Western Caribbean

[LSAUNDER]

Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Labadee, Grand Caymen _---Could you please tell me what the best things to do on each island on the western on the mariner of the seas cruise. Thank you, there will be 1 adult, 2 - 21 year olds and 1 - 18 year old. 2 of us scuba but what will the other 2 do?

[marti2282]

We are back from Mariner 3-11 cruise had great time. We went Zip Lining (Canopy Tour) in OR and it was great, but the best excursion we ever did was in Coz. We did the Cuisine Workshop. Cooking, eating, and open bar! It was great. I am pasting the discription from th RCL website. Give it a try!!

 

Ever wanted to prepare a full course Mexican meal but didn't have that special recipe nor the secrets to its preparation? Well this tour will give you the opportunity to learn while having a very enjoyable time. This totally unique experience with Mexican Cuisine will begin as you are greeted on the pier and then escorted to an air-conditioned bus for a scenic ride to Playa Mia Grand Beach Park. Upon arrival, a prestigious Chef will lead you into the art and wonders of cooking fine Traditional Mexican cuisine. You will have your individual work station with all the ingredients and utensils ready for you to learn the secrets on how to prepare and serve some of the most delicious recipes from this wonderful culture. A full domestic open bar will be available for you to enjoy at any time. Your Chef will assist you every step of the way and answer any questions that you may have. Once food preparation has been completed, all participants will be served their own creations accompanied by fine Mexican wines and a festive Mexican atmosphere. Minimum age to participate is 18 years of age. If you would like to utilize the beach facilities, it is recommended to bring a swimsuit & towel.

[SimplyAddicted]

Thanks, Marti! The Mexican Cuisine idea sounds like a great time! I have been leaning toward the Freedom for my next cruise, but one of the things that has made me hesitate was Cozumel. I have been there before and was thoroughly unimpressed. This gives me the perfect solution. Sounds like a blast!

[marti2282]

Megan, It was great and the Chef, Luis, and his helper and the barman were fantastic. You won't regret it. Marti

[LSAUNDER]

i DON'T THINK MY FAMILY WILL ENJOY THE COOKING, ANYTHING ELSE. WHAT DID YOU DO ON THE REST OF THE ISLANDS.

[nomarfan5]

Grand Cayman - without a doubt, Stingray City. That was a blast!!

 

I'm booked on the canopy tour in Montego Bay - from what everyone says, it's an awesome excursion. We did Dunns River in Ocho Rios and that was great too.

 

Labadee - do the parasailing if it's available, we loved it.

[pickleo]

Labadee- sitting on the beach and relaxing

 

Grand Cayman- sting rays

 

Ochos Rios- Jungle river tubing (excellent)

[elleluv]

We are back from Mariner 3-11 cruise had great time. We went Zip Lining (Canopy Tour) in OR and it was great, but the best excursion we ever did was in Coz. We did the Cuisine Workshop. Cooking, eating, and open bar! It was great. I am pasting the discription from th RCL website. Give it a try!!

 

 

 

Marti, I've been interested in doing this excursion... What did you cook? The only thing that's held me back in the past was that it used to be seafood... Has it changed?

[Lightsluvr]

Labadee is a beach stop... pure and simple.

 

I agree with the previous suggestion that you do Sting Ray city on the Caymans.

 

Cozumel has some interesting bars - Carlos & Charles, Mescalitos, Coconuts. Food is good at Pancho's back yard. You might rent a jeep and just tour the island and stop at a beach or two.

 

Go to the falls at Ochos Rios if you have never been before...

 

LL

[Lightsluvr]

Megan, It was great and the Chef, Luis, and his helper and the barman were fantastic. You won't regret it. Marti

 

Marti -

 

What were some of the dishes that were prepared?

 

LL

[OPSoccermom]

Our favorite excursion of our Mariner cruise was the White River tubing in Ocho Rios. We booked through an independent vendor (check the Jamaica board) and avoided the crowds of the ship excursion. There were just 6 of us and we had a fabulous time!

[MammaCass]

Just back from a week on the Explorer. We did Sting Ray City on Grand Cayman with Captain Marvin's..cheaper than the ship excursion and guides were very good. They have an office on the main street just outside of the Pier area.

 

In Cozumel, we did the Playa Mia excursion through the ship (it is cheaper than getting tickets directly). Get there early because the beach gets really busy but it is worth the $29 for open bar and chairs all day. You also need to get to Carlos and Charlies while in Cozumel.

 

We went to Ochos Rios several years ago but I would highly recommend Duns River Falls.

[4bythebeach]

Labadee-relaxing beach day

Ocho Rios-Dunns river falls

Cozumel-Paradise Beach

Grand Cayman-Jeep rental and drive to Rum Point

This is what our group of aged from 9-35 did and everyone had a great time. When in Coz, we also went to the plaza and had dinner and shopped. When in Grand Cayman, we also drove to Tortuga rum factory and taste tested their rum and cakes.

Enjoy the Mariner, it is an excursion in itself!

[bankonus]

Grand Cayman...definately the Sting Ray tour!! We had the most awesome time. Cozumel the power boat adventure was a blast. It includes lunch also.:)

[Punderful]

Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Labadee, Grand Caymen _---Could you please tell me what the best things to do on each island on the western on the mariner of the seas cruise. Thank you, there will be 1 adult, 2 - 21 year olds and 1 - 18 year old. 2 of us scuba but what will the other 2 do?

