Caribbean Margaritavilles via Cruise Ship...

[PetalMel]

HIYA!

I did the search thing but didn't really find what I was looking for (granted, I stink at search, so I'm sure it was user error....). Anyhoo, we may head out on a a cruise in March that will take us to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman. Of course, I want to hit the Mville cafes at each place, but am not too sure the best way to do so or what to ask for/expect when we get into port. Any input you have would be great as I don't want to be taken for a ride if you will.


I promise to send you a post card if you send me your addy!! Thanks so much for any insight you may have--even on tours while we are there. From what I can tell, the exursions are kinda sparse so I want to make sure we don't waste our day just milling about if there are great things to do the cruise may not tell us about.

[docandjeanie]

They actually have excursions on most ships to the margaritaville's, check our your excursions, if not you can get someone to take you there by cab.

Grand Cayman is withing walking distance from where the tender drops you off, so you can walk to that one. Jamaica I think is a little further, so you may need a cab ride. On Royal Caribbean they had an ultimate margaritaville excursion that you could sign up for to the Jamaica Mville. Hope that helps you.

Pm me for more information.

[PetalMel]

thanks! I emailed the mville caribbean folks for some directions as well. I just hate getting off a ship and feel like I'm wearing a "TOURIST--TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME" sign. I figure that if I at least have some information to negotiate with I will be better off than some dumb tourist with no idea that pays $59 for a taxi when I could have walked, etc.

[docandjeanie]

You are welcome, in Ocho Rios you can do the falls but be careful there, I have seen people get hurt on them. Dunn River Falls, Margaritaville, is not far from the falls, so the driver can make a stop there, and then you can grab a short cab ride back to the ship. I can't imagine this being more than $10 bucks, its a short ride, but I wouldn't walk it, there are alot of hills there, and don't remember seeing a curb that you can walk on. One warning when you leave the Falls if you do this, you have to walk through their set up vendors to leave there and they are hard sell, we didn't care for that.

But In Grand Cayman, you literally can walk it's a block or two to the left when you get off the ship. In Cayman, the stringray sightseeing is great, too you can book that from the ship or get it when you get off. I went online to the islands website's and booked tours directly, you can really save doing this, and they are safe, easy and reliable. Check it out and again if you need any more information, pm me.

[PetalMel]

holy cats! You are a wealth of information! Thanks again! We did Dunns River Falls in 2000 on our honeymoon, so I remember the lovely maze of vendors you must pass through as you exit. We looked at the stingray thing and thought that would be fun--we are looking at Celebrity Cruises and there are literally only about 4 excursions noted on the site at each venue.


I know when we cruised a while back we did an "island cruise" of St. Lucia that we booked once we got off the ship--still one of my favorite excursions ever! We are hoping to do the same this time around, but I still want to hit the Margaritavilles so I can keep JB in the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed.....


Thank you again for your info. If we decide to book this, I may PM you for more info. You have made me much more comfy in our "flight plan" if you will, and I'm looking forward to getting out of this cold weather and letting my cellulite breath the ocean air

[CTParrothead763]

HIYA!

I did the search thing but didn't really find what I was looking for (granted, I stink at search, so I'm sure it was user error....). Anyhoo, we may head out on a a cruise in March that will take us to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman. Of course, I want to hit the Mville cafes at each place, but am not too sure the best way to do so or what to ask for/expect when we get into port. Any input you have would be great as I don't want to be taken for a ride if you will.


I promise to send you a post card if you send me your addy!! Thanks so much for any insight you may have--even on tours while we are there. From what I can tell, the exursions are kinda sparse so I want to make sure we don't waste our day just milling about if there are great things to do the cruise may not tell us about.

The M'Villes in both Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman are within walking distance from the cruise ships. Both are pretty nice, with Grand Cayman being bigger, but Ocho Rios being more outside. As I recall, both have water slides. In Ocho Rios, you enter through the Bob Marley museum, which puts you in an outdoor shopping mall in which M'Ville is located.

