What do you think of our Western Excursion picks?

[cruisnfamily]

We are going on the Western in September and have tentatively picked our excursions. We are open to feedback and are interested in the experiences of those who have done these excursions. We have 2 kids, 7 & 10 and we are doing only DCL excursions. Here's the tentative list:

Key West
Key West Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Tour (3-3.5 hours)

If you're the seafaring sort, this is the best way to experience the magic of Key West. You'll enjoy a 3-hour sailing adventure that includes spectacular snorkeling in the crystal-blue waters amid vibrant coral and tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment and instruction provided, as well as beverages.

Adult Price: $44 (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $25 (ages 5-9)
Departure Time: 12:30 pm

Followed by the trolley or train(booked on our own) to take in the sights of Key West


Grand Cayman
Island Tour & Snorkeling with Stingrays (3.5 hours)

Visit the Cayman Islands' own slice of paradise, the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. Then you'll experience classic island architecture with a trip to "Old Homestead." Next stop: the one and only Cayman Turtle Farm. Then you're off to a prehistoric rock formation like no other in the world, a place the locals call "Hell." Finally, it's Stingray Sandbar! Here you'll get up close with amazing sea life. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Adult Price: $60 (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $50 (ages 5-9)
Departure Time: 7:20, 10:45, and 11:45 am


Cozumel
Atlantis Submarine Expedition (2-2.5 hours)

Dive in a U.S. Coast Guard certified submarine. Aboard the Atlantis, you'll spy gorgeous undersea vistas in air-conditioned comfort. At depths of up to 110 feet, you'll encounter the wonders of the sea face to face: from breathtaking tropical fish to the sheer majesty of 30-foot coral heads. Throughout the voyage, live narration will answer all your questions. Complimentary rum and fruit punch is served at the end of the dive.

Adult Price: $75 (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $50 (ages 4-9, must be at least 36" tall)
Departure Times: 12:35 pm, 2:35 pm


*****~OR~*****

Ocean View Explorer Tour (1.5-2 hours)

See the sea from just under the sea! Come aboard the Ocean View Explorer for a panoramic view below the surface - while staying comfortably cool and dry! Crystal-clear windows in front of each seat allow you to see fish and other marine life swim by as you glide by the breathtaking coral formations of Paradiso Reef and other spectacular sights.

Adult Price: $39 (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $29 (ages 3-9)†
Departure Time: 11:00 am, 12:45 pm

We are still undecided.


Castaway Cay
Relax on the beach
Bananna Boats



So, what do all you previous Western Cruisers think?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Sonya Francisco

Grand Cayman
Island Tour & Snorkeling with Stingrays (3.5 hours)

Visit the Cayman Islands' own slice of paradise, the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. Then you'll experience classic island architecture with a trip to "Old Homestead." Next stop: the one and only Cayman Turtle Farm. Then you're off to a prehistoric rock formation like no other in the world, a place the locals call "Hell." Finally, it's Stingray Sandbar! Here you'll get up close with amazing sea life. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Adult Price: $60 (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $50 (ages 5-9)
Departure Time: 7:20, 10:45, and 11:45 am

I think we'll be trying this excursion out next year on our first Western. Be sure to let me know how it is upon your return! Good luck!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

For the ages of your kids my 2 cents are...

Key West looks great. Keep in mind that when you are touring Key West you may just see some "wildlife" that raises questions, if you get my drift... you may want to check out the Key West websites to get an idea of any particular festivals that may be taking place when you're there. Note: According to the Key West travel planner Sept. 3-8 is Womenfest. Just so you go in with all the info. Our kids are 13 & 15 and the wildlife (even without any festivals) was one of the reasons we headed out on the kayaking - so our time around Duval St. etc was more limited. We did stop in to Margarittaville as we have a house full of Parrotheads. The kayaking is a bit strenuous for the age of yours though.

