Good excursions with a toddler in tow? May 2, 2009 Magic - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Good excursions with a toddler in tow? May 2, 2009 Magic
Hi there....
Okay so I have a list of questions.... when we did our 3 day cruise in 07 we did not book a shore excursion at nassau. In hindsight we wished we did b/c we might have enjoyed the nassau experience more (as opposed to hating nassau!). So we are sailing on the May 2, 2009 Magic to Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
Can you tell me which excursions you think are best and why? What have you done with little ones in tow (we will have a 5 yr old and a 15 month old).
I just noticed also that Grand Cayman is "tendered"-- how many people does the ferry to shore hold and is it a pain in the rear with kiddos and an umbrella stroller?
Finally-- is anyone else going on this sailing with us?! I posted it under the "who's cruising" sticky but so far have not seen anyone else on this sailing! There's got to be someone out there. Thankfully we also have DH's parents going and some friends with a 5 and 3 yr old just booked to go with us on friday!
I look forward to hearing all about your excursion experiences.
With children that age.... They really aren't going to appreciate sightseeing tours, and they're too young for most of the adventure/sports excursions. For Key West I suggest you simply go ashore on your own and walk around. There are a few sights suitable for the five-year-old (aquarium, pirate museum, etc.), but why commit to an excursion that visits those spots when you'll have more flexibility in case of melt-down if you visit them on your own? In Grand Cayman, go for a beach excursion (Seven Mile Beach or Rum Point). Don't bother with Stingray City - it's not at all appropriate for a toddler, and marginally suitable for a five-year-old, since it's out in open water. The stingray experience at Castaway Cay is much more child-friendly. Cozumel? I'd be more concerned about the five-year-old than the toddler. We had Alexander on Mayan ruins excursions when he was really small - put him in the baby backpack and you're fine (presuming the little one is allowed). The five-year-old, being so much more mobile, will probably be harder to handle. I suggest you use your best judgment, based on your older child's interests and capabilities.
There are several tenders in Cozumel (they're provided by local companies), so capacities and boarding arrangements vary. Boarding with an umbrella stroller isn't too hard, but they generally require that your child be out of the stroller, and that the stroller be folded when you board.
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We had a great time on the Pirate Excursion in Grand Cayman, the five year old would probably love it. There were plenty of little ones on board with us too, and they seemed to enjoy the boat ride too. It was the right length, we were off the ship just about 3 hrs., back in time for lunch and naps.
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There's got to be someone out there. Thankfully we also have DH's parents going and some friends with a 5 and 3 yr old just booked to go with us on friday!
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