Kristy88

I'm deciding between a couple cruises that go to either one of these locations. I know they are both flat islands, but is there much difference in the look of either one of them? Which has better off shore snorkeling? Better beaches? I don't have to have a big long beach, but just nice powder white sand and clear, calm water.

Anyone been to both locations and have a preference of one to the other? Husband only wants to go to one or the other in a cruise since they are both flat.

purplelily

Cayman, for sure for a cruise ship stop. They had a few bad years after the last hurricane, but Grand Cayman is much better than Cozumel right now. Mexico has crime and you can't drink the water (no margaritas unless you like tummy upset on vacation). Cayman has a great beach and the stingray tour is awesome. The water will be much calmer and cleaner in Cayman, too. Don't let the taxi drop you with all the rest of the ship people on a tiny slice of that 7 mile beach. Walk down a bit, and you might see turtles while swimming.

BellaClaire

I agree with purplelily...Cayman is expensive - but if you are just stopping there for the day - shouldn't be a big deal...plus the stingray tour is awesome....

mykidsmom99

Neither place has good shore snorkeling. If you want anything decent, you really need to go on an excursion. If I had to choose only one, I also would recommend Grand Cayman. You could do the snorkel, swim with the rays & Rum Point excursion - lots of fun! Also, the catamaran snorkel tour was a lot of fun. We had time to go to the beach after some awesome snorkeling.

If you are dead set on shore snorkeling, check out Cemetery Beach in GC.

Just a reminder, GC is a tender port which means you need to take a tender boat between the ship and land. In Cozumel, you can just walk off the ship.

You will have more time in Cozumel (usually) than in GC if that is an issue.

Kristy88

Actually, I do want to snorkel at some point there, but I mainly want a calm water beach with nice sand I can swim at. If I see any fish while I'm doing that - then that is just brownie points.

Would you recommend a cruise that goes to just Grand Cayman and Cozumel? Or one that goes to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman? I don't have to snorkel in both locations - just one.

KVR

Have been to Cozumel 4 times and Grand Cayman twice. Grand Cayman does have the better snorkeling. Take the excursion to Sting Ray City with the two snorkel stops. Please don't waste your time just sitting on the 7 Mile Beach and missing that excursion. Go again for a land vacation instead if you want to hang on the beach for a day or two.

I totally disagree with Purplelily's assessment of Mexico. We've been 10 times and just returned a few weeks ago. It is advisable to do more research before posting incorrect, vague information about a destination you obviously have no real clue about.

Most Western Caribbean cruises include Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. We did that same inteniary. Of the 3, Ocho Rios is not the destination for snorkeling. Sightseeing to the falls and gardens it the draw there.

Kristy88

KVR We are also open to a land vacation in Riviera Maya. Is the water clear in Playa, Akumal, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres? I have ruled out flying to one Caribbean island since it is difficult from California. St. John would have been my ultimate destination, but just too far. I can fly direct into Cancun from here in 5 hours. Not sure if a 5 day cruise would be better so I can hit Grand Cayman also.

suze

<Mexico has crime and you can't drink the water (no margaritas unless you like tummy upset on vacation).>

wow that is so not true.

#1 "Crime" in Mexico is not in the resort towns, it has to do with the drugs cartels, money and politics. So while you may find the problems in the border towns and major cities like Monterrey and Juarex and the DF. Not true in Cozumel.

#2 Bars aren't making margartias from water gathered form some stream out back. Ice is delivered from a purification plant. Margaritas in tourist resort areas of Mexico are fine, I've had a million without 'tummy upset'.

I'm not saying to go to Cozumel, because I have no idea the answer to the question, but no need to avoid it because of these two incorrect assumptions.

KVR

Kristy88, we just returned from Playa del Carmen the first week of December. We did two tours; 1.) Yal-Ku Lagoon and Akumel and 2.) Sain Ka'an Biosphere. We found the snorkeling at those 2 destinations to be the best we have done in several years going to the Yucatan Peninsula. The hurricane damage over the years has not affected those areas. They have also done a beach renovation this past year and the beaches are very nice. We went to Cozumel in December '09 and found the snorkeling disappointing then in prior years. Though as as whole I prefer Cozumel over Playa del Carmen.

I prefer land vacations in AI resorts. We've been to many Caribbean Islands as well as Mexico. We have done 3 cruises. I'm not much of a cruise person as they are crowded and not enough time in ports. Having said that though we are doing an Alaskan Cruise in September with my parents.

If you want a good taste of several Islands with the cruise atmosphere, I would do that. Just bear in mind a cruise is all about the ship and only some about the ports. When we did our Western Cruise iteniary, the captian skipped Ocho Rios. Just decided he wasn't stopping there, and there is nothing you can do about it.

If you interested check out our picture page of all our trips. It might help with your decision:

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

Kristy88

KVR - my husband and I are a little concerned about the Dengue Fever around some parts of Yucatan. Did you have a problem with mosquitoes down there? If so what precautions did you take to avoid them or getting bit?

KVR

Never had a problem with mosquitoes. I take Off, but have yet to use it. The only problem we ever had was when we went to St. Thomas back in 2005 and it was at dusk. Might have been no seeums though.

Kristen1206

Grand Cayman without a doubt. I didn't care for Cozumel. Beaches, water clarity and snorkeling are all superior on GC in my opinion. There are a ton of shore snorkeling opportunities on Grand Cayman, many along 7 mile beach and some right in Georgetown. I recommend Governor's Reef/Cemetery Reef and Eden Roc. The waters along 7 mile beach tend be calm for the most part, as well.

Keith

I love to visit the wild side of Cozumel. It is so beautiful and an afternoon visit to Coconuts Bar is a highlight. It is a great daylight only place located on a lush cliff. Really a fun stop.

Visit San Gervasio Mayan ruins on the way back.