1 thing each port; Montego Bay, Cayman, Cozumel

[b8tzm]

We are not the swimmer, snorkeler, type people. Any suggestions for 1 thing to do at each of our 3 ports. Conquest 12/11/05 :)

[KruznKel]

We are not the swimmer, snorkeler, type people. Any suggestions for 1 thing to do at each of our 3 ports. Conquest 12/11/05 :)

 

Check out the bars!!:p :D

[CordovaMom]

I can tell you what not to do in Montego Bay -- don't go on the Appleton Estates Rum tour -- they crowded everyone on a Toyota bus made for little people and we drove 2 hours up a windy mountain road at speeds that made everyone on the bus ill. Although the rum tour itself was fun, the 2 hour ride there and back was not.

 

Cayman Islands we did the swimming with Stingrays and shopped in town -- check to see how many ships are in port when you're in GC -- we had 7 in port that day and shopping was crowded.

 

The ruins at Tulum was really worth it. Some rent a car and do it on their own, we took the ship's tour and were transported on nice touring busses. The ruins were magnificent and I'm very glad we did those. We ended the day with margaritas and chips, salsa and guacamole on the beach and didn't want to get back on the ship.

[mojean]

Grand Cayman - I recommend the Stingray Tour, we got the tour off the ship. You don't swim, you're actually just standing and walking around in the water and handling the stingrays. As for the snorkeling part, I don't do it either, me and several others just stayed on the ship, I was video taping and picture taking. We weren't out in the deep waters long.

 

Montego Bay - I recommend the all inclusive Sunset Beach Resort. You can people watch, lay on the beach, stand in the pool and wade over to the Sand Bar. Eat, eat, and eat (more than one location). Drink, drink, and drink. Gamble, gamble and gamble. Yes, I said gamble, they have a casino on the premises, not large but they have a little variety, no tables though. The latest I saw was the price is $40 for adults and $20 for kids. You catch a cab there and they hold your S & Sail card until you're ready to go.

 

Cozumel - If you're into shopping catch a cab downtown, lots and lots of stores, restaurants. We stopped in Sanchos Backyard for some nachos and Margueritas, they were good, wasn't trying to get full just something to hold you until dinner time on the ship.

[wendyandcliff]

Montego Bay,

Mountain Valley Rafting. You get your own two person bamboo raft with a guide. It is a slow moving river and no one gets wet. The guide will answer any questions you have and will pick you flowers and coconuts from the side of the river. This was the most relaxing trip I have ever been on.

[nybumpkin]

In Mo Bay, we did the Black River Safari. Agree with CordovaMom that if you tend toward motion sickness, this isn't the excursion for you. The bus was spacious and comfortable, but our two youngest kids became carsick - never happened to them before. (And we've done lots of road trips.) It's a long ride, and the roads are in fairly poor condition, but the trip on the Black River is great. It's on pontoon boats, and the guide brings along chicken to feed the crocodiles. We saw lots of crocs, and the river is really nice. This excursion also gives you a feel of the real Jamaica - the very poor alongside the very rich. While I wished we knew ahead of time about the ride to get there (the description makes it sound like a bus tour as you would take in this country), I'm really glad we went with this tour.

 

On Cozumel - We played a round of miniature golf at Cozumel Mini Golf downtown. It's a very nice course - challenging enough for adults - and they give you radios to order beverages along the way. They also brought out iced-down cloths for us about halfway through the course. A morning well spent. We then went to Paradise Beach for lunch and beach time.

[Cruisin Oma]

Even if your not a snorkeling fan - visit the sting rays. Just make sure it's the sand bar where the water is waist high. The trip is not to be missed.

[Rene in TN]

From all the postings, it appears that the stingray tours are the thing to do in Grand Cayman. How would a 7 year old do here? She loves the water and is a good swimmer. Will they provide her with a life jacket if we requested it? I have some concerns about how deep the water is. Thanks.

[pacerzfan]

She should do fine as long as they don't scare her. In Grand Cayman. We pre-booked and excursion with Soto Tours (found on this website) to swim and snorkel with the stingrays and snorkel at Coral Gardens for $30 per person. This was an excellent choice. The same excursion booked on the ship was $69 per person and our boat was a lot less crowded. Therefore we got very individualized attention and had plenty of time to enjoy this wonderful tour. I highly recommend it. And yes even an old fatman like me got a life jacket....LOL

 

Paradise Beach in Cozumel, there is no fee for beach entry, but there is a fee if you want to use the water toys - trampoline, iceberg, etc. You can also rent snorkel gear, though the snorkeling is not great there. Food is great - the nachos were outstanding. I can personally recommend the marguerita's, I tried several to make sure they were good. PB Tom and his staff do a great job there, I'm sure you'll have a great day.

