need Mariner Western excursion ideas

[Juliah40]

Hi, my husband, brother-in-law, myself and my 10-year-old son will be on the Mariner (Western Carribbean) in July. I'm looking for excursion ideas for the ports (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel). I'd love to hear what others have done. We're open to guided tours, renting a car ourselves, etc. Husband would like to do a zipline tour somewhere. No scuba diving, but definately would love some good snorkeling. Thanks! J

[sheilb4]

Here's some of what I have done and recommend...

Cozumel - rent a car and drive round the island. lots of great spots along the way to stop at and so easy to get around (one road)

Go to either Paradise Beach or book prior at Nachi Cocum (private resort all-inclusive)

Stop at Carlos'n Charlies, even just to people watch if you don't want to join in the fun and partying...

The fiesta boat is fun but be prepared to drink too much without realising!

The Royal Dolphin Swim is a MUST!

 

Grand Cayman - sting rays- great experience, turtle farm, ok, Nativeways tours, that go to Rum Point., or rent a car to do this.

Seven Mile beach is "ok" too busy and touristy for me.

 

Ocho Rios. Private tour like Marva Shaw, worth it, or one from ship. The falls are fun too. Don't recommend renting car alone etc here.

Go to the Ports part of the boards and you will get loads of info there too.

[islanderbob654]

We did horseback riding in Jamaica with a company called Hooves, Stingray City on Grand Cayman with Moby Dick tours, and a beach break on Cozumel. All were good and none were booked through the ship, except the drive to the horseback riding in Jamaica was a bit unpleasant. There was a driver who came for us and we were the only people in the car. He kept wanting to give us a tour after our horseback ride but didn't mention anything about the money. It was also a bit awkward not knowing what to tip the guy. Once we got there, though, the ride was great. We stayed in the rear so we basically had the guide in the back all to ourselves. We ended up giving him about $20 as I recall because he was such a nice guy. The thing about Jamaica is that it is a very poor country, and the people there really "hustle" to make ends meet (as seemed to be the case with our driver as opposed to our guide). If you are uncomfortable with this, I'd look for something that doesn't require you to interact with the locals very much. If this does not bother you, however, and you are interested in experiencing the culture, go for it!

[DonnaK]

Both times we were in Ocho Rios, we went River Tubing. It's one of our all-time favorite excursions anywhere. The first time, we booked it through the ship, but the second time we used a private tour guide for less than half the price of the ship's tour. If you go to the ports of call board, you'll find many recommendations for private tour guides for each "Western" port. We used Marva Shaw, and she offers lots of different tour packages, such as Tubing and Dunn's River Falls, or she'll customize a tour for you. She and her son Javia took very good care of us, and couldn't have been nicer or more accomodating.

 

In Grand Cayman, you probably should go to Stingray City for snorkling. You can get a recommendation for a private tour guide over on the port of call board, and I'd definitely choose that over a ship's tour.

 

Likewise, check out the Cozumel port of call board for ideas and recommendations.

[Ronrocks!]

Hi, my husband, brother-in-law, myself and my 10-year-old son will be on the Mariner (Western Carribbean) in July. I'm looking for excursion ideas for the ports (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel). I'd love to hear what others have done. We're open to guided tours, renting a car ourselves, etc. Husband would like to do a zipline tour somewhere. No scuba diving, but definately would love some good snorkeling. Thanks! J

 

Well in Jamaice I would recommend a company called knowjamaica.com. They are a family owned company. You may want to do the falls or something. This is popular. Or maybe even the river tubbing. I think you can even do the two together as a combo.

 

In Grand Caymnan the sting ray tour is popular. Several companies offer this tour, I think maybe Island Marketing Ltd. Is one of them.

 

Cozumel, we did on our own and shopped. However, you can always do one of the beach clubs for a fun day in the sun. We were going to to the ruins with a private company but decided against it since it was soo far away and too hot in the middle of the day. I hope this helps a little!

[DonnaK]

Well in Jamaice I would recommend a company called knowjamaica.com. They are a family owned company. You may want to do the falls or something. This is popular. Or maybe even the river tubbing. I think you can even do the two together as a combo.

 

 

knowjamaica is Marva Shaw and her son Javia!

[jdbmga]

Hi, my husband, brother-in-law, myself and my 10-year-old son will be on the Mariner (Western Carribbean) in July. I'm looking for excursion ideas for the ports (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel). I'd love to hear what others have done. We're open to guided tours, renting a car ourselves, etc. Husband would like to do a zipline tour somewhere. No scuba diving, but definately would love some good snorkeling. Thanks! J

 

When in July are you sailing?

