KatNiss Houston

34 minutes ago, MochiiOwl said:

I'm thinking of booking this exact tour.  For the Bacalar Lagoon, was there a lot of good spots to sit and relax?  My husband doesn't want to get in the water and is looking forward to lounging when we get to the lagoon.

My experience in September was YES. Our tour group was really small and there were tons of extra chairs. There were nice little palapas with chairs over the water also. Only a few of those, but they're very nice if you can get one first. If you're going in the busy season, I'm not sure how full it gets but there were also tables and plenty of places to sit in the shade it seemed.

Price of the excursion?  No, I did it through Carnival and used my OBC.  Don't recall.

Price of the photos? I found the receipt ... it was $110 for the link with all our photos. None were printed. There was another option to also add 3 souvenir items (they had some to pick from, such as frames or stuffed animals) and I believe it was $150 total.

This excursion is fantastic. I just went in September. I agree with all of the above. Some additional points...

- Weight max is 250, but I was a little over and no one weighed me or cared, nor was it a problem at all.

- Wetsuits not mandatory, water is about 75 degrees so similar to a cold river swim. Your body adjusts. You'll prob be more comfortable with it, but not a problem.

- Very short area you have to swim, especially if you're tall. I'm 5'1" and was still touching most of the way, just a short doggy paddle across one area. Our guide was great, if you're not comfortable swimming they will help float you along. Life vest will keep you up. Very safe and easy to do.

- Mobility is important. That's the most challenging thing ... it's rocky and unsteady and sometimes slippery. Definitely take the walking stick no matter what, and be careful. If you can't bend and squat, don't do this tour. It's not something you'll have to do constantly, but you'll need to be able to.

- Photo price has gone up. We paid it. I don't remember the exact cost but it was over $100 for all the photos, no USB you download them from a link online. We felt it was worth it. The cave was incredible and we were able to be 100% in the moment and still have the images to remember it.

Pepe was our guide and I couldn't say enough nice things about him. He was fantastic, and this was absolutely one of the best excursions I've ever done. 

I just came here to say ... do this excursion. It was the highlight of our back-to-back trip. We loved the cave adventure! It was so beautiful and worth every penny. Getting to swim in the cave under beautiful formations was very cool. Our guide Pepe was absolutely fantastic - so much information, and he was so fun also. Lots of jokes. There was an older woman on our tour who also couldn't swim and had some fears, and he took care of her like his own mother that day to make sure she was safe and comfortable throughout and that she had an amazing time. She ended up loving it. He will be very very honest with you about absolutely everything along the way.

The water is cold, about 75 degrees, the initial step in is quite chilly. But even without a wetsuit, my boyfriend and I did fine. I wore swim shorts and a swim suit, he just wore swim shorts. I'm a size 16-18 and felt uncomfortable putting on a wetsuit, and he had sensitivity issues and as soon as he put it on he knew he couldn't stand that tightness around his neck (he's super skinny, it's just the way a wetsuit fits). We did just fine without it, but those who opt for it probably were warmer. To me it's like river water - your body will adjust soon and it's fine.

The walk is very rocky and unstable. Definitely take the walking stick, no matter your abilities. Be careful. 

You won't be able to bring anything in with you. Lockers are good and spacious. 

Buying the photos is expensive, but we felt it was worth it. We got to be 100% in the moment the entire time, and we still had great photos to share. That money also helps support their operations.

I loved this tour. If you're on the fence, just do it. Tbh I'm about 5 lbs over the weight limit but had zero issues with the life vests or wetsuit fitting. They had all sizes. No one is weighing you. That's a question I couldn't get an answer to before hand... but it was all easy peasy.

I'm back from my cruise in September. We enjoyed Chacchoben & Bacalar with Native Choice. Bacalar was fantastic - only our small group was there, clean facilities, beautiful clean water, good swimming, free use of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Everyone had a great time. I'm surprised to have read some less than stellar reviews, but the guide did tell us in the high season there are 100+ people there and that day it was our group of 15 or so. I'm sure that made a difference. I loved it.

I did Chacchoben and Bacalar Lagoon with Native Choice in September. I recommend it. Bacalar was clean, calm, pretty water. In the off season, they don't get a lot of visitors. Our tour of 15 or so was the only group there that day - so that was great. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards - all free to use. Plenty of chairs. Clean facilities.

Chacchoben had more tour groups there, but everyone broke up into smaller groups of 10-15 it seemed and it never seemed particularly crowded. 