Grand Cayman - if your emphasis is to swim with the stingrays you may want to consider skipping the island tour and heading out for the early morning stingray only excursion. If the turtle farm and/or hell are important for a range of activities then the one you have sounds good.

Cozumel - we didn't even look into either of those so can't comment. Sounds like a great way to see the sea life though without snorkeling.

Have fun!
Deb

 

[cruisnfamily]

Fantastic Dis Family: Thanks for the input!

We may not even look around Key West too much if we are tired after the snorkeling. Or, we may drop the kids back on the boat and check it out ourselves while they're in the clubs.

Grand Cayman, we kind of wanted to see a little of the island as well as the stingrays.

Cozumel, my DH thought the sub thing sounded cool so that's why it's on our list. I've planned just about everything(with his OK) but this was something that interested him so I thought we should go for it.

Anybody else?

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Definitely head back to Mallory Square after dinner. You can see what is going on from the deck of the ship, but it is worth getting "in there". We left kids on the ship and did that. Of course, they were off with their friends doing whatever teens do - hanging out I think!

Have fun.
Deb

 

[inkkognito]

We did the Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays, and we really enjoyed it. The only thing is, we did not stop at 7-Mile Beach. It was pretty much just a drive-by! The turtle farm and Hell are nothing to write home about, but we wanted to see the main attractions of the island so we were glad we did them (and hubby just loves his "t-shirt from Hell).
Snorkeling with the stingrays was FABULOUS! They had broken us down into vanloads of people for the island tour, and we put on small boats with the same people from our van. The groups were small enough to allow te guide to assist everyone with feeding the stingrays, photos, etc. It was a real highlight. There was a very small restroom on the boat, as well as a fresh water shower to rinse off when we were done snrorkeling. We had plenty of time with the stingrays and really had a blast.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[ZebraStripes]

We also did the Grand Cayman island tour and stingray city and we did not stop at Seven Mile beach either. Though it was no loss because we got to do the stingrays. We found the turtle farm interesting. My DD8 really liked being able to see all the turtles and hold them. I think this is where you get the rum cake too (next door). We had a good guide who was very talkative and informative. A note about tendering in GC. We boarded a tender in what we thought was plenty of time to reach the dock and join our group for our excursion. Whatever was the recommended amount, we had more time than that. Well, we got on the tender at the boat and sat, and sat and sat and sat some more. Time was ticketing away. Finally, we leave for shore, then we can't dock because too many boats were waiting. So we sat and waited some more. And waited and waited. Finally we dock, get off and find the first DCL person who literally ran with us to where the excursion was leaving from and caught up just as the last van was leaving. Had we missed it, we would have been out of luck. While I'm sure this is not the norm, next time we tender to an excursion, we will leave extra, extra time.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by inkkognito
We did the Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays, and we really enjoyed it. The only thing is, we did not stop at 7-Mile Beach. It was pretty much just a drive-by!

The turtle farm and Hell are nothing to write home about,

We didn't want to do the beach anyway....when I called DCL for info they thought it was a drive by too. Glad to have that confirmed. How could you see the turtle farm, hell, stingrays AND do the beach all in 3 1/2 hours? By the way, did it run over time wise or was it within the stated times?

Also, I thought folks on here were raving about the turtle farm. Was it any fun? The kids are 7 & 10 and they may enjoy it.

Thanks so much everybody for the detailed feedback.....I love to hear the details! And thanks Zebrastripes for the heads up on the tendering. I would have thought you would all meet on the boat and tender together, it sounds kind of funny to meet on the docks.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

The excursions leaving first thing in the morning do meet on the ship. But after a particular time - I seem to remember 10:30 or something like that - the meeting places are under a tent near the tender dock. You can't miss it but once the first round of debarkations take place the tenders do slow down.

Deb

 

[ZebraStripes]

Our tour actually ran about 1 hour over. I was surprised. But at no time did we feel rushed. Kids will like the turtle farm.