First of they say you can embark around 3:00 don't believe that our ship was boarded by us at 12:00. They have food ready for passengers might as well get started early. Lay out by the pool eat and relax and watch the other say "hey!!! We should have boarded earlier."
I can only tell you about Grand Cayman & Cozumel.
Wife and I loved Grand Caymen when we went on our cruise last year. Great beach water was 4 diferent shades of blue and aqua green. We were there from 8 until 2 ish I believe. Used an out side vendor to go on a snorkle and Stingray tour. Loved it and spent only half of what those on who went through the ship. Plus those who were on the ship where herded on to large boats 50- 75 at a time. Our excursion had 12 people. When through
Nativeways if you want to get them after the tender from the boat they will be around the dock along with 15 or 20 other inderpendant companies. Shopping is better here than in Cozumel.
Cozumel was ok did the downtown shopping thing. Make sure you haggle with them and also be prepared to approached by every shop vendor. A simple no thank you usally get them off you but not always. After about 2 hours of shopping we went to one of my favorite places
Paradise Beach . Free to enter if you want pay $8 and use their snorkle gear (with $20 deposit, yes you get it back), kayak, trapoline in the ocean, and their climbing iceburg. Have a wait staff to take orders while you lay out on the beach. Hammocks, bar (water is treated so it ok to get ice in the drinks) great resturant (food was awesome), and my wifes favorite they have 2 people who give great massages right on the beach (Dollar or two per minute). Wish we would have spent the 2 extra hours here than shopping downtown. To get there take a taxi at the end of the pier can't miss it tell the driver to Paradise Beach it roughly $10-15 round trip for the 2 of you.
Most of all enjoy yourself and have fun. And remember what goes on the cruise most likely stays on the cruise
