Western Caribbean without excursions

[ToyStory3]

We are going Western Caribbean in 2 1/2 weeks. We didn't book any shore excursions. The only ones we were interested in were Jamaica and they just priced us out. We don't want to spend $400 on a couple hours.

So what would you do at Jamaica, GC, and Cozumel without booked excursions? We just want to see a little of the areas or walk through the towns. We are fine with tanubf a short cab ride somewhere. Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

In Falmouth, there is plenty of shopping in the enclosed port area which is quite large, clean and safe. I am not adventurous to cab it in Jamaica and the excursions we have done there are a good 40-50 minute bus ride from the port.

Grand Cayman is the easiest port to take a cab or even public bus (they are pretty similar in appearance and size) to seven mile beach, turtle farm etc as you can pay in US dollars. We chose to go to cemetery beach which was beautiful, not crowded and reportedly one of the best spots for snorkeling off the beach per the locals. You have to bring your own gear however and there are no bathrooms or food nearby. The cab was 6$/person there and bus (stop across the street) was $2.50/person. There was plenty of natural shade and it also happens to be a green sea turtle nesting area. We saw marine biologist/local conservation group checking various nests and saw baby sea turtles and eggs at various stages of development. The turtles will continue to lay eggs there for next two months and the biologists are there every Tuesday and Friday checking the nests. Definitely a very cool teachable moment for the kids! Tons of shopping in grand cayman too and safe to walk around. Locals are very friendly and helpful.

There are lots of other posts about things to do on your own in cozumel. We have only ever done excursions with Disney in that port.

Have a great trip!!

 

[ToyStory3]

In Falmouth, there is plenty of shopping in the enclosed port area which is quite large, clean and safe. I am not adventurous to cab it in Jamaica and the excursions we have done there are a good 40-50 minute bus ride from the port.

Grand Cayman is the easiest port to take a cab or even public bus (they are pretty similar in appearance and size) to seven mile beach, turtle farm etc as you can pay in US dollars. We chose to go to cemetery beach which was beautiful, not crowded and reportedly one of the best spots for snorkeling off the beach per the locals. You have to bring your own gear however and there are no bathrooms or food nearby. The cab was 6$/person there and bus (stop across the street) was $2.50/person. There was plenty of natural shade and it also happens to be a green sea turtle nesting area. We saw marine biologist/local conservation group checking various nests and saw baby sea turtles and eggs at various stages of development. The turtles will continue to lay eggs there for next two months and the biologists are there every Tuesday and Friday checking the nests. Definitely a very cool teachable moment for the kids! Tons of shopping in grand cayman too and safe to walk around. Locals are very friendly and helpful.

There are lots of other posts about things to do on your own in cozumel. We have only ever done excursions with Disney in that port.

Have a great trip!!

Thank you so much! This is very helpful!

 

[lorimay]

We sail one month from today on a Western. We are only getting off the ship in Jamaica and CC. We have done Cozumel and Cayman in the past and I rather just enjoy the ship.

Cozumel has a nice little shopping area around the port area to explore. Cayman does as well, but that is a tender only port which is kinda cool, you can get some amazing pictures of The Fantasy from that tender.

Have fun.

 

[Jess_S]

This doesn't really answer your question (in fact, it's the opposite of an answer). But did you look into booking excursions privately? I use another board that specializes in cruising to plan my activities at each port and I generally avoid booking with the cruise line (unless there's something special offered only for DCL guests or it would be too risky to book independently because of travel time to and from).

I also find that I get good ideas for what to do with no excursion booked when I research the private excursion options.

 

[ToyStory3]

This doesn't really answer your question (in fact, it's the opposite of an answer). But did you look into booking excursions privately? I use another board that specializes in cruising to plan my activities at each port and I generally avoid booking with the cruise line (unless there's something special offered only for DCL guests or it would be too risky to book independently because of travel time to and from).

I also find that I get good ideas for what to do with no excursion booked when I research the private excursion options.

I did - but thanks for suggesting! Most of the excursions are just as expensive as the ones offered through Disney, and they're over an hour away. The excursions that are near the port (that we are interested in) are not available. The company that Disney uses has a monopoly on those excursions so there's no choice but to book through Disney. I researched it and reached out to several companies but nothing panned out.

 

[Michelle smith]

This doesn't really answer your question (in fact, it's the opposite of an answer). But did you look into booking excursions privately? I use another board that specializes in cruising to plan my activities at each port and I generally avoid booking with the cruise line (unless there's something special offered only for DCL guests or it would be too risky to book independently because of travel time to and from).

I also find that I get good ideas for what to do with no excursion booked when I research the private excursion options.

What board do you use? I am looking at booking privately this cruise.

 

[Jess_S]

I'm not sure if it's okay to post so I hope the mods will just delete this if it's against the rules. I use cruise critic.