[catsway]

PetalMel....We are going on a cruise on March 22 on the Carnival Freedom out of Fort Lauderdale. We port at Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. This will be our 15th cruise but first time ever to "cruise" into Key West and Ocho Rios.
We have a wonderful day planned for Key West that involves renting bikes and pedaling around Old Town. We got some great directions from another BNer of where to find some of the old JB haunts.
On Grand Cayman we must reccomend the Sting Ray City tour. Basically, the guides take you out to a large sandbar in the middle of a bay where there are hundreds of sting rays swimming around. You hop in the water with them and snorkel. It is quite an experience once you get past the jitters of seeing that many rays in one place. They are very tame.
We can't offer much advice about Ocho Rios since its our first time there, but needless to say boat drinks at Margaritaville are on the agenda.
Let us know if we are cruising in the same time frame.

[weirdo0521]

PetalMel....We are going on a cruise on March 22 on the Carnival Freedom out of Fort Lauderdale. We port at Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. This will be our 15th cruise but first time ever to "cruise" into Key West and Ocho Rios.
We have a wonderful day planned for Key West that involves renting bikes and pedaling around Old Town. We got some great directions from another BNer of where to find some of the old JB haunts.
On Grand Cayman we must reccomend the Sting Ray City tour. Basically, the guides take you out to a large sandbar in the middle of a bay where there are hundreds of sting rays swimming around. You hop in the water with them and snorkel. It is quite an experience once you get past the jitters of seeing that many rays in one place. They are very tame.
We can't offer much advice about Ocho Rios since its our first time there, but needless to say boat drinks at Margaritaville are on the agenda.
Let us know if we are cruising in the same time frame.

We are leaving out of Port Everglades on 3/22 as well. Crown Princess Eastern Caribbean. Stops in Grand Turk, St. Marrten, and St. Thomas. Hoping to stop by Last Mango in Phillipsburg. I hope it's still there.

We will be stopping at the Margaritaville in Grand Turk for sure. My parents were just there and said it is massive. They will be along for this one as well, but I doubt there will be any surprise appearances by Jimmy on this one.

http://www.grandturkcc.com/

Have a great trip.

[catsway]

PetalMel....We are going on a cruise on March 22 on the Carnival Freedom out of Fort Lauderdale. We port at Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. This will be our 15th cruise but first time ever to "cruise" into Key West and Ocho Rios.
We have a wonderful day planned for Key West that involves renting bikes and pedaling around Old Town. We got some great directions from another BNer of where to find some of the old JB haunts.
On Grand Cayman we must reccomend the Sting Ray City tour. Basically, the guides take you out to a large sandbar in the middle of a bay where there are hundreds of sting rays swimming around. You hop in the water with them and snorkel. It is quite an experience once you get past the jitters of seeing that many rays in one place. They are very tame.
We can't offer much advice about Ocho Rios since its our first time there, but needless to say boat drinks at Margaritaville are on the agenda.
Let us know if we are cruising in the same time frame.

We are leaving out of Port Everglades on 3/22 as well. Crown Princess Eastern Caribbean. Stops in Grand Turk, St. Marrten, and St. Thomas. Hoping to stop by Last Mango in Phillipsburg. I hope it's still there.

We will be stopping at the Margaritaville in Grand Turk for sure. My parents were just there and said it is massive. They will be along for this one as well, but I doubt there will be any surprise appearances by Jimmy on this one.

http://www.grandturkcc.com/

Have a great trip.

We'll be sailing out of the harbor together....very cool. I had friends go to St. Martin in July, 2008 and Last Mango was still there but had been relocated closer to the cruise ship docks. (note the green hat I am wearing in the pic....its from Last Mango)
We'll toast you as we set sail!

[docandjeanie]

Last mango is still there You can just walk around Phillipsburg, it's a great way to spend the day, shop, etc.

