Best Western Caribbean Shore Excursions for families. Choosing the right shore excursion is essential to creating lasting memories & the ultimate getaway.
Having set sail a few times in the Caribbean, I feel like we have perfected which shore excursions to select. So today, Jordan and I are sharing the Best Western Caribbean Shore Excursions for adults and kids. So whether you are cruising alone or with family & friends, we will give you all the tips, from what to pack and wear to what to do.
It was an unbelievable experience to partner with Princess Cruises for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
Looking at booking your next cruise and need some ideas on what to do after booking? Be sure to check out my Best Cruise Tips. And if you are debating whether excursions are for you or not, check out my post Cruise Port Excursions Why They Are A Must & How To Choose What To Do.
As always, our family loves sharing our adventures with you. Be sure to comment below on some of your family vacations or must-see places; we’d love to check them out ourselves! xoxo San
Excursion location: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Dolphin Swim & Stingray Encounter
Princess GCM-710 | Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Stingray City Sandbar What we loved the most about this excursion was the nice boat ride to the Stingray City Sandbar. We had gorgeous weather – it was warm and sunny but not too hot. If you are hitting a day that is hot, make sure to take plenty of water and wear a shade hat.
Once you get to the northwest corner of Grand Cayman’s North Sound, Stingray City, you will find as many stingrays as your heart desires. Stingray City is home to a whole fleet of southern stingrays. The stingrays are stunning to watch glide through the water, peaceful and tranquil. This is a very relaxing excursion, that is until you enter the water. Jojo and I loved watching the stingrays from the boat, being in the water with them, not so much. Now there were many who got in and loved it like Erin, my friend from Dinner, Dishes, and Desserts.
They really are harmless as long as you follow the instructions of the guides, and I would highly recommend this with kids. My boys and husband would have loved this excursion and would have been in the water with the stingrays the entire time.
On this part of the excursion, you are provided with snorkeling equipment, a snorkel vest, professional instruction, supervision, and food for rays. You don’t feed the stingrays as your guide does this, but it does attract the stingrays, allowing for an up close and personal experience.
Dolphin Cove This is not for the faint of heart. I did this excursion previously in Cabo, Mexico, and each Dolphin Cove excursion is similar. The only real difference is the environment. I prefer more of the dolphin rehab places where they take in rescue dolphins, but this was more of a natural setting, and none of these dolphins were rescued – at least while we were there.
With a 25-foot-deep lagoon as home to a few bottlenose dolphins, you receive a brief but informative orientation. Then you get in with life jackets and get to choose the type of experience you have from hugging to kissing to interacting and swimming. Each guest can decide what package and experience is best for them.
Jojo and I went all out and swam with them and gave lots of hugs and kisses. She had always wanted to do this experience, a bucket list item for sure, and now that she has done it. Check that box. She is not sure that she’ll do this one again but was happy with the overall experience. Princess Cruises Excursion Details
What to pack:
- (1) swim towel per person
- swim cover
- sunglasses and/or hat
- water bottle, snacks
- sunscreen
- change of clothes if needed
- credit card or cash to buy picture packages
When leaving the port, it was fun to shop and get some souvenirs for the rest of our family. Plus, Jojo had the fun experience of drinking of a coconut for the first time.
Excursion location: Roatan, Honduras
Tabyana Beach Break & Lunch
Princess RTB-280 | Roatan, Honduras
This excursion was one of the most memorable I have ever been on! I highly recommend doing this one with your family. Not only do you have a beautiful and eye-opening scenic ride to Tabyana Beach, but it is also extremely relaxing.
Literally, this is one of the most beautiful locations in Roatan. The views were breathtaking and the water was like out of a movie. Upon arrival, you are guided to the beach that has shaded lawnchairs awaiting. Don’t worry if you want to lay out in the sun, there is plenty of that as well. From beachside massages, fantastic food and service, Tabyana Beach has it all.
The best part of this excursion was the snorkeling. I was a little hesitant because the coral reef was a bit far out, and that is where the best snorkeling happens, right?! Due to an upcoming surgery after the cruise, I couldn’t get my ear wet, so I was a little more reserved. That was until a guide came up and offered us a guided snorkeling trip. Jojo was so excited we took the opportunity, and we’re so thankful we did. He gave us all the snorkel gear, which was $10 a person to rent and then walked us out to the beach. From there he handed us a small rope that was tied to a stick and then to his kayak. He told us to hang onto the stick and he would pull us out to the reef and drag us along. Yep, we didn’t have to swim!
This was seriously amazing and relaxing. I had no idea snorkeling could be so amazing! As we got out to the coral reef, suddenly schools of hundreds of fish were in our faces, literally swimming with us. Come to find out, our guide was dropping some food along the way which was attracting all of the fish. Jojo was screaming with excitement.
The day is yours to spend how you wish. The crystalline water is perfect for swimming, and the beach offers a long stretch of white-sand, which invites you for a stroll. The area has a number of amenities, including restroom facilities and fresh water showers. There is also a small sundries shop with souvenirs.
