Just returned from another successful Disney Cruise and here are some notes from that. We went on the Alternate Western sailing which goes to Castaway Cay two times and does not go to Key West. Here are some things I found that might help you.
Grand Cayman:
We got off the ship and looked for Soto's for Sting Ray city. (Hold on to your receipt if they added it up wrong the bus driver may not take you...they all work together and have a minimum amount they will take.) We talked them down on price to $20 per person from the $40 they started at. Cash of course! They take you on a bus to the boat were you will go out to a sand bar called "Sting Ray City" and see tons of sting rays and pet them while they supervise. Take your underwater camera, we bought a digital water proof at Costco and it was great!! (The staff on our boat also had a professional waterproof camera that they take pictures of you and try to sell them to you on the way back to shore, kind of expensive but they will negotiate) Then they take you to another spot to snorkel, after that they will take you back to the dock where the bus driver is waiting on you. You can ask to be dropped off at the 7 mile beach and then you will have to find your way back to the port. We asked our bus driver to come back and get us and he charged $3.00 a person to do so (All the Taxis there were charging $4.00 each) It was great we had my boys 7and 9 and my brother's 4 kids ages 4 to 15. All ages loved it!!
We got off the ship and looked for Soto's for Sting Ray city. (Hold on to your receipt if they added it up wrong the bus driver may not take you...they all work together and have a minimum amount they will take.) We talked them down on price to $20 per person from the $40 they started at. Cash of course! They take you on a bus to the boat were you will go out to a sand bar called "Sting Ray City" and see tons of sting rays and pet them while they supervise. Take your underwater camera, we bought a digital water proof at Costco and it was great!! (The staff on our boat also had a professional waterproof camera that they take pictures of you and try to sell them to you on the way back to shore, kind of expensive but they will negotiate) Then they take you to another spot to snorkel, after that they will take you back to the dock where the bus driver is waiting on you. You can ask to be dropped off at the 7 mile beach and then you will have to find your way back to the port. We asked our bus driver to come back and get us and he charged $3.00 a person to do so (All the Taxis there were charging $4.00 each) It was great we had my boys 7and 9 and my brother's 4 kids ages 4 to 15. All ages loved it!!
At Cozumel we got off the ship and went up the street to the right to the Baraccuda Hotel and rented a car $40 - $50 bucks depending if you get a small car or Jeep. (The name of the Car rental agency is Less-Pay) Here is their Website: LESS PAY
(Note: These cars are not brand new and not perfect but it is one of the cheapest places we have found. Also, make sure you get insurance on the cars, this is a must when traveling outside the country. For the rental car in Cozumel, you have to hold it with a credit card but he will give you the slip back (Make sure all 3 copies are in it) when you return it and can pay cash. This is safer to do, you never know what they will do if you leave a credit card for them to run through their system in Mexico. )
(Note: These cars are not brand new and not perfect but it is one of the cheapest places we have found. Also, make sure you get insurance on the cars, this is a must when traveling outside the country. For the rental car in Cozumel, you have to hold it with a credit card but he will give you the slip back (Make sure all 3 copies are in it) when you return it and can pay cash. This is safer to do, you never know what they will do if you leave a credit card for them to run through their system in Mexico. )
We then drove around the island and just looked for great places to stop along the road there is much to do and plenty of snorkeling and beaches. (Be careful in the water on the other side of the island, rip currents are dangerous) Then at the end of the day we returned the car and on foot did all the shopping beside the port. If you are looking for deal's just walk a few more block's away from the main out door mall and some of the little side streets have some of the best negotiations.
Our previous trip to Cozumel we had gone to the Mayan Ruins which was good once but did not do this trip. PS it's a lot of walking!!
As for the show's at night on the ship make sure you try to see them all but if not go to The Golden Mickeys and Disney Dreams. All are good but these are great!
Never go anywhere without a camera!! You never know what you will want to take a picture or video of and that will be the time you left it in the room. Especially since the character's can be anywhere and sometimes at places that may not be on the schedule.
At Castaway Cay the store has different thing's that you can't get on the ship so look when you get off in the morning if you have time and then buy it before you head back to the ship so you don't have to keep up with it all day.
Also there is snorkeling at Castaway Cay. We take our own mask and snorkel which you can buy at Sam's Club and Costco during the summer months at about $25.00 a set (you can rent there also) each time we get off the ship. At Castaway Cay they let you use their snorkel life jackets free. On the islands it is usually not deep enough to need it, and when we did the sting Ray thing they had life jackets to use on the boat and the snorkel mask. We still used our own, I am not big on putting my mouth on a used snorkel set.
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Tip for Cozumel and Costa Maya-- Use your breakfast door hanger in the desk drawer to order your breakfast these mornings.
Room service is free except for can drinks. You can also write things in for breakfast on that paper, you don't just have to get what is in the checked boxes. (such as eggs and bacon or whatever) Then by the time you get up you will have breakfast delivered, you don't have to wake the kids to go to the buffet and you can dress and eat and get off the ship.
Also the night before order cookies and wrap them in the plastic wrap they come in and take them in your beach bag. Snacks are not the easiest to find in these ports. Again free room service.
My kids can't go to bed without ordering bowl of chips, Mickey head ice cream, a big plate of the best chocolate chip cookies ever or all of the above with lots of milk.
PS - for some reason the cookies they have on the buffet are different than room service and the CAstaway Cay cookies. Room service and Castaway Cay are the best.
Soda is free in the buffets, dining room's and self server by the Mickey Pool!!
Chocolate milk, white milk, all kinds of juices and tea is all free all the time. Just ask for it!
Okay, what else can I tell you about?? I get carried away, we love this cruise!
