We're going to Jamaica, mexico and cayman islands next month. What are some excursions that you guys recommend in the places? And what are some reasonable prices for them?

I HIGHLY recommend hand feeding the stingrays waist deep on the sand bar out in the middle of the ocean in Grand Cayman. MInd blowing experience

Is that a paid excursion or can we do it on our own?

Following* we may do a cruise to these Islands in 2 months

I never go through the ship, go to cruisecritic.com, then go to grand cayman forum, all the choices of who is doing it will be there

What's a reasonable price for this?

Go snorkel with the rays in Cayman Islands

You can also search for your particular cruise by ship and sailing date on cruisecritic.com and join up with others planning private excursions at a much better price than the ship's organized excursions. This is also a great way to chat with your fellow cruisers before hand and make connections and friends!!

For jamaica: near ocho rios, check out the blue hole. It's not on any resort's list of excursions, because it's on public property just out side of town. Pay a cabbie (preferably with 4 wheel drive) to take you. Amazing experience. Check out trip advisor for more details. Well worth it.

For snorkeling with the Rays, if you are on a cruise, simply dock and bargain with the tourist counter located right when you get off the ship. I paid $25 USD to do this excursion.

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Agreed, don't do ship excursions, find your own. You will pay half as much and it won't be as crowded.

Just be aware that if your excursion ( booked outside of the ship) is late, the ship won't wait and you are stuck. I witnessed this happening on a cruise in Greece. Three women had to fly from Crete to Santorini. No, it was not me.

Well with Athens traffic and either the busses, subway or taxis going on a wildcat strike, you really need to stick to ship excursions (unless your tour driver is picking you up at the port).

My husband found it great entertainment along with dozens of others to watch the frantic people running for the ship late. we always booked trips that got us back near the ship a full hour before the time the cruise says to be back. I must admit I would be more nervous with shore excursions in large european cities than the islands and central america

The cruise line might be able to suggest excursions that match their schedules.

Cruise ships will not offer any information about other excursion companies onshore - silly thought - they want your business booked through the ship.

Something that erks me about a Princess cruise. If you dont take their ship excursion in Gutan Lake in Panama, they wont let you off the ship.