Western Caribbean Ports

[ShellBell13]

We will be sailing 6/10/17 to the Western Caribbean ports and will not be doing any excursions due to some physical limitations of my MIL. I do want to get off at each port w the kiddos--does anyone have any suggestions of things to do right in port? Thanks in advance!
Port:
Falmouth
Grand Cayman
Cozumel

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

We did this cruise last year on April 30th. We did the "High Tea at Good Hope Estate" in Jamaica, "Rum Point Beach Adventure" in Grand Cayman, and the "Ocean View Explorer Tour" in Cozumel. It was myself, DW, and DS (11) on all excursions (except Cozumel, where DW stayed on the ship).

Rum Point includes a bus ride and then a ~ 1hr catamaran sail to the beach. The beach itself is beautiful and peaceful, and a I loved snorkeling there (I brought my own snorkel). I could stand up at any time because it was never deep. I saw many types of fish, a stingray, a lionfish, and a barracuda. I didn't really care that much for the food that was included, but there's a place there where you can buy food separately (I ended up getting DS a hotdog and fries from there because he also didn't care for the limited selection of food included in the excursion.) Also, if you have a problem with sea grass, skip this excursion because it is very natural and they do not clear the grass. Overall, I liked this excursion and found it to be relaxing way to spend the day.

The Good Hope Estate was also nice, but more of a cultured, relaxing way to spend the day. I actually chose the Blue Mountain Coffee that was offered instead of the tea and DW mentioned that she wished we would have done the excursion that served lunch instead.

DS and I really enjoyed the Ocean View Explorer on Cozumel. I had done one in Nassau years ago, and we both did the submarine excursion on our previous Western Caribbean cruise on DCL in 2009, but this was superior to both of those. We saw lots of colorful fish and stingrays as well. IMHO, staying st the surface in a "glass bottom boat" is better than a submarine, because after you get so deep, everything looks blue anyway. I also liked that it wasn't too long and we were back on the ship in time for the lunch buffet.

As an aside, even though it was early May when we were at all of these places, it was very hot in all of them, so plan accordingly.

Hope this helps.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Falmouth has a cute little shop/market area with wood carvings and other touristy stuff to buy right after you get off the ship. We enjoyed it and picked up some gifts. There is also a Margaritaville right there that was very popular. Grand Cayman has stores you can walk to if you are willing to go a few blocks, but we weren't interested, lots of fancy watches. We did a short snuba excursion in Grand Cayman that was awesome. I did not care for the area right off the ship in Cozumel. It was basically a mall with pushy people at the entrance to each store. We grabbed a ($12?) cab to Chankanaab national park and enjoyed the beach, paid $10 to rent some snorkel gear and had a great time.

 

[Happy2BMommy0812]

We are doing this cruise in October. From what I have read, the boat actually docks in Jamaica and Cozumel, but tenders in Grand Cayman (meaning you have to get on one of the little life boats and take that ashore). As a result, I think we decided to not leave the boat at Grand Cayman and just relax on the ship and enjoy the views of the beautiful ocean. Since you mentioned limited mobility, I was not sure if tendering would affect your decision.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

I'm especially interested in suggestions for Cozumel, because, quite frankly, from the videos I've seen, it looks like we could skip it, and not miss anything at all. I've been to Mexico several times, but the rest of the family hasn't. So, I at least want to get off the ship so that they can say they've been to Mexico, and find some sort of souvenir/keepsake. If there's anything else actually worth exploring, I'd love to know. Otherwise, I think we plan to spend most/all of the Cozumel port day on the ship.

 

[Sytrace]

We are doing this cruise in October. From what I have read, the boat actually docks in Jamaica and Cozumel, but tenders in Grand Cayman (meaning you have to get on one of the little life boats and take that ashore). As a result, I think we decided to not leave the boat at Grand Cayman and just relax on the ship and enjoy the views of the beautiful ocean. Since you mentioned limited mobility, I was not sure if tendering would affect your decision.

