geeko1

Tulum is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean if you have time to get there

Even with insurance, you may find glass breakage and tire damage are not covered. Right of police to hold you is true. We rented a car from AVIS thinking it was a safe bet... but they hand wrote a contract and copied our credit card info onto it... and the credit card was sold to criminals. We used that card only for that transaction and a few months later got a call from Western Union as someone tried to pull a cash advance off it in Canada.

 

Now I would hire a driver.

which is why you rent from Isis.

Safer then any American city at anytime? That’s a statement made with a broad brush.

 

While Cozumel has not had the rash of violent crime many other areas of Mexico have experienced, it is important to realize that the once “protected” tourist areas such as Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada and now Cancun have had major increases of scary, body chopped up and put in a trashbag type of murders. Yes, tourists are not necessarily targeted but can easily get caught in the crossfire. It is reasonable to consider that this type of crime will potentially spread to Conzumel.

 

I really don’t understand how people can ignore the reality of what is happening in Mexico. Every time I try to convince myself it is safe and not buy into the hype, another 7-8 gruesome murders are reported, passenger vehicles are high jacked and the drivers are stolen from at gunpoint, or explosives are found strapped to a passenger ferry.

 

The police cannot protect you because they do not have the training and resources to do their job and the judicial system is corrupt. Personally, I’ll take my chances in the U.S.

Fear like yours is all the rage nowadays. Fact is the violence in Mexico is all about the drug cartels. Tourist deaths in Mexico has much more to do with bad decisions by tourist.

Was reading recent story re Cancun and it was a few months ago that Cozumel was in the headlines

 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/08...n-streets.html

 

 

State Dept advisory

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-advisory.html

You didn't actually read the travel advisory did you

I am leaving a cruise with my family on Saturday to Cozumel and Costa Maya. I saw this....travel advisory for mexico stating 8 bodies have been found in cancun......Would you still think it would be safe to take a taxi to nearby beaches etc in cozumel?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/08/23/8-bodies-found-cancun-mexico-prompting-travel-warning/1071436002/

Cozumel and Cancun are different cities

I'm looking for some inspiration on what to do in Belize, too! From what I've read, there are no easy beach options, and I wouldn't mind having a day of doing cultural sightseeing (ruins). I'd prefer to book with a local company, rather than Carnival. If anyone has recommendations, they are welcome!

rent a car and drive out to Altun Ha ruins. Not the biggest but about 45 minute from BC

What I don't get is your rude response on this usually quite polite forum. Obviously the original post was silly. but I still don't understand why someone would waste time referring to it as fearmongering, unless the implication is that someone would actually be scared by what happened.

Now you just arent making sense

Fear-mongering? Explain please.

You really serious don't get it do you. The incident that had absolutely nothing to do with travel with cruising with anybody on this forum.

I am arriving in Seattle on a Thursday evening, and spending 2 nights in Seattle before leaving on the Princess Ruby in Saturday 7/28/18 for Alaska. So, Friday 7/27 is the only full day I have in Seattle for sightseeing. Please help me figure out best way to spend the day.

I'm staying at the Four Seasons. I'm traveling with my husband and 2 young adult boys. I only want to see the most important (yes, I know that is very subjective) sights, I would like a somewhat relaxed day, no stressing about running all over the place.

So far I'm thinking, walk over to Pikes Market late morning with a stop at the Gum Wall, around 9 or 10 am and spend a few hours there, maybe have lunch there. Then go over to the Space Needle in the early afternoon and walk around that area. Should I get my tickets ahead of time and plan maybe a 1 or 2 pm ticket? What are the must sees in that area? Is it worth it to go over to the International District, maybe for dinner? What is the best mode of transportation with this itinerary? Uber, or is there a monorail type transportation that would take me to these 3 areas? Any other must-sees near those areas?

Thanks in advance?

There is no Pike's Market in Seattle

awe crap! t-minus 36 hours till I fly in there.

Best to ignore fear-mongering like this

We live in wild times. My thoughts go out to anyone who knew the depressed young mechanic who stole the Alaskan Airlines plane. I wish them comfort and perspective during this tough time. To the air traffic controllers who showed compassion and empathy during such a high tension situation: you are heroes. This situation could have escalated to something horrific.

