The most popular excursion in Grand Cayman is swimming with the sting rays. There are several on-line tour operators you can book with like Captian Marvin, Sotos or Red Sail sports. When we cruised to CG it was a tender port, so it took time to get off the ship. Keep that in mind when picking an excursion time.

In Ocho Rios, we used A-Z Jamaica planners. They have several tours or you can build your own iteniary and one of their drivers would escort you. We went to Shaw Park Gardens, Coyabo Falls, Dunn River Falls, Shopping, and Rafting down the Martha Brae. I would suggest booking on-line and having something arranged then trying to book something at the pier. Ocho Rios can be very aggressive and haggling there is not a fun thing to do.

Cruise ships will nickel and dime you to death especially on the drinks. No way is it an all-inclusive. The food in the main dining room is included and a few of the lido deck eateries. Most everything else there is a charge for. They will constantly hit you up to buy soda and coffee cards. Read your cruise line's on-line brochure. It will tell you exactly what they do and don't charge extra for. Anytime a crew memeber asks to see you shipboard card, they are charging you.

Also go to cruisecritic.com and read, read, read.

Check out Cruise Critic, the Carnival Forum, you'll find a world of information.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=215

Regarding tours, keep in mind that if the tour gets back late and it isn't booked through the ship, the ship will not wait for you. Also tour companies that the ship uses are generally reputable and carry insurance not always the case when booking on your own.

My advice is to book through the ship for a first cruise, unless you have a group of 4 or more, the cost is about the same either way.

Also check out the roll calls on Cruise Critic, you will probably find a group taking the same cruise as you are and they may be putting tours together if you decide to take a tour on your own.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=215

Consider the Submarine for Grand Cayman. Dunn Rivers Fall is a must for Ocho Rios if you have not been there.

Booking a tour on your own will saev you anywhee from 10 to 20% depend on destination. ALthough the ship's your carries some sort of "guarantee".

If you are a first timer for cruising, only advise I can offer is make sure you get back on the ship on time if you book on your own tour outside of the ship.

What's not included with your cruise is booze and soft drinks. All other "for a fee" stuff are well "advertised".

Crusing and All inclusives are totally different animal and really are not comparable despite similarities.

Crusiing is "destination" based and the ship is both transportation and accomodation. The food on board are typically far superior to most all inclusives [exception: very exclusive (expensive) resorts], and the entertainment and venues are typically better, and there are plenty of activites while in port or even while on board the ship.

All inclusives are "land" based, you hang around the beach, staying inside the resort, or go into town for a day or visit nearby sights. You generally stay put and relax, plenty of time to drink, or eat.

Have done these port I hired a guide cheaply and climbed the Falls save a tonne.Idid Sting Ray Alley again on a land tour saved a lot over what the cruise ship charged. Best way to go
for me.

thank you all for the information. I so appreciate it.