Hi everyone, I'll be cruising next May with my boyfriend (we're both early 20's), his parents and my parents (all in early 50's) and I'm looking into excursions now and need some help. The ports of call are Ohos Rio (Jamaica), Grand Caymon, and Cozumel. I think in Grand Cayman we are going to go to Stingray City and snorkeling with Moby Dick Tours (only $30 a person). In Jamaica maybe just Dunn River Falls? In Cozumel, something like ATV, Jeep, or Dune Buggy rides around the area, to the beach and to the ruins. I really want to see the Mayan ruins and ride something fun If anyone has stopped at these ports and were on some great excursions, please let me know!

Also, we're sailing May 13-20th, if anyone else is cruising with us, let me know!

Thanks!!
Amy

The excursions you are considering are al good -particularly Stingray City in Grand Cayman.

I would suggest Captains Marvins in Grand Cayman (Google them). They are a little more than the one you found, but they were FANTASTIC! We did a beach break in Cozumel, but it appears that club is now closed. Do visit Pancho's Backyard and get a "very happy"

Amy & Chris,

I am sure many of the stingray company excursions are great, but we have become a big fan of Capt. Shawn Ebanks with Ebanks Watersports. They have something unique in that you can go to stingray city plus other places to snorkel, etc on Waverunners. A really different type of experience and one we would highly recommend. You can also do the regular trip on their boat. It is easy to get a hold of them at www.ebankswatersports.com.

Hello Amy & Chris!!

We're planning to sail on the Conquest next May also!! Not sure who or how many will make the trip with us yet...but good to hear from someone else who will be on the ship! It will be a graduation cruise for my daughter. She will have her degree in elementary education. We are really looking forward to it!!

But first we are sailing on the Ecstasy, November 27 - December 2.....can't wait!!

Uh Oh...Amy & Chris....I just noticed, you will be on the Triumph...not the Conquest! Same ports, same week...different ships! Oh well...we can still talk about excursions!

Just as a suggestion, if you haven't already, book through a website, instead of the ship. Triump is a wonderful ship, but you an save money by booking through a website. Unfortunately, I can't remember who I used earlier this year, but I booked my through a cople places, and we had a wonderful time on tours, etc. at some of those ports. Just a suggestion, if you decide to climb Dunns River, make sure you know what you are doing. The reason I say this is two ladies went separetly on those climbings, and one came back with a broken finger, another with a bad toe, that got messed up, and they almost had to cut it off when she got back to the states.

You'll have a blast on thsi trip. In my opinion, Duns River Falls is the only thing worth doing at Ocho Rios. Take some "water shoes" along. We caught a water-taxi from the pier to the falls which was a lot better than the bus ride. On our first visit to Cozumel, we took the Jeep tour w/island cookout and had a blast off-roading around the island.We did book the jeep tour thru the ship since it got back real close to departure time.

DON'T BUY EXCURSIONS FROM CARNIVAL THEY WILL BE MUCH CHEAPER FROM THE INDEPENDENT PPL THEMSELVES WELL THATS WHAT I HEAR ANYWAY

Unless you are more comfortable having everything planned in advance, don't worry about not planning anything until you get there. I have always gotten better deals on car rentals, tours,etc. by looking when I got there rather than booking ahead. After meeting new friends on the ship someone will always say "I wish we hadn't booked our trip because that idea sounds better." Its nice to have the flexibility. Just my opinion.

So far, we have not had Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios on any of our cruise itineraries (places to look forward to!). However, we have had Cozumel as a stop on several cruises, and always enjoy it. We also recently returned from a week's stay there, at a very nice resort south of San Miguel.

On our cruises, we never booked ship excursions on Cozumel. Off the ship and there are lots of taxis waiting to take you wherever you need to go. For us, that was usually Chankanaab Park. We love to snorkel, and the snorkeling there was/is fabulous. After Hurricane Wilma last year, it was quite damaged, and although it is not yet back to 100% of what it was prior to Wilma, it is still a great place to snorkel. A taxi ride from the pier in San Miguel may cost you about $15 or so. I think the entrance to Chankanaab Park is about $15/per person for adults. They have a Dolphin Encounter (or whatever they call it, where you can interact, or swim, with Dolphins) in one area of the park, if you want to splurge and do that. The snorkeling at Chankanaab is good -- the fish are used to people, and will come up to you. On our recent week stay on the island it was still the best snorkeling as far as abundance and variety of fish.

But, truthfully, the snorkeling was pretty good on any beach we went to there. We snorkeled right in the bay in San Miguel (the only town on the island), we snorkeled at a beach on the north end of town, near the airport, we snorkeled at a beach south of town (where a lot of locals were swimming and snorkeling -- I'll try to find out the name of it, if I wrote it down somewhere), we snorkeled at the beach of our resort. Everywhere we went the water was warm, unbelievably turquoise blue, and there was plenty of sea life, including quite a few Rays. We also rented a car and drove all around the island. The windward side beaches are beautiful, although the surf has a lot more wave action! We were disappointed in the Mayan ruins on the island...but perhaps that is because we took a day trip over to the mainland and drove to Tulum...now THAT is beautiful.

Anyway....depending on what you like to do, I'll bet you'll find something you love on Cozumel!! Especially, the people...as the song goes "Yo Soy Cozumel!"