The port area is also very nice. With the combined tour, we didn't have time to explore the port and there's plenty to see just there. We could easily have spent the day there, and next time we might. I'm never one to stay at port or on ship, but now that I've seen the sights in the area, I'd love to have time to see the port too.

I went to Bacalar in combination with Chacchoben on a Native Choice tour in September. Bacalar was definitely worth the visit to me (as was Chacchoben if you like ruins). It was peaceful and quiet in the September off season. Our tour group of 15 or so had the place to ourselves. Clean facilities. I loved it. There were kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, but no lazy river tubing where we were.  Bring water shoes - bottom is quite rocky.

I recommend Bacalar. I loved it. September was the off season and we had the place to ourselves with our tour group of maybe 15. Water was clean, great for swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Clean facilities. Lunch was good. Staff were great. You'll have better beach options I think, so I'd choose Bacalar for Costa Maya.

Also enjoyed Chacchoben. I did both with Native Choice and our only regret was that it's a full day, we had no time to really explore and shop the expansive port area.

I went in September to Chacchoben and Bacalar Lagoon. I really recommend this. We had a great tour of Chacchoben and our guide knew EVERYTHING. He was very passionate about the history. 

Native Choice was great. It did take us a while to find our way out of the port - the second map posted which shows cutting THRU the shops is definitely best. They waited on everyone to arrive and even sent us back to pick up a few stragglers when we were about a mile or so out. They did want to cram us into the vans, and 4 people in that back seat was squishy and hot. Fortunately enough people complained that they split us up. 

The road to Bacalar is very bumpy, but it was fun. Pack your sense of adventure. It wasn't terrible at all. 

Bacalar is beautiful and very clean. September was the off season, so our tour group was the only one there. About 15 of us had the place to ourselves. It was GREAT!  Bring water shoes and dry clothes to change. Bathrooms were clean. Food was good.

I went in Feb 2019 on a Journeys cruise and I enjoyed Guadeloupe. We went on a tour with English speaking guides, and they were good. We were in Land Rovers and we went to see a nice waterfall, we saw a volcano in the distance, we went to a banana plantation and rum distillery and a local restaurant where we sampled some new foods and the really strong ti-punch. I never felt unsafe at all. I really enjoyed that day and I'd be happy to go back.

I don't visit other countries expecting them to speak English to me everywhere I go, though. I enjoy exploring other cultures. Hiring a guide who can translate is definitely helpful, though. 

I had a good experience with Tucan Tours a few years back.  I remember it was quite a hike to their stand in the heat, but it was do-able and the Chacchoben tour was good.

In September, I booked Native Choice. We're doing the Chacchoben/Lagoon tour this time. I went with my son last time, but this time I'm going with my boyfriend and he hasn't done Chacchoben. So, we're doing the combo so I'll also get to see something new at the lagoon.

Last time I went was just before COVID and it was $25 pp, but even at $35 it's a steal.  It included beach chairs and umbrella, a free drink, snorkeling, use of the water toys, and a free shuttle back to the ship.

It was pre-COVID, so it's been a couple years, but I did an excursion to Nelson's Dockyard that included time at Valley Church beach. Hard to remember a lot of details, but I liked that beach. I made a little memory book and marked it as my favorite. Rolling waves like a wave pool and sand made of tiny crushed shells, so it was a little coarse. I don't remember all the amenities - we really just lounged and swam in the water. Only one vendor came up to us, and she was really sweet.

I agree with OP. I might have an occasional drink, but it hardly seems worth the price to me. I'd much rather go on another cruise with that money.  Likewise, I usually book an interior cabin.  My upcoming cruise is a 14-day back-to-back in an inside cabin. I could have upgraded, but I'd much rather extend my vacation and cruise again soon. I did it once and it was a nice room, but we were hardly there except to sleep so it just isn't important to me. I might splurge a little on a specialty restaurant once, but rarely. (And yet at home, I splurge on nice restaurants sometimes.) I've been to casinos, but never on the ship. I rarely gamble, same reasons. I'm a widow and I work for a non-profit, so I'm pretty selective in how I spend my money.

To me, alcohol isn't worth it. I definitely don't want to get falling-down drunk or waste away my precious days of vacation. But that's just my opinion. If it makes someone else happy and that's the enjoyment they get out of their money, ok. No sweat off my back. I don't get it, but that's ok. 

I also think sometimes people have more limited time, so taking more cruises isn't an option. I have plenty of vacay, but more limited budget so I'd opt for more days and budget more. Someone else may have limited vacay time, but plenty of funds to live it up when they're away.

