Suggestions Wanted

[MnNrwgnGirl]

:confused:

I will be cruising Freeport, Grand Caymen, and Costa Maya. Would like suggestions for snorkeling @ Freeport (or what we should do at this port). I have been told to do a snorkeling excursion @ Grand Cayman (Barrier and Coral reefs). Can anyone recommend an off ship excursion. I am a first time cruiser and very new to this. Any suggestion on anything would be very helpful. I will be on the Liberty.

 

Thanks Much!

MnNrwgnGirl

[cruznlobo]

We did the Liberty last January.

Freeport we went to Port Lucaya for some shopping and a few beers.

Grand Cayman we went golfing.

Costa Maya we missed because of heavy winds. Really wanted to see this port. But I won in the casino.

We don't snorkle so I can't help you there.

[Grits53]

I highly recommend a tour that includes the stingrays at Grand Cayman. You MUST do this! They are incredible!! (See my avatar.)

[elizablake]

:confused:

I will be cruising Freeport, Grand Caymen, and Costa Maya. Would like suggestions for snorkeling @ Freeport (or what we should do at this port). I have been told to do a snorkeling excursion @ Grand Cayman (Barrier and Coral reefs). Can anyone recommend an off ship excursion. I am a first time cruiser and very new to this. Any suggestion on anything would be very helpful. I will be on the Liberty.

 

Thanks Much!

MnNrwgnGirl

 

We used Reef Tours (booked through Carnival) in Freeport and were very happy. http://www.bahamasvacationguide.com/reeftours/reeftours2.html. We were going to book independently but it was close to the same price to book through Carnival. I think it was $45 per person but that includes transportation to and from Port Lucaya. A bus picked us up in front of the pier and took us to Port Lucaya (15 mins away) where we boarded the boat. The crew was really helpful and nice. We snorkeled for about 1 hour and then went back to Port Lucaya. We were given a bus pass to return to the pier. The bus ran every 30 minutes. We stayed in Port Lucaya for a while to shop and explore.

 

There is a small, expensive straw market at the pier. Otherwise you will need to take a cab somewhere.

 

Warning: Freeport doesn't look too interesting from the pier:

Have a great cruise!

[mrdood]

...for the best and most details, scan the port of call forums for each of your ports, some people put Freeport down, the port is ugly, the island is beautiful... we did a dolphin encounter there that was great!!!

[98Charlie]

If you do some research on Ports of Call board you should be able to find some recommendations for excursions in Grand Cayman that include snorkeling as well as Stingray City. Highly recommend Stingray City. I'm terrified of water deeper than my knees, yet I truly enjoyed my time with the stingrays.

 

Costa Maya: the port area is technically a shopping area built around a swimming pool. It is nice but there is a much more colorful area down the beach at Majuahal. You can find taxis and vans at the back of the shopping mall that will take you to the beaches of Majuahal - $3 pp to the village and $2 ipp back to the port. Beautiful beach and many venues of local vendors and restaurants.

 

Dianne

[Anatresia]

My husband and I are doing the same itinerary. We've already booked the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya- the whole reason for booking this itinerary and would be very sad if high winds ruin that! (Although, I would not blame Carnival and come on here whining. ;))

 

We're probably going to shop in Freeport. I heard there's a casino near the marketplace in Lucaya and a beach, so we'll hang out there. Hubby is not a big beach person. I am thinking of maybe doing one of the Kayaking excursions.

 

In Grand Cayman, we're thinking of booking a Jeep tour that takes us to the Tortuga Rum Cake factory and Rum Point beach. mmmm... rum cakes.:p

[drumline]

I would suggest booking a private charter for the day in Grand Cayman. You will be able to visit the stingrays without hundreds of other people on your boat as well as snorkeling and some will even take you to a beach if there is time. If you can gather a group of 8-10 people to go with you the cost will be about the same as the excursion fee that the cruise line charges (or less)but a lot more enjoyable.

[Amanda & Roger]

My husband and I are doing the same itinerary. We've already booked the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya- the whole reason for booking this itinerary and would be very sad if high winds ruin that! (Although, I would not blame Carnival and come on here whining. ;))

 

Should not be a problem. We did the Mayan ruin trip several years back, as I recall the ship docks, therefore no tenders required. You should have a great time.

 

As others have suggested check out the board for either ports or the Scuba dive/snorkel board. Our favorite spot in Grand Cayman is Eden Rocks, just a hundred yards from where the tenders drop you off. Check out their website: http://www.edenrockdive.com. Great snorkeling and right across from a Tortuga Rum Cake store, free samples!

 

Have a great trip,

Roger

[alphakitty]

A great place to snorkel on Grand Cayman is Eden Rock. It's walking distance from the tenders and free if you bring your own equipment.

 

Here's some info on snorkel sites in GC. Hope it helps. :)

 

http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/OffshoreSnorkeling.htm

[scubaran]

A great place to snorkel on Grand Cayman is Eden Rock. It's walking distance from the tenders and free if you bring your own equipment.

 

Here's some info on snorkel sites in GC. Hope it helps. :)

 

http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/OffshoreSnorkeling.htm

 

Hi,

 

We were in GC in December and our favorite place to snorkel is at Sunset House Hotel. Sunset House is a big dive resort but they also have a "house reef" and a dive shop with snorkel rental gear and lockers for rent (while you're in the water). It's about 1 mile out of town to the south (away from 7 mile beach) so a quick/cheap taxi is the way to go unless you'd like the walk. The reef comes right to the shore and they even have a concrete dock with ladders into the water so no beach entry/exit is required. Oh, did I mention, snorkeling is complementary so if you have your own equipment, stop in at the dive shop and get the lay of the reef then go enjoy yourself. Less people than eden rock as well. Also the dive shop can call you a cab, if there isn't one there waiting anyway, to take you back. Finally, after your done, the best bar on the island, "my bar" is at sunset house so you can enjoy a cool drink after your snorkel next to the ocean. Hope this helps,

 

Randall