keywester33

8 hours ago, svnet said:

 

Thanks Keywester33,

I'll definitely try Ft Zachary, as we have our own snorkel gear, no need to worry about renting.

We have to try to figure out the wind situation in the weather app, because we aren't so used to check the winds (europeans 🙈😊...)

When you mentioned the reef, where is that, specifically?

The reef here is several miles offshore.  There are many companies that offer excursions to the reef.  Fury and Sebago are the two largest.  If you do book one, be sure it is actually going out to the reef.  Some snorkel excursions stay closer to the island and are not as good.

The good snorkeling here is out at the reef, not near the shore.  
 

If the water is clear you can see some fish at Fort Zachary mentioned above, but bring water shoes.  The “beach” was mostly rocky gravel as of yesterday.  The water is only clear when we have had a few days with very low winds.  If it’s windy, visibility will be poor,  check the water conditions before you rent snorkel gear.  They post it at the entrance to the park.

You will be fine doing all the normal tourist activities at that time.  

There is also a free loop bus you can use that runs through Old Town.  It’s called the DuvalbLoop.

stop 4 is by the cruise ship dock. 
 

https://www.carfreekeywest.com/free-duval-loop-bus

It’s about a mile walk and takes about 20 minutes.  I think it’s walkable, but everyone is different.

On 3/21/2023 at 7:37 AM, MizDemeanor said:

Does anyone know if transportation to Key West Golf, such as an uber, is available near the Pier B? Or if a trolley runs from Pier B to the roadway to be able to pick up some form of transportation to Key West Golf? 

Ubers or a taxi will take you there.  Pier B is at the Opal Resort so just walk to the front of the resort and get one near the lobby.

Be aware the Fort Zachary has lots of sargassum and since the State does not clean it up, it’s pretty gross.  I would not go to the beach there.  They are predicting a terrible year for sargassum in south Florida and the outskirts of the mass have already reached the Keys.

Don’t you have better snorkeling destinations on your cruise?  The reef here is a few miles offshore and all you are likely to see is some fish from the beach, assuming good conditions.  None of the beaches here are very nice.  
 

Personally I would spend my time here seeing our historic district, sampling local, fresh seafood and taking in the unique ambiance of Old Town Key West, but it’s up to you.  Fort Zachary posts water visibility conditions at the park entrance.  If it says fair, or poor, don’t bother.

Yes.  They are located at 107 Fitzpatrick Street right near the cruise ship dock.

In my opinion, this is the best food tour company in town:  https://www.keywestfoodtours.com

It’s owned by a long time local family and has a great variety of stops and nice guides who really know the island and our history.

if you take the first tour listed (Southernmost food tasting and cultural tour) it includes a stop at El Siboney to try their excellent Puerto Asado, which will allow you to try the Cuban food you mention in your other post.  You can read more reviews on TripAdvisor. 

Celebrity Apex is scheduled at Pier B for January 8.   It should still come here. 

There are signs at the stops.
 

Enjoy your visit!

22 hours ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

Question?  When on the Duvall free loop, do they announce which stops they are coming up to so you know when to get off?  Thanks.

It depends on the bus they’re using.  Sometimes they use smaller busses That do not.  They also only stop at most stops if someone signals or there are people waiting.  If you tell the bus driver what stop you want when you board they will stop there and tell you.  There are also free maps of the route on the bus or you can review them here:  https://www.carfreekeywest.com/free-duval-loop-bus

My advice is not to do it.  People are injured on these all the time.  It’s not discussed since nothing that could hurt a tourism business is ever discussed here, but my friend in the emergency room admission says that almost every day someone is brought there due to an injury and some are very serious.  
 

if you are committed to doing it, be sure your auto policy will cover you.  The contract you sign places all liability on you if you damage or hurt another person. 

