ilovebassets]

Grand Cayman arguably is the most annoying port because of tendering, and it's the one we tend to skip if we're going to skip a port. However, if you've never been before, swimming with the stingrays in the wild is truly amazing, and their beaches are beautiful. And tendering will be much easier without kids. I would probably skip Cozumel in your situation. The beaches are not good there, and the massive port shopping area is off-putting and takes forever to get out of.

 

[Anna131517]

We did that cruise. I would skip GC. We went to Great Hope Estates in Jamaica and did a beach day in Cozumel, and both were very enjoyable.

 

[ALdis]

W

We did that cruise. I would skip GC. We went to Great Hope Estates in Jamaica and did a beach day in Cozumel, and both were very enjoyable.

my husband is thinking good hope estates, but the bike excursion.

 

[SleepyDeb]

We're taking that same itinerary. We've been to all of the ports before so we plan on mostly exploring on our own, probably only one excursion. We won't get of the ship in Jamaica because of lack of safety. If we had never been to Dunn Falls before, we'd probably do that because it's awful cool.

 

[auntlynne]

I’m answering this question backwards. I would suggest snorkeling at El Cielo in Cozumel. There are lots of vendors. Option packaged as an open water snorkel and a stop at El Cielo for the starfish. It’s an area that requires entry from the sea, but not a “beach excursion.”

Grand Cayman - I stayed on the boat my last cruise, missed it due to choppy water another time, and just walked around town once. It is a tender port. The big activity is going to Stingray City to interact with the rays; can be combined with various snorkeling options. If you enjoy rum/alcohol, that seems to draw in tourists for a tour. You can go to Hell to see rock formations - and come back alive to tell about it. Since you’re not looking for beaches, Seven Mile Beach is just a strip of sand to avoid. This is the one I have skipped.

Jamaica - been there once. Stayed inside the secure port area at Falmouth. Still can’t bring myself to visit. Maybe I’m missing something great. This one has my concern over safety and security. Crime, driving conditions, and available healthcare. I’ll continue to look at cruises that don’t go here.

Castaway Cay. I go late, have lunch at Serenity Bay BBQ. Spend <90 minutes in the clear, calm, nearly colorless water of the Bay, get out and return to the ship. My favorite time is the last few hours before all aboard, when the beach and island are practically empty. But that requires a later start or a split day or just having lunch on the ship before venturing out. This is a major reason I sail Disney - CC.

Glad to see you weren’t really including CC on the cutting block.

El Cielo. I am a fan of clear, calm water. Photo from Viator. I sent my sister in an excursion here this year. Her excursion did not include a beach break.

 

[ramee]

Watching. This is the itinerary for my family’s (ages 8-60) first cruise coming up. I’ve only done a little research, so far, but considering…

Passion Island in Cozumel
(It almost looks like the quintessential, relaxing, Caribbean beach day. Though I’m not excited about a potential 45min+ boat ride to and from the destination…or the port)

Crystal Caves in Grand Cayman
(This seems like just enough adventure for us. But again, a bit more travel time being on the other side of the island…and tendering could be unpredictable)

My kids don’t seem to be interested in the stingrays and aren’t strong swimmers. But that El Cielo picture in the previous post looks gorgeous. I’ll look into it.

We’ll probably stay on the ship in Jamaica.

 

[lklgoodman]

We've done this cruise 3 times. We missed Grand Cayman twice because of bad weather and Jamaica on all 3 cruises because of bad weather. We had excursions booked every time. We've always enjoyed our excursions in Cozumel and the one in GC. While I would like to go to Jamaica, I'd probably skip it due to safety concerns.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Tendering is no fun, but Grand Cayman deserves a second look. What I really, really like about it is that it's one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. No doubt others will say other island are as safe, but consider this... GC is one of the few islands where tourism is NOT the major industry (banking is). You can easily walk around Georgetown and enjoy its more upscale amenities and not worry about dark allies, and you won't be approached past the port. That is priceless to me. Lots of fun shops to look into as well as fun places to eat. A decent museum is also within walking distance. You generally get what you pay for in their excursions, my family liked the nautilus boat (where you sat submerged with huge glass windows for viewing of fish and coral) and as well as swimming with the stingrays. check out the excursions to see if there is something you like, I think GC deserves a chance because of how relaxed and safe it is island wide.