 

In Jamaica we went to Sunset Beach Resort, but that was before the price increase (and the water parks) and we all enjoyed it alot.

[CordovaMom]

Rene,

 

The water is only waist deep at the stingray sandbar. There were 3 children on our excursion, I'd estimate they were 5, 2 and an infant maybe 6 months old. They ALL had a blast in the water. Life vests were provided by Captain Marvin's for those that chose to use them. I did notice that the tours from Carnival, all the people were wearing life vests, I'm assuming that was a requirement???

[ppeckham]

We've visited these same ports a number of times. For each port I've noted excursions we've taken (all through the ship) and our rating.

 

Montego Bay

1. Dunns River Falls - long bus ride but worth it. You climb the waterfalls. No snorkeling but you definitely get wet. This place is quite crowded but thoroughly enjoyed the climb. Did this again when we ported into Ocho Rios. My 66-year-old mother and 68-year-old aunt did this with us the second time.

2. Rose Hall tour - interesting. Worth the visit once if you enjoy touring old homes. Very pretty setting. Tour guides on the estate are extremely knowledgeable.

 

Grand Cayman

1. Stingray City - terrific. Must do at least once. My children (9 and 11 at the time) were a bit scared. Younger children may not be as scared if they see their parents calm. Where the boat anchors is much deeper. Definitely over my head (5'4"). But it was waist deep on the sand bar.

2. Island tour - once was enough. Enjoyed the turtle farm. The stop at Hell was not worth the trip. Drove by the governers mansion - didn't stop.

 

Cozumel

1. Tulum - definitely worth the trip if you love history. Did this one twice. Be ware though - no time for shopping. This is an all day tour. Wear your swimsuit. There is a small beach at the ruins. Plus purchase the trolley ticket to take you to and from the ruins and the parking area.

2. Xcaret ("Ish-carrot") - definitely worth the trip. Great ecological park. Enjoyed the shows. They have a partially underground river you can float/snorkel. I know you said you're not into snorkeling. This one is still fun. They also have a terrific evening program. It gives the Mayan view on the Spanish invasion.

3. Took a taxi to town and shopped. The island definitely wants your dollars. There are several good restaurants downtown. Taxis are $6 each way. Be sure to give exact change. MIL gave a $20 expecting change. None was given. She was planning to give a tip but not that much.

[Cruisin Oma]

From all the postings, it appears that the stingray tours are the thing to do in Grand Cayman. How would a 7 year old do here? She loves the water and is a good swimmer. Will they provide her with a life jacket if we requested it? I have some concerns about how deep the water is. Thanks.

 

The water where the sting rays are is waist deep, but you will need to get there from where the boat anchors. They willprovide you with a life vest. In addition, I liked this cruisers advice -

 

Our 5 and 7 year old girls loved it so much that they wanted to take one of the "baby" stingrays home to live in the bathtub!:eek: And these kids don't snorkel or have a lot of ocean experience.

 

The key is to talk about it in real positive tones long before you go.;) We told our girls that the rays were as big as daddy but as gentle as puppies. We got books from the library with pictures for them to look at. We were also very calm and relaxed when we took them into the water with us. Even big kids their age are feather light when in the water, so each of us held a kid while in the water to make them feel more secure. The water was about waist deep. I didn't let them feed the rays since they suck on your hand pretty strongly when you feed them and I thought it might scare the kids. Overall, they had a blast and still talk about it a year later. It really made an impact on them. It was by far one of the best excursions we've ever done. :D I would highly recommend this excursion for kids. Just be sure to explain everything to them in advance and give them as much info. as possible. Knowing everything that's going to happen way ahead of time makes the kids feel more secure.

[sea_u_onboard]

MB - I second Sunset Beach Resort - nice day and you don't have to be water people to enjoy it - of course they do have the water park now (I thought it went from $20 to $30 - but $40 could be right - still a great price for all you get). Lounge in the pool at the pool side bar or enjoy the pool table, ping pong, putt putt golf or any of hte many other things to do.

