Western Excursion suggestions

[mnemsmommy]

Our next cruise will be in the Western Carribean.
Just wanted to ask for information about everyone's recommendations on:

1)what to do

or

2) what not to do

I learned so many things from this board that I was able to use on our Eastern cruise. Looking forward to learning even more.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[anty30]

Grand Cayman - Stingray City is a must do.

Cozumel - Fury Catamaran Sail and Snorkle is a must do.

Just my opinion. Have fun whatever you decide.

 

[repeatcruiser]

Costa Maya - the ruins tour is excellent & well worth the time/cost - one of the highlights of our Western trip this spring.

 

[BCV2002]

anty30

You have made my day b/c those are the exact 2 excursions my dh and I are doing on our July 1st western. Thanks!

 

[Kim&Chris]

In Grand Cayman, Stingray City is a MUST. We booked an excursion with Nativeway, and it was incredible!!

If you're looking for a beautiful beach for families, I recommend Paradise Beach in Cozumel.

 

[mnemsmommy]

Thanks for the info so far....keep it coming...I know I am not the only one that is curious.....

Thanks in advance!

 

[Colorado Mom]

We were just talking about this at supper last night!
We don't do beaches, kids don't want to swim with stingrays or dolphins. Reading the list of excurtions, nothing jumped out at us as a must do.

Is it do-able to just get off and roam around the port for a few hours? Are the 'travel for a long to get there' things to do worth it?

I have been reading the trip reports slowly and love them!

 

[Kim&Chris]

We were just talking about this at supper last night!
We don't do beaches, kids don't want to swim with stingrays or dolphins. Reading the list of excurtions, nothing jumped out at us as a must do.

Is it do-able to just get off and roam around the port for a few hours? Are the 'travel for a long to get there' things to do worth it?

I have been reading the trip reports slowly and love them!

You know, another option is to just stay on the ship! The Magic is absolutely beautiful, and there are TONS of acitivities going on at all times. I have to admit that, while we were on shore, I was just SO anxious to get back to the Magic because I felt like I was missing something .

As a sidenote, wandering around on shore would probably be OK in the Caymans, but I don't know if I'd recommend it in Cozumel. Just my opinion.

 

[JustKaren]

I was wondering about excusions as well. Mostly, we are doing short tours at each port, and I figure if we like the port then we will walk around and do stuff on our own, and if we don't like it then we can get back on the ship and have fun there!
We did book the full day Tulum Ruins and Beach excursion in Mexico (from Cozumel)...has anyone done this? I thought it might be fun and educational for my DD11, but it is awfully long. Is the boat ride over to there OK? Do many other kids do it too? Is it wicked hot?
Thanks in advance!
Karen

 

[DVC Mary]

Hey Marion & thanks to everyone w/ suggestions!

Marion & I got off the boat last Saturday and obviously can't wait to plan our Western cruises.

Does anyone have specific recommendations for those w/ kids? MY DSs will be 7 & 11 when we cruise. My youngest doesn't like to walk a lot. Would the ruins be too much walking for him or would he get excited about climbing?

 

[mnemsmommy]

Hey Marion & thanks to everyone w/ suggestions!

Marion & I got off the boat last Saturday and obviously can't wait to plan our Western cruises.

Does anyone have specific recommendations for those w/ kids? MY DSs will be 7 & 11 when we cruise. My youngest doesn't like to walk a lot. Would the ruins be too much walking for him or would he get excited about climbing?

It's ture Mary...I am already looking forward to it.

I agree....my girls will be 7 and 9 when we cruise, so ideas that would make them happy would be great...

 

[Hanover]

I'm interested in other's opinions of good/bad excursions on the Western Magic cruises as well. Our sons will be 6 and 10 when we cruise.

 

[skibum]

Grand Cayman - the Atlantis semi-submersible submarine was much better than I anticipated. Grandma and Grandpa did not want to do Stingray City, so this is a great choice for young, old, or timid. Lasted about an hour (not too long).We also did an island tour, and would not recommend it.

Costa Maya - we did the ruins with David and Ivan. Basically an all-day event. I enjoyed it, but it was too drawn out for most of those on the tour. There is very limited climbiing, so don't sell it on that. Very educational, and I am sure that DD14 and DD9 will be able to draw upon this experience sometime in their future.

Castaway Cay - highly recommend Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure for those who do not do Stingray City in Grand Cayman. Great opportunity for young, old, and timid to pet and feed the stingrays in a more controlled setting. Disney has also removed the barbs from the stingrays.
Also, Castaway Cay is a great place to just relax on the beach - snorkeling is OK, too.

 

[DVC Mary]

My 6 yr old was terrified at the start of the CC Stingray Adventure. The CMs were great & w/in 5 minutes he was feeding the fish. He loved it! I highly recommend it.

Any other ideas for Western DCL? Thanks for all the tips so far.

 

[woody73]

Cozumel: Stay on the ship and have a relaxing day.

 

[DVC Mary]

I feel compelled on the port days to go to do something for at least part of the day, although w/ one less sea day I may consider this.

Any other ideas for Western excursions? Thanks!

 

[ldb1030]

Cozumel: Stay on the ship and have a relaxing day.

Really?? Why??

 

[cntkg1]

Just subscribing to get some more great ideas

 

[one princess]

Key West do not do the trolly tour. Bleck. The butterfly farm was great and so was the aquarium.
We did the semi-sub in GC. It was very nice. Then we took a cab to 7 mile beach and snorkeled and had lunch. It was a nice day.
On Cozumel, we walked to the Los Cinco Soles shopping center and had lunch at Panchos Backyard. I highly recommend this. Then we hired a cab to drive us around for 30 min. or so. I think dh paid 20$. Agree on a price before getting in the cab. Then we just strolled around and shopped. My dd5 learned how to barter. We gave her a dollar and she would go up and ask the people what she could get for it! She ended up with a marble elephant. She was very proud. Then we stopped in Senior Frogs for a drink. It was a great day.
Get a cabana massage on CC. LOVED IT!!

Have fun!

Jackie

 

[nzdisneymom]

We were just talking about this at supper last night!
We don't do beaches, kids don't want to swim with stingrays or dolphins. Reading the list of excurtions, nothing jumped out at us as a must do.

Is it do-able to just get off and roam around the port for a few hours? Are the 'travel for a long to get there' things to do worth it?

I have been reading the trip reports slowly and love them!

You can do Stingray City at Grand Cayman without having to actually swim with them. We did the excursion through DCL that was the Island Tour and Observatory one - we took a boat out to Stingray City and then we boarded a glass-enclosed catamaran with seats in it where you could see under the water and the divers brought the sting rays right up to you. They have a recording that tells you about what all you're seeing, and the diver comes in and talks to you afterward and answers your questions, etc. Very worth it to do if you don't want to snorkle.