First Solo Cruise - Western Caribbean tips?

[bnbeyer]

I'm excited to be going on the Carnival Vista Nov. 2 with a free balcony stateroom. I won a seat in the slot tournament finals and the casino. I was going to take a friend, but she had to back out. My husband doesn't want to go because of our dogs and teenager in school. I asked my sister and another friend, but they aren't available. So solo it is! Since the cruise was free, that's really not a problem for me.  However, I don't want to do shore excursions. I was planning to just take taxis to beaches at the ports. Since I'll be alone, I'm wondering if you have recommendations on if these would be safe or not for a solo woman and if you would recommend a different beach. I do like snorkeling also.

 

Montego Bay - I was probably going to go to Doctor's Cave beach or maybe Frenchman's Cove beach. Thoughts or recommendations?

 

Cayman Islands - I was thinking about going to Cemetery Beach, but it is isolated with no facilities, so since I'll be alone, I'm not going to do that.  There are a gazillion other beaches I've seen listed, and I don't know which one to choose.  Maybe I should just tag along with a group from the ship?  Options I've seen on the SevenMileBeach are Royal Palms, Beach Club public beach, Sea Grape beach, Courtyard Marriott, Smith Cove, and Spotts beach. 

 

Cozumel - I'm debating between Chankanaab, which I heard was a good option for both snorkling and the beach, or Paradise Beach, which Mitsugirly reviewed as offering great facilities, good food and drinks, a HUGE pool, nice beach and good service.

 

I welcome your thoughts!

 

 

[RW_MI]

I went solo to Cemetery Beach and was very comfortable.  Like you, I hadn't planned on it.  But I went snorkeling at Eden Rock when I first got off the ship, and a woman who worked there recommended Cemetery Beach.  When I told her my concerns, she assured me I'd be safe. 

 

I felt fine being there by myself. The number of other people there varied from 10 - 20 during my stay.  It was beautiful and I hope to go back!  YMMV, but worst case, you could always walk back out to the main road and catch a bus back to town.

 

I went to Smith Cove with my son and his gf in April. We were all disappointed, and I definitely wouldn't go back. Also, I would have been less comfortable there as a solo.

 

In Cozumel, I went to El Cid, which is super close to the dock Royal uses, and still walking distance from the Carnival dock.  (I went twice, so walked it from both docks.) The snorkeling there is pretty good, especially if you take something to feed the fish.  Sometimes a waiter or restaurant patron will toss something in the water.  El Cid itself is OK - you'll always see cruise line employees there.  I like it since it's walking distance.  When I went from Royal, I went back to the ship for lunch because I felt like a really good salad.  I probably wouldn't walk back for lunch if on Carnival though.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

22 hours ago, bnbeyer said:

Montego Bay...

 

Cayman Islands...

 

Cozumel - I'm debating between Chankanaab...

From what I remember reading, Jamaica's ports are unsafe.  One thing lots of people reported is extremely aggressive salesmen.  I would recommend going with a ship excursion, like a history tour or a private beach.

 

Cayman Islands are mostly safe.  One place I recommend is Hell.  It's an actual place, and it got its name from the smoking volcanoes right next to it.  You can even send a postcard to your home, and it'll say "Hell" on the return address.  You can also go to a stingray wading park, but I, personally would never swim with an animal that has "sting" in its name.

 

Cozumel is the only one of your ports I had a personal experience with, and it was Chankanaab, and on a solo cruise, so I'll chime in.  I did a dolphin swim excursion, and had a blast.  Two people from my ship "adopted" me, so we went swimming together afterwards, and had some snacks and drinks.  Al in all, it's a nice park, just maybe overpriced.  There's also snorkeling, like you said, and also a sea lion show (which I didn't see).

