I need a little help...my husband and I are going on our first cruise, on Carnival to Montego Bay/Grand Cayman/cozumel, and have a tight budget. I've been reading that shore excursions are overpriced and was wondering if anyone has suggestions on whether we would have more fun exploring on our own, or taking the excursions offered by the cruise line...

We were scheduled to visit Grand Cayman, but since the seas were rough the day we arrived, we were not able to tender into the port. We were just going to catch a cab to the 7-mile beach for a couple of dollars whereas the cruise ship charges $12.

We are cruising later this week and will be in Cozumel next Tuesday. I have made arrangements for a rental car ($38.00) to explore the Island and have done my own research on places to go, things to see, and places to eat.

Cayman is a must do for sting ray city tours- IF in port late- 4pm? Consider Cpt. Marvin or Nativeway- very excellent experiences. In Mexico if you rent a car ALWAYS purchase their costly add on liability waivers- your US insurance probably will NOT cover anything there - verify this. Especially in Mexico- there are plenty of cases where damages were accessed that were not caused by the current renter. It will pay to photograph the car with a digital camera any damages you see BEFORE you even start the car up. Better for first timers is a cab to Chananakaab Park- $10+ each way via cab, $10 admission and $5 snorkle rental. A great day in a clean park with no harassing venders.

Wallison:

We did this cruise in January.

The Stingrays are a must in Grand Cayman--we went with Capt. Bryan, but from what I've heard since I'd recommend going with Nativeway. Booking directly will save $$.

In Montego Bay, contact Carolyn Barrett (www.Barrettadventures.com). I can't say enough positive about her and the experience (we hiked Mayfield Falls and walked through a working plantation--very neat--and she knows everything there is to know about Jamaica). Less expensive than the Dunns River Falls tour, shorter bus ride, less crowded.

The main keys to saving money, though are:

1. Watch your alcohol consumption (bring some on in your checked--not carry-on--luggage. Boxed wine is a good choice).

2. Stay out of the casino (or, go to the casino and win!).

3. Don't buy too many photos.

The Conquest is a beautiful ship. We also had a great time on Bourbon Street the night before and wandering the French quarter the morning of.

You'll have a wonderful time!

Shore excursions are overpriced. Do some research before you go to see the best sites, get off, rent a car or make a deal with a cabbie and do it on your own. As for money, do be careful about pictures on the boat. There will be alot of pics taken and the cost does add up. You don;t have to buy them of course but you may be tempted. Be moderate. And bring your own camera! Bon voyage.

Montego Bay, contact Carolyn Barrett (www.Barrettadventures.com). I can't say enough positive about her and the experience (we hiked Mayfield Falls and walked through a working plantation--very neat--and she knows everything there is to know about Jamaica). Less expensive than the Dunns River Falls tour, shorter bus ride, less crowded.

For clairfication- Dunns River Falls is toured from Ocho Rios Not Montego Bay.

Hi, I just got back from a Western Carib cruise last week, We are a family of four so we did all our shore excursions on our own and saved a lot of $$. Definitely do Stingray City with Nativeway, make reservations in advance on the internet. Go on the afternoon tour (12 noon) if you can, much less crowded than the a.m. (we had five people on our boat!) it was $25 pp, much less $ than the cruise line charges. If you want, they will take you to 7 mile beach in the a.m. and pick you up at Noon for the tour. In Cozumel we went to Chanakaab Park, lovely beach, sea lion & bird show, restaurant, great snorkling. It was a $10 taxi ride from the pier and $10 pp admission. If you are going to Ocho Rios, Dunn's River Falls was a $22 rt taxi ride and about $15 pp admission. We spent about $50 - $75 total for excursions that the cruise line would have charged us about $130 - $175.

BudgetQueen:

Yes, Dunns River Falls is near Ocho Rios. However these is a Carnival excursion from the Conquest in Monetego to the Falls in Ocho Rios--hence the long bus ride.

Cheers!