Not doing excursions, hummmm

[hollon]

My husband and I are taking a cruise to cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, we did this itinerary last nov. and he says this time why don't we just walk around town - well, this time I'm bringing my four kids plus 6 adults w/ us - don't yall think the kids would be bored if we didn't do any excursions? we are swimming w/ the dolphins in cozumel but nothing in the other ports - just yalls thoughts pls??? I feel like the kids need something extra don't yall???

[cb at sea]

Get a guidebook on your ports....there are tons of things you can do without buying excursions....(although, Montego Bay..I think I'd do an excursion there!) so you can fill your time, but not spend a ton of money.
We generally head to a beach and soak up the tropical sun and scenery!

[LeesSummitCruiser1]

In the Caribbean we do not do any excursions through RCL becase the cost on land is much cheaper than the cost through RCL. If you check out the boards you can find many things to do. We have also had excellent luck "walking through town" and finding something to do. The vendors are almost all aware of the cruise schedule and they will get you to and from their offering in plenty of time.

[MorePlease]

You would know your kids better than anyone. If you feel they would be bored just walking around, they probably would. Grand Cayman has a lot of shops to wander around near the tender pier and they may enjoy the window shopping. Montego Bay, not so much. We didn't take an excursion, but did take a 3 minute taxi ride to Sunset Beach. It was $20 to get in but that included all beverages (even the adult ones), food, and non motorizied watersports. We enjoyed our time there and would return in the future. We also took a taxi to the "recommended shops" and would never go back. That shopping area did not lend itself to browsing - there were a lot of pushy vendors selling legal and not so legal items.

[seagoer55]

Not sure how old your children are...but personally I would be very careful taking them off the ship in Montego Bay..that is one port if I ever went back I would stay on the ship.. pushy vendors & people trying to sell drugs at every turn..

[jfeathe]

Over the years we've come to the conclusion that the only time we'll leave the ship in Jamaica is if we're on a excursion sold by the cruise line.

You'd be fine just walking around in Grand Cayman though.

[blessedx3]

We were in Montego Bay this past May. We did the tubing down the river for a few hours. It's rated for 6 yrs and up and we totally loved it. Otherwise I would never let my kids off the ship. For this port I would definately book through the cruiseline. Didn't hear good reviews of Jamaica, but we gave it a shot and decided that as long as we stayed with the cruise line we were as safe as possible.

[truffles2]

Mo Bay also has a great zip line (ther original?) through the cruise line.

[mom2two2]

Jamaica is not a nice place to stop? We do not have this one on our upcoming itinerary but I was surprised. I heard that it is very poor but I had not heard dangerous.

[SingingPixie]

Originally Posted by mom2two2

Jamaica is not a nice place to stop? We do not have this one on our upcoming itinerary but I was surprised. I heard that it is very poor but I had not heard dangerous.

I don't believe any port visited by the cruiselines is dangerous in the sense of bodily harm. The most you're likely to encounter is pickpocketing if you're not careful with your valuables. The reason some people suggest avoiding certain ports with kids (Jamaica, some of the Central American ports) is that where there are poor, desperate people there are often pushy salespeople. This makes many cruisers uncomfortable. There are also reports in Jamaica of people trying to sell drugs to cruisers- while not "dangerous" (unless you choose to participate and thus take a tour of a foreign jail), this may or may not be something you're prepared to discuss with your children, should they be old enough to realize what is going on. In either of these cases (pushy salespeople, drug sales offers), their impact can be minimized by booking an organized excursion either through the ship or through an independent organization. It's usually the people who wander around on their own who get overwhelmed. Then of course there are the people who equate poor/run down with unsafe, no matter what they actually encounter. I find that poor/run down port cities can often be gateways into beautiful countryside if you're willing to give them a chance- you've just got to be prepared with a plan other than getting off the ship and wandering the immediate vicinity.

[MYMOTHERSCHILD]

Originally Posted by hollon

My husband and I are taking a cruise to cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, we did this itinerary last nov. and he says this time why don't we just walk around town - well, this time I'm bringing my four kids plus 6 adults w/ us - don't yall think the kids would be bored if we didn't do any excursions? we are swimming w/ the dolphins in cozumel but nothing in the other ports - just yalls thoughts pls??? I feel like the kids need something extra don't yall???

Grand Cayman is so crowded on cruise days you have to stand in line to walk down the main st. We've taken a bus from one flat end to the other simply to see what was there and saw nothing at all of interest. I disembark just for the change of scenery. Avoid going to "Hell." Nothing but a couple of hellish gift shops and a small area of black pointed rock.
In Cozumel, I make my way out of the shopping mall on the pier, which isn't easy, and walk down the street to meet up with Mexicans and practice my goofy Spanish.
I just returned from the HAL cruise to Santo Tomas, Guatemala...still unspoiled which is a miracle in itself. "Go With Gus" up the Rio Dulce is the best tour I've ever taken. Go before the port turns into Ripoff Plaza.
Liz

[cruising grandma]

Originally Posted by hollon

My husband and I are taking a cruise to cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, we did this itinerary last nov. and he says this time why don't we just walk around town - well, this time I'm bringing my four kids plus 6 adults w/ us - don't yall think the kids would be bored if we didn't do any excursions? we are swimming w/ the dolphins in cozumel but nothing in the other ports - just yalls thoughts pls??? I feel like the kids need something extra don't yall???

In Grand Cayman, if you enjoy beaches, just take a taxi (minivan) to Seagrape Beach or Royal Palms Beach. They charge a small pp($4 or $5) for the taxi to/from. Seagrape and Royal Palms have restaurants, loungers, and water sports, and are on beautiful Seven Mile Beach.

Montego Bay has buses or taxis to Doctor's Cave Beach, which is not too far and has loungers and restaurant.

