bobbingabout

Thank you Bookish Angel - I am indeed concerned about the ocean and it's inhabitants - but also the land and the wildlife there. It is a difficult job sifting through, looking for responsible tour operators - I hope I have inspired just one or two Cruisecriticers to think before choosing a tour :)

The simple but slightly annoying answer is you need to bring everything! Layers in case cool, waterproofs and shorts etc in case it is hot! You just never know - even up north can be hot sometimes when you are least expecting it! Also, you can start off with a horrible rainy day and then it clears up to a scorcher!

My husband and I have travelled all of South America (independently on our motorbike) and spent a good few weeks in BA and its surrounding area. I can confirm we never experienced any problems - but I never wear expensive jewellery or watches - I purposely wear a cheap plastic watch and silver earrings. We carry a plain across the body bag, or sometimes even a carrier bag for anything we want to carry. My husband's wallet lives in a zipped pocket in the front of his shorts. I suppose we look a bit scruffy too which probably helps!

BA is a great city to explore on your own - there is loads to see - all safe if you don't stray into no go areas. The free (just tips) walking tours are great too.

You will love BA I am sure, just have a bit of common sense - wearing a Rolex anywhere in South and Central America, and a lot of the world is asking for trouble in my opinion!!

Sorry, I didn't notice the bars nearby! Yes we "had to" rent the chairs in addition to the food we purchased later but they only cost us a few pesos and our food was local fish tacos and homemade lemonade in a low key place. We only spend pesos, never dollars, and only pay local prices! Look for the places the Mexicans or locals are in and speak Spanish (if you are able):). Our beach area only had Mexicans on it, the place we ate at had ex pats in it.

No bar to recommend - the beds we rented were not part of a bar, so sorry can't recommend!

We have just been to the beach at Mahahual - we went to an area where the seaweed was constantly being raked up and carted away - but this was no issue at all. The seaweed itself is not of the slimy type and is not sea grass, it is fine! No drama at all - does not affect swimming or getting in the sea. All good :)

I would say any of the beach areas are good for toddlers - it is very shallow close in to the shore and calm, due to the protection from the reef further out. There were lots of Mexican families on there with their little children when we were there recently - we were down the southern end of the strip. It is a very relaxed beach area with lots of choice of beds to rent in the shade :)

The tour was about 4 hours long and cost USD65 per person - we snorkelled in 4 different places from the boat - also included was water, fresh fruit (the best papaya and mango we have ever had!) and chocolate cake. There were 3 of us snorkelling with our own guide and 4 divers with their 2 instructors, plus the captain and his daughter along for the ride!

Hi, we have just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise which included Cozumel. Before we went, we had a hard time researching any responsible snorkel operators in either Belize or Cozumel. By this I mean no feeding, touching or chasing the sea creatures, no picking up starfish, no "kissing" rays, no stroking sharks, no treading on coral etc - these kind of experience would put us into a state of anger crossed with depression!

Anyway, we booked in advance with H2O (they are on Trip Advisor). Simply put, they are a professional set up who really look after you as well as genuinely caring for all in the ocean and having a real passion for what they do.

We really recommend them - you can arrange a dive or a snorkel and they were very easy to communicate with.

All good!.

Sorry, I am sure this has been discussed many times but where can we leave bags! Does anyone have any info - we don't wish to go to the Aquarium (nor rent a car as our flight is at 3pm). Just wanted to wander up the Riverwalk for a couple of hours or so really!

Can anyone help?

Thanks :)

We spent a week in Cartagena last year (travelling independently on a motorbike!) - is a great place to explore on your own - taxi's are very cheap. Most places to eat and drink are expensive but there are more local places. Evenings in Cartagena are safe and interesting - kids flying kites from the ramparts, people out for an evening stroll up there. You can partake in a nice cool beer from a drink seller and watch the sun go down along the ramparts. A beer from a seller was dirt cheap. There is often something going on in one of the squares - music or dancing - a nice relaxing atmosphere - treat yourself to an ice lolly from the carts. It was VERY hot in Cartagena, but we were there around June or July - the hottest place we had been to. And the sea was also the hottest we had ever been in! It may be less so in March! If you are looking for a beach, we found the one outside the Hilton the less busy and nicer than some others. Enjoy your stay!