 

[auntlynne]

Tendering is no fun, but Grand Cayman deserves a second look. What I really, really like about it is that it's one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. No doubt others will say other island are as safe, but consider this... GC is one of the few islands where tourism is NOT the major industry (banking is). You can easily walk around Georgetown and enjoy its more upscale amenities and not worry about dark allies, and you won't be approached past the port. That is priceless to me. Lots of fun shops to look into as well as fun places to eat. A decent museum is also within walking distance. You generally get what you pay for in their excursions, my family liked the nautilus boat (where you sat submerged with huge glass windows for viewing of fish and coral) and as well as swimming with the stingrays. check out the excursions to see if there is something you like, I think GC deserves a chance because of how relaxed and safe it is island wide.

Yep. I felt safe when just walking around Grand Cayman. Would have liked to do a stingray excursion - principally for the water in the sheltered bay - it looks beautiful. My concern was my own ability to get in and out of small boats.

 

[auntlynne]

Watching. This is the itinerary for my family’s (ages 8-60) first cruise coming up. I’ve only done a little research, so far, but considering…

Passion Island in Cozumel
(It almost looks like the quintessential, relaxing, Caribbean beach day. Though I’m not excited about a potential 45min+ boat ride to and from the destination…or the port)

Crystal Caves in Grand Cayman
(This seems like just enough adventure for us. But again, a bit more travel time being on the other side of the island…and tendering could be unpredictable)

My kids don’t seem to be interested in the stingrays and aren’t strong swimmers. But that El Cielo picture in the previous post looks gorgeous. I’ll look into it.

We’ll probably stay on the ship in Jamaica.

We've done this cruise 3 times. We missed Grand Cayman twice because of bad weather and Jamaica on all 3 cruises because of bad weather. We had excursions booked every time. We've always enjoyed our excursions in Cozumel and the one in GC. While I would like to go to Jamaica, I'd probably skip it due to safety concerns.

Missing ports and excursions is a too-common event if you pin your vacation on those visits.

I had Passion Island booked, but arrived in Cozumel to find it cancelled - due to a possible storm in the afternoon and its potential affect on our return boat ride.

And Cozumel was the only port on that cruise. I was able to find a different excursion for the day - and my pick of Passion Island was just part of my ongoing search for something to do in Cozumel.

@ramee - also look into Paradise Beach Club, Mr Sancho’s, or Nachi Cocom Beach Clubs in Cozumel. These are reached by taxi, so less affected by stormy seas. They are mainly all-inclusive, some offer the choice of no food package. Loungers, shade, pools, water craft are possible inclusions. I’ve seen my usual travel vloggers visit all of them. They have different vibes; one is a little louder than I like, others are more mellow than others would pick.

Grand Cayman’s reliance on tenders (and maybe its geographical location?) does seem to get missed due to rough seas.

 

[Pixarfans]

Yep. I felt safe when just walking around Grand Cayman. Would have liked to do a stingray excursion - principally for the water in the sheltered bay - it looks beautiful. My concern was my own ability to get in and out of small boats.

I have a good amount of travel/mom anxiety and I didn’t think the tender boats were bad with my lack of coordination and kids. Its an easy port not to book an excursion and see how it goes day of.

 

[auntlynne]

I have a good amount of travel/mom anxiety and I didn’t think the tender boats were bad with my lack of coordination and kids. Its an easy port not to book an excursion and see how it goes day of.

I have trouble stepping up and down into boats (thanks, autoimmune disease). My condition is merely a shadow now, but I am very leery of booking boat activities if I don’t know what to expect.

So far, tour guides have been excellent in making me feel physically supported with secure support into/ out of the crafts.

