2Okies

My daughter & son in law have a cruise planned on the Breeze in mid August. They made the reservations back in January, and found out a couple of days ago that their room is actually a Deluxe Ocean view room but with an Obstructed view. She called Carnival about it, and apparently it is the gondola that they clean the windows with? Will this apparatus always be in front of their window, or does it move? She was pretty upset that they paid so much for the cruise, and get a window that they may not be able to see out of. Its room 2473. It also says the room directly across the ship from that one is obstructed (2478 I think).

Anyone have one of these rooms and can tell me what it is like, or have a picture. Is it completely blocked, or can you see some out of it? She is pretty upset about it - seeing that they booked so far in advance through a local travel agent. Not sure there is anything they can do about it now.

We just took this excursion through Carnival on Dec 16. We really enjoyed this excursion a lot. We felt more comfortable booking through the ship than doing a private one, due to all the travel variables. We got our tender time on the ship (Carnival excursions get priority - so that was nice). When we got to port we looked for the sign for our excursion. We waited a short time for other tenders to arrive, then we walked to our boat. It was a nice boat that held probably 50 people. They had a lot of crew also. On the way to the island we drove through the mangroves. The trip didn't seem overly long. We got to the island for a bathroom break, and then they drove us out to where the stingrays, Sharks, and the reef is. There were quite a few boats there already. I saw some of the private excursion boats I had researched before my trip (Cavemans was one - just a small little boat). We had a long time in the water to see all we wanted. Then they took us back to the island for lunch (we had preordered from a menu while we were on the trip out). Our lunch was good, and ready when we arrived. We had some time to walk around the island after lunch, then it was back on the boat to head to port. The return trip was faster. We got back in time to get in the tender line that was already pretty long. But, it goes pretty fast. We didn't really have any time to shop, but I did run in a store at the port while my hubby stood in line, to get a couple of T-shirts for the grandkids. We were back on the ship just in time.

The reef we went to was pretty with lots of activity. We did see sharks, but they never came too close. The stingrays were swimming all around us, especially by the boat.

It was a good excursion, and we would do it again.

I think, because most of the excursions in Belize are so far from the port, and the additional tender time, I advise using a ship excursion. I know there are those that have used private companies, and have been happy too. But until you know the port pretty well, and how it is laid out, I would say go with a ship excursion in Belize.

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We wouldn't dream of NOT getting off the ship at Roatan. We love it! The island is gorgeous, and if you like snorkeling, you won't see more beautiful reef anywhere! We first visited on a cruise and went to Maya Key to snorkel and fell in love. We went back the next year and stayed a week in a really cute B&B at West Bay. We walked the beach many times at night, and always felt safe.

I wonder if tourists to the USA read all the news reports about us and are afraid to come visit? I mean, we have had a school shooting almost every week lately! It makes me want to move to Roatan!!

It's like anywhere you tour - even in the states. Be smart, don't flash money or expensive jewelry. Be aware of your surroundings, and try to go where most other tourists do. Do your homework before you go. Research where you go, etc.

We really love Roatan, and can't wait to go back on our cruise in December.

If you are on a Carnival cruise that docks at Mahogany Bay, there are many nice shops there. Wood items seem to be the thing to buy at Roatan. We bought a beautiful salad bowl set there. Also wood carved canes, decorative vases, etc.

If you dock at Coxen Hole, I think your choices are more limited. I haven't been at that dock, so I don't know.

I would suggest you contact George Lemus at Roatan Cusom Tours. We stayed on the island for a week last year and we used his driving services all week. He has nice clean vehicles, and he is very reasonable, and a very nice person. He takes pride in his work. He has a web page and a Facebook page where you can contact him. He speaks very good English.

I would suggest a trip to Gumbalimba park to see the monkeys. They are very friendly, and will sit on your shoulders. They have a beautiful insect exhibit, and a beach access too. There is a beautiful pool, and I believe a snack bar.

But, I would ask to be taken to West Bay Beach not far away, and to be dropped off behind Bananarama resort. You can walk down a short road to West Bay (George will know where - and he would probably even escort you if you wanted). You will be at the beach which is very calm and shallow, and the kids would love the sand and water. If you walk left toward the black wall, and get in the water you will see fish right at the shore. Look for black iguanas on the black wall. If you like to snorkel THIS is the place to go! But, kids would love the fish here. The beach is gorgeous. Don't miss it.

Don't be afraid of Roatan. George would take good care of you. We are going back on a cruise in December, and have already made our arrangements with him. He is charging us $60 to take us to and from the beach. It might cost you a little more if you want to go to the park or anywhere else. He is very trustworthy. Check Roatan Custom Tours on Trip Advisor - 5 star.

There are lots of restaurants to walk to up and down West Bay. We liked Beachers, Argentina Grill and Bananarama.

I agree with 2Okies.

 

To punish the wonderful, warm, island people because some oddness, we will never truly know the truth of, happened at LFK is very sad indeed.

 

While the cruise line maybe trying to warn their guests, there also may be a hint of "we make more money of you stay at Mahogany Bay." There is also the possibility the average cruise type person needs to be reminded they are no longer in the western world.

 

People often ask the safety question, my firm beliefs is, if you do your homework, if you remember you are a guest in someone else's country and you behave accordingly there is a good chance all will be well.

 

I am a solo female traveler, I have spend up to three months at a time on the island, I have never felt unsafe. If one behaves in a safe manner, chances are one will be safe.

 

With all that said, if one has any fear of a place they have no business stepping off the boat. If one behaves like prey, good chance is they will become prey. :0)

Well said Guest!

We can't live in fear, or we never get to experience the great things this world has to offer. The cab driver I spoke of in my comment has become a good friend. The day he took us back to the airport, he asked us if he could take us to meet a man that had been like a father to him, and was an elder at the church he attended. He said he was a master wood carver, and he wanted us to see his work. We agreed that would be okay. He took us to this man's humble home - to US citizens it would be a very poor existence, but we could see he was so proud of it. He had built it himself. He had put a front door on that house that he had carved that was unbelievably beautiful!! Inside, he was carving a dining room table and chairs. They were absolutely gorgeous. We were honored that our friend, George, the cab driver, had shared this man and his talents with us.

If we lived in fear - we would never have met this artist, whose talents will probably never be known to anyone outside the island. He and his large family lived in what we would consider no more than a shack, but he had decorated it with handmade carvings that should be in a palace. It was a humbling experience. He welcomed us into his home as a friend.

There are GOOD people on that beautiful island!

We have been to Roatan twice. Once on a Carnival cruise (went to Maya Key where we fell in love with the snorkeling!), and then we flew there and stayed a week at West Bay in a Bed and Breakfast.

We loved our visit both times, but got a taste of the island by staying there a week. We met some of the locals, and they were very nice, hard-working people. We had friends coming in on a Carnival cruise that week, who brought their Funtimes with them (this was in 2014), and it had that same warning to not leave the safety of the port, & be safe by taking a cruise ship excursion! They showed this to our taxi driver who we had used multiple times that week, and he was so disappointed to see that their island was being depicted as "dangerous" by the cruise lines.

So much of what is told by the cruise lines is not always the whole truth. For instance: not long before our trip, it was reported that a cruise line employee was murdered at Roatan just for his cell phone. Our driver said that wasn't true, and told us the real story. He said that cruise member was having an affair with a married woman on the island, and would see her every time his ship docked. The husband found out, and killed him. It had nothing to do with a phone being seen and stolen, but that is how the cruise line reported it to the public. And, it wasn't Carnival.

So.....the same kind of things happen in the U.S. Corruption is everywhere. Does it mean all of the residents of Roatan are evil? Certainly not.

The island is beautiful, and to not enjoy it's beauty, would be sad. To not leave the PORT would be sad!

We have a cruise in December, and plan to go to West Bay and enjoy the beautiful water, and all it has to offer.

I don't know what happened at LFK, if it's corruption in the government or what, but I see no reason not to enjoy this beautiful island.

Has anyone taken this excursion through Carnival? We will port in Montego Bay and we are having trouble finding something to do here. We have been to Jamaica twice, and went to Sunset resort both times. We are going to snorkel and do the beach at our other ports, and thought we might try something else here. So far, we haven't been that impressed with Jamaica, but maybe we need to venture out and try something new. However, we are still a little leary of Jamaica and kind of want to stick with a ship excursion here.

The reviews on Carnivals website are good, but just wanted to see if anyone here has done it? Is it worth it?

We took the Sergeants Caye excursion a couple of years ago. It was ok, but it wasn't my favorite snorkel experience. We did like that we were picked up at the ship. The snorkeling was out in the middle of the ocean, and the waves and current was exhausting for me. I'm not the strongest swimmer, but I'm an experienced snorkeler. I just hate fighting waves. The guides were good, and showed us an eel. To see the prettier reef, you had to swim close to where waves were breaking on the reef. I couldn't handle that, but my husband did and got some pretty pictures.

We were returned to the ship in time to catch a tender to town and shop an hour or so.

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Don527 - We were in Roatan in January and were on the Carnival Magic. We took the ship excursion to Maya Key. No need for a "snorkeling excursion" if you go here! The snorkeling was awesome!

Maya Key is a small island just a few minutes from port, and they take you there by boat. The island was gorgeous, their food was delicious (free w/the excursion) and the snorkeling was out of this world! They have a long dock that takes you right out on top of the reef. They have a gazebo at the end of the dock to sit and put your gear on. You climb down a ladder into about 4-5' water. Then they have markers underwater to show you the best way to swim out to the reef. Once there - it was 100% beautiful reef w/100's if not 1000's of beautiful fish. We could have stayed there for hours, but....we had to get back on the ship eventually. :( They also have a shark enclosure, and you can snorkel with the sharks for an extra $30.

There are also a few animals on the island to see.

I have pictures in my signature line below.

We are getting ready to go back to Roatan in September. This time we are flying down there and going to stay a week so we can do some snorkeling at our leisure. The snorkeling from shore is the best you'll ever see. We are staying on West Bay - a popular spot for tourists, and they say the snorkeling is excellent there as well.

The reefs are all so shallow around the island, that snorkeling from the shore is very simple. You can take boats out to snorkel, but you don't have to go to that expense, if you don't want to, and still see some beautiful reef and fish.

I can only comment on Maya Key (we were there Jan 2014), but I wholeheartedly agree with Mitsugirly - Maya Key snorkeling is awesome!

We were on Carnival Magic, and met the group in the port, walked to a little ferry boat & took a short 10 minute or so ride over to the island. (Carnival Excursion). They gave us a short little speech about all available to us on the island, where it was, etc. We headed to the beach first and snorkeled. You walk down a long dock to a gazebo & there you can sit & put on your equipment (we had our own). You climb a short ladder in to water about 4' and swim out. There are bottles attached to ropes under the water to guide you through the reef to the best spot. It was like being in an amazining aquarium! We had never, ever seen such beautiful snorkeling. I have no idea what the person above was talking about who said the snorkeling wasn't good! It was absolutely the best we've seen anywhere. It was 100% beautiful reef, with 100's of fish that we had never seen before. Gorgeous!

They serve a very tasty fish & bbq chicken lunch - its buffet style, and you can only go through line once.

My husband did the shark snorkel (nurse sharks), for $30. They are in a large penned area near where they bring you in by the ferry. He loved it, and got some good underwater pictures of them. They have all the other animals and the faux Mayan ruins on the island also. There was plenty to do, and it was a beautiful little island.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day.

I have pictures and a review in my signature line also of Maya Key.

Side note: We loved the snorkeling at Roatan SO MUCH, that we have a trip planned in September to fly to Roatan and stay for a week, just so we can do some more awesome snorkeling. It was the prettiest we have ever seen, and we just didn't get enough in the 2 hrs we got to do at Maya Key!

We were on the Magic in January and we enjoyed these things the most:

*Ocean Plaza at noon: The made to order salads are yummy!

*The BBQ right outside the Ocean Plaza on Sea days - the charcoal grilled sliders were excellent! We ate lunch here every sea day. They also had hot dogs, chips & salsa and quesidillas.

*The aft pool - its always quieter back there if you want to get away from the loud music and busyness of the Lido pool area.

*The Comedy Club at night!

*DH played organized Dodge ball every sea day morning and had a blast. It really became a spectator sporting event as the week grew on! His team won the week, and he even got MVP at the end of the week.

*DH also enjoyed playing in the "small" sporting events every day - Bean Bag toss, ring toss, etc, outside the Red Frog Pub. He won a few medals to bring home too!

We stayed in our first cove balcony on the Magic in January. Ours was mid ship - right next to the elevators. We didn't have any problems with it getting wet. We did have some salt on the railings, but we didn't notice it on the chairs. It was very peaceful to sit out there during the day if you wanted to get away from the crowds, and noise.

We didn't find being on the 2nd floor to be a problem. We walked up a flight of stairs to our diningroom. We walked to the end of our hall & up the elevator to go to the theater or to Lido. We normally didn't have to wait an excessively long time at the elevator.

I liked the cove because it was nice being so close to the water. We never really saw any fish right below us, but one day I did see dolphins playing at the front of the ship while we were at sea.

The year before (and my husband's first time to cruise) we stayed in a 7th floor balcony near the back of the ship. My husband said he really preferred that balcony over the cove. He may have just been partial to it because it was his first cruise - and usually everything about your first cruise is awesome! Lol!

We really don't care - as long as we are ON the ship! We might even get an inside room next time just to save some money. We aren't in the room that much anyway, and we found that we really didn't use the balcony that much either. Its fun to have, but not sure if its THAT much fun to pay the extra $$$.

We were in Roatan in January on the Magic, and we booked the Maya Key beach excursion through the ship. We normally go with independent excursions, but we wanted a really good snorkel place, and this one came highly recommended.

The snorkeling was AWESOME! Best I've ever seen - and right off the end of the pier. The beach was not extremely big, but the island was beautiful. There were a lot of chairs - most people were out snorkeling. There are also some animals (rescued) around the island you can see. My husband also did a "snorkel with the sharks" which are in a very large penned off area - kind of like what you would see with dolphins. He really enjoyed it, and got some great pictures. They also have some sea lions there to see (no show - just see them).

The lunch they served was excellent. We had fried fish, and BBQ chicken, and some side dishes.

After we got off the ship, we walked up to the shopping area, and there were various guides there with signs for the excursions. We found ours, and we walked to a boat (still in the Carnival area) that we motored on to the island. It was about 10 minutes away.

At the island, all the people there were very nice, and spoke English. When we finished w/the excursion, we had plenty of time to go back aboard ship, change clothes, and go back to the shopping area for a little shopping.

This might be an option if you are worried about getting too far from port. Roatan is such a beautiful island. I hate what that are going through with the crime right now. I hope they can get a handle on it, and get it under control. It would be a shame to see this island dropped from the cruise stops. I believe the people there are basically good. There are always bad people everywhere. We have killings every day in America too!

His Cruise Critic handle was "buggystuff". Here is the picture attached to his name.

He was on the last cruise I went on in January. I never got to meet him, but he was very active on our roll call page, and set up the meet and greet.

Condolences to his family and loved ones.....

Mitsugirly-

I decided on the water park after all the reviews. But now my mother (who is on the cruise too with her husband) wants to go to Chankanaab (to do dolphin thing) and has suggested I think of going there too so we can stay together. I see you have been to both. I've sort of settled myself with the water slides and now that other park seems sedate by comparison - however...what do you think?

We've been to Chankanaab, but not Playa Mia. It sounds to me like the kids that are your kids age would enjoy Playa Mia more, and have more to do all day. Chankanaab is great for snorkelers, and those that want to do the dolphins. They do have the free sea lion show. The beach is man made, and you have to walk down steps to enter the water - which is 4-5' deep when you enter, and is rocky (great for snorkeling). There is the small walk-in beach (someone posted a picture of above) - but its very small. And when we were there, it was very grassy in the water. Chankanaab is best for snorkelers or the dolphin experience in my opinion.

We were on the Magic in January and took the Carnival excursion to Maya Key. It was just as Mitsugirly said - AWESOME snorkeling! It was the most beautiful snorkeling I've ever seen. I could have stayed in the water forever looking at everything. It was 100% reef, and there were fish and beautiful coral everywhere. My husband also snorkeled with the sharks there (they are in a large pen). There are a few animals on the island to see. The trip also includes a very good lunch. We really enjoyed the day. What made it for me was the snorkeling...

