Freighter Travel

Shore Excursions

The excursions to shore were quite expensive. We had two stops, Grand Cayman and Calica, Mexico. The departing and reboarding the ship can be a little long if you have to take a boat to get to shore. The line waiting for the boat was a bit lengthy on the way back. Calica was easy as you just use a gangway on and off.

Grand Cayman Shore Excursion

We did decide to do an excursion in Grand Cayman. We found one that wasn't too much money to Stingray City and the Coral Reef. Stingray City was worth the whole trip. We were able to swim with, feed, touch and hold and learn all about stingrays. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. I do recommend sitting at the top of the boat. We started out on the lower level and in a matter of minutes we and all our belongings were soaked completely and we were freezing. Once upstairs it was quite a pleasant ride. They also provided all the gear you needed. Snorkel, mask and fins. I would not drink the water they provide, as it tasted very chorinated and metalic.

The second part to the coral reef was nondescript. Not having much experience, I enjoyed going in and snorkeling around trying to find fish, coral and other sea creatures to ooh and ahh over. Unfortunately, as excited as I was there really wasn't a whole lot to see. I would not recommend this part of the excursion, especially for experienced snorkelers. You will be disappointed.

Calica, Mexico, Shore Excursion.

Calica, Mexico, is just a dock, normally used for a quarry so get out of there as quickly as possible. There was nothing to see there at all. It is $10 for a cab ride to Playa del Carmen and that is where the town and beach are. These locations are on the Mayan Riviera on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Speed limits are optional. Despite the wrecked car with the dummy of a dead body lying on the hood, and despite the roadside "your speed" indicators, the drivers still do 120 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. No signaling for lane changes and no seat belts in the back. Good fun. (Watch out for the taxi drivers, they drive fast and with no regard to the laws. ) They did have several excursions but we felt they were too expensive. Our seat mates said the ruins of Tulum were definitely worth the money. This is one place where I would probably do some research on what there is to see and do before you go on the trip, so you don't waste any money.

We went to Playa del Carmen, which is your typical tourist trap resort town. We walked around the town and it was very touristy. They had many many men standing around trying to entice you in to a store or to go on an excursion with them. We did stop at Haagen Daaz and get some very expensive ice cream. Actually, it tasted wonderful on that very hot day but I wonder how they stay in business with prices like that. Haagen Daaz charge $7 for a milkshake there. I don't know if they dare to do this in the US.

My favorite part was the beach. We found a nice palm with some shade and there was nothing like lying on the sand with a breeze and the sun shining. Paul did go in the water for a while but found it disappointing. He said the water was too murky to see clearly for snorkeling.

They also had many bars along the beach where you could rent chairs and sit under umbrellas and have drinks delivered to you. (looked like heaven) I also saw areas with massage tables set up right on the beach as well. I imagine these cost a pretty penny. We did buy a couple of small things from the shops at a reasonable cost. FYI if you bring pesos make sure they are current. Some currency from the last 15 years is no longer being used.

Others who went here saw the ruins of Mayan cities, and from the photographs they took, these tours seem worthwhile. Again, the excursions are overpriced at about $100 each person.

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