BORN TO TRAVEL’S INFO BANK: Western Caribbean Islands

Labadee, Hispaniole:

Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Cruises Private Island. Great beach day. Get out there and play in the water.  Our favorite beach is Nellie’s Beach.

Just past the buffet lunch barbeque you will find a craft market. This place is not for the timid. The sellers are fairly aggressive but there are some good bargains. Be firm, if you are not interested say no thank you and walk on by.

Georgetown Grand Cayman:

Everyone tenders here. So if planning any excursions on your own, be sure to add at least 30 minutes from the time your ship says it is in port to determine when you can schedule a tour.

7 Mile beach is about a $5.00 cab ride from the tender pier. Beautiful stretch of beach, with all the toys. We loved Christine Ebanks, her phone numbers are (345) 917-2856 or (345) 324-9914.

Downtown: shopping for the wealthy.

Our favorite: Catamaran sail and stingray city tour. If you have a large group, we can help set it up directly with Captain Bryan, our favorite. If just a few of you, you can sign up through shoretrips.com or the cruiseline.

Clients do not recommend Turtle Sanctuary tour with cruiseline.  Its poorly organized and overcrowded.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica:

Swim with the Horses and Dunn’s River Falls: what a day!!! This is the BEST! After a wonderful ride on beautiful horses you actually go swimming on the horse!!!! Then you ride back to the stables and head to Dunn’s River Falls to climb your way to the top! Best excursion ever taken. Email us for details and pricing.

Falmouth, Jamaica:

Clients recommend Royal Caribbean’s 1700’s Great House & Plantation Tour with Lunch for adults.  The tour is 3 hours.  It includes tour of the Good Hope Great House built in the 1700’s and a Jamaican jerk grill BBQ lunch.

You can spend a full day right at the ship’s pier with plenty of shops and entertainment.

Belize City, Belize:

Cave tubing: a wonderful adventure. You can purchase it at shoretrips.com or through the cruise line. Minimum age is 8 years old. Warning to parents: you may not be able to stay connected to your child during cave tubing, therefore be sure your child is not afraid of the dark or of the water.

Cozumel, Mexico:

Royal Swim with the Dolphins: you can set this up through the cruise line or through shoretrips.com. If you want to be in the water with the dolphins and get pulled by their fins, you must sign up for the Royal Swim. DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT BUYING THE VIDEO–you will regret it, and it cannot be purchased later.

Chankanaab Marine Park: admission $12.00. Short cab ride from the pier.

Paradise Beach: short cab from the pier, excellent beach, chairs and umbrellas for rent, snorkel equipment to rent, food and drinks.

Clients recommend The Helmet Dive excursion offerred by the Royal Caribbean.

Glass Bottom Boat/Snorkeling Tour: 3 hours, 3 reefs. Those who fear the water can see through the plexiglass center insert of the small boats. Not for those prone to seasickness if they intend to stay on the boat while others snorkel. Great value. Email us for details.

Las Palmeras  (our most favorite):  Locate near town pier in downtown.  Great people, great food, great margharitas!  Portions are massive.

Panchos Backyard is located downtown. Great Margaritas without the drunks falling on top of you.

Carlos and Charlies: not to be missed by any card-carrying party animal.

Costa Maya Mexico:

Take the tour of the ruins with a Mayan Guide. You won’t forget this one. You can purchase this trip at shoretrips.com or through the cruiseline.