We did a shipwreck snorkel there, and it was amazing, a while back, if you are into that type of activity

We have done at least 7 caribbean cruises

[weirdo0521]

PetalMel....We are going on a cruise on March 22 on the Carnival Freedom out of Fort Lauderdale. We port at Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. This will be our 15th cruise but first time ever to "cruise" into Key West and Ocho Rios.
We have a wonderful day planned for Key West that involves renting bikes and pedaling around Old Town. We got some great directions from another BNer of where to find some of the old JB haunts.
On Grand Cayman we must reccomend the Sting Ray City tour. Basically, the guides take you out to a large sandbar in the middle of a bay where there are hundreds of sting rays swimming around. You hop in the water with them and snorkel. It is quite an experience once you get past the jitters of seeing that many rays in one place. They are very tame.
We can't offer much advice about Ocho Rios since its our first time there, but needless to say boat drinks at Margaritaville are on the agenda.
Let us know if we are cruising in the same time frame.

We are leaving out of Port Everglades on 3/22 as well. Crown Princess Eastern Caribbean. Stops in Grand Turk, St. Marrten, and St. Thomas. Hoping to stop by Last Mango in Phillipsburg. I hope it's still there.

We will be stopping at the Margaritaville in Grand Turk for sure. My parents were just there and said it is massive. They will be along for this one as well, but I doubt there will be any surprise appearances by Jimmy on this one.

http://www.grandturkcc.com/

Have a great trip.

We'll be sailing out of the harbor together....very cool. I had friends go to St. Martin in July, 2008 and Last Mango was still there but had been relocated closer to the cruise ship docks. (note the green hat I am wearing in the pic....its from Last Mango)
We'll toast you as we set sail!

I'll give you a wave from the balcony....or maybe a I could learn signals....

[Yorkshire Parrothead]

I would certainly recommend Stingray City at Grand Cayman. We have been on a Caribbean cruise for the last number of years and visited most of the islands. If you visit Ochios Rios be careful, we are still waiting for the taxi driver to pick us up at Dunns River Falls. We had a dreadful job getting back to the ship. Think it is always safer in Jamaica to go on a ships excursion. The other year from Montego Bay we went on a ships excursion to Negil to Margaritaville it was fantastic. The Margaritaville at Grand Turk is very good with a super swimming pool, lazing around on free sunbeds listening to the DJ playing Jimmy. When we were there last year they announced Jimmy was arriving that day, but he waited until the cruise ship had gone. Oh how I wish I was there now. We went on a Caribbean cruise this Christmas and New Year and we should have docked at Grand Turk on Christmas Eve for the day. It wasn't to be - the ship could not dock due to the windy weather and we also missed Tortola and St Kitts. We went on an helicopter trip from Antigua over Monseratt as we wanted see what damage the volcano had done. The volcano erupted again that day. Would recommend that trip it is so sad to see what destruction it has made. If you want any info on any of your ports of call please pm me. If cruise prices come down for March we may be back to the Caribbean again.

[PetalMel]

PetalMel....We are going on a cruise on March 22 on the Carnival Freedom out of Fort Lauderdale. We port at Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. This will be our 15th cruise but first time ever to "cruise" into Key West and Ocho Rios.
We have a wonderful day planned for Key West that involves renting bikes and pedaling around Old Town. We got some great directions from another BNer of where to find some of the old JB haunts.
On Grand Cayman we must reccomend the Sting Ray City tour. Basically, the guides take you out to a large sandbar in the middle of a bay where there are hundreds of sting rays swimming around. You hop in the water with them and snorkel. It is quite an experience once you get past the jitters of seeing that many rays in one place. They are very tame.
We can't offer much advice about Ocho Rios since its our first time there, but needless to say boat drinks at Margaritaville are on the agenda.
Let us know if we are cruising in the same time frame.

Our friends are on the SAME ship as you! We debated about joining them, but are opting for a March 14th cruise instead as it turns out to be about $200 cheaper (AKA more beer money.... ). I would have loved to have added KW to our itinerary, but the deal I found out of Celebrity cruises outweighed my desire to hit Mallory Square. (not by much, mind you!)

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions and info on the Margaritavilles. I kinda figured they would be close to port, but knowing that they are and how to find them is a great help. I can't wait for the feel of slight sunburn to return to my pasty skin!

