Western excursions for 8 and 11 year old boys?

[albeers]

What would you recommend for excursions for the Western? DW said that Sting Ray City is not an option!!! The DS would love to visit ruins, which is BEST? What about Key West and Grand Cayman?

Thanks for your help

 

[Wavegirl]

We really liked Tulum, those Mayans had the most amazing view...to think they had beach front property

If your wife doesn't want to do stingray city , does she like animals? You could go Horse Back Riding on the Beach , its a nice ride for the kids, ours really enjoyed it!

The beach is always nice too !!

 

[SeaSpray]

Our sons will be 16 and 13 when we cruise this summer, and I've been checking out different excursions that I think would interest them. Here is what I'm considering at this point:

Key West: The Western Union Schooner. You can book this through Disney, or on your own. Here is their web site: http://www.schoonerwesternunion.com/

Grand Cayman: No one besides me is interested in swimming with the stingrays, so I've been checking out other excursions. Here's one that I think is good for kids, even young kids, because you can either go on the semi-sub and just watch through the windows, or you can also go snorkeling at one point of the excursion. Disney offers two different Nautilus excursions; one includes the snorkeling, one is just the "ride". Of course, if you go on the one that includes snorkeling, you don't HAVE to snorkel, but you have the option. You can just stay inside and watch your friends snorkel. Here's a link to their site. Again, you can book this through Disney, or on your own: (just be careful when booking on your own, make sure your excursion will end and you'll have enough time to get yourself back on the ship!) http://www.nautilus.ky/

Cozumel: We, too, want to see the ruins. We're choosing the Tulum ruins, even though it's a long excursion. I've done research and have seen pictures of the ruins that are right on the island of Cozumel, and compared them to the ruins on the mainland, at Tulum, and since our sons are not young, we're going to go to Tulum. I strongly advise booking this excursion through Disney because you do leave Cozumel to go to the mainland, and if something should happen, breakdown of transportation along the way, if you are on a Disney excursion, they will hold the ship for you. If not, they will leave without you. Here's a site a found of beautiful pictures of the ruins and beach at Tulum: (Scroll through all of them, to see the ruins and beach) http://externe.net/photos/ll2-mexico-tulum-mayan-ruins/aligned_with_the_stars

I hope this is helpful to you, have a great cruise!

 

[Mjasp]

Seaspray...Thanks for that Nautilus link. That looks really cool.
Must show that to DH and kids.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by albeers
What would you recommend for excursions for the Western? DW said that Sting Ray City is not an option!!! The DS would love to visit ruins, which is BEST? What about Key West and Grand Cayman?

Thanks for your help

While I wasn't thrilled about doing Stingray City I viewed it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so glad I did it. It was intimidating but so much fun. As for Cozumel we did the Jungle Jeep Tour .http://cozumelinsider.com/tours/aventurasnaturales/#JungleJeep. It was very bumpy but our three boys (15, 12 and 8) absolutely loved it. They said it was better than Indiana Jones!! HTH

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

My DS's were 10 and 13 last year when we went on the Western. DS 10 went kayaking in Key West with DH and DS 13 and I went on the Conch train tour. In Grand Cayman we went on the tour that goes to "Hell" and the Turtle Farm. We also went to Tulum when we were in Cozumel. It is an all day trip with a 45 minute boat ride followed by an hour bus ride just to get there. My DS10 was just studying the Mayans in school and took our photos in to show his class. He was very excited to be able to share his memories.

 

[rae519]

My 8 year old son and I chose Nicki's for horseback riding on the beach. Her horses are very gentle and well-trained even for the novice/child rider. She's funny, pleasant and gives a great history lesson of the island during the round trip to her stable.

There was nothing like riding on the beach and cantering in the surf!! NOTHING!!!

Rae

 

[Mjasp]

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