Looking for some help on what to do in these ports

[Sweetpea29488]

Our ports are :
Labadee Hispaniola
Grand Cayman, Georgetown
Jamica (sp?) Ocho Ric?
and Cozamel (sp?)

We've been to all except Labadee and I know this is basically a beach day there but would like to do something dif. at the other ports. If you've been to these ports let me know what you did that you really enjoyed and if it was on your own or with the ship. All information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jeana]

Haven't been to Labadee (will be going this year) but have been to the other ports.

Grand Cayman (been there twice)- Highly recommend the stingray city tour. We went with the ship but many people report they go on their own. It really depends on how you feel about the cost of the trip and if you prefer to be under the umbrella of the ship or more adventurous on your own.

The second time we were there we did a tour (again through the ship) for snorkeling. It was great!

In Ocho Rios - No doubt, go to Dunns River Falls! You can either go on your own or with your ship. Check it out on the message boards, there are lots of posts from time to time about who, what, when, where.... I think you'll really enjoy this and be glad you went.

Cozumel - been there several times. Love it! The snorkeling is supposed to be one of the best (although we didn't snorkle! Will next time!). We did go downtown and bargain shop. Last time we went to Chankanub park (on our own) and did the Dolphin Swim. You can book through dolphindiscovery.com on the net. It is very reliable. We had no problems whatsoever doing it that way. If you go on your own, you'll have to take a taxi (about $10) and pay park entrance (about $10). The park is lovely and has other things to do there.

Hope this helps some!

 

[Bob7]

I agree with Jeana ideas, and would add to do the Stingray Sandbar instead of Stingray City, so you can stand up to take underwater pics and feed them, etc. And in Coz why not try parasailing ... the booth is past the duty free on the dock.

 

[Hollyhawk]

Hi , it will be my first time in G.C. and it is my mission to go to the Cracked Conch restaurant to sample some turtle. NO joke. When I was a kid I had turtle soup at fishermans wharf in San Fransisco. It was the best thing ! As everyone knows they have a turtle farm in G.C. It comes as no surprise to me that one might raise animals for human consumtion on a "farm". I have never heard of anyone boycoting a chicken or turkey farm. And by the way where do suppose thier steak comes from, and oh yea that fresh salmon they just consummed. You ned to search a little harder since you have been there done that (why are you doing it again?) Start with www.caribbean-on-line.com. Bye

 

[Nanatravel]

We just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise and did the following on our own: For Jamaica, go on-line to a-zjamaicaplanners.com. Belinda has many tour packages that are reasonable, detailed, safe, and much more leisurely than a ship huge group tour. Ours was to Rose Hall Mansion, Rose Hall Beach, shopping and could have been to Margaritaville, but we elected to return to the ship. I am sure she has specifics for Ochio Rios too. Our cost was $42 per person for an all day private tour.
At Grand Cayman, we finally got the tender to Georgtown and took a taxi @ $4pp to the 7 Mile beach near the Holiday Inn. Lounge chairs are $10 per person including a cold drink. Taxi's are there all day to take you back to the tender port area.
We took a taxi @ $14 each way to Mr. Sancho's Beach Club on Cozumel. No fee at the great beach club with white sand and clear sea. Mexican lounges were free, with bar and restaurant service available right on the beach. There is a large jacuzzi for 30 people, restrooms and water craft to rent. You can also find local vendors in huts ready to bargain for your souvenir shopping.
Bon Voyage

 

[CarolinaBlonde]

I just got back from the WC on Saturday ... we rented a wave runner in Labadee, great "tour" of the water it was with a guide and we played "follow the leader in a way" cost was $99 per wave runner (two ppl per runner) and lasted an hour....it was great fun! challenging for those who had never ridden one as well as the 'experts'.
In Grand Cayman, we contacted www.stingraycity.com and booked off the ship, cost about 39 dollars, but some ppl had coupons for $15 dollars...ask about those I am not sure where they got them. The charter stopped at two reefs for snorkling and then the stingray "sand bar" , this group was much smaller than the "cruise ship excursion" which had 100 plus folks. Finially we booked through the ship for snorkling. We did the "advance snorkling, cuzumel snorkling by boat" and it was great! The ship cost was about $44. We also had lots of time for shopping after the excusion!

best of luck, my pictures should be on line in a few days!

 

[efoulks]

sweetpea,
We also did an independent excursion in GC with the stingrays--great trip. The company we used was stingray city charters at www.stingraycitycharters.com. It ran about $39.00 each or $60.00 a couple (it's been a year but I think that was the price). I also got the feeling that they would negotiate with you because some people paid less than we did. This is a 3 1/2 hour tour with 3 stops: stingray city sandbar, barrier reef, and coral gardens. They provide transportation from/to town, snorkeling equipment, and non-alcoholic drinks. The same shore excursion on our ship was $53.00 each and the cruise transportation boat with about 100 passengers arrived when we were at the stingray sandbar and there were only 18 of us in our group. Cheaper excursion, more personal attention, and more variety in our 3 stops. Not to be prejudice--This company is run by Americans who used to live in the northern U.S. and moved over to GC and started this dive/snorkeling tour. Very high comfort level, professional, and fun. Felt secure at all times. There telephone number is (345) 949-9200, beware it's a GC long distance call. Hope this helps--I would highly recommend this company to anyone without a second thought.

PS Definitely take an underwater camera!

 

[RC53483]

I will also be in Grand Cayman in 3 weeks and was wondering for those of you that did the stingray private tour, how far in advance did you make your reservations? It sounds much better to go with a private group and not the cruise ship.

Robin

 

[Hal]

We have cruised to Cozumel on several occassions. Highly recommended is the shore excursion to Tulum, on the mainland. This is a long shore excursion (all day) that goes to the Mayan ruin site of Tulum, which is the only ruins that overlook the ocean. The views are trememdous and the ruins are very interesting. It is a shame that people go to the Western Caribbean and do not take advantage of the historical sightseeing of the ruins. Tulum is truly a site to behold and well worth the time and expense. By booking through a ship, you get door to door transportation and leave behind the worry of missing the ship. Also, the tour guide is very nice to have. Tulum is breathtakingly beautiful - bring a camera.

For a more beach oriented shore excursion on Cozumel proper, try helmet diving. It is available in the park (Chankanub). We especially enjoyed it as we could leave on our glasses and contacts and actually see things underwater. Also, it is a real hoot to walk around on the bottom with a helmet and breath normally. The park has a lot to do in it: great beach front restaurants with margaritas and nachos, snorkling (included with helmet diving), small ruins, dolphin encounter, etc.

Tulum runs around $85 for the shore excursion (ferry to/from Playa de Carmen to Cozumel where the ships typically dock or anchor), bus to Tulum, admissions, drinks on bus and box lunch), but be sure to buy the $1 ride to the ruins from the parking lot to avoid the long dusty walk.

helmet diving is approximately $70, inlcuding transportation to pier and back, park admission, helmet diving and snorkel gear for day. You pick when you want to return and can make it a full day.

Cozumel also has the Atlantis submarien ($109) which is quite a thrill to dive 100 + feet and shopping, bars, etc. There are some interesting artists on the square with very innovative (thumbnail paintings) that are very inexpensive.

Enjoy.