Why no DCL beach excursions at Key West?

[lklgoodman]

Thinking about switching our 2021 cruise from the Fantasy to the Magic. Was looking at the list of excursions for Key West and saw there are no beach excursions. We've never been to Key West so don't know how easy/difficult it would be to get to one on our own. Any recommendations for beaches? Thanks

 

[SamFaniam]

Thinking about switching our 2021 cruise from the Fantasy to the Magic. Was looking at the list of excursions for Key West and saw there are no beach excursions. We've never been to Key West so don't know how easy/difficult it would be to get to one on our own. Any recommendations for beaches? Thanks

Probably because you do not need an excursion to visit the Key West beaches. Transport is easy and the city is safe. Smathers and Higgs are on the south side. There are vendors there with chairs, umbrellas, etc. Or you can go to Fort Zachary Taylor park on the west side of the island, it has a small entry fee.

 

[Quellman]

Thinking about switching our 2021 cruise from the Fantasy to the Magic. Was looking at the list of excursions for Key West and saw there are no beach excursions. We've never been to Key West so don't know how easy/difficult it would be to get to one on our own. Any recommendations for beaches? Thanks

I am a fan of Smathers beach personally. It's the farthest one from the port however and I doubt the conch train gets that far. I wouldn't wan't to walk it with towels, beach stuff, and flip flops, though I have made that trek from mallory square with a back pack. Usuaully are food trucks in that area as well. Plus there is a sheraton across the street that would have food also.

 

[mevelandry]

I am a fan of Smathers beach personally. It's the farthest one from the port however and I doubt the conch train gets that far. I wouldn't wan't to walk it with towels, beach stuff, and flip flops, though I have made that trek from mallory square with a back pack. Usuaully are food trucks in that area as well. Plus there is a sheraton across the street that would have food also.

No but we saw Higgs Beach on the Trolley Ride, it was near the Southmost Point stop. The Beach was very cute.

 

[monkeydawn]

Honestly the beaches in KW arent that great. When we stay in KW we usually visit Ft Zachary Taylor beach for a few hours each day but if I were visiting KW on a cruise, Id probably stick to Duvall St/ Mallory Square for my port time. You will likely be going to other destinations with much better beaches, soaking up the atmosphere of KW is a much better use of your time, especially if it is your first time there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bahia Honda State Park is quite a way away (37 miles), but I think it’s the loveliest beach in that area. We had a car, because we also wanted to see Key Deer since we were in the keys.

 

[Rosehip327]

I agree with above, the beaches in KW aren't that great. They are very rocky and it is hard to walk out into the water. If you haven't been before, go sight seeing. Hemingway's house is very cool!

 

[Kritn4]

Just a suggestion...Key West is a pretty safe port to do on your own. My family rented a golf cart and explored the island for several hours on our own. We spent some time at the fort (great educational experience for the entire family. And some awesome photo spots with the ship in the background). There is a beach that you can get into the water there. Not your typical sandy beach but what you will pretty much find on Key West. My 13y.o daughter (who has spent a lot of time on the islands) says this is one of her favorite vacation memories. We had a blast traveling through town. I don’t think you will get much more booking a tour on the train or other tour.

 

[chamberlain]

I have a cruise planned for next year stopping at Key West and am very interested in renting a golf cart. Is there a certain company you used? Are they close to the port? This just sounds like something my husband and I would enjoy since we have never been to Key West and would like to explore.

 

[Budzooka]

Agree on the beaches at Key West not being that great. We got married on Smathers Beach and while it was a great setting and atmosphere, we’ve been to much better beaches since for swimming and snorkeling.

Dry Tortuga National Park was our favorite beach, but it takes a bit to get there and wouldn’t recommend if only stopping on a port day during a cruise. So much to see and do on Duval if only have a few hours.

 

[Kritn4]

I have a cruise planned for next year stopping at Key West and am very interested in renting a golf cart. Is there a certain company you used? Are they close to the port? This just sounds like something my husband and I would enjoy since we have never been to Key West and would like to explore.

http://www.sunshinescootersinc.com/
Sunshine Scooters
1910 N Roosevelt

 

[chamberlain]

Awesome! Thanks.

