Grumpy Husband

Looking at the calendar, Equinox will dock at the B Pier which is behind Margaritavile Resort and is a short walk to the main attractions. Most places keep the same schedule and open at 9am, though some bars will open at 10. The exception is Sloppy Joe's which opens at noon on Sundays, and people start waiting at the door around 11:40 for it to open. There are a few bars that open at 7am as they serve breakfast.

Here is a Video that shows the walk fro B pier to Malloy Square.

Thank you..I hope you enjoy your time there.

If you watch my video starting at B pier, where it says "Front Street to the right", you go down the stairs and go straight ahead to Greene Street...one block and you are at Duval Street.

Video Here.

We have never rented one as we always get tricycles to ride, but I did stop and chat with Sunshine Scooters once to price them for a family trip. Decided that was not the way for us to go. Keep in mind that is is the same as a car, and you follow the same rules including parking on the street and paying for parking.

That would depend on what ship and the date you arrive. You can check the Key West Calendar here.

Yes Mallory pier is closed until repaired, so Pier and outer mole are the two being used. B pier is a shot 2 block walk to Duval Street, and if you are at the Outer Mole/Navy pier, you will be shuttled to Mallory Square and you will be within a block of Duval.

If you are just a small party looking to relax, you might want to check out Make It So Charters and do just what you want.

https://makeitsocharters.com

1 hour ago, Capt_BJ said:

did you watch the video that's posted?  Today, with the way the fences have been moved, much of the former base is parks and open roads .... the Navy retains the 'mole' pier as a controlled access area and that's with a gate that's really at the foot of the mole.  You COULD walk from here - the video guy is riding his bike I believe - but the 'trolley/tour train'' is either not allowed or simply WON'T stop here and let you off.

 

Capt...you are right..I was riding my tricycle to shoot the video, and after talking with people at The Conch Train, they told me there is NO getting off the train when picked up at the Outer Mole. You will be taken to Mallory Square for drop off.

I made a new video to show the ride as you exit the Outer Mole (I could not get in) to the drop-off areas of the trains and trollies.

I personally would try to find a taxi that will take you and wait for you, then bring you back in time to board the ship. 

You might try contacting Rockys Taxi and Tours at his contact page and see if he would do it, since it is not listed on his web page. I have used him many times for a taxi to and from Sangster International Airport to the hotel, as well as a couple of tours. Alway there on time, great drivers, and you go at your own pace, so if you want a stop along the way, no problem. Just tell him what you are looking for, then compare price.

molly361....not to worry, there are 3 piers for the ships in Key West..Outer Mole, B pier, and Mallory pier.

Yes the Mallory pier was struck by a ship trying to leave on a very windy night, and it aborted the move and headed back to the dock and struck it. Ship was released later that night by the Coast Guard to continue on it's way. Word out today from the city is Mallory pier will not be able to be used for 3 months for repairs. 

As for your cruise, according to the Key West Calendar,Brilliancet will be there twice in March and will dock at the Outer Mole both times.

Here is a link to the news article....FL News

Depending on how fast you walk I would say 15-20 minutes as it is only about 10-11 block away from Mallory Sq.

Take Front Street to Whitehead Street, then past Mile 0 to Petronia (Bahama Village & Blue Macaw on the corner) turn right one block to Blue Heaven. I would stop at Green Parrot (at Southard) for a drink just to check it out on your way up Whitehead St. One block farther past Petronia is Hemingway House and Key West lighthouse. Petronia Street is about half way to the SM point.

Video 1 shows Mallory to Southard & video 2 shows Southward to Southernmost Point.

Video 1

Video 2

There is always the Duval Loop, the free bus that will take you to different stops. Check it out here.

Stop by the Green Parrot for a drink, Blue Heaven for Key Lime pie, at least stop by Hemingway's and across the street is the lighthouse, up the street is Southernmost Point. Southernmost Cafe has a small beach with food and drink.

If nothing else just walk Duval for a few blocks to get the vibe of the place.

Here is a video of Whitehead St to show you where Hemingway's and Southernmost point are. Video

On 10/23/2018 at 6:56 AM, Herfnerd said:

Higgs Beach is nice but IMHO,  I think the OP needs to be prepared for the lack of shade...….

We just got back from a trip to Key West, and a small part of Higgs beach was closed as they are repairing the pier and some sidewalks that were destroyed with hurricane Irma. Looked like they were also adding a new small gazebo by the pier. 

We are in Key West next Feb with Celebrity. I'm not sure where we dock yet or if there is more then one pier? Would it be likely that we could walk to the Trolley and get tickets? Then could we walk to some of the sights too? I don't know Key West at all, but figure a ship excursion is not needed? Any advise would be great

There are 3 piers in Key West..Mallory (M), B Pier (B) and Outer Mole (*****) or Navy Pier.

