Help! Need suggestions/advice for excursions

[okiediver]

We are going on the Rhapsody Oct 16 with 15 and 17 year old boys. What are the best excursions for them to do?

 

What are the differences between the Stingray tours? Several sound like the same thing.

 

Should we not plan to venture around these ports because they are not safe?

 

Should we wait until we get there to decide?

 

I am very confused and unsure, if anyone can give me some direction, it would be very much appreciated.:confused:

[MrsBoo]

Hi okiediver -

 

If you haven't done so already, go to the Forum Jump at the bottom of the page & check out the ports of call that you're going to. You should be able to find a lot of recommendations on tours there. Happy sailing - I have to warn you, it gets awfully spendy when your kids are addicted to cruising too;)

[clackey]

We are going on the Rhapsody Oct 16 with 15 and 17 year old boys. What are the best excursions for them to do?

 

What are the differences between the Stingray tours? Several sound like the same thing.

 

Should we not plan to venture around these ports because they are not safe?

 

Should we wait until we get there to decide?

 

I am very confused and unsure, if anyone can give me some direction, it would be very much appreciated.:confused:

Hola okie,

Most of the Stingray tours are alike. We chose Nativeways Rays, Reef and Rum Point tour mostly because of the lenght of tour. If money is a problem, there are several beaches in the Caymans that can be had via taxi. Cemetary Beach and Seven Mile are two of the most popular. As for Cozumel, if the boys want girls and sand go to Paradise Beach. If girls and snorkeling are in order, try Chankanaab. Both places can be had by taxi and a small entry fee. I am sure they will have a great time in any of these places. Key West, however, is a mystery to me. Never been there and have no idea what to expect. There you are on your own.

 

As for security, I would not hesitate to run around these areas at night, but I am a 200# male with an attitude.:mad: In all honesty, I wouldn't worry in any of these ports. It is not a place for young women, especially unescorted, but then Mtn. Home, Arkansas isn't either.

[okiediver]

Clackey,

 

 

Would you recommend booking thru the ship or on your own? Anywhere in Arkansas is cool! We love Beaver Lake.

[bplazo]

You will save money if you book on your own and the tours are usually less crowded. The only time I book through the cruise line is when they are the only ones that do the tour I want to do.

[Driftwoodgal]

In Cozumel you can rent a car at the end of the pier. We went to Punta Sur, Coconuts, downtown, Paradise Beach on our own. It is a safe place that I wouldn't hesitate driving by myself in a vehicle. No matter where you are, even here in the States you need to be smart about what you are doing. We used Eagle Ray Diving to snorkle on our first cruise. We will be back to Cozumel in 2007 and we plan on renting a jeep and seeing the other end of the island this time.

 

Grand Cayman has lots of locals that can take you to the Sting Rays. As another poster pointed out check the ports of call threads.

 

Key West doesn't give you a lot of time to do much while you are in port. You can walk around and see lots without a tour.

 

We always book our tours on our own unless it was someone where like Belize, where the tours are very far from the port. I wouldn't want to have a mechanical break down and not be able to get back to the ship.

[Maxax]

I've never been to Key West...so I can't comment on it...but as for the Caymans....ANY of the stingray tours would be fine...and it is VERY easy just to book these on your own...and save some money...trust me, everyone of these companies is fully aware of when your ship arrives and leaves...and they will take care of you! We did Capt. Bryans...they were great....medium sized boat...probably around 40 people...that was MUCH, MUCH nicer than the double decker boats the cruise lines bring out to the area...and dump 200-300 people in the water at the same time! I would totally avoid booking the stingray thing through the ship.

 

As for Cozumel...I would recommend Chankanuab...(probably misspelled that)...look them up on line...they have excellent snorkling...AND, they have "Swim with Dolphins," or "Swin with Sea Lions"...you have to book these on your own through this seperate company...you can do it all via the internet. We did the "Swim with Sea Lions" thing....WOW, was that a great and unique experience....we will NEVER forget it....and it was only like $60/person...as compared to $120+/person for the dolphin things. And like someone else said above...for in Cozumel...just walk right off the ship, find the massive line of taxi's they will have a price list posted on a big board by the taxi stand...and for like $10/might be per person...don't remember...but they drive you 10 minutes down the island to Chankanaub...you can see the ships from Chankanaub....anyhow...place has restaurants, a botanical garden area, beer, snorkling (good snorkling), dolphins, sea lions, everything...very nice...very easy!