Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
7 night Western Carribean Cruise
My DH and I are going on the Celebrity Solstice for a 7 night Western Carribean Cruise that leaves Fort Lauderdale on February 5th with his entire family. We'll be stopping at Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel, and Costa Maya.
We both have never been on a cruise before. Do any of you have recommendations for first time cruise-goers, and what do at these ports of calls? I've been looking, and right now we're thinking about doing the Rum Tour at Grand Cayman, and then booking one of Victor Bodden's private tours in Roatan and go zip-lining and have the tour guide show us around Roatan.
Any advice regarding the ship from people who have sailed Celebrity Solstice would be great too. We're definently doing the drink packages - classic alcohol for him, and either the classic or premium non-alcoholic for me. Thanks!
TTC since June 2012
Re: 7 night Western Carribean Cruise
We did a cruise with three of those stops stops a while ago, and here's what we did:
Grand Cayman - Rented a private catamaran with another couple and went snorkeling at Stingray city and others. This could be an option since you have a group. It was a great way to see the area and have really private service.
Roatan - We googled and found a hotel that would pick us up and take us on two snorkeling runs over the day. I don't remember the name, but it was an amazing deal (like $50 each for two trips out over six hours).
Costa Maya - This was our last stop so we just went shopping and ate lunch.
I'd take a look at cruisecritic.com because people can give you specific reviews of tour operators and such. Have fun!
I would also recommend taking a look at cruisecritic.com and then specific reviews based on that tour - you will get some great advice.
Cruise advice in general:
- pack a case of water or pop to bring on board if you can (we just got some from a convenience store). It was nice having it without having to pay extra for it.
- pack less clothes than you would think you will need (you can either do laundry or just wear a few things twice).
- pack a backpack or a good bag to take off the ship with you when you leave each day. We forgot this our first cruise and it would have been really helpful.
- pack either gravol or something else for seasickness in case you get it. Happens to us all from time to time! Tylenol would also be a good idea. I like ginger tablets for nausea (or hangovers!) personally.
Have fun!
In Cozumel, if you are interested in a beach day, get a taxi to Mr. Sancho's Beach Club. It's $15 for the cab ride and then you can purchase an all-inclusive package for $50 once you arrive (or pay for whatever food/ drink/ activities you want). The all-inclusive includes unlimited food & drink, table, chairs, umbrella, and water sports. Plus the staff is super nice. I've been there 3 times now and always have a great time.
In Costa Maya, go see the Mayan ruins. I can't remember the ones I went to, unfortunately...
We will be on that cruise as well, too funny! My parents took the Solstice Oct 2010- and loved it- that's why we all booked this cruise, because my parents loved the boat, they said the food was excellent, and my parents are pretty snobby when it comes to food.
We are doing beach excursions at each port, because we will have our 2 year old with us, and my husband is going scuba diving at Roatan with my dad, we were throwing the zip line around as well- the girls were thinking we would do that.
We visited GC, Cozumel, and Roatan on our cruise in May. Here are a couple blog posts you might find helpful (things we did on our trip and a packing list).
http://sunshinenwine.blogspot.com/search/label/Cruising
I enjoyed Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman as well.
In Roatan there is a private island called Maya Key. You can book excursions through most cruise lines, I think. The snorkeling there was amazing!
We did this cruise but with Princess instead and swap out Costa Maya for Bahamas.
We loved Roatan, it's beautiful and they have excellent snorkeling. I highly rec the Maya Key (like pp said), we had so much fun there and you can snorkel right off the end of the pier, there's a huge reef. They have a beautiful beach and wildlife, some ruins, and other things there too: http://www.mayakeyroatan.com
In Cozumel, I highly rec going to Chankanaab Park, an eco park with lots to do: http://www.cozumelparks.com
We were less than impressed with Grand Cayman, seemed so commercialized and 7 mile beach wasn't anything to write home about, like an overcrowded city beach.
Ditto with checking out CruiseCritic.com for lots of great info.
If you haven't already, check out cruisecritic.com. It has tons of amazing stuff. Join your Roll Call thread.
Don't waste time packing a case of water. Water on board is safe to drink & better than most bottled water. Bring a refillable bottle & drink from the tap. It's really good water.
Pack 1/2 the clothes & twice the money.
Victor Bodden is a great company. We had a bad experience but when we got home they refunded our money & apologized. They also saud we should have stopped by the dock & they would have fixed it then. I think our experience was a fluke b/c others rave about them.
The "thing to do" in the Caymans is swim with the sting rays. Don't waste time on anything else.
We went snorkeling and swam with the sting rays in Grand Caymen.
We went to Paradise Beach in Cozumel and did a little shopping.
Costa Maya was beautiful. We went to see the Mayan Ruins through this company:
http://www.thenativechoice.com/chacchoben_ruins.php
Ivan and David are very very knowledgeable and it was by far our favorite excursion.