 

Here is a link to one of the many news articles with video and audio.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/11/us/plane-crash-unauthorized-takeoff/index.html

 

 

And I really hope TSA at SeaTac doesn't somehow make this into an excuse for them to drag out the ridiculous security theater they still insist we go through, that fails 95% of testing. I've heard nothing but good things about efficiency at SeaTac, and see no reason why a safety breach by an employee has anything to do with commercial passengers or the airport security experience.

You are fear-mongering you need to delete this thread

I read a review by one person who said about a Tulum excursion, "The bus ride was comfortable and the high speed boat between Cozumel and the main land was fun."

 

I have searched and searched and can find nothing that includes high speed transport between Cozumel and the main land. Does anyone know anything about this?

go to the dock with a high speed boat at it get on it pay the fee and enjoy the ride

Well I think I already pointed out that our group isn’t interested in paying a lot of money on shore excursions so that would exclude taking a flight, of all things, to Ambergris Caye. Also, although I attempted to overlook it, I feel compelled to address that your comments are coming off condescending. We know we will be doing an excursion in this port but flying anywhere isn’t an option. Even if we were splurging that wouldn’t interest us as something to do on a port day. I do thank you for your information regarding beach options.

you needing to see simple declarative sentences as condescending is something you're going to have to deal with. Perhaps you'll divert your focus from going out to the cayes to the old Heritage Center which is just minutes outside of Belize City. The trick here is to focus on the information that actually works for you.

I have an understanding that Belize City doesn't have any beaches, however, neighboring islands have great beaches ideal for a port day? Caye Caulker sounds like a good one.

Your understanding is incorrect about beaches near Belize City. I'll also point out that ambergris caye has much more in the way of food drink and things to do and has the secret Beach but then again I've already pointed that out haven't I.

I believe people were inquiring about swimming close to Belize port. If you fly somewhere I would not calling it as being close to the port.

 

 

To Caye Caulker you can either take a water taxi (check schedule before you go) or go on a snorkelling tour. We tried to sign up with Coral Breeze but they returned our deposit, stating they do not cater to cruisers from MSC.

So if someone can give us any advice what do to in Belize or how to get to Caye Caulker without missing the ship we´d love to hear about it.

Read my post again until you understand it.

Thank you all so much for providing us with such great information! We were thinking of planning at least one excursion and it's perfect to know that it sounds like Belize will be the perfect port for an excursion!

 

 

 

Would you care to share some of the best swimming spots in Belize?

You can fly out the ambergris Caye, rent a golf cart and go up to secret Beach. You can fly out to ambergris Caye, rent a kayak and use the tie offs out on the reef and snorkel the Reef. there is a Heritage and Cultural Center just outside of Belize City called Old Belize that has a beach. Caye Caulker has a beach for swimming. Placencia has a great Beach for swimming.

I'm not sure I said that? I just posted the Money Bar menu is all.

I quoted the wrong person. oops.

Here is their menu:

https://www.debsdays.com/2017/12/money-bar-cozumel.html

There is plenty of swimming in Belize you are incorrect

Hi,

 

I was wondering is any local folks can recommend restaurants where we can eat some of the more famous foods that New Orleans are famous for that do not have sausage/pork. I was unsure if the sauces were cooked already or if we could request some things without it.

 

We definitely wanted to try Shrimp and Grits. From the photo on Rudy Slippers page, it seems there is meat in it and I saw another poster mention some seafood dishes with meat. We do eat meat, just not pork.

 

We will be staying for two days possibly in the convention area. We will be traveling around though once I figure out the best way to do that with 5 kids. ;p;p

 

Thank you for any guidance.

Google halal in New Orleans

From Cozumel that's 3-4 hours of travel each way for 1-2 hours at the site. :( Tulum is not as impressive, but is much closer from Cozumel.

Tulum is not big that's for sure but it is on a beautiful beach for swimming and is the only known Maya fort. Look at it on YouTube.

Maybe you two could take this discussion to the Belize board - where quite a few options are regularly discussed. ;)

the other option is to point out that the comment I quoted and commented on is grotesquely incorrect

Belize there is nothing else in Belize.

You aren't serious are you

For cajun you need to go out to Acadiana. The best in the city is K-Pauls. Do the WW2 museum, it has air conditioning.

Love the idea of a bar hop and to see the island! We will be in port a fair amount of time, 10am-8pm. Do you recommend a tour company?

you don't need a tour company. Rent-A-Car from Isis and drive around the island

If there is a lot of fake jewelry on coz so watch the shopping thing