Help...shore excursions on Western Caribbean?

[chesterh]

Stingray City should not be missed, no matter how you choose to get there. Here is a [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=8903017886"]description of the day [/url]and a [url="http://www.chesterh.com/Video/stinray256wm.wmv"]video of the excursion[/url].

Xcaret (Cozumel) was also very nice. Again, a [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=8553048546"]description of the excursion[/url] and a [url="http://www.chesterh.com/Video/swimwin.wmv"]video of the dolphin swim[/url] available there.

chesterh

[url="http://www.chesterh.com"]Cruise stories, pictures and videos at chesterh.com[/url]

Last cruise, aboard the Millennium, E. Caribbean (but who's counting?)

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[wvufan]

Hi Monica,

Don't think you will go wrong with any of your selections, but I think you would be happier if you arranged to go with Captain Marvin on the three site snorkel (includes sting ray city) in Grand Cayman. Enter Captain Marvin on your search engine and you will get to his website. We have done both the ship excursion and Captain Marvin, and his was far superior. A good friend has also gone through Nativeway and says it is also great.

The first time we went to Cozumel we did the catarmaran sail, snorkel, and beach trip. We drifted over lots of fish and the whole thing was nice. However, the next time we took a cab to Chankanaab Park, which is beautiful, and snorkeled in their protected area. We will likely do something like that next time.

As you cruise more, you will likely feel more comfortable considering non-cruise excursions, so am not recommending anything to adventuresome at this point, but encourage you to use the providers mentioned above in Grand Cayman.

Regardless, you are going on the ship and itinerary that many of us went on the first time, and you are sure to become addicted. Keep in mind that if you book another cruise on board you will get a shipboard credit. You can later transfer the booking to your regular TA.

A few more ideas on the snorkeling: buy some of the disposable underwater cameras at a Walmart type place. They will be about $10 and work fine. We use Kodak, but Fuji also makes them. After the first time, we also bought cheapie masks and snorkels (we continue to rent the bouyancy vests and fins). If you think snorkeling may be a regular thing for you, you might consider this as you have more control over sanitation. If hubby has a mustache, take a small amount of vaseline to make sure he gets a seal on the mask. Most places provide it, but one place we went (ship excursion) did not.

The train in Key West is great. We have also visited Hemingways and Mel Fisher's museum and loved them both.

Anyway, have a great time.

OOOEEE [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Bob and Phyllis

[monibob]

Chesterh,

Thanks for all your info, I've actually seen your pictures of the stingrays, that is one thing that made up my mind. You have lots of great info, thanks!! And very beautiful pictures!! I've never seen clear water before, and I just can't wait!!

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First cruise ever!! Century.....Western Caribbean!

[monibob]

Bob & Phyllis,

I checked out Captain Marvin, sounds like a good idea.....thanks!! Did you do 1/2 day or full day?

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First cruise ever!! Century.....Western Caribbean!

[wvufan]

Hi again, Monica,

We did the half day-mornings are best I think, but I looked at the description of the full day and it sure sounds good too!

At one of the places they took us, the guide coaxed a moray eel out of the reef and held him. I got a great picture from about 8 feet away. Make sure that you take advantage of the offer to hold and feed the sting rays. Honest!

Have fun,

Bob and Phyllis [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Bob and Phyllis

[Lou33]

Monibob,

It looks like you have excellent plans. But once again, I just can't see paying $49/each for snorkeling excursions in Cozumel when you can just go on your own for free and at your leisure.

When you book a snorkeling tour, you will wait in line with a many other cruisers for your boat at the designated time. The boat will likely go Dzul-Ha reef anyway, but probably for less than 30 min. When the boat goes, you have to go too. For the beach party, they will just stop at a hotel beach and serve drinks.

If you go on your own, you can take a taxi where you choose on your own schedule. Have a relaxing lunch on the beach and chat with the locals. We have always found snorkeling in Cozumel to be a nice escape from the cruise crowds.