[PetalMel]

I would certainly recommend Stingray City at Grand Cayman. We have been on a Caribbean cruise for the last number of years and visited most of the islands. If you visit Ochios Rios be careful, we are still waiting for the taxi driver to pick us up at Dunns River Falls. We had a dreadful job getting back to the ship. Think it is always safer in Jamaica to go on a ships excursion. The other year from Montego Bay we went on a ships excursion to Negil to Margaritaville it was fantastic. The Margaritaville at Grand Turk is very good with a super swimming pool, lazing around on free sunbeds listening to the DJ playing Jimmy. When we were there last year they announced Jimmy was arriving that day, but he waited until the cruise ship had gone. Oh how I wish I was there now. We went on a Caribbean cruise this Christmas and New Year and we should have docked at Grand Turk on Christmas Eve for the day. It wasn't to be - the ship could not dock due to the windy weather and we also missed Tortola and St Kitts. We went on an helicopter trip from Antigua over Monseratt as we wanted see what damage the volcano had done. The volcano erupted again that day. Would recommend that trip it is so sad to see what destruction it has made. If you want any info on any of your ports of call please pm me. If cruise prices come down for March we may be back to the Caribbean again.

oh the horror of not being able to dock at a port due to weather. That would really bum me out. The helicopter ride does sound like fun. I wish I had the guts to just vacation somewhere and go see all this stuff, but I always worry about what the "locals" would do to a visitor who doesn't know better. When we honeymooned in Jamaica in 2000 we were always told not to leave the resort unless it was on a guided tour. Not sure they say that to boost their business or to keep us safe. Wasn't willing to run the risk to save a few bucks.

[weirdo0521]

Catsway....

We fly down 2 weeks from tomorrow....did you start getting ready yet? February had a couple of bad weather weeks in the Caribbean for cruising....reports are looking god for us..

[pbans]

We're cruising in May.....
Ochos Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Haiti.....

SO FREAKING EXCITED!

I'm definitely doing the Stingray City!

[Dutch Harbor PH]

We're cruising in May.....
Ochos Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Haiti.....

SO FREAKING EXCITED!

I'm definitely doing the Stingray City!

Stingray city is cool...however...if you dive....go dive anything on the North wall....awesome!!! water clarity that is soo cool....again if you dive...try something out on the East end....or...Cayman Brac.....

[pbans]

Not much of a diver....I'm more of a dive into a chaise lounge with a boat drink kinda girl.....but I do want to see the stingrays really bad!

[catsway]

Catsway....

We fly down 2 weeks from tomorrow....did you start getting ready yet? February had a couple of bad weather weeks in the Caribbean for cruising....reports are looking god for us..

We are finalizing our plans for our Island days. We drive to Orlando March 21st to visit the 'keets. Then off to Fort Lauderdale and the Carnival Freedom on the 22nd. We are staring at the luggage wishing it was time to set sail. The weather should be great. This is our first "spring break" cruise. It should be fun watching the kiddies exceeding the fun limit.

[PetalMel]

tomorrow is our day to pack. Got the rum runners ordered, prepped and ready for their trip to help us bring some low cost boat drinks on board. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ready to get into shorts and let my pasty white skin see sun! We are going to do the falls again in Ocho Rios (even though hubby thinks it's a dumb idea. Next trip he can plan and I'll just casually make snide comments so he can feel the frustration.... sorry, but it felt so good to vent...) Grand Cayman we are gonna swim with stingrays then play pirates.


Both ports I have left enough time to go to Mville so we can do the "been there/done that" as well as continue to keep JB in the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed....Glad he's spending my money foolishly as I'm foolishly giving it to him on well-deserved overdue binges.... Vicious cycle but I love it!


We fly into Miami early (like the plane leaves at 5:45 a.m. ) on Friday and have a rental car so we're headed as far south in the keys as we dare venture for a day trip. If my head would have really been in the game, I would have booked a room somewhere in the Keys and just headed back to the airport on Saturday for a taxi to the port. Oh well, next time I'll be so much more prepared. We have never spent time dorking around in the upper keys, so that should be fun.

Well, thanks again all for your insight and ideas. Safe travels to those headed out before or near us. Let's hope we all have great trips with all sorts of stories we will tell.....