The Southernmost Point is a mile from the dock.  If you don’t feel like walking that far, you can easily get an Uber from the front of the hotel where the dock is for about $10 and then work your way back toward the dock.  This will let you beat your fellow shipmates and not have to deal with a long line. Now that we no longer have multiple ships in town, the wait at the Hemingway House is not very long.

You can also use the free loop bus, but it can be busy when there’s a ship in port. Here is the link to the route:  https://www.carfreekeywest.com/free-duval-loop-bus

the cruise ship dock is near stop 4 and the Southernmost Point is near stop 10.

Key West residents voted by a super majority to limit the size of ships and the number of visitors in port.  Unfortunately, The State Legislature and Governor overrode that vote.

However, The City is still honoring the wishes of its residents by limiting docking at the two City controlled ports (Mallory Square and the Outer Mole.)

Only the privately owned Pier B is ignoring the vote and allowing large ships to dock there.

My guess is another ship has been scheduled at Pier B, bumping your ship.  The Pier and the Harbor Pilots are both paid based on ship size and passenger count, so  I imagine a larger ship wanted to dock.  It is also possible that Holland America is listening to the campaign to get cruise lines to follow the wishes of the people who live in the port City and cancelled on their own.

im sorry you won’t get to visit, but multiple large ships overwhelm our small Old Town and create turbidity that damages the reef.  Please try to visit as an overnight guest so you can really enjoy Key West.

Key West does t really have a “port.”  The ship will dock at the waterfront of the Opal Hotel and from there you are a short walk to dozens of shops, restaurants and bars.  Rodriguez Cigar Factory is the best option for cigars and only about a block from the dock.  There are several places for Key Lime Pie and Souvenirs all over the immediate area. 

The tour covers about 6 miles with lots of stops along the way to talk about different areas.

While it’s true that the island is mostly flat, some people would find biking 6 miles strenuous, especially on a windy day. 

This company has a very good reputation and gets great reviews.  There are many online reviews on TripAdvisor if you want to see what people thought.

The Casa Marina is just under 2 miles from Pier B.  About a 40 minute walk.  You can walk through, but the original, historic section of the hotel is not that large.  The lobby, a small bar and a ballroom are in the original section.  Most rooms are in an ugly, 1970s addition.  The grounds are pretty, but I’m not sure I would consider it a destination. 
 

The reef here is in very poor shape, especially the area off Key West where the tours go.  Assuming good visibility and low winds, you will see lots of fish, but most of the coral is dead or in poor shape.  There are other areas of the reef away from a key West in decent condition if you ever return.

i think the Mel Fisher Maritime museum is more interesting than the shipwreck museum.  It focuses on the Atocha discovery and displays many artifacts. The shipwreck museum is an overview of the wrecking industry in Key West and has actors in period costumes.  I think it’s a bit cheesy, but might be fun if you have kids.  Another good spot is the Audubon House and gallery.  The house is a historic shipbuilders home with a lovely garden full of specimen trees, and the gallery has a great collection of Audubon prints in all prices ranging from first editions to reprints.  They make great gifts.

Kayak tours can be buggy and hot in September, but we do a good job with mosquito control, so with bug spray, it’s tolerable.  Another option is to walk to the Historic Harbor where a boardwalk is lined with restaurants and bars.  Not much there is open before 11, but the harbor is full of excursion boats, some historic ships and several yachts.  
 

i hope this helped.

This link says there is no problem with the trolleys and a collapsible wheelchair. https://www.trolleytours.com/accessibility-safety
 

Most things of interest to visitors are in about a one square mile area of Old Town surrounding the cruise pier.  You can certainly walk around and push her.  Some of the sidewalks can be a bit narrow, but I’ve seen many people in wheel chairs who seem to be having a nice time.  

On 7/20/2022 at 7:25 PM, Anyislandwilldo said:

Its me and my sister and we both have been to Key West before and have seen all the sites.  We would like to get a 2 seater rental and get out and about and see the non tourist areas of Key West.  Would like to be able to get a rental near the pier.  In the past have rented with a different outfit and they picked us up after 9 and after driving out to their shop and signing all sorts of paper work, we lost a lot of valuable time exploring the island.