But I have had times of difficulty stepping up on the tram at CC. Picture that - not a massive step. Every time I looked like I was struggling, a kind guest would give me that little push to lift myself up (yes, I was traveling solo). I emit some sense that you can approach me in a store if you have questions - but also that I am open to being helped, myself.

 

[ramee]

Missing ports and excursions is a too-common event if you pin your vacation on those visits.

I had Passion Island booked, but arrived in Cozumel to find it cancelled - due to a possible storm in the afternoon and its potential affect on our return boat ride.

And Cozumel was the only port on that cruise. I was able to find a different excursion for the day - and my pick of Passion Island was just part of my ongoing search for something to do in Cozumel.

@ramee - also look into Paradise Beach Club, Mr Sancho’s, or Nachi Cocom Beach Clubs in Cozumel. These are reached by taxi, so less affected by stormy seas. They are mainly all-inclusive, some offer the choice of no food package. Loungers, shade, pools, water craft are possible inclusions. I’ve seen my usual travel vloggers visit all of them. They have different vibes; one is a little louder than I like, others are more mellow than others would pick.

Grand Cayman’s reliance on tenders (and maybe its geographical location?) does seem to get missed due to rough seas.

I did come across the other beach clubs in my search and I think I’d lean towards Nachi Cocom. Thanks for suggestion.

Edit- Paradise Beach is actually looking like a nice medium between them all…we’ll see. For the money, we might just stay on the ship. Similar experience but without sand and ocean.

 

[Girl of the South]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about the Jamaica port stop. My experience was in December 2022. The gated shopping center is right down the ramp off the ship so an easy exit - I spent around 2 hours there but it's worth getting off the ship if just for a walk! There were shops selling some tacky tourist shirts, but also postcards and rum cake. Also some more crafty shops. And a duty free (I think) shop selling alcohol, perfume, etc. I had a lovely coffee from a truck run by deaf baristas (you just picked what you wanted from a menu and they can read lips) and then a Jamaican 'patty' that was flavorful and tasted like the island! Very safe enclosure. There is a sort of 'bus station' type place inside the gate at the end which is where you can get a taxi or join non-Disney tour groups. Give it a chance, if only for a snack!

 

[auntlynne]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about the Jamaica port stop. My experience was in December 2022. The gated shopping center is right down the ramp off the ship so an easy exit - I spent around 2 hours there but it's worth getting off the ship if just for a walk! There were shops selling some tacky tourist shirts, but also postcards and rum cake. Also some more crafty shops. And a duty free (I think) shop selling alcohol, perfume, etc. I had a lovely coffee from a truck run by deaf baristas (you just picked what you wanted from a menu and they can read lips) and then a Jamaican 'patty' that was flavorful and tasted like the island! Very safe enclosure. There is a sort of 'bus station' type place inside the gate at the end which is where you can get a taxi or join non-Disney tour groups. Give it a chance, if only for a snack!

It was an attractive enclosed port area. You could see that the old buildings outside it had been attractive years/centuries ago.

 

[mpetersen]

We just did a similar itinerary. On that trip we skipped Jamaica but wished we had at least gotten off to walk the port area (right where the ship docks, looked contained and not crazy). We chose on our next trip to do an itinerary that omits GC. We went to the turtle sanctuary in April but weren’t fond of the area otherwise. We loved Cozumel, did Nachi Cocum with friends but are considering passion island through Disney.

 

[auntlynne]

We just did a similar itinerary. On that trip we skipped Jamaica but wished we had at least gotten off to walk the port area (right where the ship docks, looked contained and not crazy). We chose on our next trip to do an itinerary that omits GC. We went to the turtle sanctuary in April but weren’t fond of the area otherwise. We loved Cozumel, did Nachi Cocum with friends but are considering passion island through Disney.

I had booked Passion Island on a cruise, but it got cancelled on the day. I wish I had a back-up plan in place. I scrambled and went to Chakanaab Beach Park. The rough water was there, too, and the sand beach entry was very small. I wasn’t prepared to use stone stairs into the ocean, so I just hung out in the warm breeze (a nice break from February cold at home).

I hope you get there if you book it; it does look fun.