Going on 5 day cruise with 7 hour stop in Grand Caymen and 9 hour stop in Cozumel

10" Red Devil · #1 07/27/2006, 07:01 PM

They have ship approved excursions but apparantly we needed to have booked them a long time ago so there is a good possibility we will not be able to get in on any of the snorkling/diving trips.

Was wondering what you all recommend for snorkling or should I do the diving? They had a ship approved excursion that basically certified you and took you to a depth of 20 feet somewhere near a reef.

Thanks for any advice.

MRBONNETHEAD · #2 07/28/2006, 07:26 AM

Hey 10" Red Devil!
I just got back from a cruise on Enchantment of the Seas to Grand Cayman and Jamaica!
The snorkeling in Grand Cayman was freaking amazing!
I even rode the fin of a 7 foot nurse shark!
If you can, go on the tour of Rays and Reef. It is incredible with an excellent crew. If you cant get tickets ahead of time, then when you go ashore in Grand Cayman there will be people asking you to go to sting rays and snorkeling. I would try that.

simon.007 · #3 07/28/2006, 09:49 AM

Yep its amazing there. I will be going to the Bahamas this Sep too.

Simon

DaveG99 · #4 07/28/2006, 01:02 PM

I went on a 7 day royal caribbean cruise on voyager of the seas. We went to labadee, grand cayman, jamaica, and cozumel. We didnt book any excursions until we got on the boat. There is plenty of room. You will have no problems booking snorkeling trips etc. Some of the snorkeling trips that the boat offers are much more expensive then just doing research and going through local places your self. Next time I go I will be finding my own excursions to go on.

simon.007 · #5 07/28/2006, 05:24 PM

Yep. I spent $600+ to get SCUBA fins, mask, and training with rental for my Open h2o cert. from Royal Caribbean. My trip to West Caribbean was incredible. The food (escargot and french fries) + people are great!That is why I am going again with Royal Caribbean to Bahamas....

This time though I will do my own excursions since I will be Advanced h2o cert

Thanks
Simon

10" Red Devil · #6 08/06/2006, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveG99
I went on a 7 day royal caribbean cruise on voyager of the seas. We went to labadee, grand cayman, jamaica, and cozumel. We didnt book any excursions until we got on the boat. There is plenty of room. You will have no problems booking snorkeling trips etc. Some of the snorkeling trips that the boat offers are much more expensive then just doing research and going through local places your self. Next time I go I will be finding my own excursions to go on.

Agreed!!

I was amazed at the fact that in all reality I could have spent about $40 for the gear and just walked right to the snorkel sights on both Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Oh well fool me once I guess!

All in all it was amazing! So cool to see all those atlantic blue tangs at their natural size!! Now I see why you need a 100+ tang probably more like 300-1000 gallons! Also saw amazing Tarpin, sea turtle. The coral diversity and crustacean variety was much better in cozumel then caymen.

Saw so many amazing fish and diversity of fish ranging from parrots to gobies.

Only thing I did not see and wished I could have seen was a small shark perhaps and maybe coral banded shrip or some kind of starfish.

I wish the cruises gave you more shore time. It is so frustrating to only have a few hours shore leave and spend the rest of the week at sea. Although it was kinda cool looking for flying fish, dolphins and sting rays from the deck.

billsreef · #7 08/07/2006, 08:48 PM

On Grand Cayman, if you take a short (a few hundred yards) walk east of where the cruise ship dumps you off, there is some very good snorkeling.

Cshradr7 · #8 10/14/2006, 12:22 AM

i found in grand cayman captain marvins snorkel shop, just a short walk from the pier - great people and they had good prices. sting ray city is a pretty cool place to check out