 

GC - You have to do the stingrays - doesn't matter who with - all the tour operators are pretty good. We used Capt Marvins and were very satisfied.

 

Cozumel - Still don't have to be big on swimming just to hang out at the beach. Your choices are limited right now. We really enjoyed Paradich Beach when we were there.

[Snoozeman]

Can't go wrong with any of the suggestions I've seen so far. (Xcaret will be closed for quite a while & Pancho's Backyard was closed last week)

 

 

In Mo Bay, we did the Black River Safari. I'm really glad we went with this tour.

Kathy, did you use Barrett Adventures?

[crsinmo]

Stingray tour is must in Grand Caymen, Sunset Beach is our favorite in Montego Bay.

[JoeSmooga]

Capt Marvin's Stingray City Tour in GC. Don't mess around with other excursions at this port (IMHO). You can go with other tour providers and get the same thing, so shop around for a good price and check others postings up here on CC for their opinions. Bottom line, like another poster said, this is a "can't miss" when there.

 

If you don't want a long bus ride, go to Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay. Even at $40 it's still a better price than many of the excursions offered by Carnival, and you have flexibility with what you want/don't want to do when you are there. I won't even consider shopping in this port again, even though you can score some big bargains. All the locals want you to do is "score" something else!

 

Cozumel... toss up now after the Hurricane. I always loved shopping here, but I have done the deep sea fishing here as well. If you decide to fish, you may want to look for an independent operator here to save some $.

 

Joe

[Rene in TN]

ppaxton - thanks for posting the advice on stingray city. either dh or I will take dd on this tour. She will love learning about the stingrays ahead of time.

 

Now I have a question about Sunset Beach Resort - I am assuming that families are welcome or is this an adult only place? How much are kids?

 

Thanks!

[sgriff17]

Is this THE Sunset Beach Resort you all are talking about? Looks very nice to me. http://www.sunsetbeachresort.com/

 

Rene - Looks like 1 of the Beaches is a NEKKID beach - just keep the kiddies away from there I suppose.

[JoeSmooga]

Yep, that's the Sunset Beach we are referring to. The nekkid beach is obstructed from view, so you don't need to worry about kids. There is PLENTY for them to do there, even though we did not take ours (they liked Camp Carnival too much!)

 

Joe

[sgriff17]

I'm confused, the question is non-snorkeling, non beach and all recommendations are for stingray city and a beach:o

 

I agree with you Jack, the Jeep tour in Cayman would be my choice too. in Jamaica definitely Dunn's River Falls and in Cozumel we had a blast on The Dune Buggy Island Tour

 

I wasn't answering the OP, I was answering Rene...

[whdove88]

Have you thought about the butterfly tour in GC? There is a lunch offered afterwards at the beach but it sounds lovely. Probably shade and restuarants there or shopping if you arent interested in the water or beach. Its so beautiful there. In Jamaica, friends I had met from the ship rented a (taxi) guide for the day and got a really fantastic personal tour of the island, also took them to a beautiful place for lunch and then shopping. You can do that at all the islands if you wanted. Cozumel might be fun for you to just walk around & shop, find a place to have longosta lunch ( lobster) or just some simply great mexican food, its just wonderful fun shopping there.They need our $$'s. Seems to me there is a sunset cruise offered as an excursion from CC, if the weather is nice I would try that or find a tour off the cruise that offers it. No matter what you do, enjoy your visits:) ! Good luck!

[b8tzm]

Can't believe the great responses here. With 2weeks to go I am going to need to finalize something. So many responses make it tough but glad to have so many options. Thanks all

[arlydion]

The water where the sting rays are is waist deep, but you will need to get there from where the boat anchors. They willprovide you with a life vest. In addition, I liked this cruisers advice -

 

How far out do you have to swim to get to the sandbar from where the boat anchors? DH can swin, but I can only doggy paddle.

[pacerzfan]

With the life vest you are ok....I can't even doggie paddle and I don't even float good for a fat man....LOL

[libertycall]

I keep reading how the stingray experience in caymans is a must do. We've done the shark/ray tour in Belize and while it was an amazing experience and great poto. op. that everyone should experience, I think I would rather snorkle a good reef or check out 7 mile beach?? Usually go to islands for good snorkling but not so good beaches. 1st cruise