Expert: Curtis Thorsen - 7/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: At present Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas has the
following ports of call: Labadee, Ocho Rios, Georgetown, and Cozumel.  Is there enough to see and do on Labadee?
What about the other ports? I will be traveling with my
15 yr old daughter.
Thanks, Donna
Myrtle Bch, SC

ANSWER: Labadee is RCCL's private island... its basically a beach day and you will be docked out at sea and then tender to the island....you are free to come and go as often or little as you like. There is usally a nice BBQ lunch out there... snorkelling, wave runners, parasailing and usually volley ball games going on. Be advised that if tidal conditions are not safe, this port will be missed. Ochoc Rios, not a favorite of many cruiseres, but it is beautiful...You will dock there at the pier, make certain to only do shore trips thru the cruiseline on this port of call and I would suggest Dunns River Falls.... locals are VERY AGGRESSIVE and will try to sell drugs openly regardless of age !. Grand Caymen you will anchor out at sea and tender in... not much time to go backl and forth since only there probably until 4pm... make sure you schedule the Sting Ray City Tour.....touch hold and feed actual stingrays !!! Not to be missed ! Cozumel.... kinda really a beach day and some great dolphin swimming is available and shoping too ! If you want to see mayan ruins, that can be done as well. Just rent a taxi and tell them where you want to go !

Your 15 year oold will have a great time on this ship I assure you and will get to meet others of her age and hang out in the teen club if she chooses !

You picked a great ship and I think you will be impressed with all it has to offer for passengers of all ages !

PS, don't miss the ice skating show and the parade on the Royal Promenade Deck !

Have a wonderful cruise !  curtis ~~ Your Travel "angel"

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks you so much for the great information.  The ship does sound very nice and I think my daughter would enjoy it but the ports of call leave me a little disappointed as we live within walking distance of the ocean in Myrtle Beach and even though a "day at the beach" in the Caribbean can't be compared to a day at the beach in Myrtle Beach its still a "day at the beach".  I have been on a cruise that promised a day on their private island and the weather conditions prevented it -that was not fun!
Also, I was not excited about the Ocho Rios port as I had heard about the safety factor from friends. Again, you have been so helpful ---many, many thanks.
Donna

Answer
Donna....there is NO COMPARISON to a beach in the caribbean and Myrtle Beach or Savannah area beaches. I refuse to get in those waters and once you see the difference (especially in Grand Caymen) you will possibly feel the same way ! There are other things to do on all ports you are visiting, I just suggested the MOST POPULAR ones....
Jamaica is a beautiful country and the mountains are just wonderful for viewing along with all the botanical beauty abound. The locals will leave you alone after a stern "NO" is suggested to them. Just stay with a reputible tour guide and those guides usually will keep the more agressive locals away from you and your daughter.

Private islands on any cruiseline are always subject to tidal conditions... no getting around it and passenger safety is of the utmost importance. Sometimes the cruiseline will opt for a day at sea or extend the other port times to make up the time difference and will on many occassions provide passengers an onboard credit of say $25.00 p/p to spend on the ship, just for missing the port of call scheduled.

I always look at a cruise as an adventure and follow the philosophy of I have no place specific to go and no time to get there.... It's 5 o'clock somewhere....just point me to the bar or have a server come take my order please !

Best of luck to you in your future cruise planning.