Question ... if two people in the same room each have 100 shares individually in each of their names, do you each get the same OBC offer?  So a total of $500 for two people on a 14-day cruise?

Recently submitted my first shareholder request for OBC.

Just got back from a Panama Canal partial transit and we visited Cartagena.  It was my favorite stop.  We didn't do an excursion though.  When you get off the ship, there's a nice little port area with flamingos and a big gift shop.  We walked past there and to a taxi, intending to just take a taxi into the old walled city and explore on our own.  Instead, we agreed to let the taxi driver give us a tour.  It cost $75 for the 2 of us, and he drove us around and showed us different areas.  We went to La Popa (look it up - very interesting), then to the fort, shopped for emerald jewelry, and he dropped us off by the clock tower.  We spent about 3 hours walking around the old city and loved it.  We stopped for a quick bite to eat, explored, practiced our Spanish, shopped.  There was still a lot more to see, but it is HOT AND HUMID.  We were there in November, and it was as miserable as Houston in its summertime peak (and that's saying something).  Initially I thought I might want to stay longer, but I'm glad we decided to return after 3 hours.  The driver met us back at the clock tower and dropped us off at the port where we did a bit more shopping in the A/C.  I think this was perfect - we had a glimpse of all areas of the city and plenty of time to spend at the highlights.  Cartagena is beautiful and historic - loved it!

Just returned from a Journeys cruise that included a stop in Costa Rica.  I do not have a passport and used only my birth certificate and drivers license.  In Costa Rica, all I needed was my ship card to return and there were no questions asked.

Haven't been to Bodden's, but I did use Rony's tour to go to Daniel Johnson's and then to West Bay beach. It was do-able and we had a great time, but more time spent in commute.

I felt very safe at all times on a tour, just myself and my son. I would go alone with a guide. While there have been incidents in the past, they are rare and there is a lot more crime and danger in my home town. I'd never think to worry about leaving the house alone in Houston. Roatan is a lovely island with wonderful people, and you should feel safe going with a guide to any of the spots. My mom (75) and her female friend (68), both widows with some limited mobility, went alone and had a great time.

Highly recommend Rony's Tours. I didn't get Rony either, but our guide was excellent and had previously worked on Carnival cruise ships. He was fantastic.

I bought lots of inexpensive school supplies during Back to School shopping and included an assortment. I also hit the dollar store for teacher supplies. I brought a large case of play-doh, and my sister had TONS of small bottles of fancy shampoos, soaps, and lotions she gathered from the hotel on her trip to Las Vegas. I included some flavored chapsticks, some candy, some hotwheels and small toys for the boys. I made 40 little treat bags to hand out (would suggest 50 though) with an assortment of goodies and they were a hit.

To each his own, but Santo Tomas was one of our FAVORITE cruise stops ever. We don't ever plan to just get off and shop the shops at port, so that was not our plan here either (and admittedly, if that's all you plan to do, there's not a lot here for you). We took a tour down the Rio Dulce to learn about the families and culture and how they live. Yes, we brought school supplies to children, but we did SO much more also. Learned to make tortillas and tasted fresh ones, had coconut water and fresh fruit, met locals, waded in a hot spring, and enjoyed the fabulous scenery. Guatemala is beautiful and the people are kind and friendly. We wish there were more options to visit this port!

Just did this in December. Leaving at 3 is perfect. Cabs were lined up ready to go, we had to drop off another couple at a different pier, and fight traffic headed back, and it was still a very quick, very short ride.

I need to find this answer too. I have used only a birth certificate for travel to Belize, Roatan Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Grand Cayman, Bahamas. (Jamaica would be the same as these.) I'm curious about Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Since I live in Houston, I have ready access to Progreso out of Galveston. I've been once and did a bbq beach party, which was really a poor choice. My fault for not planning ahead, but I was with my 73 yr old mother and her options were limited. She had been to Chichen Itza before, so we went to Tulum on the first stop and she needed a relaxing day in Progreso. She had vacationed in Merida before also.

I can tell you that many people on the ship were afraid of Progreso and a large number never got off the ship there. I don't think there is a huge demand for Progreso, although I agree with you and look forward to going back. I still want to hit Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Merida so I need at least 3 more short Progreso cruises!

I would also add to the list Costa Maya and Guatemala. There are very few cruises that dock in Guatemala, but I absolutely LOVED that stop. I was looking to go back and can't find anything there. I prefer more authentic travel experiences than what you get in Cozumel, personally.