The Caymans tender boats are not lifeboats nor are they small. The process is very organized with large two level boats,bench seating and very good crew members on both the ship and the tenders to get you back and forth to the port.
They have a gangway that is hooked up from the tender to the ship that folks walk across to board the tender. I have seen wheelchairs go from ship to tender to shore. There is a Margaritavile and many shops to explore in Caymans, but unless you are going on an excursion you can come and go at your leisure or as soon as open tendering is announced. Priority goes to those with excursions.

 

[Sytrace]

We will be sailing 6/10/17 to the Western Caribbean ports and will not be doing any excursions due to some physical limitations of my MIL. I do want to get off at each port w the kiddos--does anyone have any suggestions of things to do right in port? Thanks in advance!
Port:
Falmouth
Grand Cayman
Cozumel

Falmouth has a nice shopping area right in port as well as Margaritaville resort. Maybe take some time to talk to the locals who are selling in the port and find out about their history and culture.
Grand Cayman: Shopping area close by as well as a wonderful old church right across the street from the port gates. It is amazing and beautiful. There is quite a bit of history there as well to explore.
You will have to tender, but it is a very organized and the tender boats are large and staffed by excellent and experienced crew and captains. They do this process so many times a day, week, month and year that they could probably complete the process with their eyes closed and a had tied behid their back. Not that they would. lol
Cozumel: Again, shopping, rich history and culture to talk to the locals about. They have a Starbucks, a Hooters, and a Margaritaville here as well as some other cool places.

We have done this itinerary 5 times and sometimes we stay on the ship and others we just leave and wander. We have done the following excursions though and a couple of them are good for even wheelchair access.
Cozumel: Ruins and chocolate tour as well as a beach break. I think you would have trouble with wheelchair access though. If you can walk short distances and stairs don't bother you then it will work out.
Jamaica: Good Hope Estate tour, Green Grotto Caverns (NOT good if you are in a wheelchair or cannot climb stairs and hate enclosed caverns and bats) And High Tea at Good Hope. This was something we did a couple of weeks ago while my husband and son went ziplining. They have tea and assorted snack food (jerk chicken, cookies, finger sandwiches, etc)
Cayman Islands: We have done the Turtle Farm and tour of Hell (first time we went there in 2013) We have also just left the ship and walked around or just stayed on the ship.

 

[ShellBell13]

Falmouth has a nice shopping area right in port as well as Margaritaville resort. Maybe take some time to talk to the locals who are selling in the port and find out about their history and culture.
Grand Cayman: Shopping area close by as well as a wonderful old church right across the street from the port gates. It is amazing and beautiful. There is quite a bit of history there as well to explore.
You will have to tender, but it is a very organized and the tender boats are large and staffed by excellent and experienced crew and captains. They do this process so many times a day, week, month and year that they could probably complete the process with their eyes closed and a had tied behid their back. Not that they would. lol
Cozumel: Again, shopping, rich history and culture to talk to the locals about. They have a Starbucks, a Hooters, and a Margaritaville here as well as some other cool places.

We have done this itinerary 5 times and sometimes we stay on the ship and others we just leave and wander. We have done the following excursions though and a couple of them are good for even wheelchair access.
Cozumel: Ruins and chocolate tour as well as a beach break. I think you would have trouble with wheelchair access though. If you can walk short distances and stairs don't bother you then it will work out.
Jamaica: Good Hope Estate tour, Green Grotto Caverns (NOT good if you are in a wheelchair or cannot climb stairs and hate enclosed caverns and bats) And High Tea at Good Hope. This was something we did a couple of weeks ago while my husband and son went ziplining. They have tea and assorted snack food (jerk chicken, cookies, finger sandwiches, etc)
Cayman Islands: We have done the Turtle Farm and tour of Hell (first time we went there in 2013) We have also just left the ship and walked around or just stayed on the ship.

Thanks so much!

 

[ShellBell13]

Thanks for all the info, it sounds like we can pop into port and the kids can say they've been to Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman