1st time cruiser needs tips for caribbean cruise.
 

My husband surprised me with a cruise on princess. This is our first cruise ever. Any tips you may have on must see/do at ports of Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, or Cozumel are much appreciated. Also need advise on what to pack for a February departure.

If you are not too old and out of shape, the Dunns River Falls at Ocho Rios is an excellent adventure. A sting-ray city tour at Cayman is good for all ages and you can hold a stingray. I have a picture of my wife kissing a stingray. She loved it and she actually hates water and that was probably the first time in 20 years she was in the ocean. Cozumel, from what I've heard is good for snorkeling and scuba, but it is also a place to let it all go. Carlos and Charlies is a wild and crazy bar. They are actually all over the Caribbean, but Cozumel is well, I don't really remember, but I think we had fun! We are in our 50's, but still think we are 25! And usually pay for it the next day!
dave

If you would like to take it easy, look at the San Gervasio Mayan ruin. They are not the "big" names but they are breath taking just the same. The island also offers many natural reserves. I have not been there recently but have heard that the hurricanes had damaged the ports and the commercial areas (read the bar scenes).

Everyone do the water things so my suggestion is to do something else that is not offered anywhere else, hence the Mayan tour.

For something unique, take a tour to "Hell" in Grand Cayman. After that trip, you can brag about going to hell and back ... no pun intended.

Dunns River Falls is great. Alternatives in Ocho Rios are Discovery Bay, Columbus Park, or Rio Nuevo. Maybe a visit to a working plantation may interest you.

Agree with Ocho Rios & Dunns River Falls. Stingrays in Cayman is fun. If you like turtles, the turtle farm is also fun (and it won't take up much time). "Hell" is just a few stores and a post office so you can send a postcard from hell. IMO, not worth it in itself. If you like sterling silver jewelry, Cozumel is the place. Loads of stores, and make sure you bargain. :)

Enjoy the cruise - its a great way to see different places. We have had land vacations in Cayman & Coz just from visiting them on a cruise.

Stingray City in Grand Cayman is excellent. I was in Cozumel in December and it was VERY windy. So much so that our snorkeling trip got cancelled. Instead, we hired a driver and van ($40 I think???) who drove us all over the island. We visited several beaches, had lunch at an open air on-the-beach restaurant -- all the tables are on the beach under those little thatch roofed gazebos (I don't remember what they are actually called.) It was an excellent day. As far as what to pack you should be fine with regular summer clothing and perhaps a light sweater or jacket if you tend to be cold natured. It can sometimes get a little chilly at night. My partner and I only took shorts and t-shirts. Hope you have a great time.

Dont overschedule excursions. Spent time relaxing on the ship. If in doubt which excursion to select, we generally go with the shorter one. Do something in each port to see the island. Of the 3 ports mentioned, I do not care for Cozumel, Ocho RIos and Caymans are nicer

We do not book ship excursions preferring to explore on our own.

My perfect day in Ochi is to buy a day pass for Sandals Dunns River and take advantage of the beach, pools, watersports. Price is competitive to the average excursion and includes so much more.

In GC, we head for the beach and psend the day. Snorkelling is excellent but the beaches and water appeal to us.

In Cozumel we hop in cab and head to Paradise Beach. Beach itself is ok (still lots of erosion and damage from Wilma) and they offer great local foods (ceviche, guacamole) at good prices.

We are beach people so that is how we plan. We hate the crowds in the port areas and head as far away as we can get for as long as we can.

Packing: two formal nights on a Princess cruise and the rest smart casual (or whatever the current term is being used). I pack nice slacks, dresses and skirts for dinner, hubby dress slacks and button down shirts (Tommy Bahama style). We always dress for dinner.

Daytime wear is bathing suits and coverups for pool time, workout wear for the gym and a few sundresses/cotton skirts and tops to wear into the dining room for breakfast and lunch (we hate buffets so always opt for dining room when open).

Have a great time!

Stingray City and the Turtle Farm would be my Grand Cayman recommendations. On Ocho Rios we took a Jeep Safari into the upper highlands where we were offered some amazing vistas and finished up at Dunn's River Falls. Enjoyed both stops.

Buy travel insurance outside of what the cruise lines offers. Princess is known for stealing your luggage, so just be prepared. (They stole mine, and gave me $250 for it)

Bearland, although your luggage was lost and you are dissatisfied with the amount of money Princess gave you for it, they are cetainly not "known" for stealing lugggage.

I agree. This is his 2nd post here. The other is a rant about this incident. Maybe this happened but it could be a trolling as well.