First Timer with Excursion Questions for Jamaica, Grand Cayman & Cozumel

[foxhole73]

My wife and I will be sailing for the first time this Sunday 9-12-4 on the Conquest to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Since Carnival doesn’t list prices or let you pre-book the tours I’ve been doing some research. I’m actually a little scared by the posts that I’ve read on Jamaica, not sure if I even want to get off the boat there. However, can some of you who have been there before give me some suggestions as to what to do, either through the cruise line or a private vendor on the island? We are interested in possible tubbing down the river and just sightseeing the rest of the day.

For Grand Cayman, I think I’ve settled on the sting ray tour and trying to squeeze in the turtle farm too. Is this too much? Can we do both with our ship arriving at 7:00 and leaving at 4:00? I’m looking at using Native Way or Capt Marvin. GC had lots of helpful posts, but Jamaica and Cozumel are slim.

What about Cozumel? I’ve heard the Mayan ruins are a must see. If we do this one, I’ll probably book through the cruise line, but anyone know how much this will be? We’ll only be in port for 7 hours, so the ruins may not be an option. I think they take longer to see.

I guess Jamaica is where I need the most help. Heard the names of a couple of highly recommended personal tour guides, but would like to hear other suggestions.

Chad
Conquest 9/12/04

 

[Corky]

Our very first cruise was on the Carnival Destiny in 1998 and we did the same route. This is what we did:

Jamaica - We walked off the ship and hired a gentleman by the name of Errol Issacs...he was wonderful. He drove us around Ocho Rios, to Shaw Gardens, Dunn River Falls - we only walked down to the water to see the falls, we did not climb it though...then Mr. Issacs took us to lunch at a place called Bibby Bips (it was in a cinder block building and one of the finest meals we have ever had in our lives!) and shopping. He was so nice and kind and at no time were we afraid.

Grand Cayman - We took a cab to the Westin Hotel and hung out at the beach, then went back into town and had a very expensive lunch of turtle and conch - all good. Seven cruises later, the water in GC is by far our favorite to this day. I'm not sure if the Westin still lets cruise ship passengers go through their hotel...the beaches are all public...you'll just need to find another access...I think.

Cozumel - We are going there for our 5th time since 1998 this coming Feb. I love Cozumel. The only real excursion we've done though is the Tulum Mayan Ruins and that was in 1998. We were dropped off at Playa Del Carmen at around 7 AM on a tender ship (our ship continued on to Cozumel - which was a little scary but we survived!) after reaching the pier and disembarking the tender ship we walked up about two blocks and got on a bus. We then drove for approx. 45 mins to Tulum. Take your swimming suit/trunks because once you reach Tulum and after you tour it you can walk down a hill and swim in the beautiful water. We then returned back to the ship, it was around 2 PM at this point, had room service deliver lunch, took showers and headed to the downtown area of Cozumel. We then toured a museum downtown that is in a beautiful building and you'll learn even more about the Mayans. It was $3 US. We then ate at Palermas Restaurant....and then headed back to the ship.

Since then we've always gone to Palermas, and just walked from ship to downtown, we go to the grocery store to buy vanilla and we've gone to Dzul Ha beach which we love because it is sort of deserted.
My s-i-l did a glass bottom boat in Cozumel and said that was very, very nice.

I hope you enjoy your first cruise and if you have any other questions...ask away.

 

[Cruisin'Kim]

We're going to the Western Caribbean in January - it seems like Phil Lafayette (www.phil-lafayette-tours.com) is great as a tour quide in Ocho Rios ($30.00 & $50.00 tours).

I have heard tons of good things about him on various web-sites (even emails you when you get home to check that you arrived safely!) We have booked with him.

In Cozumel, we are swimming with the Dolphins through shoretrips.com.

This is our 2nd cruise, once you have been on one, you are going to want to go back!

Have fun!

Kim.

 

[Natalia]

Havent heard much about him lately, but also look for Peat Taylor in Ocho Rios (sorry, I dont have a web address or email addy). If you do a search here, you should be able to find him. Definitely get off the ship, Ocho Rios not one of the "best" destinations, but there are some fun things to do there. Dont be put off by what you read regarding the pushy locals. Yes, they are extremely pushy, but take it in stride and dont let it stop you from at least seeing the island. You may be really sorry if you dont at least have a look around. Dunns River Falls is great. 7 hours is a short stay in Coz, wonder why you are scheduled for such a short day (we have 16 hours on our Dec cruise coming up). If Carnival offers Tulum, and thats what you decide on, take the ships tour. There are some small ruins on Coz, San Gervasio, near the middle of the island. Also, many really enjoy Chankanaab Park for snorkeling and beaching-it. Capt Marvins in GC offers some combination tours now, might have a stingray / turtle farm one, check their website. We LOVED Capt Marv's, highly recommend!