Disney's Western Caribbean Shore Excursions
Ports of Call Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay
Feb 28, 2009
Disney Cruise Lines, like all other cruises, features stops at exotic islands. Disney Magic's 7-night Western Caribbean cruise samples island life at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and their very own Bahamian island, Castaway Cay. It is very difficult to choose from among the many shore excursion offerings, but here are a few options:
Key West Old Town Trolley and Conch Train Tours
The Old Town Trolley and the Conch Train Tour will each take visitors on a ride around the city visiting well-known historical sites and attractions. It is a shore excursion appropriate for all ages; the tours last about an hour and a half. Friendly, well-informed drivers explain the history of the sponge industry that was once popular. Conch Train Tour riders learn just how Henry Flagler created a railroad to connect Key West with the rest of United States and also ride by the Key West Aquarium and the Harry S. Truman Little White House. The Old Town Trolley offers passengers the ability to hop on and off at their leisure at ten points of interest. Among the places visitors can spend more time are the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.
Grand Cayman Island Tour
The Grand Cayman Island Tour offers an informative tour of George Town, the capital city and a major financial district. Visitors also stop in the town of Hell to see unique limestone rock formations from two viewing platforms. Finally, tourists will be admitted to the interactive Cayman Turtle Farm where green sea turtles are bred. The turtles are raised for the local market but some are also used for research and others are released into the wild.
Cozumel Ruins and Beach Tour
The Cozumel Ruins and Beach Tour travels around the island, through both developed and undeveloped areas. This excursion offers a guided tour of the San Gervasio Ruins, a site dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of love and fertility. Many women who were pregnant or wanted to become pregnant made pilgrimages to the site of her shrine located amid beautiful gardens. The next portion of the outing allows about an hour for relaxation at Playa Mia Adventure Park, where guests are offered a refreshing drink and the opportunity to lie in the sun, partake in water sports, and swim or snorkel in the shimmering waters before heading back to the cruise ship.
Castaway Cay
The Bahamian island formerly known as Gorda Cay, is now an exclusive port of call for Disney Cruise Lines. With an interesting history as a former stop for drug runners and the filming location of Splash, it now holds the Flying Dutchman from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean films. A staff of 40 live on the island which is broken into distinct areas for passengers to enjoy.
Serenity Bay is an adults only beach area featuring open air massage cabanas and a bar. Scuttles Cove is an area perfect for kids ages 3-12. Families can visit the adjacent dig site, Monstro Point. There is also a teen beach, where sports and games are offered. Teens enjoy their own Wildside excursion from this location. The family beach area is near Cookie's BBQ and Conched Out Bar where a buffet lunch is served.
Although there are plenty of dining options and activities onboard the cruise ships, shore excursions allow cruise passengers a variety of ways to sample a little island life.
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