zachary16

Yes - we usually trade off. I find most areas pretty safe and don't have an issue leaving our stuff on the beach. I'm also purposeful about what I bring off the boat; I don't bring a passport or phone, or unnecessary cash. Keep IDs and a credit card in my swim trunk's pocket.

1 hour ago, jbd2003 said:

Do you know how much the snorkeling gear is? I think we will be going to Money Bar.

I'm not sure but my guess is $10 per, maybe less. Look in to buying your own on Amazon or elsewhere, we did years ago and have used them in probably a dozen cruise ports by now.

Yes on the towels - we brought our own float from home for the water and sand toys for the kid. I did see one group on our cruise who brought their own folding beach chairs, probably 6-8 of them. I imagine there was a very specific reason for that but I wouldn't want to haul those around each port.

I'd go snorkeling. Get a set from amazon and bring it with you. There is a small spot to the right of the pier, might be Eden Rock, maybe a 10 minute walk. We saw 3ft tarpon there a few years ago. And there is a shipwreck to the left of the pier that's pretty cool to see. There is a dive shop and you can use their pier to get in, swim out maybe 50 ft. Seven Mile Beach is also really gorgeous, you can get a cab or city bus anywhere along it.

Yes - we've taken a bus there twice now and had to walk from the port to the main terminal, which wasn't far. I think they will stop anywhere you want them to. And then you can flag one down as you would a cab for the ride back. It was all very easy. 

Just got back from there and there are lots of options; plenty of cabanas to rent. There are some buildings and picnic pavilions but also Columbus Cove in the back of the property has lounge chairs and plenty of trees. There is a tram that can take her there or a paved sidewalk where you could use a wheelchair from the boat. Might be worth sending someone out early to snag a chair in the shade for her, that way she can be on the beach with the family, whereas the other options are more separated. I'm sure RC staff can help you guys as well.

Yes - the furthest cove back to the right of the pier is what you want, I think it is called Columbus Cove. They have mats there for rent, but we actually cruise with our own inflatable one from Amazon.

We were just in Falmouth with our 5 year old and took a taxi to Silver Sands beach (the public beach, not the resort), and we had the beach nearly to ourselves for the day. A couple of other groups came but it was virtually empty. It felt pretty remote and doesn't look great when you first drive down the dirt road but it ended up being really nice. Burwood Beach didn't look as nice. It is a no-frills beach, no chairs or shade on the sand, but there is a shaded field behind it and a couple of bars/restaurants in the town. Three of us in a van were $40 round trip, and your group of 7 could fit in the van. When you get off the boat they will try to sell you on Blue Waters and Burwood, but Silver Sands was great.

I was just there and saw some at the shops in the port that were 3 for $20 for probably a 30 oz bottle. However, being leery of it I noticed the first ingredient was water. I imagine there is quality vanilla elsewhere, as folks here have mentioned, so make sure you're getting the real stuff. 

We were there last week with our five year old and took him snorkeling off the shore at Tikila. It was well worth it and cheap (just buy some food at the restaurant there), it's an easy walk from the pier. Friends of ours on the boat took their kids to Paradise and loved it. Tikila doesn't have a beach, but if snorkeling interests them, I recommend it. They have gear to rent and guides if you want it, but we've had our snorkels from Target last for five cruises now. Other walkable options are Grand Park Royal, which has a nice mandmade beach and pool and buffet, around $40-$50, or La Ceiba which is $22 per person, similar but not as nice. 

We were there last week with our 5 year-old and walked to Tikila where there was good snorkeling right from the shore. There is not a beach there (which is good as that keeps the water clear) but you can hang out right on the water, they just ask that you get some food or drinks from the bar (cervezas were $3). 

Other options are the Grand Park Royal which is a nice resort with pools and a mandmade beach. Their day pass with buffet is around $40-$50. La Ceiba next to it has a similar set up around $22. I don't think the snorkeling will be as good at either place, but I could be wrong. We chose Tikila as we know many of the local boat tours stop to snorkel right in front of it, and you can swim out to the reef from the shore as well.

I hear Money Bar is great but it would require a taxi. Make sure you figure out which pier you will dock at as I don't know of any walkable snorkeling from the northern (downtown) pier. The southern one is 3 miles below and offers better access to the water.

A few years ago we took the city bus for $1 to Cahuita National Park. Walked down the main trail and saw a lot of monkeys, a couple of sloths, and other wildlife. Found a private beach and had lunch at one of the bars in town. It may have been a 30 minute drive, don't totally recall and I'm not sure how much a cab would be to get there but it was a great spot.

I haven't been there but I do hear Roatan is amazing for snorkeling.

One cool thing to do in Georgetown is find the sunken ship that is between where your ship anchors and the shore. There is a dive shop to the left of the pier you'll come in on and you can use their dock. The wreck is about 50 ft out in the water in very clear water. 

I don't know of snorkeling in Ocho Rios but there is a really nice beach you can walk to right from the port. You can see it from the boat, there is a small fee to enter and it was a nice place to spend the day.

We just got back from snorkeling in Cozumel with our 5 year old last week. We took him last year on a local boat that went to three spots just off the shore, and the snorkeling was great. This time we walked down the road to Tikila bar where you can head out right from the shore, and it was really good. Not as great as off the boat but given it was nearly free (they are happy to let you use their facilities, just buy some food and drinks at the restaurant), it was well worth it. They also rent gear and have guides if you need it. There were small waves coming in at the stairs where you get in, but they calm down once you swim out just a bit. I have heard Money Bar is really great as well, it would just require a taxi. Make sure you figure out which pier you come in to in Cozumel as the snorkeling is walkable from the southern pier, but I don't know of any around the northern (downtown) pier. We've brought snorkels to each port on all five of our cruises and Cozumel is easily the most impressive spot we've been to, so I'd recommend doing it there.

We also snorkeled in Georgetown before we had a kid and found all the water there to be very calm. There are/were some artificial reefs in front of the Mariott (I think) that offered some cool sights. Take a cab or city bus to Seven Mile beach. This is a good option as the water is really calm and if snorkeling isn't working out, the gorgeous beach is there to entertain the family. There is also a shipwreck between where your ship will anchor and the shore that was really cool to see. There is a dive shop to the left of the pier that will let you go out, the wreck is just out maybe 50 feet from their dock.