But whatever you do, I'm sure you will have a great time.

Splendour of the Seas, 11/17/00
Summit, 10/28/02
Mercury, 5/05/04

[addicted2traveling]

monibob-

We did the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel and it was an incredible experiece. It was at Dolphin Discovery in Chakanaab Park. The park is lovely and you can also snorkel there. We booked this thru the ship, however I have heard you can call them directly. You don't really save any $ doing it on your own cause of the cab ride & admission to the park(it's part of ship's excursion price). One other note is that after talking to people that did the Dolphin Encounter, they were not as happy as those that paid the little extra to do the Dolphin Swim & Snorkel. We had a much more hands on and close experience by doing the swim. We even snorkeled around with the dolphins. They also have a special snorkeling area elsewhere in the park which you can enjoy the remainder of your day.
Ocho Rios-we did Dunn's River Falls and visited Dolphin Cove. A couple thoughts on that...when you climb the falls they make you hold hands with your group as you are climbing. You have no way to hold on for yourself and trying to climb the falls while depending on strangers to hold onto me scared me to death. If I would have known that I had to hold hands and have my arms twisted and turned as we climbed up, I would not have done it. The falls are nice to look at and to wade around in at the top. One other final note on the falls. I am a shopper and thought people on the boards exaggerated their experience leaving the falls thru the market but let me tell you, AVOID IT. My DH and I practically ran out of there with a few other people. Very uneasy, unsafe feeling. Only other note about the excursion, Dolphin Cove was nice but much smaller and not as elaborate as Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel.

You MUST go to Margaritaville while in Ocho Rios. It's in a nice little shopping area that very close to the ship.

We just got back a couple of month's ago, so if you have any ?'s you can email me, or post here if it's easier.

[wolfganghowell]

WHat no one has mentioned yet is that you can rent scooters in Key West and ride around on your own. We had a blast doing that and even followed one of the conch trolleys so we made sure we got a tour! The scooters were great fun and there are several places to rent them. We each got one but you can share one if you prefer.

Century 99-00
Rhapsody 11/00
Rhapsody 10/01
Infinity 2/02
Millennium 11/02
Millennium 11/03
Rhapsody 11/04

[vanclan]

any idea of the cost of scooter rental in Key West? Do you have to have a special insurance. what about bicycle rental? Or is plain old walking the easiest?

[newtocc]

I have to agree with Wolfganghowell, there's nothing like the conch tour, where else in the world can you ride around in a great big sea shell?

This ship 10/91
That ship 11/95
Whatever ship 12/98
here a ship 13/99
there a ship 14/00
everywhere
a
ship ship 15/05

<font size="3" color=red>Over 1 year</font> into my LMBO cruise

[nealberk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by newtocc:
I have to agree with Wolfganghowell, there's nothing like the conch tour, where else in the world can you ride around in a great big sea shell?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But it is SOOOO SLOW!

[wv4891]

Agree with everyone who has recommended the Stingray City tour. We did Captain Marivn's 1/2 day tour and thought it was great. Much smaller group on his boat versus the ship tours which seemed to be very crowded on their boats. Did the Tulum and Xelha tour while at Cozumel. The ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen was not very pleasant, with a few folks having problems. Tulum can be very hot and you are no longer allowed to climb the ruins, as in the past. Tulum has a great little beach which is nice to go into the water and cool off a bit. Found Xelha to be very nice, a great Eco style park. Great snorkeling there once you get away from the crowds near the shoreline. Try and bring your own equipment as I found the line to rent equipment was quite long and took about 1/2 hour when I was there. You can rent a locker there to store your things and take a shower and change clothes after snorkeling.