Here is a link to the calendar in Key West that will show where you will dock. KW Calendar

Mallory is the closest to the Trolley, with B a little longer walk, and the Outer Mole you will have to take a shuttle to Mallory Square area, since it is Navy and there is no walking in or out.

You can also buy your tickets for the trolly online and get a discount.

Duval Street is only 1.25 miles from end to end, so none of the sites are to far away, depending on what you would like to see.

You can always go to my youtube page and see several video on Key West.

We went with Blexie himself, and bought his lunch and tipped him $40 CUC

No credit cards, no deposit. Cash on the day of your tour. I did send him a pic of us to help him find us as you meet him across the street from the cruise terminal. He was holding a sign with our name on it when we found him.

We have a private tour with Blexie in November and he said it would be $130 CUC. How much will that be in US dollars and what would you tip.

We went with Blexie on our trip, and yes we tipped him at the end of the tour. Plus if you stop for lunch, you will need money for that, and any shopping that you might do. He took us and made sure we got the cigars and rum we wanted and we never had a problem with the stores.

Mallory Square is a shopping area, an entertainment area, and also with a large area where Malory Pier is located. They also have a large Sunset celebration every night with vendors, food, and street performers. It looks west towards Sunset Key across the entrance to the marina.

Having never been on the shuttle, I have no idea exactly the time, but am going to guess 10 to 15 minutes tops. Take a look at the first two videos I post..they are from where the shuttles park to the entrance of Outer Mole, and also one of the sunset celebration.

Hope this helps.

I plan on making a new video from the ***** to the drop-off on my next trip next month.

I would say no...sometimes it takes him a few days to respond, as he has to find a hotspot to get internet before he gets your email, and replies.

So if I don't have a tour booked (we just want to go to the Truman Little White House and Hemingway House), we have to take the trolley to Mallory Square and backtrack from there? Sorry to be dense; just need to know what to expect.

 

Thanks.

Yes you will go to Mallory Square. The Truman Little white house is about a 6 block walk form Malloy. If you follow Front street and past Margaritaville Resort, there is a sidewalk that takes you there. Hemingway House is straight up Whitehead.

Check out these videos for the walk to Hemingway House.

Wyoming..sorry I miss read your dates..if 10/13/2019 is correct, the dates for Fantasy Fest in 2019 are 10/18 too 10/27

Having been many times to Fantasy Fest I will say, every day has different parties and different themes. As posted above, check the link to the schedule to see the day you are there. Some days are more popular, but most of the costumes and painting occur in the late evening. Sunday Oct 21 is the Zombie Bike Ride, a family event that starts at 6pm, but you may see some costumes and painted faces that day. Tuesday Oct 23 is Tu-Tu Tuesday so those will be out all day. The exceptions are Thursday Oct 25, which is the Naughty Bike Ride down Duval Street to Smokin' Tuna at 1pm. (have never been to it, so no idea about it but they will have body painting) and on Friday Oct 26 is Duval Streets mile-long eater-tainment extravaganza featuring arts and crafts, food vendors, lively libations and costumed frivolity; Noon-10pm so you never know what you will see. Street party map here. Keep in mind that there is a Code of Conduct and party zone for Friday and Saturday. Link here.

Also there are no glass containers allowed in the party zone and the bars and restaurants will have plastic or paper cup for carry out drinks. Some of the food at street fair is very good for those that are on Rotterdam on Friday. I will add a couple of pics.

Wyoming..They clean up every night and it is never really trashed, so either week before or after you will never know it was there, except the week after, there maybe a few signs still on the buildings.

My wife and I have been on several private tours in other parts of the Caribbean. Do you ask your tour guide(s) to join you when you stop for lunch or drinks? In the 3 private tours, I have had only 1 time did one actually join us. This time I am with another couple so i’m thinking I won’t be extending the invite for our guides to join us. What is your experience with this?

Both in Cuba and St. Martin we stopped for lunch, and told our tour guide we wanted them to join us as we wanted to chat with them for more information, and they both joined us. We would always invite them.

Does NCL not do your visa paperwork for you anymore? Last year we just paid NCL to file it and picked up our visa at check-in before boarding the ship. Never had a problem going thru immigrations in Cuba.

Where can we get the coins we might need to use the bathroom? How early should we book a blexi tour?

As you are leaving the cruise terminal, after customs, there is an area to exchange money. They will give you coins when you do your exchange for Cuban dollars.

I would book Blexie as soon as you can, as he does get busy.