msuweather

Here is our experience from last week.

We arrived in Cozumel on Tuesday morning. Took our time getting off the boat and walked through the port. We arrived at the taxi area and took the first taxi. No issues at all. Seat belt went through the car seat just like it does in our cars. The taxi driver was super nice, even at one point holding our son while we got everything in the car. She turned on the air conditioning (it was really hot) and drove us to Paradise Beach. Waited for us to unload and drove away. My son is 13 months, just fyi.

While at Paradise Beach we talked with another family who had a little trouble. Their cab did not have seat belts, so they were unable to use their harness. She said she just held her daughter. I told her next time just request a different cab. Her daughter was older than our son, probably 4 or 5.

On the way back to port was a different story. Our taxi was a van. We couldn't get the car seat to latch with the seat belt. This taxi driver was super unhelpful. We ended up putting our son in the car seat and holding it. Not ideal at all. He was happy as a clam, but I would have preferred to have it belted down. We drove the 15 minutes to the port, unloaded, the taxi driver stood there and waited, then left.

Overall, I wouldn't worry to much about reserving a car. It was super easy to get a taxi that morning, just some issues getting back.

Did everything go totally as planned, not exactly, but we adapted and never felt our son was in danger.

I hope this helps. Have a wonderful cruise. We had a blast.

I'll be doing this next week. We are just going to get a cab at the dock. I'll report back if we have any issues.

Misty -

Thank you for the reply and suggestion. That is exactly our plan. Bringing along some puff and pouches, then picking up some cheerio boxes.

Glad to hear that this worked well for you guys.

Salty -

Thanks for the reply. I'll pick up some to-go packs before boarding just in case. I'm looking forward to having some new foods for him on this trip. He has gotten super picky lately, so I'll have some apple sauce as a backup.

Appreciate it!

Hi Everyone. We will be sailing on the Miracle next week out of Tampa. Our 15 month old son will be traveling with us on our family vacation.

He currently has a love of apple sauce. I was planning on purchasing the cups or pouches to bring on board, but was wondering if apple sauce may be available at the buffet. If it is I won't worry about bringing any on board, but if not I'll pick some up before we board.

Appreciate any feedback.

Thank you all. I greatly appreciate your responses.

We adjusted our rental to return at the Marriott (Hertz). Cost a little more since I was unable to use my reward points, but the time savings is worth it. Google maps says it is a 15 minute walk so that is perfect.

We plan to visit the aquarium on our return. Our flight home isn't until 4:30, so we will spend a few hours there before going to the airport.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The park I was look at is Cotanchobbe Fort Brooke Park and after further looking I see that channelside has kind of fallen apart.

I didn't think about returning the car to the port location. I'll look into that option just to save us some time.

Appreciate you all.

Hi Everyone -

We will be sailing out on the Carnival Miracle from Tampa, May 13th. For anyone familiar with this area, do you think this scenario will work out okay?

Traveling is myself, husband, and 15 month old son. We are renting a car on Saturday and staying in clearwater for the night.

Here is my plan:

On Sunday morning, drive to the terminal. Drop off all our luggage and car seat. My husband will then return the car to the Tampa Airport. My son and I will walk around the port. Probably walk down to the park or stop at some of the shops along the way. My husband will drop off the car and taxi/uber back to the port and meet us.

The only way I see this going badly is if it is poring down rain. We are scheduled to check-in at 10:30, so I'm thinking get to the port around 9:30. We are suite guest so we have priority boarding.

Thoughts, comments, what will not work here, or is this a solid plan?

Really appreciate all your assistance.

I posted this on the Belize board but no one has responded to any of the questions. Sorry to post here as well, but was hoping someone could answer since this board has a lot more visitors.

If posting here is not allowed, feel free to delete.

Appreciate any feedback!

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I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who has taken the Belize Zoo tour.

The trip will be me, my husband, and our 15 month old. We thought he might enjoy seeing the animals at the wildlife sanctuary. Is the tour stroller friendly? About how long do you stay at the zoo? Do you eat lunch at the zoo or do you wait until you return to dock?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. We have narrowed our day down to either this or going to Starfish Island.

TIA!

I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who has taken the Belize Zoo tour. We will be on Carnival, if that helps.

The trip will be me, my husband, and our 15 month old. We thought he might enjoy seeing the animals at the wildlife sanctuary. Is the tour stroller friendly? About how long do you stay at the zoo? Do you eat lunch at the zoo or do you wait until you return to dock?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. We have narrowed our day down to either this or going to Starfish Island.

TIA!

I would personally prefer a fourth option of $100 or even $150 for a thumb drive of ALL of the photos electronically and NONE of them printed.

YES!!! I had the exact same thought. Printing the pictures is so odd to me when you have a thumb drive option.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Yes, we plan to wait on a cab with seat belts if the first ones do not have them.

Great suggestion to take the car seat bag, that thought never crossed my mind, but totally make sense. We can use it at the airport too.

Appreciate you all.

Hi Everyone -

I've read a lot about car seats on these board that has been super helpful. We do plan on taking ours as we are taking a cab in Cozumel to Paradise Beach. Our child will be 15 months on our cruise.

I'm just wondering what do we do with the car seat once we get to the resort? Do you just sit it by your chair with the rest of your stuff at the pool/beach?

We plan to take a ship excursion in Belize, take the bus in grand cayman, and have booked a private tour in Roatan so we will not need to haul it at the other stops.

Just trying to wrap my head around the plans.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

I've gone back and forth and back and forth again about which place to visit. I was pretty sold on Playa Mia, but the more I look into Paradise beach it seems great and beautiful.

If you have been to either with a youngster, what are your thoughts?

Appreciate you replies so much! Everyone here is so helpful.

Great! Thank you all for the feedback. I'll make a note to visit the maitre d once we get on board.

Quick question: This is our first cruise with Carnival and currently have early dining. Will we be seated with other people during this time? I only ask because we will have our 15 month old. Thought I don't mind sitting with others, they may mind sitting with us :).

I had originally gotten ATD, but thought it would be good to have the same servers and a high chair ready each night. We will eat a little faster than I imagine most people so I don't want to inconvenience others on their vacation.

Can I request that we be seated by ourselves? Or should I change back to ATD?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Thank you, I'll definitely check that out!

We did the excursion with Carnival. Do not really trust just taking a cab in Belize. It was not at all expensive compared to other excursions with Carnival. I believe it was between 40-50 dollars and it includes the bus ride, lunch and the two pools. Extras can always be added at Park (horseback riding and kayak). No car seat needed since it was on the bus. Just rode on our laps. He was not the only infant on the excursion and other did the same.

 

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Great! Thank you for the suggestions and information. It is so greatly appreciated!

Yes, that was a typo. :eek: Taxi fares will be posted on a board near the cab line for your pier (there are 3 cruise ship piers - be sure that you return to the correct one; it can be a challenge after a day of sun and margaritas :rolleyes: ). Bring some smaller bills ($1s and $5s) - cab drivers everywhere never have change when you pull out a $20. :(

Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely check this out. Did you take a taxi to the Eco Park? If so, about how much did it cost? Also, did you take your car seat? I just keep reading about the lack of seat belts, but we plan to use our car seat in Cozumel.

Appreciate you!

I cruised with my 11 month old just two weeks ago and we did the Bacab Eco Park with him and my nieces that are 2 and 4. They have a kiddie pool and the big pool had an area where my 11 month crawled while in the pool. They had a blast in both pools.

 

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Thanks for the super unhelpful reply. Yes, I'm aware it rains everywhere (I'm a Meteorologist, by the way) and I know Belize is mostly rainforest. The issue was more falling at the ruins and the boat ride. Like I stated, more situational and not a hit on Belize.

I think it probably rains in a lot of countries

Hello fellow travelers -

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for what to do in Belize with a 15 month old. We have been to Belize a few years ago and didn't really care for it. (more situational - it rained all day, took this crazy boat ride, and I fell at the ruins)

My plan was to probably stay on board for Belize and venture out at our other stops, but I thought I'd ask if anyone had a suggestion.

And yes, I know, many folks have opinions on children and cruising, but this is our family vacation. :D

Many thanks in advance!

I think I've figure out it should be $16-17 dollars each way. :cool:

Following along in this thread and wanted to make sure I understood. We are a party of three, 2 adults & 1 15 month old. Is the taxi fare to Playa Mia really $167 each way? I wasn't expecting nearly that much so just want to double check.

 

I'm leaning towards Playa Mia since it has something for all of us to enjoy.

 

Second question: Are taxis easy to get for your return to port? We will only stay a short time at Playa Mia then will head back to port for some quick shopping and rest for our son.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Following along in this thread and wanted to make sure I understood. We are a party of three, 2 adults & 1 15 month old. Is the taxi fare to Playa Mia really $167 each way? I wasn't expecting nearly that much so just want to double check.

I'm leaning towards Playa Mia since it has something for all of us to enjoy.

Second question: Are taxis easy to get for your return to port? We will only stay a short time at Playa Mia then will head back to port for some quick shopping and rest for our son.

Thanks for the feedback.

Welcome to the boards! :cool:

 

Playa Mia Beach club offers a toddler friendly water park plus a variety of food & beverage packages.

 

Most toddlers will be happy playing in the sand and splashing in the waves or the pool - Paradise Beach is a pay as you go beach club with great facilities, lockers, a HUGE pool, nice beach, and lots of chairs/shade ($3 admission/chair rental) plus good food/drinks/service.

 

Taxi for up to 4 to either will run about $167 each way. Tip the driver a couple of bucks for the time it takes to install and uninstall your car seat. ;)

 

You might also check the family cruise board to see what others with toddlers suggest. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

 

Good luck with your planning and have a great cruise! :D

I'm interested in getting the Bon Voyage room decor package and was wondering thoughts about it. The deluxe package now includes a beach towel and pillow cases. Has anyone gotten this package since they began adding items to it?

Also, I know people say just go to the party store and buy some items, but we don't have one in my town and shipping is so much.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks so much Bob. I've contact my travel agent. Really appreciate the time you spend answering so many questions.