Independent port trips

[EXBUS]

We wold like to do trips independently in the following ports\ halfmoon cay bahamas, falmouth jamica, georgetown cayman island, keywest florida in november

can anyone give us any tips or information on anything that might us

[Mumsysailor]

Half Moon Cay is HAL's beautiful private island. The only independent option is to walk and discover for yourself. It's small and everything you spend (on souvenirs, drinks etc.) is charged to your on board account.

 

Don't know about the other places but the Ports of call board or your Roll Call would be a better place to ask.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Mumsy.

[CruiserBruce]

As Mumsysailor said, Half Moon Cay is a "Private Island, owned by Holland America. For ideas on what to do there, some research on the Private Island's board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=406

 

would be helpful.

 

For your other ports, some reading here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

 

would also be beneficial.

 

Don't know what ship you are on, so here is the master list of HAL roll calls:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86

 

Select your ship, then your sailing date.

[catl331]

Just remember the ship will wait for people who book ship tours if you are late. They may wait a little while for the others but if you miss the ship you are responsible for getting to the ship at the next port etc.

 

If you have never been to Key West, the trolley tour takes you around to see what interests you. Many people like to just people watch as this is an active pastime there. Of course, you have to have cocktails. There is Hemingway's house and The Truman White House to see.

 

Before you get to the ports, there will be a talk on board to learn about the sights. Do not go off on your own in Jamaica. Use the ship tour or a bona fide one recommended by the tourist bureau in Falmouth.

[eandj]

Key West, unless you want to do deep sea fishing, can be seen easily by yourself. I wouldn't book any excursion. Just do the research of the city online for ideas.

 

Nothing to plan on the private island. Just relax.

 

There are things to see on Grand Cayman like the little town of Hell, the sting ray park, turtle farm etc. That is one place that if you like to beach all day, you can just cab to a public beach area along the 7 mile beachfront. There will all kinds of tours you can get right at the port center. Including underwater stuff if interested. Again, research the island and then decide the things you want to see/do. It's a beautiful place and to beach and shop is fun for many.

 

Jamaica is one place that I would book an excursion with the ship. We used cabs there in the past, but it was really a hassle with drivers fighting for our business right in front of us. Unconfortable for sure.

 

Research here on the ports of call board and google specifics for more info.

[CruiserBruce]

Year old thread. OP has probably already gone on the cruise.

[RMLincoln]

We were on our second cruise and didn't know much...

 

In Jamaica we were told to only take taxies that were within the port enclosure (the gated machine-gun guarded, barbed-wire enclose.. and not just the port but the shopping area, the tourist locations....everywhere because you must be protected! ). OK, we did that and we were fine. The driver was very nice and made arrangements with all of us in his van and followed through and picked us up at the prearranged time after we visited our place of interest. I think overall we were very lucky and I would not do it again there after having seen what it's like. I can't image what a mess it could have been.

 

In fact we will not get off the ship again in Jamaica. And we're not timid folks... we've travelled on our own in many countries but not again in Jamaica. We'll enjoy the beauty elsewhere.

 

If you pre-arrange a tour through the internet please be extra cautious of your plans and your private information, use only secure website etc.... and only pay afterward.

 

If you are determined to do independent touring in Jamaica consider hooking up with some others, perhaps on your roll call, and doing one of HAL's Private Car or Van excursions... you will have a driver and you will be in charge of where to go. The cost will have to be split between the occupants and you'll have to figure that our among yourselves. But the ship will wait for you if you have a problem. m--