Edited July 27, 2019 by LandlockedCruiser01

[bnbeyer]

17 hours ago, RW_MI said:

I went solo to Cemetery Beach and was very comfortable.  Like you, I hadn't planned on it.  But I went snorkeling at Eden Rock when I first got off the ship, and a woman who worked there recommended Cemetery Beach.  When I told her my concerns, she assured me I'd be safe. 

 

I felt fine being there by myself. The number of other people there varied from 10 - 20 during my stay.  It was beautiful and I hope to go back!  YMMV, but worst case, you could always walk back out to the main road and catch a bus back to town.

 

I went to Smith Cove with my son and his gf in April. We were all disappointed, and I definitely wouldn't go back. Also, I would have been less comfortable there as a solo.

 

In Cozumel, I went to El Cid, which is super close to the dock Royal uses, and still walking distance from the Carnival dock.  (I went twice, so walked it from both docks.) The snorkeling there is pretty good, especially if you take something to feed the fish.  Sometimes a waiter or restaurant patron will toss something in the water.  El Cid itself is OK - you'll always see cruise line employees there.  I like it since it's walking distance.  When I went from Royal, I went back to the ship for lunch because I felt like a really good salad.  I probably wouldn't walk back for lunch if on Carnival though.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

Thank you!  I won't rule out Cemetery Beach if somebody comes with me, but I'm sure my husband wouldn't want me going there alone.  I took Smith Cove off my list.

 

I hadn't heard about El Cid before.  I'll add it as an option.  Thanks again!

[bnbeyer]

2 hours ago, LandlockedCruiser01 said:

From what I remember reading, Jamaica's ports are unsafe.  One thing lots of people reported is extremely aggressive salesmen.  I would recommend going with a ship excursion, like a history tour or a private beach.

 

Cayman Islands are mostly safe.  One place I recommend is Hell.  It's an actual place, and it got its name from the smoking volcanoes right next to it.  You can even send a postcard to your home, and it'll say "Hell" on the return address.  You can also go to a stingray wading park, but I, personally would never swim with an animal that has "sting" in its name.

 

Cozumel is the only one of your ports I had a personal experience with, and it was Chankanaab, and on a solo cruise, so I'll chime in.  I did a dolphin swim excursion, and had a blast.  Two people from my ship "adopted" me, so we went swimming together afterwards, and had some snacks and drinks.  Al in all, it's a nice park, just maybe overpriced.  There's also snorkeling, like you said, and also a sea lion show (which I didn't see).

 

Thank you for the information about Jamaica. You're the first person who's said that so far, so I appreciate the heads up. 

 

I had heard about Hell but had removed it from my list when I originally decided to do Cemetery Beach. I'll add it back to the list as an option. The volcanoes sound cool!

 

 

[LandlockedCruiser01]

12 minutes ago, bnbeyer said:

I had heard about Hell but had removed it from my list when I originally decided to do Cemetery Beach. I'll add it back to the list as an option. The volcanoes sound cool!

My apologies!  I just realized I was thinking of different island when I posted it.  Hell isn't a volcano, but a dark limestone formation that has kind of a hellish look to it.  (The postcard portion is true, though.)  Just for hits and giggles, get a picture of yourself standing in a handbasket.

 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell,_Grand_Cayman.

Edited July 27, 2019 by LandlockedCruiser01

[Go-Bucks!]

On 7/26/2019 at 10:41 AM, bnbeyer said:

Montego Bay - I was probably going to go to Doctor's Cave beach or maybe Frenchman's Cove beach. Thoughts or recommendations?

 

Cayman Islands - I was thinking about going to Cemetery Beach, but it is isolated with no facilities, so since I'll be alone, I'm not going to do that.  There are a gazillion other beaches I've seen listed, and I don't know which one to choose.  Maybe I should just tag along with a group from the ship?  Options I've seen on the SevenMileBeach are Royal Palms, Beach Club public beach, Sea Grape beach, Courtyard Marriott, Smith Cove, and Spotts beach. 

