Cruise Talk: Help-Shore Excursions Western Carribean

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Topic: Help-Shore Excursions Western Carribean

ggreen
Just Boarded
Member # 2234

posted 07-25-2001 02:16 PM

Going to the Western Carribean (Cozumel,Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios), for the first time on a Cruise (Paradise). I have many concerns over the excursions, which to go on, which ones not to go on. We are taking our children ages 8-15 along also. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Glenn

Posts: 2 | From: Los Angeles | Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 07-25-2001 02:34 PM

Welcome aboard!

What kind of things were you looking to do on your excursions? Shopping? Beach bumming? Island tours?

Los Cinco Soles is a great shop in Cozumel, it has just about anything you could want!
Dunn's River Falls, in Ocho Rios, is great on a hot day - just be forwarned that your guide will expect a tip and that after your climb, you will go through a shopping area with very aggressive vendors.

Georgetown, Grand Cayman, has great shopping and beaches. Make sure you stop in at the post office - its roof has the hull of a boat in it!

Anyone else?

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

billybob
First Class Passenger
Member # 1902

posted 07-28-2001 10:36 PM

ggreen.....

Did the same itinerary back in '94 on Carnival's Sensation (along with another week doing eastern caribbean). Had an absolute ball!! Please bear with me as it was 7 years ago, I got married on board (it was a PLANNED marrige), ate and drank way too much and didn't sleep more than 2 or 3 hours at a time.

Cozumel...had some excellent shopping, especially jewelery. Too bad you're bringing children. My wife and I went to check out Carlos and Charlie's (small mexican pub)on a friend's recommendation after our shopping excursion. Wound up spending the rest of the day (into the evening) there. Pretty wild place...lots of fun! Be careful on Cozumel...shore time is an hour behind ship time...and you have to be back on board by SHIP time. One couple on board got left behind...no lie!

Caymen ....beautiful, beautiful beaches. Did a little sight seeing then spent most of the day on 7 Mile Beach soaking up sun and drinking little umbrella drinks.

Ocho Rios...Beautiful island, but disliked this one the most out of all (including eastern carib) we went to. Mainly due to what Ruthperk said in her post....very aggresive vendors...everywhere!! You can't swing a dead cat without 2, 3 or more vendors decending upon you trying to sell you anything imaginable (including "white nose candy", if you get my drift). We did Dunns River Falls...very nice, but water is a bit chilly and like Ruthperk said...after you finish climbing the falls, you have to exit through a shopping area with the aggresive vendors again. We also did a ship sightseeing tour which was beautiful as well.

All in all, they're 3 gorgeous islands. You'll have a ball on all 3 and I'm sure you'll find plenty to do and see.

Please post a review upon your return...and like Ruthperk said..welcome aboard!

Posts: 52 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 07-28-2001 11:42 PM

Good Day ggreen.
We did the same tour on the Imagination. We got off at Playa Del Carmen and did the Mayan Tour. That was quite something. We then spent the rest of the day in Cozumel wandering through the shops. These folks are wonderful and believe me they love to haggle about prices. We had both of our daughters with us and they had a wonderful time throughout the entire cruise. They had a ball haggeling with the vendors in Mexico. The Cayman Islands are great for some snorkling just a short walk off the main docking area. Be careful getting in and out of the water as there are plenty of barnicles on the rocks and they can scratch you up pretty good if you are not careful. We are going again next summer on the Paradise and we will take in the Sting Ray city as many people have raved about it but when we were there we snorkled, walked about town and took the Hell tour. Ocho Rios is not friendly. The vendors are very aggressive, and I mean very aggressive. Dunns river falls was quite the trip. We also saw their local museum. Next time we are going on the Martha Brae rafting tour which is also supposed to be very good. I wouldn't wander around Ocho Rios if you paid me. Take only the cruise lines shore excursions. Don't venture off on your own and hold onto your kids at all times. At the top of Dunns River Falls we had one vendor grab my youngest daughter and try to take her into his "store" to get her to buy things. Sorry to say that didn't work out very well for him but after that I had one arm on each daughter. They were 15 and 18 at the time. This time it will be just my wife and I as it is going to be our 25th anniversary. It is great and you folks will have a ball.

Cruisin'isgreat

Peter

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

hhornblower
First Class Passenger
Member # 1047

posted 07-30-2001 10:46 PM

Just back fro the Destiny but did the Voyager of the Seas in June and went to these ports. To add: Chacanaab park is wonderful for dolphin encounter and snorkling and very clean. It is outside of the main town in Cozumel.
As far as Jamica, we did Peat Taylor Tours and he was great - less expensive than the ship and very safe. His address is in the Port of Call section of this website.

As far as drugs, they are everywhere. Like I said, just got off the Destiny and the people at my table commented in both Aruba and Curacao, people asked them to buy cocaine! I dress conservatively and found that is a good deterant to drug solitations. Problem is, the reason that they solicit is that too many Americans and Europeans are willing to buy.

Posts: 84 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

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