You will not be docking at Mallory Square.  Carnival Dream is too large and violates the referendum the residents passed for smaller ships only.  Even though the State overturned the referendum, City run piers are still following the limits.  Only Pier B at the Opal Resort is ignoring the vote and allowing these ships to dock, so that’s where you will be.

There is a place at 1 Duval next door to the Opal that rents them, but they need to be reserved in advance. It’s called Key West Golf Cart Rentals.  Another option is Conch Electric Cars Ferry Terminal.  It’s about a 15 minute walk from Pier B along the harbor walkway.

there is not much of interest to visitors outside Old Town.  Mostly residential areas. The north side of the island is mostly hotels, strip malls with grocery stores and fast food places, a Home Depot and car dealers.  The South shore has a beach and water views, but since your on a cruise ship I assume you see plenty of water. 😎

Most rentals do not allow you to leave the island and go to Stock Island and a mile or so outside of Key West the speed limit becomes too high for a golf cart.  Remember to follow the same parking rules as any car if you do rent one.

On 2/7/2022 at 3:55 PM, RedIguana said:

 

I was around when Key West succeeded from the union. I was around when there no stop lights between homestead and Duval street. The tiki bar in Islamorada seated 25 people. I watched ya'll move to the keys and destroy them. I don't respect a referendum from a bunch of NIMBY's. I respect the locations I visit. You don't want visitors, unless they are on your terms. 

 

Edit

I caught a nice 25 permit on a jig on 6 lb test the day the new 7 mile bridge opened up. What an improvement that was.

Not that it matters, but I was born and raised in the Keys so save your “ya’ll moved down here and ruined it” comment for someone else.   Also, the  organizers of the referendum were from two long time, Conch families.  The referendums passed by super majorities in every single district on the island and had huge support from long time Conch families who have seen the damage these ships do to our waters and reefs, and the impact on Downtown.  Most of the opposition actually came from out of town business owners like the owner of the hotel where Pier B is located.

I’m glad you were able to enjoyed Key West when it was a small town, but it is now a mass tourism destination struggling with over tourism, a dying reef system and polluted near shore waters.  

Unfortunately,  it looks like the big money will override the will of the people who live here unless the Cruise Lines and their passengers choose to follow the referendum.  Have a nice day.

21 hours ago, RedIguana said:

The legislation was actually passed by the Florida House and Senate, the Governor just signed the bill.

I suppose if Key Largo passed a referendum prohibiting all trucks over 5000 lbs and no more than 100 cars a day to pass through it would be OK?

the issue was debated for over a year and the majority of residents voted for these limits.  I’m not here to rehash the referendum.  Either you believe in local rule and Democracy, or you don’t.  Either you respect the people in a destination you are visiting, or you don’t.   I would never travel to a destination that does not welcome my visit.  Sadly, Celebrity doesn’t care, and apparently neither do you. 

Celebrity is currently the only major line ignoring the wishes of the locals who overwhelmingly voted to limit large ships.  Yesterday’s passengers were greeted with a large protest of fishing boats and a couple hundred people telling them these large ships are not welcome here.  Since Pier B is owned by a litigious billionaire who donate $1 million to our Governor before he overrode the vote, that is the only dock receiving ships.

it is a sad sign in the Country when a binding referendum passed by a majority of voters in every district is overrode by The State.  
 

While Key West locals welcome visitors, they do not welcome ships that violate the referendums.  Please let Celebrity know you believe in Democracy and tell them to respect the referendum locals voted for.

Yesterday, another Celebrity ship docked that violated the size limits the majority of Citizens here voted for.  They were greeted by a large group of protesters both in fishing boats and on land.  I can’t imagine going somewhere that does not welcome the size ship you arrive on.  Hopefully some people who care about the locals in the ports they visit will write Celebrity and let them know not to ignore the wishes of the people who live in their ports.