Not only was the ocean a dream and the beach a paradise, but the food was also insanely amazing! A buffet style lunch with barbeque chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs was served with island style fixings and tropical fruit. Ice tea and lemonade were also available all day. We loved the lunch that was offered, and we didn’t need a snack at all. The souvenirs were also the best here! Princess Cruise Excursion details.
What to pack:
- (1) swim towel per person
- swim cover
- sunglasses and/or hat
- water bottle, snacks
- sunscreen
- change of clothes if needed
- credit card or cash to buy picture packages
Excursion location: Belize City, Belize
Jungle Zipline Adventure, Cave Tubing & Lunch
Princess BZE-405 | Belize City, Belize
This excursion is for the adventurer in you! And your kids will love this too. From ziplining in the jungle to cave tubing, you will not only learn about Belize and it’s rich history, but you will also experience it at its finest first hand.
The only warning I want to give about this excursion is that your cell phone will not have service at all. Also, if you want to take pictures in the caves or ziplining, you will need to bring a camera or waterproof cell phone case. I did not bring either – hence the few pictures I got.
The first part of your adventure is a guided bus tour to the zipline course where you get to see the center of Belize, including schools, homes and everything in between.
For your ziplining experience, you start at a limestone cliff and rush across the jungle scape 500 feet across. Take in the scenery as much as you can because it goes quickly. This zipline course is shorter than previous ones I’ve done, but perfect for a beginner and for anyone that wants to experience multiple things in a day.
After zip lining, you get the most amazing lunch! My daughter’s favorite part of the meal wasn’t the rice and beans, which was my favorite, but the old fashion glass Coke bottles. She drank 2 just because she liked them and it was hot.
The next experience was the crystal caves. This is one of the most mind-blowing and phenomenal experiences on this excursion and the entire cruise. Floating through a chamber deep underground, the walls are lined with crystals, and you experience not only nature but learn the ancient history of the Mayan people. See clay pots that have been overgrown with crystal, mud pits which were used to make clay pots and understand the country’s natural resources.
You’ll walk back to base camp where you’ll have a chance to change clothes and shop for souvenirs. Then the van takes you back to the pier. Note that you will not have time to stop anywhere else as this is an all-day excursion. Excursion Details from Princess Cruises.
What to pack:
- (1) swim towel per person
- swim cover
- swim shoes, something we didn’t bring but wish we would have. They do have them there to rent.
- sunglasses and/or hat
- water bottle, snacks
- sunscreen
- change of clothes if needed
- cash $20-100 per person for tipping, souvenirs or snacks/drinks along the way. *Souvenirs were pricey here.
Excursion location: Cozumel, Mexico
TULUM MAYAN RUINS, CENOTE SWIM & LUNCH
Princess CZM-115 | Cozumel, Mexico
Hands down, this was my favorite excursion – not just because Tulum is amazing to visit with a rich history – the food was incredible! Not even kidding, it was the best food I’ve ever had ever on a trip. With homemade tortillas, chips, and guacamole, salsa, pork and chicken, we all feasted using homemade plates and bowls. My only regret for the meal and excursion was not bringing our backpacks, and I was devastated to learn we would not be able to go back to the bus and grab money for tips. So make sure to take your bag – do not leave it on the bus!
My family had just recently visited Cozumel and explored Chichen Itza and the Mayan temples, but every time you go, you learn something new and fall even more in the love with the Mayan culture.
The Tulum temples are ancient pre-Columbian structures and this Mayan kingdom sits upon 15-meter-high cliffs above the Caribbean Sea. Surrounded by breathtaking views, it is protected by the cliffs. The main temples you will see are ‘El Castillo,’ The Temple of the Descending God, The Temple of the Water and the Temple of the Frescos. All of these temples showcase lavish carvings and figurines and some study and observe the suns movement.
This part of the tour is hot! So make sure to take plenty of water and wear a hat.
Once this part of the tour is done, you will jump back on the bus (with AC!!) and head to the cenote.
Cenotes are naturally formed sinkholes, and it is said that the Mayans used them for sacrifices and offerings to the Gods. I was shocked my daughter got in an swam in it after we learned of the cenotes history. Cenotes can be either fresh or salt water. We were able to swim in a freshwater cenote, and it was amazingly clean and refreshing.
From there, we kayaked to lunch another amazing meal! It was a traditional Mayan lunch with chicken pibil, pork poc-chuc and tasty side dishes served under stunning pavilions and beautiful arrangements. This ended the day on the best note.
You will have time to buy souvenirs after going through Tulum. Note that most things are pricey because it is a high tourist area. Excursion Details from Princess Cruises.
What to pack:
- (1) swim towel per person
- swim cover
- sunglasses and/or hat
- water bottle, snacks
- sunscreen
- change of clothes, if you don’t want to be in your swimsuit all day
- spray fan water bottle
- cash $20-100 per person for tipping, souvenirs or snacks/drinks along the way.
Sounds like an awesome vacation; I loved looking at your photos! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never been on a cruise, but you have me itching for a getaway, indeed! I will have to check this out!
This looks like THE BEST family vacation!
I absolutely love the Caribbean! Honduras looked beautiful!
Stunning photos, I’ve been Mexico, worth every penny!