_beachgirl_

I'd cancel before final payment. If the predicted second wave happens, it's doubtful there will be any sailings. 

Thank you both for your help! 

If I'm doing a tour that goes from 11:50 - 3:50, would I also have time to do the cable car (for photos and a drink at the restaurant) if the ship leaves at 7pm? 

We had an absolutely great time. We took the 3 hour tour because of scheduling with the water taxi. I think the 5 hour would be cutting it too close.

Yes I booked directly with Daniel. It was a fantastic day and I really recommend it. I was also nervous about being out on our own without a ship sponsored excursion but it ended up being one of my favourite days in port ever. I felt completely safe and Daniel had us back more than an hour before we had to be.

Caveman Snorkelling Tours from Caye Caulker. Very good price for an amazing private excursion.

We headed out on our own and caught the water taxi over to Caye Caulker. We pre-booked our day with Caveman Snorkeling Tours and I highly recommend them. You end up getting a private tour for pretty much the same price as you would as a group tour on the ship without 50 other people. It was a great day with personalized service. We found another couple from our roll call and split the cost with them to make it even cheaper. It ended up being just the 4 of us on the boat and our tour guide who named all the marine life and made sure we each got to see everything. We also got to see sea horses which was definitely a highlight.

My husband and I used Caveman Snorkelling Tours. The tour was amazing and a great price. You get a private boat and guide for almost the same price as it would cost to be in a group of 50 with Carnival. We had an amazing day. Saw a barracuda, sharks, stingrays, tarpons, seahorses, starfish, coral and of course many different kinds of fish (which the guide named and made sure we each saw). I can't recommend this company enough.

The only downside is that you have to get to Caye Caulker yourself. This means either taking the water taxi or flying over. We used the water taxi and had no problems at all. Just make sure to watch the time and I recommend taking the 1:30 water taxi back since there is a time difference and it takes 40 minutes to an hour to get there.

If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to answer them.

I'd suggest contacting Daniel Johnson directly (he usually got back to me within a day or 2) and explain to him exactly what you are looking to do.

We used Caveman Snorkeling and had a great time.

Caveman Snorkeling Tours

Another vote for going private with Daniel Johnson. He's amazing! Very professional and was very aware of the time and had us back over an hour before we needed to be. I'd definitely book with him again.

Great itinerary. We just did this exact cruise on the Glory in January 2016.

Cozumel - We just walked around here and did a little shopping. We did make sure to stop at Pancho's Backyard for lunch which was delicious. Make sure you go to the website and print the coupon for the free margarita before you head off.

Grand Cayman - We had a beach day here this time around because we've been before but the leading attraction would definitely be Stingray City.

Belize - We did a private snorkelling tour over on Caye Caulker with Caveman Tours. It was a fantastic price and we had a boat with just 4 of us and our guide. Highly recommended. Many people rave about the cave tubing here. I haven't personally been so I can't give you any advice about that.

Roatan - My favourite stop. We contacted Daniel Johnson from Daniel Johnson's Sloth and Monkey hangout and had an AMAZING time. He took us for a tour of the entire island and then back to his place to see the animals. If you want to hold a sloth, he is your guy. I think he also has a snorkelling option for a tour as well if you wanted to add that on.

I hope everyone is still enjoying the review. I know this section has been a little picture heavy and time consuming, but honestly, I only shared a small amount of the pictures I had. I just take so many and I try to eliminate a lot of them but my enthusiasm gets the best of me and I'll be like, "Ok, that's all...oh wait, ooohhhh ahhhh, I like that one too. Oh wait, this is a good one. Oh my, this one's pretty too." So before you know it...I've shared more than I had anticipated. Oops.

Definitely still enjoying your review. I've been considering taking a discover Scuba excursion but like you, I'm a bit nervous. Seeing how amazing your pictures are (you also may have sold me on the camera), I really want to try it out! Looking forward to reading your final thoughts on your diving day and the rest of your cruise and review.

Very excited to read about your review of Tortola. I haven't been and it's on my list of places to visit soon. Can't wait to see your pictures of the Bath's.

If your children are interested in animals, I recommend Daniel Johnson. You can go to his place and hold his monkeys and sloths. He's great, it's educational and a really fun day. The sloths are very interesting.

Great review so far. I always look forward to yours. I was just thinking about you the other day and thought you mentioned going on a November cruise so thought I'd pop on and see if you were back yet and here you are!

Apologies if someone already asked this, but thoughts on your new camera? I'm in the market for one for travel (that takes underwater pictures too) so I'm wondering what you think so far.

Wait...what??? There's an excursion where I can see and hold a sloth??? Okay wow...I need to find out more and book this!

 

 

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Yes, and it was the highlight of our trip in January! I definitely recommend it.

You'll get off the ship, walk down a pier like usual, then you'll enter a little tourist village with the usual shops that are at all ports. Go towards the left and leave this area. You'll end up in a parking lot with taxis. Walk past them. You'll need to walk up a small hill and then back down the other side. The vendors will all be waiting there for you.

It's not far but if you are worried about your husband and his cane, I believe you can ask a taxi drive you to drive you up the hill and over. When I was doing my research, I believe it was $2 to do that. That may have changed but hopefully someone else can chime in on that. Might be something to think about.

When Victor Bodden brings you back, he will drive right into the area and you will not have to deal with the hill at all.

Yes we used him in January of this year. We had a great time and I would fully recommend him.

Pros:

Private Tour

Good price - If you have 4 people it is only $50pp (or it was when we went)

Water and fruit provided - we had watermelon and pineapple

3 different snorkelling spots

Cons:

Transportation - You have to get to Caye Caulker on your own. (We took the Water Taxi which was about $25pp) It takes 45 minutes to an hour to get there.

If Caveman tours has any availability on your date, I fully recommend him. We had a fantastic day with him and he does private tours for a very reasonable price.

http://www.cavemansnorkelingtours.com

You would have to take the water taxi yourself to get there.

http://www.belizewatertaxi.com

I know it's hard not to worry, especially when people are telling you that you should. But you will have an awesome time in Roatan. Victor has a great reputation and wouldn't want to risk that by putting you in any sort of danger. Like others said, just use common sense precautions and you will be absolutely fine.

Roatan was one of my favourite stops. It's a lovely island and every person we met was extremely friendly. I was also nervous beforehand but it was all for nothing and I had a fantastic time there.

Cabin 6245 - No

It's over top of the theatre and pretty loud when shows are going on. I wouldn't choose any of the rooms in that area.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us and for writing up all these amazing reviews. I know they take so much time and work but they are appreciated tremendously. I used your reviews to help make decisions on our last cruise and now I really want to go to San Juan and St. Lucia based on your pictures and experience.

I agree, go with the Oasis. Especially if kids are cruising free!