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Celebrity Mercury 12/27/2004

[satchiesmom]

Stingray city is wonderful, I did it years ago and loved it. If you want a more intimate (and a little more upscale) experience try the Yacht Safir trip. It is fabulous, you still get to snorkel with rays, except it's at a much less crowded and prettier coral reef with lots of gorgeous sea life. The Safir is a retired racing tri-maran and leaves out of the Cayman yacht club. My hubby and I loved it.
Cozumel was nothing special, very tacky I thought, but then we didn't get to the ruins.
Didn't get off the ship in Jamaica.
In Key West, it is so easy to just wander around on your own. We did do Lloyd's bike tour and I would recommend this tour just to experience Lloyd. He is a real character, typical long time Wester. HTH.
Susan

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until Century 1/22/05<BR

[ccletzgo]

I am planning on the "Pub Crawl" in Key west.

what fun. crawl from one pud to the next..................... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img] Look out when we get back on the ship! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Lets Go!

Royal's Viking Seranade 1/94
Carnival, Holiday 12/95
Carnival, Jubilee 12/96
Royal's, Song of America 11/98
Celebrity Galaxy 9/99
Royal's, Viking Seranade 6/00
Celebrity, Millennium 12/00
Royal's Vision 2/02
Royal's Vision 12/02
Royal's Monarch 6/03
Celebrity Galaxy 9/17/04 !!

[monibob]

Thanks everyone for your advice. We finally booked a tour with Captain Marvin in Grand Cayman!! Sounded like a good deal, and I've heard nothing but good reviews with him.

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First cruise ever!! Century.....Western Caribbean!

[marinersfan]

I would have to agree with some of the above posters about Dunn's River Falls. My husband and I climbed it a few years ago and although we enjoyed it at the time, we would never do it again. We witnessed somebody slip and break her leg and from talking to somebody who was with her later on the ship, you do not want to be injured in Jamaica!

 

You might consider climbing the stairs next to the falls instead.

 

What ever you decide have a great time!

 

Evonne

[Giorgi-one]

If you want serious snorkeling, contact Eagleraydivers.com in Cozumel. You can do half day or all day. They take you out to the reef where you will be the only people in the water. Their boats are not fancy, but it was the best excursion I have ever done in 12 cruises. Say hello to Chellie from Don and Mary.

 

Climbing the falls at Ochos Rios is fun. Just get a cab inside the port compound. You can ask the cab driver to pick you up for return trip but I would not pay in advance. There are also plenty of cabs at the falls when you are done. Our cab driver was great. He dropeed us back at the ship, picked us up after lunch for shopping and returned two hours later to bring us back to the shop. Only drawback is the gauntlet of vendors you need to pass thru when you are finished climbing the falls. In some cases they are very nasty. In our experience, you can get better prices on mid-price jewelry in Jamaica than you can in St. Thomas. They really bargain here.

[nannyny]

question on the Tulum and Xelha tour while at Cozumel.

For those who have done this tour, would you remember how long the tour was and at what time your were back on the ship?

many thanks,

Nannyny

[Shaco]

Giorgi, I have a question for you: We want to book with Eagle Ray, but can't figure out if the ship time (Century) that says it arrives at 10am is the same time as local time. Do you know? Can you advise me?

[wv4891]

nannyny, the Tulum/Xelha tour was an all day tour. I believe that we arrived back on the ship sometime between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. But to be honest, I don't really remember the exact time. We had early seating on this cruise and I remember that we had more than enough time to get ready for dinner. Also we were on Princess Cruises when we took the tour (I know but it should be very similar to the Celebrity tour). Hopefully someone else might have a more accurate accounting of the time.

 

 

Celebrity Mercury 12/27/2004

 

 

 

[Giorgi-one]

Shaco:

 

I do not remember if ship time is same as Cozumel time. It may also be different for Winter and Summer cruises depending if daylight saving is in effect. You might try calling Celebrity or email Chellie @ Eagleraydivers. Give yourself about 15 minutes for the ride to the dive boat and at least a half hour for the ride back (they dropped us off at a hotel).