Caribbean Excursions

 

What better way to explore a destination during your cruise other than...shore excursions!

 

If your goal is to vacation in a purely relaxing manner, lounging on the pool deck with a tropical cocktail in your hand, then your ideal getaway would mean staying on board on port days and soaking up the sun. And should you find yourself longing for some fun activities, don't worry, cruises offer plenty to do! From glass-making classes, to mini golf, to salsa dancing, you will find several entertainment options to choose from. But, if you are like me, and feel that exploring the destination is a must, the way to mark some local experiences in your book is through reserving a shore excursion. One for each port. 

On our cruise getaway this summer, we included these 3 popular shore excursions. Between Key West, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, we had a good array of opportunities, including visiting Mayan ancient ruins, scenic beach resorts and scuba diving, but we chose our shore excursions based on our child's age and endurance, our swimming skills and the length and intensity of the tours. All very important to consider. 

For our Key West stop we booked the Conch Tour Train. The train took us through the island pass top must-visit spots, such as the Southernmost point, Hemingway's house, the infamous cemetery and other landmarks, while highlighting the stories, the myths and the legends behind each. Paired with a sense of humor, and interesting history, the tour provided just what was needed - a genuine and entertaining capture of the vibrant life and people of Key West. 

With our second stop, The Grand Cayman, we were off on a journey to Starfish Point. Beautiful, secluded bay with clear shallow waters where tourists can enjoy a small beach and swim amongst scattered starfish. The bay is a tourist attraction where you will join other curious boats and embrace the energy and the tropical vibe along other like-minded starfish seekers. 

 

 

After Starfish Point, we were off to an even more exciting point of meet, Stingray City! Meeting stingrays, petting them and kissing them, certainly brought much enthusiasm in our excursion group. While some of us were confronted by mixed emotions of fear and fascination, the tour guide effortlessly settled the uneasiness by showing us how harmless and approachable stingrays are. Even our 8-year-old finally surrendered and turned his back around for the ultimate treat, a gentle stingray massage. Each guest was given a turn to experience a close encounter, to take pictures, and to feed the stingrays a snack. By far, one of our all-time favorite memories. The water was welcoming and clear, the surrounding and the atmosphere were beautiful. Fantastic family memories made! 

 

 

In Cozumel, our next port, we had ATX off-roading awaiting to spice up our adventurous spirits. if you're looking for an adrenaline spike, this might be for you! Greeted by a welcoming tour guide, we were then taken to safety overview, and proper wear preparation. The expectation was that we will go through dust, water and the mix that it is - MUD, and lots of it. And, surely, we did! 

 

 

 

The ATX tour took us through a dusty bumpy jungle road with a mid-point, the peak, a naturally marvelously formed sinkhole in the middle of the jungle. The sinkhole, as told by our guide, carries stories of ancient rituals of young virgins sacrificed to the gods in times of prolonged droughts. A few of us (though not I) braved up and deep dived into the water, creating even more profound memories for their photo albums.

 

 

I will never forget the mesmerizing green color of the water, the smell of sulfur due to the high mineral content, the hanging bats in the cave, the feeling of an absolute wonder with a dash of eeriness...the perfect blend!