Calica excursions?

[cutestmomof4]

Has anyone been on the Inspiration yet since it moved from Cozumel to Calica?? If so, what should we do? Heard about the dolphin swim...but also heard you get only 30 min with the dolphins, so it's a waste of money to spend that much and sit on a beach for 3 1/2 hrs. Is there something else we should look into? Grand Caymen is only a 1/2 day stint, then we're on to Calica...would love to shop somewhere! But, no clue what to do really at either place (except the sting rays at grand caymen)
HELP!
We cruise in Feb.

[dina]

Hi.

Grab a taxi and go to Playa Del Carman (15 min taxi ride for $10). They have an area call 5th avenue. It looks to me like shoppers heaven.

You can go to a Eco park. Xcaret. We went there and loved it. Walk through nature, hang out at the beach, food, showers etc.. and swim with the dolphins (extra $) Its lovely. We did both in the same day...
We caught a cab to Xcaret ($10) and paid the enterance fee there.

[Renata]

I'd also tah ruins at tulum, some 40 min away from calica. This tour can be completed in around 3-4 hours and then you have playa del Carmen to explore.

The dolphin swim indeed is quite short and also one needs to be aware of the differences in the different dolphin programs, whether it is swim, interaction, encounter, etc...on some you get actually to swim with and be pùshed by dolphins, in others you may only touch them. Otherwise, Xcaret has A LOT to offer other than just sitting on the beach, there are many attractions, activities, expositions, etc...a great Eco-Park!
For shopping, the 5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen is highly recommendable. Calica offers close to no shopping but Playa dC. is only a 10 minute taxi ride away from the port...you will find ANYTHING there!
Also a lot of adventure tours are available such as ATV, caverns, cenote snorkel etc...good luck!