Paradise Shore Excursions & Hotels in Miami

[kelsea823]

Hi All,

Thank you so much to all of you who responded to my earlier email - your info is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

I have a few more questions for all you wisened cruisers.

I know this is probably all written down someplace else, but I haven't located it and time is running short [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

We are going on the Paradise, Western Carribean on April 18th.

We decided to take the excursions offered by Carnival, any suggestions on the best ones??

We like to snorkel and other adventures.

Here are the excursions that interest us.

Belize
Barrier Reef Snorkel
Cave Tubing
Goff's Cay Snorkel & Coral Island
*Shark/Ray Alley Snorkel

Isla Roatan, Honduras
Catamaran Sail & Snorkel
Kayak & Snorkel
Tabyana Beach Day

Grand Cayman
*Sting Ray City, Sandbar
Stingray City, Sandbar, Hell & Turtle
Coral Reef & Stingray Safari
Atlantis Power Snorkel

Cozumel
Beach Buggy & Snorkel
Go to Tulum and Snorkel on our own

We also need some ideas on a hotel in Miami.

Thank you so much for your help!!

Kelsea

[finoky]

I can help with the hotel. I suggest using Priceline and bidding on a 3* in the downtown area. You should be able to get one for between $30 and $40. You will most likely end up with either the Hyatt or the Sheraton. If you really feel froggy try going up to a 4* for around $65 and see if you can land the Intercontinental.

[img]http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1tehj/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/carnival.jpg[/img]

Tony

2004 Legend March 28th
2003 Paradise
2002 Paradise
2000 Destiny
1999 Fascination
1998 Fantasy

[simkoreb]

I went on the same cruise about a year ago. I would suggest in Belize going through X-treme or reggie for cave tubing because it's cheaper, and a lot less people will be with the group. It was a lot of fun, if that's what you choose to do. I've been to each port if you have specific questions I'll try and help out.

[mathgal]

Hi Kelsea,

We will be doing the same cruise in June! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Last cruise we stayed at what is now the Holiday Inn Marina Park in Miami. The location is ideal...you can see the ships in port and the hotel is right across the street from Bayside Marketplace. The Marketplace is a waterfront shopping center with live entertainment and lots of great places to eat so you can easily occupy the evening there.

The hotel was $69 and included a free breakfast buffet two years ago. Unfortunately the price has gone up (I think its around $89/night now and the breakfast is not included.) Because of this we used Priceline for our upcoming trip and have reservations at the Miami Radisson for $35! I am a Priceline novice so was a bit chicken at first, but got the $35 price on my first bid! In fact, I got two rooms for this price since we are traveling with friends. It is a bit further from Bayside, but I've read that the hotel has a inexpensive shuttle or the free Miami "People Mover" is located close by.

As far as shore excursions...here is what we've planned so far: In Belize we have booked the [url="http://belizecruiseexcursions.com/"]Xstream Cave Tubing[/url] tour. The groups are limited to 14 people compared to the large groups on the ship tours.

In Roatan the two wives are going with Victor Bodden (a local cab driver) and he is going to show us his island! The guys are going to scuba dive. They haven't made up their minds totally, but I think they are going to Fantasy Island.

Grand Cayman...this will be the other couple's first visit so they are doing the Stingray thing. I think they will book through [url="http://nativewaywatersports.com/shiptours.html"]Nativeway[/url]. My hubby and I just plan to spend the day snorkeling at Eden Rock near where the ship tenders drop off passengers.

Cozumel...unless plans change we are just going to take a cab to Chankanaab Park and spend the afternoon there. We will go back to the ship to change and eat dinner and then spend the evening shopping.

By this time next week you will be on your way! Have a great trip!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;6;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  till we are in Paradise again!


Paradise 6/2004
Paradise 6/2002

[tracey980]

I can help with the hotel issue but not on the excursions. I have used Priceline twice and have been very happy with both the hotel that I received both under $50. One time I recived the Hyatt Regency. This hotel was very nice and just a short taxi ride to both Bayside and the pier. The next time we used Priceline we decided to stay closer to the airport since our flight was coming in so late. We stayed at the Wyndham. This hotel was also very nice and they have a free shuttle from the airport. There isn't much to do near the airport. My recommendation would be to stay near the airport if your flight is coming in late, but if you have time to spend in Miami to stay somewhere else. The airport is at least twenty minutes from all the good stuff so taxis would get costly.

Disney Magic 08/13/99
Carnival Triumph 01/05/02
Carnival Paradise 01/05/03
Carnival Fascination 05/09/03
Norwegian Sea 9/14/03