western carrib questions

[crusnsusan]

Hello everyone,
Haven't been on this board in awhile but am finally going on another cruise - it's been 2 years - (Princess) in a couple of weeks to the western carribean. Need some advice please. Grand Caymen -- what is the name of the tour company everyone uses for stingray city & do they have a web site? Seem to recall it may be Capt. marvins or Capt. Labide or something like that. Coxumel - ? a couple of options - the sail, snorkel beach excursion followed by Carlos & Charlies!! When does the excursion start? Is there time for Carlos & Charlies after it? Or.... perhaps just a taxi ride to a beach - what's the best? San Francisco Beach, Playa del Sol, Chankanaab Park? Thanks. And last but not least - Costa Maya - have never been there - have no clue as to where to go? Any feed back from anyone who has been there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone - travelling with a group of 8 and we're all getting very excited!!!!

Anyone else going Grand Princess 2/22?
Sue

 

[lizardstew]

Hey Sue!

The website is www.captainmarvins.com. We used them in September and were very pleased.

We took the Mayan Ruins of Tulum tour in Cozumel so I can't help you with that one. We did really enjoy the tour and I am really glad I did it once...but next time I visit Cozumel, I think I'll be up for something more like a "beach break" kind of excursion or maybe Chakanaab since I have heard so many wonderful things about it. If you were interested in seeing ruins, you could probably do that easier from Costa Maya since you'll already be on the mainland. It looks like your ship stays in port until 7pm, right? Most of the excursions will probably begin early and last a few hours so you should be able to get in some Carlos and Charlies time!

Have a great time!

 

[bostongal]

I leave next Saturday for our first cruise in the W. Carribean. I don't have many answers to your question but in Cozumel we have decided to go to Paradise Beach. It's new, right next to San Francisco Beach and has a restaurant/Bar, chairs/umbrellas, floating mats, a water trampoline and floating iceberg to climb in the water, changing area and bathrooms. I've seen pictures of the place and chatted with people who have been there and it is nice.

We are also going to play mini golf while there because the woman who runs the course has been very helpful in our planning.

In Grand Caymen there is another tour company that is nicer than Capt. Marvin's called Capt. Bryan's. Another cruise addict steered me towards their excursion to Stingray City. Here's a link: www.grandcaymanexcursions.com

Sorry I can't help with Costa Maya.

Have fun planning!

Meg

 

[Colo Cruiser]

Captain Marvins is right in Grand cayman and in Cozumel a good beach would be Mr Sanchos. No cost to use.

 

[crusnsusan]

thanks for the help everyone - I have been to western carribbean once before and when on Cozumel did the Mayan ruins - it was a great day but you only do that once - tha;s why this time I'm looking to beach it in the am and carlos and charlie it in the pM! LOL!

I will look at capt Bryan's for sting ray city'

I'm clueless as to what to do at Maya - if I don't hear from anyone, maybe I'll just ask a local taxi driver for a good beach.

Anyway, thanks for the responses - appreciate it!

 

[cruisieparker]

Hi,
We loved Chankanaab Park, however there is a $10.00 charge per person to get in. They too have all the water toys and you can snorkel all day for just $6.00 for the equipment. They have chairs to lay in and a bar, restauant and changing area. Our favorite thing was the swim with the Dolphins. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and worth every penny.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT miss Carlos and Charlies. Even if you are not into drinking alot, they have good reasonable food and it is fun to watch the ones that do drink and do shots. I think their Margaritas are 3/4 alcohol.

Did not enjoy Costa Maya, but only went to the little town and saw the show the islanders put on.

 

[Scrubette]

We went with nativewaywatersports.com for the sting ray trip. I cannot say enough about them! They take out small groups, pick you up at the dock and will drop you off at 7 mile beach if you like on the way back. Not to mention, they are VERY reasonable. They took us to sting ray city and then to 2 different spots to snorkel. All for $25/pp. We are headed back in October and will use them for sure! Have a great time!

 

[liberty925]

pScrubette wrote:

> We went with nativewaywatersports.com for the sting ray trip.
> I cannot say enough about them! They take out small groups,
> pick you up at the dock and will drop you off at 7 mile beach
> if you like on the way back. Not to mention, they are VERY
> reasonable. They took us to sting ray city and then to 2
> different spots to snorkel. All for $25/pp. We are headed
> back in October and will use them for sure! Have a great time!

 

[nitrogenaddict]

The walk to Mahahual is approximately 20 minutes. You can get a ride to the town from the pier. The town is actually 3 miles long. The main "commercial centre" is where you get dropped off. I f you walk a short distance away from the town you will find other bars and restaurants. The town of Mahahual is very safe for all visitors, (contrary to the information given out on some of the cruise ships).

The Dive Centres in Mahahual are BLUE HA DIVING and BUCANERO DEL CARIBE.
Both Dive operators offer resort courses. Blue Ha is a PADI center and can be booked through Mayahual Tours at the cruiseship pier. Bucanero del Caribe (CMAS) can also be booked at the pier. Both organisations try to accommodate people’s wishes but the most important thing is to get the people back to the ship. Blue Ha has all Scubapro equipment and Bucanero has a variety of equipment.

Blue Ha can be contacted through doug@bluehadiving.com or info@bluehadiving.com

Mahahual Village now has: - Snorkel tours, wave runners, fishing, parasailing, and horseback riding, Scuba Diving. 2 operators with booths at the pier are Mayahual Tours (3 booths) and Let's Go Snorkelling. These tour operators organise a trip to town for 5USD per person. The return trip is 2 USD per person with the local taxis. There are a lot of beach bars and restaurants in the area. Shopping for souvenirs is also possible at more moderate prices than offered at the Pier.

Parasailing is now being offered by MAYAHUAL TOURS who have 3 booths at the cruise ship pier.
The snorkel tour operators all have locker facilities for storing personal items of guests. There are three in the town, Mayahual Tours; (20:00USD per person. 1&1/2 hour trip) they have 3 booths at the cruise ship pier selling their trips. They will arrange transport for you or you can go directly into town and they have a stand on the beach just as you come into town. The other is Let's Go Snorkelling- their prices are the same and can arrange transport into town. By the way it costs 5 USD per person for the trip to town. Once in town you return by yellow cab and this will cost 2 USD per person. (Do not ask about this idiosyncrasy in prices). The third place for snorkelling is in the centre of the town (or we should really say Village). They are next door to the Taxis. Their prices are the same. Lifejackets are on board.

As for eating and drinking there are few places worth mentioning: -
OXTANKHA serves the best Ceviche in town -- Ceviche is raw conch, prawns and sometimes Octopus marinated in Lime Juice. It is served with tomato and onion and taco chips.
TAPAS Bar Italian Argentinean owners. Serve good food and drinks, they have a place on the beach with tables and chairs.
Another good recommendation is PEZ QUADRO. This is about 800 yards south of the town centre. Italian run. A beautiful beach bar with swing seats serving cocktails, beer, Italian and Mexican cuisine. There are others like, CAPTAIN MONO and El Delfin.

In Mahahual there are a few restaurants offering excellent cuisine in the day and evenings. There is the Restaurant LUNA PLATA offering Italian pasta and other meat dishes, run by Italians, Dario, Edzekiel, and Luca. The next restaurant next door is TIROVINO run by Chiara and Michael. They offer Thailand dishes and pasta. In the town centre is OXTANKHA offering Mexican dishes. There is also the TEQUILA BEACH, which offers various meals. Later in the evening is Music. On Cruise ship days these places are always open.