Pugster4 Posted June 5, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I'm looking at booking a western Caribbean cruise through carnival and have to choose between the Magic and the Breeze. They have the same itineraries other than the Breeze will stop in Costa Maya and the Magic stops in Grand Cayman. If you had to choose, would you pick Costa Maya or Grand Cayman and why? Thanks for any advice and opinions you give! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdn hawaii Posted June 5, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I would say grand cayman. I've visited there almost 10 years ago. Went to stingray city to swim with the stingrays. I loved it. Although I may be biased as that was the sole reason we took the cruise in the first place. We will be visiting costa maya in a week on our cruise and I'm having trouble finding something to do there besides snorkel or go to visit some ruins or go to a beach. We live near beaches so for us that's not a priority on a cruise. We like to experience different things and have already seen some ruins before so looking for something different to do. That's my opinion. Others may feel differently. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amaydaisy Posted June 5, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I really enjoyed both places! I'd happily go back to either! Both are beautiful places, and the people kind and welcoming! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted June 5, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 5, 2017 We had this choice to make. Since one of our main interests was visiting historic ruins it was an easy decision. This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sun_lovin!1 Posted June 5, 2017 #5 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Grand Cayman! Love doing excursions with Fat Fish Adventures and then making a stop at Caybrew! Sent from my LG-E980 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted June 5, 2017 #6 Share Posted June 5, 2017 My 2 cents.... If you've never swam with the stingrays and that attracts you, Grand Cayman. Otherwise, GC is a very expensive port for food, drink and shopping. Think high priced port shops. 7 Mile Beach, however, is a great beach for beaching and there are snorkeling opportunities around on the island, specifically Eden Rock just tot he south of the tender piers. I love Costa Maya due to Mahahual's original quaintness. But that is changing. Still, as previous poster noted, if you want to see Mayan ruins, CM is a good stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugster4 Posted June 5, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted June 5, 2017 So if we were just looking for a beach day and good food, what would be the best option? I'm just curious as I know we will go to Grand Cayman on a future cruise since it is on several itineraries Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted June 5, 2017 #8 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Sunshine Suites Resorts/Sunshine Grill, 7 Mile Beach Grand Cayman. or Tropicante, Mahahual malecon in Costa Maya. Both have websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugster4 Posted June 5, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Sunshine Suites Resorts/Sunshine Grill, 7 Mile Beach Grand Cayman. or Tropicante, Mahahual malecon in Costa Maya. Both have websites. Thank you. I have heard a lot about Blue Kay too and like what they have to offer as it doesn't seem as busy and such but is the food quite a bit better at tropicante? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted June 5, 2017 #10 Share Posted June 5, 2017 My only issue with Blue Kay is the hard wooden loungers. But that doesn't seem to bother a lot of people. Otherwise, it's a good spot and away from the main malecon crowd with direct access when going via taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugster4 Posted June 5, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted June 5, 2017 My only issue with Blue Kay is the hard wooden loungers. But that doesn't seem to bother a lot of people. Otherwise, it's a good spot and away from the main malecon crowd with direct access when going via taxi. That makes sense. Comfort is important! Is the food at Blue Kay as good as tropicante? And is it traditional Mexican or Mayan Mexican at both places? Thanks aha Ian crewsweeper you are a great help! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted June 5, 2017 #12 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Grand Cayman. Much more to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mncruiser84 Posted June 5, 2017 #13 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Grand Cayman was fun buy it was very expensive to get some drinks for the day. Stingray city was awesome. Our next cruise is going to costa maya so we'll get to try out something new. Maybe do the waterpark or just a beach day. Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted June 6, 2017 #14 Share Posted June 6, 2017 That makes sense. Comfort is important! Is the food at Blue Kay as good as tropicante? And is it traditional Mexican or Mayan Mexican at both places? Thanks aha Ian crewsweeper you are a great help! Sent from my iPhone using Forums More Mexican flavors, but not tex-mex. Steve at Tropicante does serve a bit of a mix with some american food, cause kiddos want burgers, etc. But his cooks do a bang up job on seafood. and he's got a new place, Busters, that has local artisan vodka and hooch as well as a number of Mexican craft beers. But Blue kay has the nicer sand, IMO. You're not limited to parking in just one spot. It's all open single stretch of beach, see the maps and pics in my signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugster4 Posted June 6, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Crewsweeper thanks again for the time you have taken to answer my questions. You are a great help! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aflacguy Posted June 11, 2017 #16 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Costa Maya hands down Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jas283a Posted June 11, 2017 #17 Share Posted June 11, 2017 If you go Costa Maya, I've heard several people rave about a place called Mayan Chan, quiet beach with good food and apparently great service. Just another opinion. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aflacguy Posted June 11, 2017 #18 Share Posted June 11, 2017 We've been to Maya Chan several times. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!! Make reservations well in advance Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 14, 2017 #19 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Both ports have great options. One thing to consider also is that Grand Cayman is a tender only port and you will be docked at Costa Maya. Tendering adds time and some waiting in lines getting to shore and back to the ship. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara619 Posted June 21, 2017 #20 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Maya Chan in Costa Maya was a great beach day in March. They have a limited number of reservations so it wasn't crowded. The food was really really good and the drinks were good too. Each party had an assigned palapa with a bed and chairs. And free wifi. I just booked it again for next March. http://costamayabeachresort.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razor_Poke Posted June 22, 2017 #21 Share Posted June 22, 2017 GC is not a "poor" place. Prices are in line with just about anything in the US and maybe more. However, if snorkeling is your thing, Eden Rock is a great place and it's only a few steps from the dock. Last time we went, you didn't really have to buy anything although we did rent a locker and bought a few sundry items in their shop. It's the best snorkel spot we've been to besides West Beach in Honduras. It gets deep not far from shore but you can easily see bottom and all the fish and coral that goes with it. No strong currents either. We'll be in CM for the first time in about a month. But from what I read, they are much different places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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