 

[lunaland]

We will be stopping in Key West on a cruise this December and are trying to figure out what to do. I'd love to do a dolphin watching excursion but can't find one without snorkeling. My other thought was I'd like a slice of Key Lime Pie, to see the southernmost point, and maybe the Fort. We will have a 7 and 11 year old with us. This will be their first cruise but the adults are gold cc. They are my friends children and I'm not comfortable with them snorkeling in open water. Suggestions?

 

[SamFaniam]

We will be stopping in Key West on a cruise this December and are trying to figure out what to do. I'd love to do a dolphin watching excursion but can't find one without snorkeling. My other thought was I'd like a slice of Key Lime Pie, to see the southernmost point, and maybe the Fort. We will have a 7 and 11 year old with us. This will be their first cruise but the adults are gold cc. They are my friends children and I'm not comfortable with them snorkeling in open water. Suggestions?

Can highly recommend https://honesteco.org/

The trip includes a snorkel stop, if you wish, We have gone with them twice. The second tour was on a day where it was chilly. As none of the guests cared to snorkel, we just spent that time with more dolphin watching.

 

[lklgoodman]

Thanks for all the suggestions. All I need at a beach is a chair and a drink, don't care about swimming or snorkeling. I'll have to tell my dh about renting a golf cart. I'd love to see Hemmingway's house, my dd would love all the cats and would probably try to sneak one onto the ship, lol!!

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

Carts and scooters are the way to go. We rented a Nissan Sentra a few years back for our Keys trip and Key West is very popular and busy and even the sentra was a bit big to navigate around the all people. We got as close as we wanted to go and parked and walked around instead. There is a outside restaurant on the pier where the ships doc and a few steps away there is an air conditioned Cuban restaurant.
The trolley ride is well worth it for the price you pay and tours the area with a narration and will drive by the Hemingway house but it was not one of the stops however the southern most point is.
The beaches are not the best in the keys they are very rocky. Depending on the time in dock I would even recommend getting a car and driving to Bahia Honda beach with a stop at Boondocks in Ramrod on the way back. Marathon is the bigger city and is only an hour drive at best. There's more to do there than Key West and you won't see the seven mile bridge from Key West. However you can take in a day in Key West. We spent a week in the Keys and couldn't find much to do to keep us busy for a full day. Even at 10 in the morning the bars are all open with loud music and smell of beer and lined up around the corner to get into Sloppy Joe's but honestly the Margarittaville in Key West is the best one we've been to.

 

[mevelandry]

We will be stopping in Key West on a cruise this December and are trying to figure out what to do. I'd love to do a dolphin watching excursion but can't find one without snorkeling. My other thought was I'd like a slice of Key Lime Pie, to see the southernmost point, and maybe the Fort. We will have a 7 and 11 year old with us. This will be their first cruise but the adults are gold cc. They are my friends children and I'm not comfortable with them snorkeling in open water. Suggestions?

For the Key Lime Pie, I recommend going to Blue Heaven. It's the best I've ever had.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for all the suggestions. All I need at a beach is a chair and a drink, don't care about swimming or snorkeling. I'll have to tell my dh about renting a golf cart. I'd love to see Hemmingway's house, my dd would love all the cats and would probably try to sneak one onto the ship, lol!!

If she likes cats she'll be very happy with Hemingway's house. They are EVERYWHERE and some of them are extremely friendly.

 

[monkeydawn]

Thanks for all the suggestions. All I need at a beach is a chair and a drink, don't care about swimming or snorkeling.

I dont think any of the beaches have chair rentals.

For the Key Lime Pie, I recommend going to Blue Heaven. It's the best I've ever had.

For those that do not like meringue be aware that this Key lime pie is more meringue than pie! I wish I could remember the name of the little place that I liked the best. They had an extra tart version that was the best that I had, and I tried many many slices. My second favorite down there was Publix and Ive since found that they are just as good at any Publix which is nice. One of the days we had to get some groceries and they had these cute little mini pies which is why we tried Publix.

 

[SamFaniam]

I dont think any of the beaches have chair rentals.

There are vendors at both Smathers Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor Park.