Need advice for Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel excursions

[cruisers4866]

We are cruising on Carnival 4/29. Never been to Western Caribbean. Ports of Call Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Cozumel. Don't snorkel, swim or hike. Which port has the best Glass bottom boat tour? Would like advice from those who have been there. Best to do ship excursion or private? Can we attend Mexican Folkloric Festival in Cozumel without booking an excursion? How much? Also thinking about Grand Cayman island tour which includes Hell, Turtle Farm and shopping. Any advice appreciated on any of the above or anthing else related to our trip. Thanks!:confused:

[Tucker in Texas]

In Mo-Bay we have toured Rose Hall Plantation (I think, Rose is in the name) which is fun. A woman (Annie) lived there who rather than divorce, murdered. Local guides are a hoot and put a little voodoo in it give you the tour and tell you all about her. Free rum type drink. We have also gone to Doctor's Cove/Beach. A little nervous the first time as the neighborhood was not that inviting and the entrance even less so. However, after paying our admission fee (nominal) once inside it was a beautiful beach with reasonablelounge chair rentals, shade, etc. Our cabbie asked when we would want to go back to the ship and said he would return for us and he was there when the time came. However, there were other cabs waiting if he had not shown up. Cabs/tours are available at the pier and usually cheaper than the ship's excursion. The downside to Jamaica is dope sellers on every corner and very aggressive peddlers. Do not even think about "taking something back to the ship that a previous customer on the ship forgot." You can bet that it isn't coffee in that Blue Mountain tin. Keep a close eye on your possessions.

 

In the Caymans we have done the circle island thing which included a glass bottom boat which I think is good for a first time visit. Turtle Farm was a little disappointing as there is not much to it other than turtles in captivity. Hell was different and cute to mail post cards from but basically a tourist trap. We did Atlantis submarine once and I was very disappointed although others have raved about it. Very expensive, took up the entire shore time, and, to me, not a whole lot of color since you are down so far--shades of grey. We have done the glass bottom boat there by itself and that was nice but since it is your first visit, I would try to find a circle tour with a glass bottom boat ride included. Seven mile beach is beautiful but a cab ride away. There is a beach close to the dock you can walk to that has decent snorkling. I didn't personally go but husband did with our boys and they had a good time. They have the rum cakes there that are good to take home to people. However, price them on the ship first because sometimes they are cheaper than what is on shore. Free samples everywhere of the different flavors. Cabs/tours were plentiful from the dock. However, if your time is limited you are better to pay the premium and go with the ship's tour. When I say limited, we have had cruises that didn't get there until noon and left at five p.m. Too tight a schedule to risk an independent because the ship won't wait and tendering takes time which cuts into a lot of your shore time. Ship's tours are first off the ship and they will wait for late tours. Be aware that food and drink there is very expensive and no free refills on drinks if you order a meal. They will come over and ask you "do you want more tea" and then run over and chunk another $6 on your bill. I haven't found "duty free" that good lately either. So do your homework and know what it will cost you stateside (as in anything you plan to buy on the cruise) before you leave and think about "haul factor"--is it worth the hassle of taking it home. I used to be able to get three crystal goblets for the price of two for wedding presents but not so anymore. Maybe save $5 for two-- not worth the effort.

 

In Cozumel, we have gone down to the local pier and gotten a glass bottom boat ride (you negotiate) for a lot less than the ship. They will also stop and let you snorkle if you want and usually throw in beer/cold drinks--spend as long or as little time as you want snorkling in different locations. Not luxurious, but does the job. There is also a miniature golf course there that is fun. They ask your for your favorite songs and will play them for you as you putt along and even give you a beeper to call them if you need a margarita break. Paradise Beach is a $12 cab drive away and free if you buy a certain amount of food/drink from them and it is not a high amount, what you would probably spend anyway. Owned by an ex-pat I heard. Chennaub (spelling a pure guess) park is nice and not far from the ship. Lots of activities there. Cheaper to go to on your own than through the ship. Again, lots of cabbies waiting for your business. Flat rates are posted at the terminal for a variety of places but make sure they agree with those rates which, legally, they have to. Still doesn't hurt to double check. If you are going any distance, I would look at the condition of their vehicle and check to see if the a/c works and they will use it (lol).

 

As for the best glass bottom boat, to me the Caymans and Cozumel were the same but then I am not a big fan of fish. As for tours including shopping--I can guarantee you EVERY tour from the ship will include shopping because they get kick-backs. Sometimes shopping stops are longer than sightseeing stops (and don't forget you have to wait on people that aren't back when they should be) which is why we always take independent tours if we can. With hiring our own cabs, we can stay as long or as little as we want at a place. The drivers are very knowledgeable and proud of their island and want to show it to you. You do have to take precautions like settling on the fare, looking at the vehicle for mechanical dependability and a/c, testing their command of the English language (ask them how much snow they had last year if in doubt), make sure the person you are talking to is not shilling for someone else who does not speak understandable English or has some decrepid vehicle, never pay up front, always at the end. If they want money up front, or even part of it, they are shilling. They have no problems driving you up to the front of the best hotel on the island to use their restrooms. Best of all, you have control. In Grenada, the guys wanted to go to the airport where the troops landed. Why I don't know, but he was happy to take us there. In Belize, the driver took us to the local airport and escorted us up to the control tower. Another time a driver stopped in Guadalupe, hopped a fence, and came back with some sugar cane to show us. Another place the guy took us to a private condo enclave and took us through somebody's condo! They will stop at WalMart for you if you need anything. They will stop at a straw covered shack if you need a refreshment break. And, you can count on them always being cheaper than the ship.

 

Tucker in Texas

[saraisarai]

Just did this one---you actually sit in the hull of the boat----and look straight out instead of down---we saw the coral reef and lots of fish----much better than a glass bottom boat.

[cruisers4866]

Tucker in Texas: Thank you so much for your lengthy response! It helps to hear from someone who has been there more than once.

[mistynola]

great info. Tucker. We are going to Montigo Bay, Cozumel and Grand Cayman on Sunday 2/10. I want to use a cab to get around to all the places worth seeing, so some snorkling. Will the cab stay with me? How much for all day? I want to be safe and I worry about being stranded somewhere. Are there cabs all over, such as Ocho Rio? I hope you see this soon. Thanks Mistynola