Western Caribbean excursions

[hessab]

I am not sure what to do for the day in Grand Cayman. My daughters are 8, 10, 12 years old. In Cozumel, we are doing Pleasure Island. Grand Cayman not sure. Jamaica just Margarittaville pool and Castaway we are enjoying the beach. I don't want to spend a fortune on excursions. I am fine just getting off the ship and walking around. Am I missing out if I don't do something special in Grand Cayman? Is the turtle farm that amazing? Any other suggestions?

 

[sdjen]

We did the turtle farm on our own. Booked online and saved 20% for the tickets that included the swimming and snorkeling. The girls enjoyed snorkeling with sea turtles and also the fresh water pool. It was a pretty drive to get there (shared a taxi for $8 PP). On the way back we caught a public bus that was $2.50 each. We enjoyed it!

 

[CamColt]

We did a tour through DCL, that stopped at Hell and the Turtle Farm. Our driver gave a great narration during the ride and we learned a little along the way. It wasn't too long (our kids like to be back on the ship asap) so it was just enough for us to get a feel for the island.

The Turtle Farm was neat. We liked it, but I wouldn't say it was amazing.

 

[marsh0013]

From what I've read, Sting Ray City at Grand Cayman is great. We're doing the Western too, and we don't want to spend crazy amounts on excursions. It's also our honeymoon, so we want to be able to relax.

For Cozumel, we're going to play it by ear, see how we feel that day. If we're up to it, we may take a taxi to Mr. Sanchos and do the all-inclusive there.

Grand Cayman, definitely looking into a private tour company for Sting Ray City. I've been reading cruise critic boards and have found some options there, still need to do more research.

Falmouth, Jamaica we don't want to take an hour ride that seems to be required to get to every excursion, so we may not even get off the ship here.

We're going Oct 15-22 so we have time to figure stuff out.

 

[jamieann]

We took a private boat to String Ray City and it was very cool. Highly recommend.

 

[drsmileswife]

Does anyone know how sting ray city compares to the sting rays on castaway? We were thinking of doing it on castaway again, but maybe grand cayman would be better?

 

[TigerTown]

My wife and I are not really interested in the beach so when we went to Grand Cayman during our last cruise, we booked a walking history of Georgetown/Food tasting tour. This was not a Disney sponsored excursion so there were only ten people on the tour. We both had a great time and would definitely do it again.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

Hi Tigertown,
My wife and I aren't into the beach scene either and always look for historical things to do and that Georgetown tour sounds nice. Any details? Who wa it with? Price? How long? Email me if you would like. Thanks so much!
Rob

 

[MotherKnowsBest]

Nativeway tours! I can't recommend them enough. We took the tour with the starfish beach, stingray city and a snorkel stop. They met us at the port and drove us to the marina and back in a bus. The captain and his assistant were both great. It was myself, husband, dad, and kids (7 and 5).

 

[scarlet86]

Does anyone know how sting ray city compares to the sting rays on castaway? We were thinking of doing it on castaway again, but maybe grand cayman would be better?

We have done both. By far Sting Ray City was better. We loved the fact that it was open waters and the sting rays could come and go as they pleased. The water was amazing too. It was just my husband and I last time, but we loved it so much we just had to come back with the kids!

 

[scootch]

We jet skiied to Stingray City. Hands down the most fun we have had on an excursion in 7 cruises.

 

[TigerTown]

Hi Tigertown,
My wife and I aren't into the beach scene either and always look for historical things to do and that Georgetown tour sounds nice. Any details? Who wa it with? Price? How long? Email me if you would like. Thanks so much!
Rob

I don't know if the DIS want's me to post external links so I will tell you to Google Cayman Food Tours and you'll find it at the top of the list. I think the official title is "Taste of George Town". Marzeta is the owner and she was also our tour guide. The tour was about three hours long and, when we went, the cost was $75 per person. We had five different tasting stops that were all really good and learned some fun facts about the city of George Town. I'd highly recommend it!

 

[Dreamtrip*]

We jet skiied to Stingray City. Hands down the most fun we have had on an excursion in 7 cruises.

Did you book this privately?

 

[hessab]

Thanks for all the great information. I will look into all the options.

 

[BNDisney55]

I am not sure what to do for the day in Grand Cayman. My daughters are 8, 10, 12 years old. In Cozumel, we are doing Pleasure Island. Grand Cayman not sure. Jamaica just Margarittaville pool and Castaway we are enjoying the beach. I don't want to spend a fortune on excursions. I am fine just getting off the ship and walking around. Am I missing out if I don't do something special in Grand Cayman? Is the turtle farm that amazing? Any other suggestions?

we are on your cruise and are taking our 8 yr old daughter to the dolphin meet and turtle farm excursion. We are doing the same for Jamaica and Castaway Cay

 

[scootch]

Did you book this privately?

Yes. We went with a company called Ebanks, but next time we are going with Discounted Excursions. Check Trip Advisor.

 

[rosaciri]

Totally recommend the turtle farm and swimming with the dolphins if that is available. My daughters where 2.5 and 7 when we did our cruise in 2014 and even the little one got to be part of the dolphin experience.

 

[JMHDisney]

If you want an easy day, consider getting a day room from Resorts for a Day at the Westin. We had 4 people and it was less expensive than an excursion for that many people. We did the stingrays at Castaway. I might have tried GC if my son was older (he was 6 at the time) but I thought he might get freaked out at GC and he loved the Castaway stingrays.

 

[asunutgirl]

Sting Ray City on Grand Cayman is an amazing experience. The sting rays are not in a controlled environment. It started years ago when the fishermen used to drop their extra bait when they were coming into the harbor. The sting rays started gathering there to feed. It is definitely commercialized now but you are interacting with sting rays that aren't in a confined habitat. And it is likely you will see many more there than at CC.

We were there as Scuba divers and it was amazing. I would highly recommend doing it - whether you book through DCL or a private booking.

 

[marsh0013]

Sting Ray City on Grand Cayman is an amazing experience. The sting rays are not in a controlled environment. It started years ago when the fishermen used to drop their extra bait when they were coming into the harbor. The sting rays started gathering there to feed. It is definitely commercialized now but you are interacting with sting rays that aren't in a confined habitat. And it is likely you will see many more there than at CC.

We were there as Scuba divers and it was amazing. I would highly recommend doing it - whether you book through DCL or a private booking.

That is the main selling point for me - that they are not confined. Very much looking forward to it! We originally were thinking of doing a dolphin swim at one of the stops, but when I started doing research, we decided it's not for us.