Hi,
I have just booked a cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas for a March sailing with another family. We'll have 4 adults and 5 teens in our group. Can anyone recommend specific shore excursions? Ports are Key West, Cozumel, and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The possibilites for a dolphin swim and the stingray outing hold interest. Any advice? Thank you!!!

In Cozumel, go to Chankanaab park. Don't buy any ship tours, unless dolphin swim is a must. Taxi is $10 total, plus $12 p.p. admission. The water is crystal clear with thousands of colorful fishes (take some bread to feed them). Dolphin swim and sea lions are right there, also. But better arrange it in advance. Last time it had some damage from hurricanes, but still the best place to go.
At Grand Cayman we just go to a free beach across from Holiday Inn. I know many go to stingray swim, and recommend Capt. Marvin vs. ship tour, but we never used either one. The Hell is waste of time, IMO. There is more talks about it than it is worth seeing.

Hi,

Sounds like a fun trip! Right now, it is a better option to do your own shore excursions. Right now, in my opinion, the cruise line shore excursions are expensive and rushed.

If you are brave, you can get a good guide - Fodor's is excellent - and take a taxi, working directly with the local people.

The other option is work with a separate shore excursion company. Often, I use ShoreTrips for my cruise clients.

Best Regards,
Julia

Julia,
Your post may need some deciphering. Why are cruise lines excursions expensive and rushed right now - hasn't it always been a case? Do you really need to be brave in these places to get a good guide?

mtnquest,
I just remembered I arranged dolphin swim for my kids online but it was Jamaica. I think you can also do it for Cosumel in Chankanaab park. If interested, I will try to find the website address.

Thank you, Spur and Julia, for the good info. Spur, I think I found the dolphin swim you mentioned, so don't go to the trouble of looking just yet. I need to explore it some more, but I may be asking later. Julia, I will look into Shore Trips. I am new to all this, so thank you both for the advice.
Does anyone have anything to offer about Key West? From what I've read on this forum, it's the least favorite port. While Hemingway may be educational, me thinks the kids would protest too loudly! Thanks!

mtnquest, we went on a dune buggy excursion in Cozumel, booked on our own, and it was fabulous. It is mostly off-road, with a stop for snorkeling and lunch, which was delicious. The teens will love it, I guarantee - you can arrange your jeeps however you want - I recommend no more than 3 people per jeep, it is wild and fun!

http://cozumelhomes.com/tours/tour1.htm

It is simple and easy to direct book Caribbean shore excursion with many way superior to any ship tours. I never recommend shore trips, they are a middle man and selections are based solely on commissions. Research and book directly with a vender you have found to offer the touring you wish. In Cayman excellent is Cpt. Marvin and in Cozumel, Dzul Ha is better snorkling and free compared to Chankanaab but that is the are for the dolphin swim.

Dear Mtnquest the stingray city outing on Grand Cayman was wonderful.We got a service next to the Hyatt (don't recall the name unfortunately). The boat ride takes about 40 min each way(to the edge of the reef). Then you swim(snorkle) with lots of rays looking for a handout. You can feed and pet them.
You definately want to avoid going to Hell on Cayman..terribly boring!
Have fun, ms plum point

new to this board, but we did this cruise and used Papa Hog's in Cozumel for snorkeling - we had our own boat for 14 of us, and got a lot more time that cruise ship charters that have 100's of people. Check out their website, this has been a couple of years ago, but we loved it!

Thank you, everyone, for the great advice on where to go and what to do (and NOT do). It has been very helpful. We'll follow up on it all.
__mtnquest