Which is the better itinerary?

[washingtonklan]

We are deciding between two itineraries. We have never gone to the Caribbean and have never sailed RCCL. The only cruise either of us have done is Alaska on Disney. It will be me (39 yo female) and my mother (64). TIA!!

 

Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico

 

Falmouth, Jamica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico

 

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[markeb]

I've done the second, and IMO it's a ship intense itinerary. Good for Freedom, Oasis, or Allure where you plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the ship. The stops are fine, but I personally prefer Eastern Caribbean.

 

Haven't done the first itinerary.

Edited December 27, 2013 by markeb

[RCI Cruisers 004]

The second one ! It sounds like the 7 night Western Caribbean on Freedom of the Seas! If so, that is a great cruise in a beautiful ship. We hav done it 4 times with 2 future cruises booked !

[SamFritz]

Roatan and Belize are a little less developed and a little more "exotic." If you just want to feel safe and on vacation go with Grand Cayman and Falmouth. If you want to feel more like a world traveller go with Roatan and Belize.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, please excuse all the typos.

[dacsmom]

It really depends on what you want to do. One of my favorite ports is Cozumel and that is on both choices. Belize is ok, cave tubing is fun and the snorkeling is very nice. I could skip Falmouth, if you haven't seen Dunns River Falls it is nice once. It really depends on the ship too, they are a destination by themselves. If you like shopping I would choose the an Eastern itinerary, if you want something more physical I would go Western. If I had to choose between only those two choices, I would choose the second one. With both of those choices I would book excursions through the ship. Since you do not list Labadee as a stop, my guess is you are looking at the Navigator out of Galveston. I do love the private islands like Coco Cay or Labadee.

[Desertbelle]

Hands down the first one! These are three great ports. We love Cozumel and Roatan is absolutely lovely. Belize is very nice and lots of things to choose from to do.

 

The problem with the second itinerary is that there is really nothing to do in Falmouth and Grand Caymen gets canceled about 1 in 4 times due to weather conditions.

[sweiss]

I've done both and loved both! Your first option was my favorite cruise, I likes the ports and excursions a little better. Belize an Honduras are still really underdeveloped so it's a nice change of pace from your normal cruise stop

Edited December 28, 2013 by sweiss

[mirthu]

The swmming pools are heated? I like to be in the pool, but dont like cool water :)

[FireEater]

I like the 2nd one. As mentioned above, feels more exotic. I have been to all ports listed.

[jackietex]

My family just voted for you ( ;) ) and it was unanimous for the first itinerary. Roatan is AMAZING, Belize is very pretty (although the city is quite poor and not much to see), and Cozumel is fun. Hands down, the first one.

[Clarea]

I'd go with Roatan for the snorkelling.

[washingtonklan]

Thanks so much for the feedback everyone!! We are sailing out of Galveston. Unfortunately, airfare isn't in the budget this year so we have to sail close to home.

 

We really just want to shop and beach. This is a 65th birthday trip for my mother and she has informed me that the only thing she wants to do hard-core is relax. :)

 

On another note - how are the casinos? Is it difficult to get a spot at the blackjack tables? Are the dealers patient with less "experienced" players? I play a lot, but mother is worried that they would be impatient with her like they are in Vegas.

 

Thanks again!!!

 

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[nicoleinwi]

I've done the first and doing the 2nd in 2 months. I'm fine if I never go back to Roatan or Belieze I think both are dumps.

[FLACRUISER99]

I've done the first and doing the 2nd in 2 months. I'm fine if I never go back to Roatan or Belieze I think both are dumps.

Maybe someday you will learn that when you leave home you have to leave home home.

[nicoleinwi]

Maybe someday you will learn that when you leave home you have to leave home home.

 

Yes that is true. And from traveling extensively through Asia and Europe I know people live differently then us. Little villages in rural Thailand have probably the same economic hardships as some of these areas. However the difference with Roatan or Belize is they are dirty. In Roatan we hired a private driver for the day. The minivan that we rode in has a cracked windshield and stained ripped interior. I'm sorry but that's not my style of vacation. And yes I know that's my fault for hiring the private driver and trying to see more of Roatan and how it really is. I could have probably done a ship sponsored tour and maybe had a different perception, it would have taken me from the port compound right to an attraction and I wouldn't have seen the real Roatan, nor would I have walked the street right outside the compound after my driver was done for the day.