We chose Maya Key because of Mitsugirly's review in her signature line, and her pictures. It sounded like a for-sure great place to snorkel - and it was!

However, if we ever get to go back, I would like to venture out a little and see more of the island, and hopefully snorkel at West Bay.

Cozumel is one of the places where I would NOT get a ship excursion. It is a very easy DIY port. If you want a beach, there are lots to choose from and its a quick cab ride from your port to any of the beaches.

I think most of the private excursions in Coz are going to be okay. The island is small enough that you shouldn't have a problem getting back to ship.

Belize - we did take a ship excursion (Carnival) there to Sergeant Caye to snorkel, but we weren't that impressed. We heard very good things about the cave tubing, and wish we had done that (which was our first plan, but we changed it last minute).

Looking for info on all inclusive day excursions in Belize and Cozumel. Not booking through cruise ship.

Thanks

Your best bet is going to be looking at the Belize & Cozumel forum pages and seeing others suggestions there.

The above picture, is that on the main street?

It looks like it was taken in the Main Plaza.

Below is a link to a Cozumel map that shows the town of San Miquel. On the far left of the map, is a road that says "to Airport". That is probably about where our taxi drive dropped us off, on that main road at the bottom of the map (the blue at the bottom is the ocean). You can see where it says "main plaza" (that is the square I mentioned). You can also see where the Ferry comes in, and where Punta Langosta is. The International & Puerto Maya Piers are off the map and would be to the far right. On the far right of the main road running along the bottom of this map, you will see a label for the lighthouse. Right past that is where we stopped to eat.

http://www.gocozumel.com/map.htm

We were just in Coz in January, and decided to just walk around San Miquel and have a relaxing day shopping, and seeing the sights. (I have some pictures in my signature line).

We ported at Puerto Maya, and we caught a cab that morning at the port and asked him to take us to the far end of town where the shops start. That takes you about 4 blocks away from the city square or main plaza. We just walked mainly along the main road that runs along the beach, on the store side, going in the stores that interested us. There are a lot of restaurants sprinkled along the way. When we got to the main plaza we walked around in those shops, and then came up a side street to the main road again, and stayed on it all the way to the Punta Langosta pier bridge that goes over the main road. Around there is where we crossed over to the sidewalk that runs along the beach side of the street. We stayed on it all the way back to Puerto Maya. We stopped at a cute little restaurant on the beach and had a light lunch and watched the sailboats racing.

You can always take more time in town (the farther back into town you go, the better the prices will get on things). If you did that, you might not have time to walk all the way back to your ship's port - depending on where you dock. But, there are cabs everywhere, and you could always catch one back to the ship.

Coz is a VERY easy place to get around, and the town of San Miquel is safe to walk around and enjoy the sights. The store owners want you to come in their stores, but if you aren't interested, a "no thank you" is all it takes & they leave you alone. They aren't as aggressive as many places, and I have never felt afraid.

As I said, I do have some pictures of our walk around town in January in my signature line below. Just go to the Carnival Magic Cruise, Jan 2014, and see the Cozumel Shopping Review.

I lived in Duncan from 95-97. I still have family there. I worked at the Heilig-Meyers furniture store when it was across from the Holiday Inn. My now ex husband used to work at Valco, north of town out by Lake Humphreys. Small world

 

 

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Haha! Sure is! We have lived here since 79. Grew up in Lawton. I work for an oil company and my hubby is a contractor. Oh, and he is also a City Councilman. :)

Squirrel moment...2Okies I see you're from South Central OK...where at? I grew up in Rosedale, went to school in Wayne, "going to town" was Purcell & "the mall" was Norman.

 

 

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Duncan. We go to Lawton, Norman or OKC to go "mall" shopping. Duncan only has a Walmart! :)

Carnival has a pier - hold two ships as someone already mentioned. We've heard that sometimes the ships can't port depending on the weather, and this port is sometimes missed. It didn't happen to us in January - thank goodness! Roatan is gorgeous, and we were really looking forward to this stop, and had a great day there.

The Carnival port at Mahogany Bay has a lot of shops to browse too. Basically a lot of the same stores that are at any of the Carnival ports, but it gives you an option if you don't have time to go anywhere else after an excursion.