CDNJehn

We have a late port time in January 12-8, and I booked a custom private Jeep tour with cozumelcruiseexcursions.net

Hopefully it's a good choice. This is my 6th time to Cozumel (I think) so I'm hoping to get off the beaten path a bit.

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where do you go to find out how many will be in port on the which day?

You can go to cruisett.com and search by port/date.

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The flat rate fare from the airport to port or port to airport is $25+tip; be careful with the hotel area on Hotwire - the area near the stadium is not so nice, unless you want to make a tour of several area strip clubs. :o

Well I'm traveling with my Mom, sooooooo I'm thinking strip club hopping is probably not in our future. But thanks for the warning. :)

And thanks for the confirmation of costs.

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I have to get 2 people from a Tampa airport area hotel to port, and then from the port to the airport. Am I looking at $25 cab for each trip?

Debating between a hotel 'cruise package' (airport to hotel, hotel to port, port to airport) @ $169+tax or a Hotwire 3.5* hotel for $68+tax.

Our flight doesn't arrive until 7:50pm, so I'm not concerned about the area or hotel itself. So long as it's clean and has a bed. ;)

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Just booked this hotel for $89 through Hotwire for our pre cruise stay. Has anyone stayed here? Thoughts?

 

 

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Wondering what your thoughts were, if you've cruise already? Looking at a 3.5* Tampa Hotwire booking. I think Westin was one of the 'possible' chains at the rate.

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We already cruised. :D We were there last month and ended up staying at Tahitan Inn. It's not really a place I would suggest. :(

Awesome, thanks for that mitsu. That one was on my list of possibilities but had a bunch of mixed reviews. Glad to get your feedback.

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I would not gamble - Jan & Feb are the worst months for fog in Tampa. Take the 3:30 flight - if the weather is clear you can store your bags at the aquarium and spend a few hours sightseeing - maybe lunch in Ybor City? :cool:

Thanks for this info. I'm booking our return flights for a late January cruise tomorrow...I was looking at a late morning flight but might go with an evening one instead. No need for a stressful end to vacation.

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(Our precruise hotel provides free transportation from the hotel to the cruise port, so I didn't have to worry about that)

Mitsugirly - not sure when you're cruising, but I'd be interested in what pre-cruise hotel you booked w/port transportation. Looking to book mine, bought my Mom a 5 day out of Tampa in January. This is our first time out of that port as well.

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Don't really want the hassle of having to make our way out to the airport to pick up a car... as we only have a limited time in port and want to make the most of our day! Want to drive around the island, and maybe go to Rum Point. Any one have any past experience with either of these companies? Haven't read a lot of positives regarding Cayman Auto.. so help! Please!!:)

Cayman Auto is within walking distance of port, which is nice. Our experience with them was a bit slower than we'd have liked, and they were a bit unorganized. I recall the two guys were arguing because they couldn't find the keys for the car we booked and they were deciding which car to upgrade us to, and then the one guy found the keys under some paperwork.

When we eloped in GC 2 years ago we rented from Andy's for 12 days and had great service.

Last time in GC on a cruise we rented from Andy's. They took my drivers license info ahead of time to expedite the paperwork, picked us up at the port in their shuttle and were super quick getting us processed and on the road.

I'm back in GC in January and went with Cayman Auto because their jeep prices were cheaper. When I emailed to ask about getting paperwork done ahead of time they said there was 'nothing they could do'. I hope I'm making a good choice by going back to Cayman Auto.

Driving around the island is easy. There are two driving itineraries on the the Frommer's website. We followed this one on our first trip ...

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/grand-cayman/729753#sthash.vJXBSVp5.dpbs

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I loved this tour! The best I have ever done on a cruise!

 

 

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I second that!! This is still tops on my list as one of my favourite excursions. Absolutely breathtaking and worth every penny. I did it for my husband, because he loves this type of ***** and will then lay on a beach with me for our other port days. I was terrified of bugs and bats and the dark and feeling claustrophobic. No problems. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

We don't normally book through the cruise, but this one I did because it's just so far from port. In 8 cruises this is only the second cruise ship excursion we've done. We did this in April and boy was I glad we were with the ship. The ferry got back 30 minutes after the guest 'all aboard' time.

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Has anyone rented from Cayman Auto Rentals? How far from the cruise port are they? It would seem easier just to walk to the rental agency rather than call for a shuttle or taxi to the airport. Especially when you are returning the auto and need to catch a tender back to the ship.

We rented from Cayman our first time on the island. It's a small place on the left, blue building, close to the Burger King if I recall. It's walkable from port, maybe 10 minutes. The only car rental place close enough to walk to.

We rented from Andy's last time. Called when we got on the tender and they picked us up within minutes of reaching the rendezvous point. I provided my info (driver's license, etc) ahead of time. When we got to the office they swiped my credit card, sign here, initial there and we were off. After returning the car they shuttled us back to the port. Great service.

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Does the city bus go by Smith's Cove?

 

 

 

To me it looks like the green bus on route 6&7 would go past there. But, I may be reading the map all wrong.