[Desertbelle]

Yes that is true. And from traveling extensively through Asia and Europe I know people live differently then us. Little villages in rural Thailand have probably the same economic hardships as some of these areas. However the difference with Roatan or Belize is they are dirty. In Roatan we hired a private driver for the day. The minivan that we rode in has a cracked windshield and stained ripped interior. I'm sorry but that's not my style of vacation. And yes I know that's my fault for hiring the private driver and trying to see more of Roatan and how it really is. I could have probably done a ship sponsored tour and maybe had a different perception, it would have taken me from the port compound right to an attraction and I wouldn't have seen the real Roatan, nor would I have walked the street right outside the compound after my driver was done for the day.

When we were in Roatan we were the first ship to dock at their just opened new dock and they were so proud of it. It was the smallest dock/port we had ever seen. There were young boys in little row boats selling conch shells in the water next to the ship, children everywhere selling junk....there were people selling stuff up and down the main street. The poverty was overwhelming....and humbling. I bought shells, and other "souvenirs" because it made me feel like I was doing something to help these people. We spent the day at a small resort and we were treated like royalty. We ate fresh lobster the owner caught while we were snorkeling. We drank smoothies made from fruit they picked that morning. We had a wonderful time!

 

Have your ever wondered why a car in Roatan might be beaten up? Have you ever thought how much it would cost to get a car to an island from the mainland? Do you wonder what industry there is in a small island off the coast of a very poor country? Have you wondered how lucky and privileged you are?

 

These people are POOR. They have NOTHING. They are opening up their island for your VACATION so that you might get to see some beautiful beaches and some spectacular ocean life. And you call them DIRTY???? How sad for you.

[nicoleinwi]

desertbelle I'm glad to hear you had such a great experience at the resort if we go back we will try something like that for the day

[orville99]

Thanks so much for the feedback everyone!! We are sailing out of Galveston. Unfortunately, airfare isn't in the budget this year so we have to sail close to home.

 

We really just want to shop and beach. This is a 65th birthday trip for my mother and she has informed me that the only thing she wants to do hard-core is relax. :)

 

On another note - how are the casinos? Is it difficult to get a spot at the blackjack tables? Are the dealers patient with less "experienced" players? I play a lot, but mother is worried that they would be impatient with her like they are in Vegas.

 

Thanks again!!!

 

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If you want to do mostly beach related activities, then definitely the first one. Belize and Honduras have great beaches, and Cozumel's beaches are close to the pier. The Caymans have one beach - seven miles long and 10 feet wide (and mostly coral and rocks), and there aren't any beaches anywhere near Falmouth.

[summersigh]

My family just voted for you ( ;) ) and it was unanimous for the first itinerary. Roatan is AMAZING, Belize is very pretty (although the city is quite poor and not much to see), and Cozumel is fun. Hands down, the first one.

 

We also vote the first one.

We too loved Roatan - took an excursion to the West End and a glass bottom boat ride.

In Belize we took an excursion that included a rain forest river ride and the big Mayan ruins site (fabulous - we were able to climb to the top of the biggest ruin)

Agreed that Cozumel is fun and it is safe as well. The first time we went there we liked an island tour excursion.

[debshomespun]

If you want to do mostly beach related activities, then definitely the first one. Belize and Honduras have great beaches, and Cozumel's beaches are close to the pier. The Caymans have one beach - seven miles long and 10 feet wide (and mostly coral and rocks), and there aren't any beaches anywhere near Falmouth.

 

The Caymans also have Rum Point Beach on the other side of the island, and it is absolutely beautiful! Best way to get there is to rent a car and drive there yourself. There are no busses that go there, or you could rent a taxi. The beach is very small, but absolutely beautiful! This is one of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean!

[orville99]

The Caymans also have Rum Point Beach on the other side of the island, and it is absolutely beautiful! Best way to get there is to rent a car and drive there yourself. There are no busses that go there, or you could rent a taxi. The beach is very small, but absolutely beautiful! This is one of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean!

 

Somehow braving Georgetown traffic jams to get to the other side of the island doesn't line up with a relaxing day at a beach that the OP was after

[locksley10]

You don't have to go far on G.C. To have an excellent snorkling experience go right at the dock walk about 400 yards and there is Eden Rock very beautiful!