We have been all three places, and enjoyed. Be cautious in Jamaica.

[Jsme]

My son does not like to cruise. He is 15 and has been on 3 cruises with the last being in 2006. One of his complaints was we were not doing excursions. If you make me go can we do an excursion. lol

In Cozumel you could always take a taxi to Mr. Sanchos or Paradise. Taxi cost and food would be the expense.

In Mo Bay go to Margaritaville. The kids would love the water slide. Once again cost is food and taxi.

Grand Cayman has a great beach. Same cost as above.

I do not like just walking thru town. I am not a shopper and I am a girl!!! Some people really love doing this but I do not care to unless I have never been to that area.

[purpleprincesskc]

Originally Posted by hollon

My husband and I are taking a cruise to cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, we did this itinerary last nov. and he says this time why don't we just walk around town - well, this time I'm bringing my four kids plus 6 adults w/ us - don't yall think the kids would be bored if we didn't do any excursions? we are swimming w/ the dolphins in cozumel but nothing in the other ports - just yalls thoughts pls??? I feel like the kids need something extra don't yall???

My advice would be to ask what types of activities your kids would like to do. Do your research on what each port has to offer (whether that be through RCCL or local vendors) and present these options to the others in your party. Good luck and have fun!!

[saltycat]

We were in "MO BAY" last May ,took the RC "recommended" bus to town. We only wanted to check out Margarittaville. They made everyone get off in a local marketplace
and told us we would be picked up by another bus in 5 min. We were stuck ther about a half hour...probly not dangerous but not very pleasant... finally did get to Margarittaville
where another couple had thier credit card number stollen, which they did not realize until they tried to use it in the next port! We are going back on the same itinerary however MO BAY will be a ship day!

[GoldenRose]

We've done the exact route you're doing a couple of times, and been to both Cozumel and Grand Cayman other times as well; we've done most of the ports with and without excursions. For us, just wandering around works better without our son along. He is definitely more interested in the things we ended up doing on the shore excursions.

Both times we've been to Jamaica, we stuck with excursions we booked through RCCL. When we went into MoBay, we did the horseback ride that goes through a sugar plantation and then into the ocean. (We loved it, but I've heard the experience is less good these days.)

I would definitely do an excursion in Jamaica. Quite honestly, I wouldn't get off the boat without an excursion in Jamaica. Both times we were there, people on our ship were robbed. (No one was hurt.) We didn't have any trouble like that, but the vendors in the area around the ship when we decided to wander around after our excursion were so pushy that it definitely made me uncomfortable.

Anyway, you know your party better than we do, but if there are people who have never been to the port or children who are likely to be bored by wandering around and shopping, I would definitely book some sort of excursion.

[camofwilliamsburg]

i would only do an excursion for jamaica. Either hire your own or through the ship. Go onto the port section and read. Find a tour guide from there. You will save money and get a better tour. The tubing was great.
For Grand Cayman if you want to do the stingray city( personally I do not) you can get that half price when you get off the ship with a private tour or do the research and pre book. Or if you wish to save some money, walk to the right to where the restaurant is that is in front of the FREE water trampoline. It is easy to get into the water there, and many times there is a life guard. Enjoy the chairs and the small bit of sand... or take the cab to 7 mile beach and just enjoy the beach.

[kooljamming]

Originally Posted by SingingPixie

I don't believe any port visited by the cruiselines is dangerous in the sense of bodily harm. The most you're likely to encounter is pickpocketing if you're not careful with your valuables. The reason some people suggest avoiding certain ports with kids (Jamaica, some of the Central American ports) is that where there are poor, desperate people there are often pushy salespeople. This makes many cruisers uncomfortable. There are also reports in Jamaica of people trying to sell drugs to cruisers- while not "dangerous" (unless you choose to participate and thus take a tour of a foreign jail), this may or may not be something you're prepared to discuss with your children, should they be old enough to realize what is going on. In either of these cases (pushy salespeople, drug sales offers), their impact can be minimized by booking an organized excursion either through the ship or through an independent organization. It's usually the people who wander around on their own who get overwhelmed. Then of course there are the people who equate poor/run down ( or minority, locals, I have met a few) with unsafe, no matter what they actually encounter I find that poor/run down port cities can often be gateways into beautiful countryside if you're willing to give them a chance- you've just got to be prepared with a plan other than getting off the ship and wandering the immediate vicinity.

Well said!
The Jamaicans in this area or in general as a culture see, white, fat, Americans coming off a big ship as wealthy. If you go be prepared to see poverty that is heartbreaking, hustling that is aggressive but still also prepare to see a country that is quite beautiful. Bud is a Herb that grows like Weed. There isn't a place in the world that is for everyone, just like a cruise line. You are dealing with poverty and if that can be bothersome. I would vote for a ship day if this setting is not for you. For some blessed reason, this Jamaican can't understand, RCCL is docking the monstrosity known as the Oasis in Falmouth, Jamaica. The excursions limit your exposure to things that one could find unbecoming to a precious vacation.

Suggestion- Sunset beach and Spa, with decent food, off beach snorkeling, decent liquor and a water park.

Dover Cave Beach - with buses from the pier

Margarittaville - fun tourist trap/hangout and water slide.

[masterbaker]

Grand Cayman has nice snorkeling within walking distance of the tender pier at Eden Rock. If you don't have your own gear, they even rent it there. Seven Mile Beach is a short taxi or bus ride from the pier if you just want to beach it for the day. GC can be a very inexpensive day for your family to enjoy if you don't do a tour.

[hollon]

THANK YOU ALL - my older kids are going zipling w/ dad in montego bay and i'll have my 8 and 10 yr. old w/ me and grandmother. does sunset beach in montego bay sound good and safe until we can meet up w/ dad? can't think of anything else that's safe.