Western Caribbean excursions on your own?

[MrsDVCNuts]

Does anyone else plan to just find stuff to do in Cozumel and Grand Cayman without booking excursions? For whatever reason, we just aren't all that excited by the excursion offerings.

We did a western excursion years ago on a Carnival cruise-- snorkeling in Grand Cayman and the Tulum Ruins tour in Playa del Carmen (near Cozumel). Grand Cayman is known for snorkeling and SCUBA. We're not crazy about either. The Tulum ruins were interesting-- for about the first 5 minutes. They charged us $20 to use our video camera, and there were little children there begging for money. I don't know if it is still like that.

A friend told me you can get a cool Jeep tour of the wild side of Cozumel (which requires a couple of cases of beer for bribes). That sounds interesting. But I'm afraid hubby would burst into tears handing out beers. It's not easy being MrsDVCNuts.

Maybe we'll just wind up on the beach somewhere. I'm sure DVCNuts will want to find his way to one of the local watering holes. He mentioned something about Senor Frogs. He also mentioned Sloppy Joes and Rum Runners in Key West.

So-- do you have any suggestions for what we might try on our own this time? Is anyone else planning to do the same?

 

[BethA]

We didn't sign up for any excursions either-just plan to relax and see how things go. Thought the ruins would be interesting,but takes up and entire day. Maybe I'll stay on the ship and relax.

 

[Pugdog007]

and it isn't through DCL, it's with Capt. Marvin's in Cayman. We're just planning to do Key West (maybe Conk Train or Hemingway's house?) and local watering holes, and in Cozumel we may go to Chakunaaub (sp) on our own.

 

[BethA]

What's the excursion you have booked?

 

[Pugdog007]

It's a snorkeling excursion to stingray city.

 

[bbump]

I would like to venture off to a lovely beach and just vedge out with a tropical drink in hand...

are there alot of beaches nearby??? (involving perhaps a SHORT taxi ride?)

I want to just stare out at the palm trees and lovely sapphire water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(drooling right now)

 

[Grumpy's Crew]

Hello there! We aren't really sure about booking many western cruise excursions either. We have currently booked only the Key West "Conch tour train", but are thinking about playing the rest of thr cruise "by ear", so to speak. We, DD(46),DW,DS(17),& DS(13), are going on the June 22 Western Cruise---spending 2-nights prior to the cruise at Coronado Springs(WDW),: Hope to see some of you fellow cruisers there or later on the cruise!!!!!!!SEE-YAA!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grumpy's Crew]

Slight correction!! I should have signed in with DH(Disney Husband!), NOT DD! Sorry about that!!! SEE- YAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hokie5cruiser]

we are going to totally wing it. we have 3 generations-12 people on 6/22 Magic. Excursions can be great-but we are not worried about going where we want to on our own.

 

[aks22]

I am putting together some info on things to do/excursions on own for the 10/26/02 cruise. It is a doc with info, links, opinions, reviews of things to do in each port. I should have parts of it done this week. If you want a copy, PM me and I'll send it to you.

 

[jmf32966]

I'm going on the Inaugural Western and have planned all excursions myself. I was nervous about doing this at first, but everyone on this board said it was easy to do. We are doing Conch Train, Aquarium and walking around in Key West, Capt. Marvin's and 7 Mile Beach in Cayman and a hotel that charges a per diem fee to use beach/facilities in Cozumel. I did tons of net research and there are dozens of choices for a hotel/beach in Cozumel that does per diem, but very few in Cayman. We are probably just doing public.

Only 13 days

JMF

 

[sassytpotts]

Rent a car and drive to the "other side" of the island. We did this a few years back and it was the highlight of our trip. The beaches on the other side of the island are absolutely beautiful. No commercialism, just pure beauty.

Chaknaab park was fun, beautiful and clean.

 

[tchrmom]

We were not all that thrilled at what was offered in our excursion book either. So, we planned a few things on our own, since I read about so many people doing that on these boards. Since Key West didn't excite us that much, being from FL, we decided to hang loose on the boat that day. We are doing Captain Marvins in Grand Cayman. They were very nice in their e-mail! Then we are going to try and rent a wave runner at one of the hotels. In Cozumel, we are taking a taxi to Chankanaab Park. At Castaway Cay, we did book banana boat rides. I hope we are not sorry!!!
Wish us luck!

 

[dannyb]

I've been to each of the Western Itineraries on other cruise lines at least a couple times, and I spent a week in Key West this past December.

For Key West, I wouldn't touch the itineraries. Very close to where the ship will dock, you will find lots of vendors selling the exact same trips for much less. Old Trolley Tour, Conch Train Tour, Catamaran trips, etc. A little research on the web will enable you to make reservations in advance, too. When I was in Key West, we took a sunset/snorkeling sail that was very nice and might be fun doing again w/ the kids. But, you don't need to lock yourself into the DCL schedule (or prices!), particularly when you're in the USA and everyone is speaking your language! I would not sign up for a Key West excursion unless I was extremely adverse to managing things for myself in a strange town.



For Cozumel, I was looking at the Playa Sol excursion, but then it seemed that you could similarly arrange that on your own. I found their website and got a quote by e-mail on the price to book it directly - - I haven't been able to find that e-mail and need to get it again, but I recall it was at least 1/3 cheaper than the DVC itinerary.