I asked Sunset House about a bus a couple of years ago and they said there wasn't one. Apparently the routes that look like they go by there are so infrequent they just don't count on them.

We usually walk there from port and then hit My Bar for food. Ask them to call is a cab back if you don't feel like walking. The cab took about 20 minutes to arrive last time, be aware of time.

Also remember to bring a change of clothes if you plan to be in the water and then walk back to port. There is an outdoor shower at Smith Cove and you can change in the bathroom there. Moist salty legs and clothes and walking a mile don't go together well. Yeeeoch!

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don't go to Sunset House

 

 

 

last time I was there it was crowded at the bar

So funny Capt BJ. Thanks for trying to keep people away. ;). Love My Bar. Great conch fritters and ice cold Caybrews.

If you're willing to go a bit further from port ... hop on the bus and get off at Sunshine Suites. Their restaurant, Sunshine Grill has AMAZING hamburgers and fish tacos. One of our fave spots.

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Hi,

 

Can someone please explain where is the stop of the bus that can take you to one of many Seven Mile Beach beaches? Is it close to the port?

What king of payment does the driver accept? Is it coins only?

 

Thank you.

From the cruise port, exit to the LEFT side if it's open, or exit and walk along the main road to the left. There is a plaza on the port side of the road that has a Tortuga Rum Shop store. In front of that is a stop light with a crosswalk that takes you to Front Street. Cross the street and walk away from the port down Front Street on the right hand side. You'll see a coffee shop at the next corner on the right (Cafe del Sol). There's a little park (Hero's Square) and then the library. The buses are to the right of the library.

They have coloured circles in the window with a # and 'WB' for 'West Bay'. #1 WB has a yellow circle. #2 WB has a green circle. Either of those will take you up Seven Mile. When in doubt, just ask. Coming back just flag down a bus going back towards the port. Pay the driver when you leave the bus.

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Absolutely, Barefoot (my favorite) Pinchos, West Deck, Yemanja, LG Smith Steakhouse, Cilo. Barefoot and Pinchos are just a few minutes taxi ride. The others are walkable. Actually, I've walked further than both of these on cruises, but it would be a fairly long, hot walk.

We went to West Deck twice for lunch during our week long trip to Aruba (just got back Tuesday). Food and service were great. We loved the Fried Funchi, Caribbean Jerk Chicken Wings and the Bahamian Conch Fritters. From the port walk to the right through downtown, over the white canal bridge and just past the Renaissance. West Deck is on your right, just over another small bridge. Beautiful spot.

Our itinerary shows an 8am arrival into Tampa. We cruise end of January. I'm looking at a 11:40am flight OR a 6:55pm flight. I'd prefer the earlier. We can self-assist off. Any thoughts?

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We spent the afternoon at Moomba after our snorkel tour. It was laid back with good food and a decent happy hour.

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We also like snorkeling at Smith Cove. Secluded beach, very few people. Sunset House does have some pretty tasty conch fritters though. It's an easy 1 mile walk from the port. The two are quite close together.

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I rarely book cruiseline excursions, but since my husband won't be cruising and the friends I'm cruising with will probably be doing certified dives in Cozumel, I will be on my own. I think I'll feel better sticking with a Carnival excursion. But, I'd like to find something more adventurous, if that's possible with a large group of fellow cruisers. The Amazing Secret River seems interesting and has very good reviews.

 

 

 

I'm in decent shape thanks to playing sports with my kids, can swim, have hiked a river and rappelled in Central America, and am much more afraid of public speaking than water, close spaces, bats, or spiders. Am I going to find this a cool, challenging adventure?

We did this excursion in April, and I have to tell you it was one of the best we've been on. DO IT! :).

Hubby is adventurous on vacation; I like to lay on the beach. Our compromise is one non-beach day per trip. This was it. We're both active so I wouldn't call this excursion 'challenging' ... but 'cool' is an understatement.

We chose the full day option (Carnival had a secret river OR secret river with shopping). There was still about 45 minutes at the end to shop/wander in Playa del Carmen. Absolutely book through the ship. The ferry got us back to port 30 minutes after all aboard.

The guides were top notch. Very organized excursion. Good lunch afterwards. The caves are amazing! Sometimes you're in ankle deep water, sometimes you can't touch the bottom. I'm terrified of bats, and we saw a couple but they were WAAAAY up at the top of the cave. The tour is quite lengthy (I think about 90 minutes) and the guides show you different types of stalagmite and stalagmite formations along the way. It's a weird, gorgeous world down there. Some tight spaces at times, but you're floating so at least you know you've got room...you're not trying to shimmy under something. I don't like confined spaces and was fine.

One note...no photos allowed, as they have their own dude taking pics. You can buy afterwards. We found it quite pricey and didn't. But keep that in mind for budgeting. It's very dark, the photos you see online are with a massive camera flash. Most times the cave is only lit by the headlamps.