[Juliah40]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond to my post! I will also check out the excursion boards as you recommended. This board has helped me so much! For jdbmga - we are traveling 7/27/08. How about you? Thanks again, Juliah

[jdbmga]

July 13. Just made final payment today. This is our first cruise. We are so excited!

[Baseballkurt]

We will be going "West" too. Thanks for the post, this is good info.

[Rich And Sylvia]

Here's our recommendation -

 

In Labadee - you have to parasail and rent the waverunners. During the waverunner excursion, you'll learn all sorts of interesting facts about the island of Haiti.

 

In Ocho Rius - another viote for river tubing. This is a fantastic excursion and if you're going in July you'll appreciate a break from the heat. We talked to all sorts of people who climbed the falls and they wished they came with river tubing on the White River near the Spanish Bridge.

 

In Cozumel - we recommend the snorkel and BOND adventure.

[azkcruizers]

My family did the same itinerary in January on the Mariner. I booked all of my excursions on my own. In Jamaica we climbed the falls, we were going tubing also but it rained. That was through Phil Lafayette. He is very nice, he does add a little adult humor in his tour. In Grand Cayman I would definately recommend Nativeway Tours. We did the rays reef and rum point. It was a beautiful day. Snorkeling, stingray city and a couple hours at rum point beach, including lunch, which we all enjoyed. The boat ride was wonderful and they even let my daughter drive. I can't say enough about the fun we had. In Cozumel we did the Royal dolphin swim with dolphin discovery which is at Chankanaab park. A bit pricey, but my kids had a ball. If you have any questions at all I'd be happy to answer. We were traveling with my three kids 7,8 and 12, my parents, in-laws and sister. Everyone was happy!!

[poppyskim]

Again I can not say enough about our wonderful Grand Cayman stingray trip. JETSKI on your out with a guide. JUst a few of you, it was only the 3 of our family. Then ride over to the beach before returning. A year later still our favorite cruise memory. Island Marketing

[keggy]

In Ocho Rios my husband did the excursion offered through the Mariner for the zip line. He loved it! He was glad he did it there and not in Labadee since it was so much longer.

[4 cruis'n]

We loved the western itinerary and had a great time on every island.

*We parasailed on Labadee. If your child likes to jump, make a reservation for time in the water park area as the available hours book up quickly. We did not eat there so can not comment on food.

*Jamaica: We had a private tour with Marva Shaw. Definately recommend her. Very friendly. Nice a/c van. Really showed us around. We went white water rafting (bring bug spray or lotion up before hand) and Dunn's river falls. Kids really enjoyed the falls. Did not eat in the island so can not comment. Safety always an issue. Even our tour guide (Grace) pointed out changes in safety measures that she needs to take. We always felt safe with her. Honestly, we may stay on ship next time if we ever go again. But if we were to do anything on the island, we would not hesitate to call Marva again.

*Grand Caymen: buccaneer catamaran to sting ray city and 2 snorkel stops. Best time ever. It was only a few hours but it seemed like a full day at sea and kids were exhausted. this was their favorite excursion of the vacation.

*cozumel: we went to nochi cocum. need to get a cab at pier and they call one for you when you are ready to leave. No problems. beach and water just beautiful. Food and drinks included and VERY good. Family had a nice relaxing beach day. Trinket shopping at pier.

Have a great time!

[chazg]

In Labadee we did the Kayak Tour. Word to the wise make sure you are in semi good shape as it can be very intense. Also when they take you to the cove there will be local merchants that will be bugging you to buy their wares. They will help pull you on to the beach and escort you to their Table of Trinkets.

 

In Ocho we can highly recommend Marva Shaw we had a private island tour and Tubing which was awesome.

 

In Cayman we did a thing called the "Sea Spi" http://www.seasuncapital.com/index.asp which is a two person mini-watercraft that you manuver thru the water and has a portal to view into the water, You feed the fish and it was great for the kids.

 

In Cozumel we just to a taxi into town and did a little shopping.

 

Hey DonnaK we finally ended up doing the Liberty on the 23rd of August, and got the Ben & Jerry's Sweet.

[DonnaK]

 

Hey DonnaK we finally ended up doing the Liberty on the 23rd of August, and got the Ben & Jerry's Sweet.

 

Congratulations on the Sweet! lol

 

We decided to leave from New York, and the Explorer was just too expensive (twice the price) compared to Caribbean Princess, so we'll be sailing on Princess on August 24. I know the shop won't have the same WOW factor, but I'm looking forward to the Seafood Buffet.

 

In 2009, we're doing a land tour vacation - Easter in Italy.