 

Cozumel - I'm debating between Chankanaab, which I heard was a good option for both snorkling and the beach, or Paradise Beach, which Mitsugirly reviewed as offering great facilities, good food and drinks, a HUGE pool, nice beach and good service.

 

I welcome your thoughts!

 

I haven't been to any of these ports as a solo, but have been there as one of 2 females traveling together.  Here are my experiences in these ports...

 

Montego Bay - after a very scary experience in Ocho Rios, Jamaica I said I would never return!  Yes, it's well known that Jamaica is not safe and definitely not a place where a woman alone (or even women together) should travel around without a group.  But 28 yrs later we found a cruise we wanted to go on and it included Montego Bay. I only agreed to get off the ship if we got a day pass to an all-inclusive resort with transportation to and from the place...I will NOT take any private transportation in Jamaica.  I used www dot shoreexcursioneer dot com and found a great place!!  It's the White Sands/Blue Water resort, but when I just looked on their website, I didn't see it....it did look like they offered other resorts.  There is a website for the Royalton White Sands resort too, but I didn't check into it any further.  This place had the biggest lunch buffet included and was delicious!!  Several pools, with the one by the ocean was an infinity one with a swim up bar and drinks were included.  Lots of palapas, umbrellas and loungers were available.

 

Grand Cayman - I've always felt safe there.  Once I went out to Hell (cute) and the turtle farm.  Another time we just got a taxi to the public beach (free and just as nice as the hotel beaches, but no chairs or umbrellas).  The port area has lots of shops and places to eat. Sand is very nice, town is clean.

 

Cozumel - I feel safe here as long as you stay in the "tourist" areas and don't go too far down the main street where there are no tourists...then it got seedy and we knew it was time to turn around.  My favorite thing to do is go to Chankanaab...it doesn't cost much to get in, I think the taxi was $5-10 from the pier, and the water and snorkeling was great!  They also have some Mayan ruins that they moved there and were fun to see.  Iguanas are everywhere but don't bother humans.  My 19 yr old loved it.  There were beach chairs there too.  Be sure to wear water shoes...lots of sea urchins on the sea floor.

 

Have a great time and just use your intuition and common sense about going places alone...and be sure that someone knows your plans.

[Lois R]

Good morning, I have been to both Cozumel and Grand Caymen multiple times and I always sail solo.  I am not a big beach person but I did go to Nachi in Cozumel...…..it is a beach that has a max amount of people allowed so it doesn't get overly crowded.  It has been a long time since I have done this itinerary but I think I grabbed a cab to get there.   I have also done excursions...one was a culinary tour. It was fun...we went to

a resort and made lunch and drinks....it was through the cruiseline.

 

Grand Caymen?  I have just walked around and not done any tours (recently)…..it is has been so many years since I have been there I cannot remember it all LOL.

 

I felt safe in both places though.

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise

[Roz]

A woman traveling alone should definitely go with a ship's excursion in Jamaica.  

 

Roz

[lab_love123]

I won't necessarily say you need a "ship" excursion in Montego Bay, but I would strongly recommend an organized excursion through a reputable provider. I would not just go off on your own to those destinations. 

 

For Grand Cayman and Cozumel, there's some good suggestions already in this thread, and you'll find lots in the Ports of Call sections. Last time I was at both, I was with a couple of friends but I would feel reasonably safe solo with reasonable situational awareness. I'll actually be in Cozumel (solo) a few days before you and I'm still trying to decide where I want to go, but I'm considering Paradise Beach.

[bnbeyer]

Thank you for the advice. I think I will go ahead and book an excursion for Montego Bay. 

 

[Lois R]

6 hours ago, bnbeyer said:

Thank you for the advice. I think I will go ahead and book an excursion for Montego Bay. 