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Hello! I know many discussions have been had about trips to Rum Point, but I was hoping to get up to date info about it. We are going to be tendered from Freedom of the Seas. We plan on renting a car- hopefully a jeep. We'd like to snorkel if it's an option at/ on the way to Rum Point. We'd like to get a local feel and maybe grab some authentic food. I'd also like to check out the rum cake factory( touristy I know, but I do like some cake:) So looking for best companies to reserve a vehicle ahead of time, best things to check out on the way to Rum Point, and best off the beaten path restaurants. Thanks so much!

We were in GC in April, our 4th cruise and 5th trip to the island. We rented from Andy's, who picked us up in their shuttle just next to the port area. Our first time on the island we rented from Cayman Auto, walking distance from port as mentioned. Both were fine. We prearranged with Andy's last time, sent my driver's license and info ahead of time so paperwork was speedy.

First trip we followed Frommer's driving tour #1 (Google search'll get you there). If you stay straight instead of turning left up to Rum Point you can follow the road around the eastern end of the island. Stop at the Blowholes, Tukka is good for lunch. Vivienne's Kitchen is local.

Didn't snorkel at Rum Point. We ended up back at Smith Cove for the afternoon. Love that beach (got married there eventually). Visit each time we're back.

We love Kaibo Beach Bar, great curried fish. Stay left at Rum Point and follow to first right. It's on your left. Continue PAST Kaibo to the very end and walk straight, Starfish Point is ahead to the left a bit. Stopped there last time, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.

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Since you said you were only able to see 1 shark, did they feed them to get them to come over? I have read (just like at stingray city) that guides feed the sharks to get them to come over (while others don't and you don't see many). I have seen a lot of pictures of the people getting to pet them while the guide holds them as well.

On our Coral Breeze excursion there was no shortage of sharks or rays ... or barracudas for that matter. Our guide put chum in a conch shell for the sharks and had squid pieces to feed the rays. Rays were far less 'aggressive' in Belize than in Grand Cayman. People got to touch the rays. Our guide showed my husband how to 'shark surf' aka grab the top fun and let it pull you through the water...they both have a death wish apparently. ;). The last pic is hubby's favourite...ray, shark and barracuda. He's nuts.

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We used Coral Breeze several years ago, before the negative reviews stated when they parted ways with Hammerhead. We haven't done a cruise excursion to Shark Ray Alley but HAVE used the water taxi to Caye Caulker on a subsequent visit. So the only thing I can add is that, depending on your port times, taking an excursion from a Caye Caulker guide can be a bit of headache from a timing perspective.

 

We found our earliest water taxi times, and started looking for tours from Caye Caulker. Nothing lined up, time wise. Tours either left before we could get there, or got back after our absolute last water taxi time. The closest we came was Rasta Tours, but it was too close for my comfort level. We resolved to just chillax on Caye Caulker for the day and am I glad we did. Water was rough and tendering started almost an hour late. Plus they could only use one tender location on the day we were there.

 

I'm usually all for going it on my own, but I think that taking a ship isn't a bad investment in Belize. Then you can come back to port without the restriction of the water taxi schedule.

 

The Coral Breeze guides chummed the water, and there were tons of Sharks and Rays. Hubby loves his underwater pic of a shark, ray AND a barracuda.

 

 

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We used Coral Breeze several years ago, before the negative reviews stated when they parted ways with Hammerhead. We haven't done a cruise excursion to Shark Ray Alley but HAVE used the water taxi to Caye Caulker on a subsequent visit. So the only thing I can add is that, depending on your port times, taking an excursion from a Caye Caulker guide can be a bit of headache from a timing perspective.

We found our earliest water taxi times, and started looking for tours from Caye Caulker. Nothing lined up, time wise. Tours either left before we could get there, or got back after our absolute last water taxi time. The closest we came was Rasta Tours, but it was too close for my comfort level. We resolved to just chillax on Caye Caulker for the day and am I glad we did. Water was rough and tendering started almost an hour late. Plus they could only use one tender location on the day we were there.

I'm usually all for going it on my own, but I think that taking a ship isn't a bad investment in Belize. Then you can come back to port without the restriction of the water taxi schedule.

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The other two stops are Boca Catalina and Malmok (as previously mentioned). If you want to take the bus, line 10 or 10A will get you there.

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We want to do this excursion this coming october. Our ship arrives in port at 8am the excursion starts at 9am...can we make that?? How far is it to where we catch this excursion? Will a taxi hold 5 adults? What transportation did you use? I have looked at their website and see nothing about transportation :confused: would love to do this excursion, but leary we can make it. Are taxi's handy where we get off ship? Thanks for help!

We had a similar time issue, ship arriving at 1pm, afternoon excursion leaving at 2pm. We were in line to get off the ship early. We got a cab just to the left as you exit the terminal. If I had more time I would have exited the terminal first, as I heard it's cheaper cab fare that way. Aruba cabs hold a max of 5 passengers with a cost per trip, not per person. We had TONS of time to spare. Tell the driver you want to go to Moomba. It was about a 10-15 ride. LOADS of time to spare before the tour left. We'll be on the island for a week in November and plan on doing the tour again since the Antilla wreck visibility wasn't good the day we were there. Enjoy!

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