 

Cozumel -- Will let you know after my next cruise ;)

 

Ocho Rios -- Dunn's River falls. We booked an excursion that took you there by boat -- avoiding the bus parking lot and most of the hawkers that many find annoying. Bring rubber-soled water shoes to avoid slipping.

 

Labadee -- We had a great time on the waverunners with a bit of history thrown in as the lead guide explained a lot about the area at each of the three "gathering points" during the excursion.

Grand Cayman -- Definitely snorkeling Sting Ray City. Just follow the instructions given by the guides and you'll have fun.

 

Oh, and the Mariner has the best (IMHO) cruise director in the fleet, Becky Thompson. If you see her, give her an "Hello, luv!" from me.

 

R

[EBFURR]

All are good suggestions. If you are planning to SCUBA, may I rccommend Eagle Ray Divers in Cozumel. They are a husband & wife team and run a small, friendly operation. We have been out with them three times and each has been great. They will give you highly personal and flexible service. Just Google Eagle Ray Divers Cozumel. You can correspond with Shelly and she will set you up for a great time with SCUBA and/or snorkeling while in Cozumel.

[TEXASMUNK]

Cozumel: Eagle Ray Divers. Small but quality operation! These guys are great, we have used them 4 times. snorkel or scuba.

Many years ago, it was Jacque Cousteau that discovered the scuba

divng potential of Cuzumel. It is the backbone of the island's existance. The Pelicar Reef is amazing!

 

Grand Cayman: Captain Marvin's The guy who started the whole sting ray city thing! No mega crowds, new boats, multiple reef stops for snorkeling.

[davidson5]

I just returned from Rhapsody yesterday. I would highly recommend Captain Marvins.com. We had such a great time. There were 11 of us and about 12 others on a full day excursion. Some snorkeled some just watched but a fantastic time was had by all.

[QTMichele]

We went to the same stops while on the Mariner a few weeks ago. We "beached it" at most of the ports, but did hire a tour guide (Marva Shaw http://www.knowjamaica.com) who made Ocho Rios a very nice experience! We climbed Dunn's River Falls (highly recommend - and, if you go with Marva, it's likely you'll be one of the first there! We were the 2nd vehicle there that day), went tubing down the White River (relaxing and fun!), ate at an authentic jerk restaurant, went to a local beach (BEAUTIFUL!!!) and (finally!) went shopping before heading back to the ship.

 

Click on the review in my signature to get a more details on what we did at each port. If you contact Marva for more information (she will customize anything you want to do!), please tell her Michele said hello!!! :)

[marti2282]

At the Mexican Cuisine Workshop we cooked three courses.

 

The first was a sopa tower. Thick tortilla with black beans, sausage, potatoes, lettuce, and cream. Very good.

 

The entree was grouper in a mango puree with a stuffed mild chilie pepper. This was great too. Note--at the begining of the class they asked if there was anyone who didn't like fish. We had no takers, but chicken would have been provided in place of the fish.

 

For dessert we cooked arroz con leche (a rice puddding) layered with crisp little cookies.

 

It was all very good. And really yummy pina coladas!!

 

Marti

[rmcg1975]

Well.

 

From doing that route a few times...

 

The 21 yr olds and the 18 yr old will have a BLAST in Cozumel on the Booze Cruise.. sorry to say. I have done that trip twice with my DH and we had SO much fun each time.. just don't expect them to show up for dinner that night. It is SAFE, and the staff who run the Cruise are FANTASTIC! All walks of life are on that excursion, and it is even more fun when you have a bunch of ships in port that day. it ends with enough time for them to come back to the ship, freshen up and then get back on shore and go to Senor Frogs..oh wait..that got blown away in the hurricane....er I mean Carlos and Charlies.. which is also a BLAST!

 

Ochos Rios...well..we climbed the Dunn's River Falls..you will need water shoes and you can buy them on the ship. The water is COLD..remeber it comes from a natural spring. If they decide to do a "beach break" they may see some nudity as the beaches there aren't shy.

 

Labadee..this is usually my "ship day" and half-price in the spa on Port Days..although if they haven't been there I suggest a walk over to the Dragon's Breath..or the Island Tour via the jet skis. Just don't put sunscreen on your legs if you plan on doing that.. you'll slip and slide all over the ski..which is what I did.. lesson learned. At one point your skis get right up to the ship.. makes you realize just how big she really is. You can snorkel too if the waves aren't too rough.

 

Cayman: Ahh I love Cayman...planning to retire there actually.. :) Gotta gotta gotta go see the Rays..they are just GORGEOUS docile lil creatures. First time we did it we booked through RCI and did the "personal" tour.. which was great b/c there were like 12 ppl in our group as opposed to the 75 we could see getting off some of the other boats..really made it amazing! Even got a Stingray massage! the next time we booked righ toff their pier and had an equally great time. The third time we went (can you tell I live these guys?) we were staying in Cayman for a week (we were getting married there) and booked through Capt Marvins. Honestly, they should not have taken us out that day..it was just way too rough..the swells were huge and the current was strong..thankfully my brother in law stands 6ft 7..b/c I had tio hang onto him!

Aslo Rum Point is a good chioce..not sure if the ferry is running yet still after Ivan but it has been so long now I would think it is. Bring cash with you if you go b/c you will need to buy your drinks and you lunch. They will give you back your change in Cayman Dollars as well. Last time we were at RP we were also able to hire a boat to go to the Stingrays as well..so don't think you'll miss the rays if you go to the Point!

 

But no matter what you decide.. you will have a great cruise!