Cruise-Jamaica and Grand Cayman Islands

Re: Cruise-Jamaica and Grand Cayman Islands

• SuMmErKuTiE member

  

  May 2012 edited May 2012

  My first cruise was a Carnival cruise that stopped in Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios Jamaica.
  
  In Grand Cayman, we parasailed and then had the boat drop us off on Seven Mile Beach where we spent the rest of the afternoon. There was a great beach bar/grill that we had lunch at, and we rented lounge chairs and relaxed. We also did a 1/2 hour jet ski rental right off the beach which was a lot of fun. A lot of people enjoy stingray city and hell in Grand Cayman which are both popular excursions.
  
  In Ocho Rios, we did a river tubing and Dunns River Falls excursion which was my favorite excursion of the trip. After the excusrion, we were dropped off at Margaritaville where we had lunch and enjoyed the waterslide and pool that was right in the restaurant area. So much fun!
  
  As for this being your 1st cruise, and it's Carnival you're allowed to bring one bottle of wine per person on board. If you forget a wine key, you can ask room service for one for free and some wine glasses. You can walk around everywhere with your wine, but if you bring the bottle into dinner to be opened they will charge you a corkage fee, so it's best to open it in your room and walk around with a glass.
  
  Don't worry about bringing towels, they'll supply you with bath and beach/pool towels that you have to make sure you return at the end of the trip.
  
  Make sure you pack at least one cocktail dress and pair of heels and a suit or atleast a nice shirt and tie for your FI for formal nights. Depending on the length of the cruise there will be at least 1 formal night. If you have a weeklong cruise, there will be 2 formal nights where everyone dresses up or you're not allowed in the main dining room if you're not dressed properly. Some people really go all out, while others just wear a LBD and nice shirt and tie. You'll even see some ball gowns and tuxes!

  
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• GoBucksOH member

  

  May 2012

  I have been to Grand Cayman on a cruise and loved it. We did an excursion that took us out to swim with the stingrays (Awesome!) then dropped us off at 7 mile beach for the afternoon. That is truly one of the most beautiful beaches.
  
  Have fun!

  5.21.11
  

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• Magdala9 member

  

  May 2012

  
  We took a Carnival Cruise to the Western Carribbean in February 2012.  Grand Cayman was our final stop.  We splurged on a dolphin swim.  We booked our excursion directly rather than through the cruise line.  Direct booking is about 1/3 cheaper than booking through the cruise line.   If you choose to do this, you have to be very conscious of the time to make sure that you are back before the last tender.  A tender is a small boat from island to ginormous cruise ship.   If you miss the boat, it is expensive to rejoin it.
  
  We spent most of our time sunning while at sea and doing excursions on land.   We chose to skip formal night so I packed sundresses, shorts and t shirts.  I had two nicer dresses for evening events (clubs etc).    Have at least two swim suits so you can rinse them out and let them dry between wearings.  Have closed toe shoes as well as flip flops.  Some dining rooms do not allow flip flops.   Pack lots of sunscreen and aloe after sun treatment.  Remember to reapply after you get out of the pool.  I burnt my back and was uncomfortable for the last two days
  
  Carnival's pool side was very loud with lots of children.  We left the main pool area and went to the adults only Serenity Deck.  It had a wonderful hot tub with lots of lounge chairs and a really nice bar.    There are a number of different dining options but check out which are open and when they are open.    The dining rooms adhere to their published schedules.

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• megsch88 member

  

  May 2012

  Thank you guys SO much for all the advice! This will really help me out!
  
  
  Keep it coming!

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• thegreeneyedkri member

  

  May 2012

  Second vote for Dunn's River Falls when in Ocho Rios!  I was surprised at how much fun it actually was, so much so that I tried to get my fiance to go again with me but we didn't end up having the time.  If you can go, for lunch I *highly* recommend Scotchies.  Its a jerk place that we thought was amazing.  I wasn't even hungry when we went-and then I caught a whiff of it and my mouth was watering.
  
  
  Haven't been to Grand Cayman, so I'm not much help there.

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• Hobie625

  

  May 2012

  I've been on that same cruise (to Ocho Rios and Georgetown), and it was pretty fun.  My friend actually got married when we stopped in Jamaica, so I didn't get to see much since we spent most of the time doing the wedding business.  But, I was able to go ashore beforehand and close to the dock is the touristy area (read: more expensive), but they have some cute shops, and every liquor store for the most part gives samples.
  
  Grand Cayman is absolutely amazing.  Loved it.  I didn't do an excursion at all because I like to explore on my own, and since it was the only stop where I could do what I wanted, I chose to go my own way.  I went with ashore with a friend and we took a mini-bus to the beach and lied out for awhile.  7 Mile Beach really is amazing.  After a couple hours I hopped back on the bus and went back into town to do some shopping an eat.  I found a little cafe out of the way and had curry.  Completely yummy!  Then bought some liquor and back to the boat. 
  
  As far as some tips, here's what I'd say...There usually is a formal night on board, but as on PP mentioned, you don't have to go.  It's not like you'll be denied dinner that evening.  In fact, you don't have to eat in the dining at all if you don't want.
  
  I've never witnessed any problems with the tender boats.  They typically post a sign saying "first tender at ______, last tender at _______" and then how often they run.  I whouldn't worry about missing it.
  
  Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is just that, a seven mile beach that runs the length of one side of the island.  That means that there are some areas that aren't public.  Many Hotels on the beach own the beachfront, so make sure you find a public stretch of beach to go to.  Otherwise, you'll have to pay to visit the beach.  The same is also true for aprts of Ocho Rios.
  
  Sure you can bring wine, but why not enjoy the wine at home, and then fill the bottle with vodka and bring that instead?   Some people may gasp, but whatever.  Alcohol on board is crazy expensive.  And along those same lines, if you buy bottles of liquor on board or on the island, you have to check it when you return to the ship and it is held until the night before you dock back in the US.  You can't consume it on board. 
  
  Also, Carnival tends to be the 'family' cruise line, so be prepared for lots of kids.  Otherwise, just bring a camera and enjoy your trip!  Most things you worry about right now won't matter, just use common sense when packing.  HTH and good luck! P.S. Grand Cayman was one of my most favorite places ever...
  
  

  

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• MMRoberts11 member

  

  May 2012

  I LOVE grand cayman.  Definitely go to Stingray City while you are there.  They take you on a boat out to a sand bar and you get to feed, pet, and kiss wild stingrays.  It's an amazing experience and I haven't met a person who didn't enjoy it.
  
  As far as safety, just pay attention to what is going on around you.  Anything could happen but as long as you are using common sense and pay attention nothing will likely happen to you.

  

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