We are a family of 4 - 2 teens (16 and 17. We'll be sailing on the Grandeur on Feb. 21 to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Costa maya.
My son would abolutely LOVE to swim with the dolphins. I would LOVE to see some ruins. My daughter is the queen of fashion and shopping who LOVES to be pampered and bask in the sun. We ALL love snorkeling.
Now for a few questions:
1. Which port has the best snorkeling? Should we book through the ship, on-line, or wait till we get there? We would really like to see live coral. Price is not so much an issue. We just want a great experience.
2. Is swimming with the dolphins only available at Chankanaab? Is this something I would want to book through the ship- given it's popularity? Do they do one person at a time?(Wouldn't that take too long? )Would that be the best place for my daughter to get in some sun worshiping?
3. I've read the recommendations on this site for visiting the mayan ruins on the mainland. It seems to be an all-day thing. Is there a quicker way to do this? Renting a vehicle, perhaps? Would it even be safe to do this? Also, if my teens would rather not come with us on such an excursion , is it safe enough to let them do something else (another planned excursion)on their own? I'm a bit weary of this. Hopefully I can convince them to come with us.
Sorry this is so long. Lastly, if there are any other recommendations you can think of from your experiences to make this enjoyable for everyone please let me know.
We are a family of 4 - 2 teens (16 and 17. We'll be sailing on the Grandeur on Feb. 21 to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Costa maya.
My son would abolutely LOVE to swim with the dolphins. I would LOVE to see some ruins. My daughter is the queen of fashion and shopping who LOVES to be pampered and bask in the sun. We ALL love snorkeling.
Now for a few questions:
1. Which port has the best snorkeling? Should we book through the ship, on-line, or wait till we get there? We would really like to see live coral. Price is not so much an issue. We just want a great experience.
2. Is swimming with the dolphins only available at Chankanaab? Is this something I would want to book through the ship- given it's popularity? Do they do one person at a time?(Wouldn't that take too long? )Would that be the best place for my daughter to get in some sun worshiping?
3. I've read the recommendations on this site for visiting the mayan ruins on the mainland. It seems to be an all-day thing. Is there a quicker way to do this? Renting a vehicle, perhaps? Would it even be safe to do this? Also, if my teens would rather not come with us on such an excursion , is it safe enough to let them do something else (another planned excursion)on their own? I'm a bit weary of this. Hopefully I can convince them to come with us.
Sorry this is so long. Lastly, if there are any other recommendations you can think of from your experiences to make this enjoyable for everyone please let me know.
Lisa
Perhaps I can help with one question. The reason the ruins are an all day thing is, after getting to port, clearing customs, having breakfast with a thousand others, then fighting the lines at the tenders, getting ashore, waiting for the group to assemble, locating the bus, and the drive to the ruins, through rush hour traffic, you only have about 1-2 hours at the ruins. Then the drive back, stopping a roadside stop to buy gifts, etc., fighting traffic back, it will take all day. It is still the best way to go, unless you have been there a few times, and know where to go, when to head back. We arrived back to the ship an hour after sailing time Last Christmas, but the ship waited, as this was a ship sponsored excursion. And worry not about your kids on a ship excursion. They will be safe.
Cozumel has the swim with the dolphins. We did it and it was AMAZING! We booked ours through the cruise (Princess) - hurry up since it fills up quickly. They put you in groups of 5-6 and you get 1 dolphin for a couple of things like kissing him, shaking his "hands" and petting him. Then you get 2 dolphins for water tricks. You get out in the water and hold your arms straight out at your sides. Then the 2 dolphins come up behind you and you grab their fins and they swim along with you. Then the other trick is you are in the water with your feet straight back behind you. The 2 dolphins put their snouts on your feet and you kind of ride them through the water. The whole time, there are video guys taping you. At the end, they show you your video. The video is $50 but we were not walking out of there without it. They also take pictures too.
Our excursion was delayed, due to weather (we almost didn't get to go), so we didn't get to do the other things that are included such as snorkeling at the park and just walking around.
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Star Princess - December 2006
Adventure of the Seas - April 2005
Caribbean Princess - July 2004
Golden Princess - March 2003
Disney Magic - October 1998
Wow! That is a coincidence! Let me know if you have any other questions. 71 days until our cruise to the Southern Caribbean via Adventure of the Seas!
Heather
__________________
Star Princess - December 2006
Adventure of the Seas - April 2005
Caribbean Princess - July 2004
Golden Princess - March 2003
Disney Magic - October 1998
Lisa,
You asked about the best place to snorkel. In Cozumel there is Palancar Reef and in Grand Cayman there is Caye Caulker. Both are excellent snorkeling sites and you would not be disappointed with either choice.
Nancy
Nancy, I looked for Caye Caulker on the net, and couldn't find anything. Everything turned up in Belize. Can you tell me how to get info. on this place? Thanks for your help! Lisa
OOOOPS!! I so apologize - Caye Caulker is in Belize. I am going on a cruise with a group in 2 weeks and we are going to both those ports and have made shore excursion plans. For a moment I went brain dead and mixed them up!! Sorry.
Nancy
That's okaaaaaaaaaay! I've read all the information you've helped other people with and I marvel at how you can keep it all straight!! A mistake here and there is understandable!!!!Thank you for all the useful information you provide. Lisa
)Would that be the best place for my daughter to get in some sun worshiping? 
, is it safe enough to let them do something else (another planned excursion)on their own? I'm a bit weary of this. Hopefully I can convince them to come with us. 
That's okaaaaaaaaaay! I've read all the information you've helped other people with and I marvel at how you can keep it all straight!! A mistake here and there is understandable!!!!Thank you for all the useful information you provide. Lisa
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