Hi All,

Has anyone sailed on Rhapsody lately - just wondering - are the times listed in ports local or ship - eg for my cruise in a couple of weeks time to Western Caribbean, Cozumel is listed as 07.00am to 5.00pm. I have read that it depends on the captain! Can anyone enlighten me please?!

Thanks,

Bobbingabout

Hi, I am interested in this reply too - BUT - I do not want to go on a snorkel trip where sharks and rays are manhandled and food is thrown overboard to attract the sea life. I am looking for a RESPONSIBLE operator. Does anyone know of such an operator?

Thanks so much:)

Hi there,

As I mentioned, we travelled independently around Guatemala (in fact all of South & Central America on a motorbike) last year - we really loved Guatemala, one of our favourite countries! We explored the whole country but did not go to the port area as there is nothing specific of interest to see. However, just make sure you leave the port; the least you will see is how the Guatemalans live! Yes, there are dangerous areas to avoid in the country and yes, it is a poor country but we found people everywhere friendly, sometimes inquisitive of us and sometimes shy of us as they may have never seen a white tourist before. You will be somewhere where the locals will have seen tourists - try to interact with them if you have the chance - say a few words of their local language or Spanish if not. Maybe you could look into the humanitarian trip other posters have mentioned....Go with Gus someone mentioned. I hope you have a good time :) It will be a waste to not see any of such a culturally rich country.

We spent a while travelling independently in Guatamala last year - just want to say, make sure you folks get out of the port and see something! It is a great country, a lot of culture - not to be missed. :)

The beach is nothing special in Progreso - murky as sand churned up. Good enough for a quick play in the small waves tho :)

I would just hire a car - very easy to drive from Progreso and you will have a lot more time there too:)

Hi all... Does anyone know if there is anywhere in Progreso to rent bicycles for a couple of hours? Thanks in advance for any information!

Hi, we spent a few days here last year - I can't remember seeing anywhere advertising bicycles, but there obviously could be some hidden away! Not sure if you have thought about going to Merida - a lovely proper Mexican city but with plenty to do. Very hot tho!

The online check in started at the end of February if I remember correctly - on our paperwork it stated it was recommended there 'may' be an extra charge if you decide to check in at the airport instead! This, I think, is more of an incentive to get you to do it, rather than actually charge you. I am sure Thomson Airlines (rather than Cruises) are heading for a complete online check in system - the same as most other airlines these days - especially low cost ones. Unless you are going on a long cruise, I imagine you can do the outward and inward checkins before leaving home.

Hi there - we have just returned from the Dream - we checked in online and printed our boarding cards at home before departure for outward and inward. However on the outward, the bag drop (I'm talking of Birmingham airport) was the check in - so you still had to queue up - and then they still did the same as check in. We were also given normal boarding cards too!!??

Anyway, the inward we arrived at the airport, ignored the check in desks and went straight through to the gates using our printed boarding cards. Worked fine.

Note - you will definitely need to check in online - on the Dream there were lots of announcements asking people to use the computers in the Library (FOC) to check in if you hadn't already done so.

Hope this helps....

Hi - a couple of years ago we did the bike tour on St Maarten - went over the very steep hills to Orient Bay (lovely beach on the French side) where we had time for swimming and snorkelling etc. Was a hot and quite hard bike ride but a really enjoyable day out.

I think the bike rides are all dependent upon the guide - we enjoyed the St Maarten one, but we also did one on Margarita Island which could have been quite interesting but the (different) guide made it into a bit of a boring 'there and back' ride with nothing about it.

We have just come off the Dream - there is a different bike guide on board - he seemed nice - go and have a word with him. :)

Oh dear - no hope then - we are supposed to be on holiday - I would have at least liked a leisurely breakfast before racing out to the deck!!

We are soon to be on our 3rd Caribbean cruise on the Dream - how do you folks get a sunbed on the day at sea? We don't want to be greedy and have one all day - just an hour would be nice! Any tips from you folks who actually get one?!!:rolleyes:

Valley Church Beach is a lovely beach - very quiet, turquoise sea - and very easy to get to on the local bus for a couple of $ - takes about 15-20 mins - you get dropped on the road and it is a very short walk to the beach - bit longer to the restaurant on there which has sunbeds etc. Don't know anything about the beach club.

Bonjour à partir angleterre,

Phew! Désolé, je dois écrire en anglais!

I have not been to Grenada but research tells me if you go a bit further from Grand Anse beach - over the headland - you will come to a quieter beach called Morne Rouge where snorkelling is better. Hope this helps!