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leekristina25

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Posts posted by leekristina25

    Carnival excursions in Belize... best for snorkeling

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We are going on the Wonders of the Barrier Reef excursion this June. Does anyone know if the excursion picks you up from the boat, or, if you meet them on shore? We are scheduled to dock at 10:00 and if they pick you up on shore, we might get off the ship early and look around, but, if they pick you up from the boat, it wouldn't really seem worth the trouble.

     

     

    From what I have read after researching the same question, Carnival no longer picks you up from the ship. You have to tender to the port.

     

     

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    tender question

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I would actually consider booking the Carnival Shark/Ray snorkeling tour for my husband and daughter, if my other daughter and I could find a way to get to Caye Caulker on our own

     

     

    If you book privately with Coral Breeze your entire family could ride together to Caye Caulker and then you could stay on the island while the others snorkel.

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Get to the tender designated area as early as possible and get your number. The earlier the better. Very important. If weather is good, then everything goes pretty smoothly.

     

     

    I wanted FTTF but it was already sold out within days of booking my cruise. Boo! But thank you for answering all my questions. You've been a big help!

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Yes, it is along the barrier reef. Second largest in the world. You will be snorkeling along the reef but not in it. Sandy bottom with sea grass. It is where the rays, sharks, and other marine life come to feed. It is a marine reserve.

     

     

    Gotcha. One more question and I'll leave you alone. Lol. So, if we booked privately, what are some tips to get off the ship sooner to meet Coral Breeze. As I'm guessing there will be long lines and I'll be unable to guarantee what time I will get into port. I just scanned through some trip advisor reviews and saw that a couple was late getting to port due to the tendering process and Coral Breeze had to leave them behind...

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted · Edited by leekristina25

    Coral Breeze is highly rated and always get their people back to the ship. They plan on everything being 5 hours. It is a 40 minute boat ride to Caye Caulker, they then order the food and allow people to go to the bathroom and/or change, and then head out to Shark Ray Alley for a bit. They do that for 1 hr 30 minutes. Then you have 75 minutes at caye caulker to eat and do some quick exploring (buy rum). For that extra feeling of security, no problem with taking Carnival's excursion. They do the same exact thing but for more money. They do get tendering priority but Coral Breeze waits. Smaller group.

     

     

    So is Sharkray alley along the barrier reef? I'm just a little confused as to if we will only be swimming with the wildlife or also able to snorkel along the reef...

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Sharkray Alley for sure. We love to go to Caye Caulker island and just walk around/drink... shop, etc. Very reggae-est type place -- relaxing but fun. Spent a week there once and loved it. There are many excursions that do both sharkray and Caye Caulker... CoralBreeze is a good one. http://www.coralbreezetours.com/current_category.15/Product.2/tours_add.html?t_product=2

     

     

    I'm nervous about booking with a private company in Belize from things I've read... Also, we would have to tender to port to do that one, would it cut into our time? I've read that carnival excursions get priority on tendering...

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    All good! Both great AI resorts. One is more relaxing than the other and Nachi has less people. Just depends on what you are looking for. Can't go wrong with either place. They both do it right.

     

     

    Thanks for your help. I just booked Mr Sanchos bc my fiancé wants more upbeat and since he really isn't a beach person anyways I let him decide. Lol. You seem full of information so could you help me a little more?.. Could you tell me what you like to do in Belize. I'm having a hard time deciding between the ruins or Sharkray alley. I want to do both but that's obviously impossible! Lol This is our first cruise and I really want to make the best of it.

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    What do you like better about Nachi Cocom? I know it has a limit of 100 ppl. And do they have AI?

     

     

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    Sorry. I just noticed you answered my question on a different thread. [emoji851]

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Beach is great. We usually do the place next door, Nachi Cocom, and the sand is great. No shoes needed.

     

     

    What do you like better about Nachi Cocom? I know it has a limit of 100 ppl. And do they have AI?

     

     

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    If you only had one chance?

    in Belize

    Posted

    My friend and I had the same decision to make for Belize City. Last week, we finally booked an excursion to see some of the ruins. It's part boat ride through a jungle to get to the ruins and than off to see and even climb a temple! Good luck!

     

     

    Thank you! Hope you enjoy the ruins!!

     

     

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    If you only had one chance?

    in Belize

    Posted

    That would depend on what you like. We are huge snorkelers, but since this is our first time to Belize, we want to see a little bit of the local....so we are going to Caye Caulker for the day to just hang out, eat, drink and lounge on the cute little lazy island.

     

     

     

    Have done lots of ruins, husband doesn't want to hike in and cave tube, so we are going to hang with the Caye Caulker folks.

     

     

    This is our first cruise and there is so many options that I feel overwhelmed trying to decide. Lol

     

     

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    Mr Sanchos

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Pretty sandy and nice - water shoes are not required although many wear them. Your call.

     

     

    Awesome! Thank you!

     

     

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    Belize's Three Ruins - Pros/Cons

    in Belize

    Posted

    We did Altum Ha/River Wallace excursion with carnival this past Sept. Altum Ha is a small site but worth going if you like ruins. We were able to climb 2 of the pyramids. They were not hard to climb. One of them had steps to the side and then back down.

     

     

     

    We have been to Tulum, Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Altum Ha. We rank Altum Ha as 3rd. Tulum is last and Uxmal 1st.

     

     

     

    We have not been to the other 2 sites you listed.

     

     

    What is your opinion on why altun ha is better than Tulum? Trying to decide between the 2 myself.

     

     

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    Ruins worth the trip?

    in Belize

    Posted

    I loved Lamanai, it includes a river boat ride and howler monkeys greeted us with howls. Of the three Mayan ruins, these were my second favorite ruins right after Tikal in Guatemala.

     

     

    Lamanai sounds wonderful but is not offered by Carnival. [emoji26]

     

     

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    Decisions, decisions

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Your toddlers and grown children will be bored at Nachi. Play Mia offers both water toys and a nice beach for the older crowd as well as a kiddie water park for the toddlers -- that's where you are most likely to make everyone happy.

     

     

    Suggestions on a beach for a couple in their 30s, with good food and drinks?

     

     

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    Ruins worth the trip?

    in Belize

    Posted · Edited by leekristina25

    Thank you for your input. I had previously considered shark ray alley but I really want to see Mayan ruins... It's so hard to choose but I don't want to miss out on something so spectacular as the ruins!

     

     

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    Anyone recently visit Playa Mia?

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    I'm curious too. No kids with us, just my fiancé and myself, looking for an all inclusive for the food and drinks. From what I've read Mr Sanchos sounds wonderful but I would like to hear feedback from others.

     

     

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    San Gervasio and beach

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Don't plan on spending a lot of time at SG. The ruins are not very impressive. I'm glad we went but I think we spent longer getting there than we did touring them. We used the service Hiring a Driver for the Day and went to Playa Palancar after the ruins. A taxi would probably be a little cheaper.

     

     

    Have you done any of the ruins in Belize? If so what are your thoughts on those?

     

     

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