shore excursion questions-1st Post!!

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jill1221

Guest
This is my first post to this board, so please forgive any mistakes I make! I have been reading all of the posts for several weeks now, and this seems like the most helpful and friendly group of people, so I am glad I finally took the time to register and post this question.

My husband and I are going on our first cruise on the Fantasy 6/14/08. We have no clue on the best way to make a reservation for shore excursions and hope you guys can help. Do you recommend going through Carnival even though I have read that it is more expensive? I'm scared that if we wait until we arrive at the ports, all of the good ones will be filled. Also, any recommendations for excursions at Cozumel and Progreso and/or any recommendations for a first-time cruiser would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Brian J

Guest
First off welcome aboard!!:wave Since this is your first cruise book your excursions through the ship and have a great time!!!!!:party
 
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jill1221

Guest
Thank you Brian. That is probably what we will do since we are so inexperienced. Have a good day!
 
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NiteStar

Guest
Just remember..........any time you book an excursion on your own.......you take a risk. If the boat/car/bus that you are on breaks down and gets you back to the ship late (past the time they tell you to be back on board), you're on your own and the ship will leave you (make no mistake about that)! :lol But........if you are on a ship's sponsored excursion, the ship has to wait for you.
 
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jill1221

Guest
Thanks NiteStar! Your and Brian's response really makes the decision to use Carnival for our excursions very easy! Maybe after a few cruises under our belt, we will try to "wing it." Thanks again!!:)
 
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Don B

Guest
Jill,
We are on the same itenarary this fall, and we have done these ports several times each. For beginners, I recommend:
Progresso - do the Dziblchaltun Ruins. It is not a long bus ride, and will give you an experience of Mayan Ruins.

Cozumel - do the Catamaran Sail, Snorkel and Beach Party. You get all the fun in the water and sand, plus you should have enough time before or after to wander into town for a little shopping.
With the mix above, you get a wide variety of activity, and it doesn't just turn into beach, beach, beach.

We have done several other excursions in these ports, so if something else interests you more, ask for more info.

Let me know what you decide to do! Have FUN!
 
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jill1221

Guest
Don - That is too spooky that you picked the exact 2 excursions we had narrowed it down to!!! From reading the boards, we knew we wanted to snorkel in Cozumel and tour the ruins in Progreso. The only one we were also considering was the jeep excursion in Cozumel. Have you done that one? The warning at the bottom re. pregnant women and people with heart conditions kind of scares me (ha), but it does seem nice. I did notice that you have been on a lot of cruises - that's great. It is our 20th anniversary, so we are very excited. Did your kids enjoy the cruise you took them on? If we like it, we would definitely consider bringing our kids next time. I also noticed that you have a note on the 10/2008 cruise that the Fantasy will have a make-over - when is that scheduled? Knowing my luck, it is probably right after our cruise! But it doesn't matter what the ship looks like - I can't wait!! Thanks for all of your help.
 
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Don B

Guest
The Fantasy re-fit (Make-Over) is scheduled for Sept 6 through Oct. 4. That means that you will need to do a before and after cruise, so you can see all the improvements. All the rooms and public areas, even the hallways are going to have a good deal of remodeling done.
We have not done the jeep excursion in Cozumel, so maybe someone else can give input..... I would NOT recommend scheduling 2 Cozumel excursions this time. You need to have time to see San Miguel (Cozumel's Town), eat at Pancho's Backyard ( the BEST Mexican food you will ever have. Ever.), and buy a couple of souvenirs (whether a $2 hand-made bracelet from a sidewalk "factory", or some lovely pearls, or excellent top-quality silver jewelry, you MUST do a little shopping!). There will be plenty of info on the ship (maps, brochures, taxi info) to tell you where to go and where to avoid. Just attend the port talk the Cruise Director will give on Day 2.
(Pssssst! I can tell you where to print a coupon for a FREE Awesome Margarita from Pancho's Backyard!!!)
The kids have LOVED the 2 we took them on. First time, their ages were 11, 12, 14, 15, and 18. Their second cruise was 4 years later. Definitely schedule one before everyone's lives go in too many directions to pull them all back together.
 
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jill1221

Guest
Thank you so much Don for all of your information!! I'm taking down more notes about our cruise than I ever did in college!

Yes, our kids (19, 9, & 2) are very jealous that we are not bringing them with us. I have read that you can save money by booking your next cruise while on the ship, and if that is true, we may do that and include the kids. Probably not our 2 year old though - it doesn't seem like it would be the ideal vacation for him. And I agree with your "before and after" cruise - we need to see the changes that are made in September. I'll try to explain it that way to help convince my (very cheap, but lovable) husband! Maybe I can bring it up after a few margaritas - that would make it easier!!!

Thanks again for all of your help!:)
 
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rlaekeman

Guest
when we went to all the Caribbean ports it worked out almost half price to do everything by taxis waiting to take you on tours than doing it through the carnival experience. The dolphin swimming worked out even cheaper because another couple from the ship went with us in a taxi van. Leave the carnival excursions for the rookies and try the locals.
 
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Don B

Guest
The free coupon for a margarita (with purchase of a meal) is at WWW.PANCHOSBACKYARD.com. At the bottom of the page is a tiny box that says "print coupon". Click on that, and print out a bunch (give some to your table mates on board!).
 
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