If any of you have done this cruise before, what were your favorite shore excursions?  We were not impressed with Jamacia, but LOVED the swimming with the sting rays at Grand Cayman. 

Thanks,

Debbie

 

we've never been before either -  leaving on the Conquest Sunday 12th   -  we've booked the Sandals Resort excursion in Montego Bay.  I wanted a beach experience with some snorkeling -  and drinks and food are inclusive - sounded good to us, hope we like it.   I've heard since we booked that excursion that the swimming with the sting rays is way cool.   Hope you enjoy!

The swimming with the sting rays is an awesome experience.  This is coming from a gal that isn't too fond of water! LOL!  When we went before, Steve Irwin had just died as we were on our cruise.  They came on the intercom saying that anyone that booked the swimming with the sting ray excursion, that had changed their mind, could get a full refund.  We did it anyway, but I was very cautious.  It is worth the money though.  I took a camera and took pictures as we were coming up to the sand bar where the rays were.  Pretty impressive, I have to say.

I went to the weather channel's site and looking at the whole Caribbean and the 10-day forecasts, it looks like we might have thunderstorms at every port! We had booked the river rafting in Jamaica but I just cancelled it because I figured if it does rain, I don't want to be out on that river on a raft! We just went thru Hurricane Ike and I've had enough of wind and rain. I figure if we luck out and it doesn't storm, we can always rebook it on the ship. It didn't look like it was all that popular anyway. We've been to Jamaica before and I love the place, but we may just shop at the pier and not run around.  It rained on us the last time we were at Grand Cayman but we did the stingray thing anyway and it was great! It didn't rain hard, so it wasn't a problem. Be sure to take an umbrella tho on the cruise just in case.  Jill

OH NO!! I hope it isn't rainy and stormy.  We didn't book any excurtions so far.  We did some aboard ship last time and will probably do that same this time.  But, there really isn't anything that we are that keen on doing.  Time will tell.  Let's keep our fingers crossed for good weather!

My husband and I booked the Sea Trek in Cozumel. I was very scared, however it was great. We took an inexpensive underwater camera that we bought in the gift shop. We really didn't need it because the divers that are with you photograph and video everything. Afterwards, they preview the CD and you can purchase it. I can't remember how much it cost, but we loved it. Our pictures didn't come out very well.

We did Sandals in Jamaica and it was AWFUL!! 

Discover Cayman/Sting Ray City tour was great, especially if you want to see a lot of the island.  Sting Rays were amazing!

Our favorite was the Mini Jeep and Snorkle in Cozumel.  Fabulous!

 Why was Sandals awful?

Let me start with the positive: The entrance and buildings at Sandals were beautiful.  That's about it!  Now the rest: The main beach is TINY, and there is a rope in the water about 10 yards from the shore that you cannot go past.  We walked further and found two other tinier beaches but they still had the slimy rope up.  Basically you can wade, not swim.  The water was also greenish and murky.  I guess if you just like to sit on the beach and not get in the water, it's ok.  My husband kept commenting that it was like a lake back home in Texas!

They had horrible food at both the grill and the buffet.  Unless you feel that for $120 pp  pump nacho cheese is worth the money, eat a lot before you go!  I'm serious!  I expected great food, great service, great beaches!  The buffet was a joke.  Overcooked soggy vegetables, scary meat, a bowl of lettuce with unidentifiable salad dressings, and horrid dessert.  The only glasses they had available for fountain drinks were shot glasses that a lady was towel drying. 

We  went to the water sports area and asked when the next snorkeling tour started and were told that they were completely booked the rest of the day.  They wouldn't let us borrow any fins or masks to use on the beach.  One couple in our group sat and waited until a snorkle boat came in, and 6 people got on.  THey walked up and asked if they had room for them and they let them on.  It was a fairly good sized boat, too.  A lot more than 6 could easily go out. 

We went to the "Private Island" hoping to find a nice beach, SOMETHING!  It was worse than the mainland!  It was 3/4 surrounded by stinky salty mud, not even water!  On one side people sunbathe naked, as clothing is optional.  We stayed away from that side.  There was a guy grilling jerk chicken, and that was good.  At the bar we asked for a pina colada and were told there was no more rum.  Amazing! 

We wandered the gift shop and I found some after-sun lotion.  When I went to purchase it, the lady was so rude and told me they wouldn't accept cash; I had to walk to the main lobby, pay there, and bring the receipt back to the gift shop for the lotion. 

It was a nightmare.  We are pretty easy going, and not fancy or anything.  We just expected a nice, large beach with inviting water and some places to swim and snorkle.  The pools looked nice, and they had music playing but it was packed.  We would have been happier on the ship! 

 That does sound awful!  We were considering Sandals but not after hearing that.  And it looks so beautiful online and they make it sound like paradise.  They added Beaches as a excursion but now I am skeptical about it, too.

 

WE DID DUNNS RIVER FALLS  / DOLPHIN COVE IN JAMICA. THE FALLS WERE GREAT, HIKED UP FALLS, THE AREA WAS SHADED AND THE FALLS WERE EASY TO HIKE UP. THE BUS RIDE WAS THERE WAS OK TOO. 2 LANE HIGHWAY. I DON'T RECOMEND GOING TO DOLPHIN COVE, NOTHING REALLY TO DO AND FOOD NOT GOOD, TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT DID TOBOGGAN AND ZIP LINE WITH FALLS AND THEY SAID THAT WAS AWSOME. DON'T RECOMEND GOING OFF BY YOURSELF, STAY WITH CRUISE GROUP, IF OFF BY YOURSELF MAY BE OFFERED DRUGS AND FOLLOWED IN RESTROOM BY DEALERS. GRAND CAYMAN DID STINGRAYS --AWESOME AND IN COZUMEL DID TWISTER TO ILA PASSION. THE TWISTER BOAT IS AWSOME AND BEACH AT ILA PASSION BEAUTIFUL, CRYSTATL CLEAR WATER, GOOD FOOD AND DRINKS. GREAT CRUISE!!!

Mojavetex, last time I cruised the Conquest, we went to a resort in Jamacia called Sunset Beach. We were really just looking for a place to relax and enjoy the day in the sun and we all loved it! I believe it was $40 per person, all-inclusive. The drinks were great, food average and all the water activities were included. Just a suggestion. We are going in Feb. and again, are visiting the same resort for a full day of relaxation. Good luck!

 So you booked Sunset Beach yourself?  Who did you go through to book it?

We didn't go through anyone. We met 2 couples on the ship that had been there a few times and were going as well. We got off the ship and the taxi drivers knew exactly where it was...we paid the hotel when we arrived. They do have a website so you can look that up to check out the resort. I have seen a few posts on here that people refer to Sunset Beach so it is pretty well known, if you are worried about safety issues. We had no issues at all with people pushing any drugs on us or riff raff like that. There was security outside the gate to the resort that the taxi had to stop at to let them know we were with the Conquest. We really enjoyed it. Not too busy, had no problem getting some chairs on the beach and no long lines for the food or drinks. There is also a water park with a lazy river and slides, if you all are interested in that.

Mojavetex, you can find the other posts about Sunset Beach by searching it under the Cruise Talk Search on this site..it pulls up all the past post concerning it, just in case you wanted other opinions. Looks like it is about $3-4 dollar cab ride per person. I hope all this helps!