What are your favorite excursions/memories on the Western cruise?

[karebear1]

Just trying to gather some ideas for our newly booked 7 day Western Cruise for next January! YEAH US!! We're so happy about this! We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary and are looking for the best of the excursions to do on this cruise- and any other tips you may have to make it special. Please tell me what Islands these excursions are on as this is also our very first cruise. I have read the descriptions on the castawayclub site, but can't tell just by reading which one is better then the other. A lot of them sound alike! Can I arrange to have something special done on this cruise for our anniversary?

 

[jollytammy]

Palo's for brunch is a must! We did Stingray city at Grand Cayman and that was awsome. We also did Cozumel mini-golf and then Paradise beach is a really nice beach at Cozumel. We didn't do any excursions with Disney, we did everything on our own, Disney's seem to be higher than doing it on your own.

 

[karebear1]

Where do you get the info to do these on your own?

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Just keep reading these threads and you'll pick up contact info - Sally in Cozumel, Capt. Marvin's in Grand Cayman, etc.

Or post another thread when you have an idea what you want to do asking for contacts people had good luck with.

We did the Back to Nature Kayaking in Key West. We did a LOT of research on this, including a long conversation with Norm (of Perfect Gift fame) before we went ahead. Too many rip off stories. But this was great! We were taking about 20 minutes out from port by boat and then transferred to a pontoon. From there we were given some basic instructions and set off to kayak through a mangrove "island". The down side was that as we started out a big rainstorm blew in and the wind with it shifted the tide enough that between that and the wind we weren't able to go around the "island" as originally planned but we still had a great time, saw TONS of wildlife (this is a bird sanctuary area) and sea life. Now I would add a disclaimer that if you/your family isn't "in" to outdoor adventures this would not be a good choice.

In Grand Cayman we did the morning Stingray City - awesome but again you want to know your group. DD was glad she went but after about 15-20 minutes was out of the water. She was just a bit too short to feel comfortable. And in the afternoon just some window shopping.

Cozumel - DD & I went horseback riding while DH & DS did the Chankanaab snorkeling. Both were great fun. Make note that Cozumel excursions run on Cozumel time. DCL did a great job of attempting to keep them on schedule but it wasn't perfect. So don't book anything too tight to the ending time.

Whatever you decide to do - have a blast!

Deb

 

[Chattyaholic]

What an awesome experience! We did the Disney excursion rather than doing it on our own and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The stingrays are so beautiful, and most of them are huge, and soft as velvet and so tame!! I didn't enjoy the water though, I'm not a good swimmer and when first getting off the boat I could not touch the bottom with my head still above water. I'm just over 5' tall and I had heard the water was "waist deep" so wasn't prepared for it being more than that. I wore a life jacket but still wasn't very comfortable so didn't stay in the water long. Just long enough to hold a couple of the beautiful creatures and have my picture taken. DH stayed in the water longer and fed them, I got back on the boat and videotaped. But I'm glad we did it, for us it was probably a "once in a lifetime" experience.

 

[AnnaS]

Stingray City in the Cayman Islands with Disney and Mr. Sanchos in Cozumer on our own. Definitely happy with both.

 

[karebear1]

AnnaS- haven't heard of Mr. Sanchos before. What is this about?

 

[WDWLVR]

Key West - did the trolly on our own and it was great. Got to see lots of the island, Southernmost Point, Butterfly Conservatory, Hemmingway's House, Duval Street. Shirley's packet of info is great!

Grand Cayman - did Stingray City via a DCL excursion and it was the best!!!!!!!!! Got to see Hell, the Turtle Farm, and then swim with the stingrays - our best excrusion ever!

Cozumel - did shopping in the morning and then the San Gervasio ruins tour via DCL. A very good excursion if, like us, you don't want to do the all day tour to Tulum.

 

[prymsu]

stingray city in GC! Awesome!

 

[karebear1]

WDWLVR- who is Shirley and where do I get this packet????

 

[prymsu]

http://www.theperfectgift.cc/

This is Shirley's website. She is originally from Key West, and goes there often. While she is there she picks up all kinds of maps, business cards and brochures, and then she will mail you a bunch if you only send her postage to cover the handling.

I have gotten packets from her before, and it has provided many hours of enjoyment planning and studying on what to do in Key West.

 

[karebear1]

Is Shirley open to having complete stragers ask her to do this for them?? I couldn;'t help but notice you have a trip to Australia coming up. We use to live there... where are you headed?

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Hi KareBear,
Where in Australia did you live? My friend lives in New South Wales-the name escapes me now but it's resort type beach place. She wants me to visit, but I have to save up some air miles and recover from our DCL vacation first.
Kathy

 

[prymsu]

yes, Shirley is about the most wonderful person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting via this board! She is always putting out threads saying she is making packets and anyone is welcome to them. I believe i read that she was going to be in key west this week, or returning from.

We are going to Syndey first for a few days, then take the Indian Pacific Train to Adelaide, then the Ghan to Alice Springs to stay for a few days and then over to Ayer's Rock for an overnight. From there we go to Cairns for three nights. I can hardly wait!

 

[jlawall]

Stingray City in GC....I think it depends on the tide, our water was alittle over waist deep!....Great cruise, you will have a blast!!!

 

[RKB]

If you get a chance read my trip report 1-03-04 Magic. It describes Key West, Captain Marvins, Hell, Turtle Farm, and then Chankanaab in Cozumel. I did everything on my own (non-Disney excursions). We had an excellent time!!

 

[karebear1]

RKB - I'll try to find your post- thanks for the heads up about it. We use to live in a small outback town called Broken Hill- reverently know as Broken Hell to locals! It is in the "state"of NEw SOuth Wales- about 5 hours north of Adelaide. If you looked on a map or globe- you'd see it because it is the ONLY thing around out there!

prymsu- you may actually go through Broken Hill on your travels to ALice Springs. You'll enjoy the trip. HAve a good time.

 

[Jillie]

In Key West we rented jet skis from KeyCat Rentals...what a blast.
In Grand Cayman we did the Disney Stingray City excursion. That was so much fun....my 14yoDD, who is afraid of everything got in the water with her 2 friend (all of them with their arms around each other for "protection"). She was doing okay until a guide came up behind her and put a huge stingray on her back...I am surprised you all did not hear hear her screaming!!
In Cozumel our group of 29 went to Mr. Sanchos Beach...we had a great time there also...rented jet skis, went on the banana boat, wnet ATV riding, had great food and drink for next to nothing pricewise.
We are going back on the 4/23/05 Western and cannot wait!!

 

[The4OfUs]

In Cozumel, I can't say enough good things about the Fury Catamaran Sail/Snorkle/Beach excursion. The crew was amazing, the catamaran spotless and huge, the equipment and care and guidance perfect, I LOVED it, what a great way to spend 4 1/2 hrs in a beautiful place.

 

[OKWMEMBER]

We did the Jeep Safari in Cozumel and really enjoyed it. The Trolley was a great way to see a lot of Key West if you've never been there before.

HADD!!!