 

 

Good idea

[TTEllis]

On 7/28/2019 at 9:15 AM, Lois R said:

Good morning, I have been to both Cozumel and Grand Caymen multiple times and I always sail solo.  I am not a big beach person but I did go to Nachi in Cozumel...…..it is a beach that has a max amount of people allowed so it doesn't get overly crowded.  It has been a long time since I have done this itinerary but I think I grabbed a cab to get there.   I have also done excursions...one was a culinary tour. It was fun...we went to

a resort and made lunch and drinks....it was through the cruiseline.

 

Grand Caymen?  I have just walked around and not done any tours (recently)…..it is has been so many years since I have been there I cannot remember it all LOL.

 

I felt safe in both places though.

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise

Hey Lois!! It's me Todd from like the old old days😊. I did the western about 18 months ago, did it decades ago several times. Hadn't been to Cozumel in almost 20 years, did Nachi a couple of times. We didn't do the Cayman Islands I have before just not this last time went to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel, Curacao, Bonaire and some other islands, it was a 14 day sailing on the Caribbean Princess. 

The western Caribbean is not my favorite itinerary I got a great deal on the cruise, time was right so I went and had a blast. 

Lois great to see your still cruising especially solo that's awesome.

 

I did another 14 days on the Caribbean Princess last Nov./Dec. 14 day full Caribbean Circle best cruise I've ever taken hands down. Take care and hope all is well Todd

 

 

[Lois R]

HI Todd...good to see you. I am doing ok...…..going on a River cruise in October out of Venice...….cannot wait.

[TTEllis]

28 minutes ago, Lois R said:

HI Todd...good to see you. I am doing ok...…..going on a River cruise in October out of Venice...….cannot wait.

Lois our CC group leader, he and his wife started doing river cruises about 5-6 years ago in eastern Europe, I think he said they went out of Stockholm, they LOVE them. Who wouldn't your not on a ship, it's a high end river yacht. I think river cruising is what happens when those of us who've been cruising the high sea for decades and have run out of islands to see migrate too.

Lois you'll be addicted to that level of cruising, it seems to me to be a much more personable experience, can't wait to hear about it. `Solo river cruise..............AWESOME!!!  Stay healthy Todd

 

[Lois R]

Hi Todd, I have taken a river cruise before back in 2016. I love both kinds.....ocean and river😁

[TTEllis]

3 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Todd, I have taken a river cruise before back in 2016. I love both kinds.....ocean and river😁

Same ol Lois!! I guess I walked right into that didn't I?! 

[bullet33912]

One suggestion for Cozumel is Carlos and Charlies Beach Club.  I did that on my solo cruise for my 50th.  Great beach, plenty of activities, and good food and drink all in one spot.  I think it was a $10 taxi ride form the port and several of the cruisers off the boat went there as well.  I took a cab downtown and walked the shops for a bit before heading out to C&C.

[MiddleAgedBroad]

On 7/26/2019 at 10:41 AM, bnbeyer said:

Montego Bay - I was probably going to go to Doctor's Cave beach or maybe Frenchman's Cove beach. Thoughts or recommendations?

 

Beaches in Montego Bay are not all that great, and quite honestly the snorkeling there is only so-so.  But if you want a great beach, and your ship offers an excursion to Negril, definitely do that one.  It is 1.5 hours each way, but you'll get to see more of the western coast of the island, perhaps stop on the way for some good jerk chicken, and 7-Mile Beach is beautiful.  I've been to Jamaica 19 times and love Negril.

[CoW mAn]

On 7/26/2019 at 7:41 AM, bnbeyer said:

I won a seat in the slot tournament finals and the casino. I was going to take a friend, but she had to back out. My husband doesn't want to go

 

Grounds for divorce! 😂

[bnbeyer]

7 minutes ago, CoW mAn said:

 

Grounds for divorce! 😂

 

LOL!  

 

Actually no. It's saving me a bunch of money and stress to not have to worry about the dogs, the teenager, and the additional flight/costs with a 2nd guest. I'll still enjoy the cruise.  True grounds for divorce would have been if he'd tried to keep me from going!  😄