Hello! We are from Ottawa, Canada and we are going on our first cruise with RCCL, Western Caribbean with Grandeur of the Seas (Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya...) and I want to know how you enjoyed this line before... also, what to do in New Orleans the day before we leave? Thanks! Any opinions, advice, comments welcome!!!

I have cruised with RCCL and was very impressed (much better than Carnival). There is a lot of things to do in New Orleans - the French Quarter, Garden District, etc. One day is not enough. You have to get some local food - I recommend K Paul's. There is alot of local tours; check with your hotel or just walk around in the French Quarter and you will gather information.

Go on to the US board and type in the search box New Orleans. There's lots of stuff, great restaurants, etc.

You should like RC. We did for our med. cruise. We also liked Carnival as well. They have their +'s and -'s. All in all it should be fine. GC is very nice, clean and rather expensive. Do try to see string ray city. There's alot to do in Costa Maya, too much for one day really so decide what you would like to do most and go for it. I suggest reading up first. Also I would definitely skip the tours offered by the ship-way too expensive- and do it when you get off with a local company or a cab. There will be there don't worry. Bon Voyage! Any more ?'s pls. ask.

Thanks! We are interested in seeing a lot of the ruins in Costa Maya. We are there for 2 days, so that's good. Other then that, I want to swim in the ocean and sit on the beach... are these good places for that? Thanks! (I don't snorkel or touch sting rays, etc...)

The stingrays don't sting you! LOL! They actually feed from you hand. No worries. Cozumel had a world famous reef so snorkeling is great there. As for Costa Maya, look into Xel-Ha, Xcaret. You can see Tulum which is the only Mayan ruin built on the sea. Chitzen Itza is the best but it takes a day basically. When we went there we passed thru a village inhabitated ny Mayan desendants. They were al l small in stature and had the brownish complexion, broad noses and feature typical of the ancient Mayans. Prety cool.

mrsloulou:
Be careful making your plans for Costa Maya. I don't know the month you will be there, but you may only have about 6 hours of daylight to do it. (especially since you will visiting the ruins).

Happy cruising!!