Leaning toward staying on ship in Belize, advice on what to do onboard?(Independence)

[jswerve1974]

I've been over and over the excursions in Belize and we are just not feeling it. I have never stayed on a ship at a port so I am wondering what I should try on the Independence while most are out and about.

 

Are all of the fun things still open like flowrider, rock climbing wall, etc. during a port day?

[SPacificbound]

Have you been to your roll call? There may be some folks that are on your cruise planning some excursions that are different than what you have seen on the cruise planner.

 

There are some interesting things to do in Belize, but they would be best planned in advance.

 

Just arranging a car to pick you up and take you to the water taxi, and going to

Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker is fun.

[jswerve1974]

Have you been to your roll call? There may be some folks that are on your cruise planning some excursions that are different than what you have seen on the cruise planner.

 

There are some interesting things to do in Belize, but they would be best planned in advance.

 

Just arranging a car to pick you up and take you to the water taxi, and going to

Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker is fun.

 

 

My roll call is painfully slow for some reason.

 

Taking a water taxi to Caye Caulker looks fun. Any idea how to rent a golf cart there and how much they taxi and golf carts are?

[Badgertr]

We stay on the ship when we stop in Jamaica. We enjoy the pools with the crowds on shore. We also are planning a ship day on our Freedom cruise at Belize. As a new port I was looking forward to it because I love to snorkel. But, in looking into it we would have to tender then water taxi to anywhere and reading the seas could be rough. I thought 2 hours round trip wasn't worth it as the other 3 going with me don't care to snorkel. I was disappointed to read there were no beaches on the mainland.

[jswerve1974]

We stay on the ship when we stop in Jamaica. We enjoy the pools with the crowds on shore. We also are planning a ship day on our Freedom cruise at Belize. As a new port I was looking forward to it because I love to snorkel. But, in looking into it we would have to tender then water taxi to anywhere and reading the seas could be rough. I thought 2 hours round trip wasn't worth it as the other 3 going with me don't care to snorkel. I was disappointed to read there were no beaches on the mainland.

What's it like on the ship in that scenario? Everything still open just without lines?

 

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[cb at sea]

On port days, the casino, shops and dining room for lunch is closed. Pretty much everything else is up and running. The spa usually has good specials (unadvertised) on port days, if that interests you! There will be PLENTY of loungers at the pool, too! I enjoy port days on the ship, if the port is something I'm not interested in.

Edited March 11, 2016 by cb at sea

[jswerve1974]

On port days, the casino, shops and dining room for lunch is closed. Pretty much everything else is up and running. The spa usually has good specials (unadvertised) on port days, if that interests you! There will be PLENTY of loungers at the pool, too!

So the buffet for lunch will still be running?

 

Spa day sounds good

 

 

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Edited March 11, 2016 by jswerve1974

[fragilek]

stayed on the ship once - it was lovely to have spce and peace in the pools.

 

That being said Belize was amazing - probably the best trip we have ever done cruise or land. We took the river speed boat up to the mayan ruins - On the boat - sea part follwed dolphins- river part saw - monkeys, crocs, iguanas, bats, unusual birds (guide was fab stopped the boat and took us real close to all of the animals). As well as seeing/ hearing how the locals lived. We stopped 1/2 way for drinks/ food (but we didn't eat) then on the Mayan ruins - a small site not awe inspiring if you have done many others (we have toured most of the Yucatan) but good to see. Then bus back to port. It was a great day

[jswerve1974]

stayed on the ship once - it was lovely to have spce and peace in the pools.

 

That being said Belize was amazing - probably the best trip we have ever done cruise or land. We took the river speed boat up to the mayan ruins - On the boat - sea part follwed dolphins- river part saw - monkeys, crocs, iguanas, bats, unusual birds (guide was fab stopped the boat and took us real close to all of the animals). As well as seeing/ hearing how the locals lived. We stopped 1/2 way for drinks/ food (but we didn't eat) then on the Mayan ruins - a small site not awe inspiring if you have done many others (we have toured most of the Yucatan) but good to see. Then bus back to port. It was a great day

What excursion was that?

 

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[fragilek]

What excursion was that?

 

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long time ago but I will see if I can dig out the details for you

[CHolliwood]

Great opportunity to learn how to flowride!!

[jswerve1974]

Great opportunity to learn how to flowride!!

 

Yeah that is a definite plus! My kids are 21 17 and 17 (twins) so I am guessing they would agree!

[danoconnl]

I'm not sure whats open ,but we usually stay on the boat and enjoy the ship with it mostly empty. No lines for cocktails, lounger right by the pool, very easy relaxing day. I leave tomorrow on Independence and I'll try and see what's open when we are in port and what isn't.

 

Dan

[SthrnCruiser]

Been to Belize twice. Both times we went cave tubing with an outside outfitter called Butts Up. Highly recommend it. The last time we went we did a cave tubing/ziplining combo. I'm terrified of heights but so glad I did the zip.

 

I have only stayed on ship once and that was in Mazatlan (I think that is how you spell it). I stayed in the solarium and read all day.

[fragilek]

the rive/ mayan trip is called- Belize Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace Excursion

[jswerve1974]

the rive/ mayan trip is called- Belize Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace Excursion

Thank you

 

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[bigsky]

Went a long time ago. I personally would never stay on the ship at a port I've never been to. Maybe you have? We did the Altun Ha River Wallace excursion. Pretty cool. I don't remember, do they have cave tubing? I know many enjoyed that!

 

 

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[jswerve1974]

Went a long time ago. I personally would never stay on the ship at a port I've never been to. Maybe you have? We did the Altun Ha River Wallace excursion. Pretty cool. I don't remember, do they have cave tubing? I know many enjoyed that!

 

 

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You might if you are buying for 5 people lol.

 

I'm still trying to decide if I want to spend money on excursions at both Cozumel and Belize. 5 people at 2 locations get pretty spendy.

 

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[DM_KidAtHeart]

What excursion was that?

 

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From what I've read in anther thread, it sounds like the Lamanai one.

 

Detailed descriptions and recommendations on this thread.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=49360677

 

Also at least on FOS the Flowrider and the rock wall were only open on the edges of the port hours. There wasn't much happening in the middle hours. There are the pools and hot tubs. The buffet is open for lunch. I did Jonny Rocket's for lunch on my day on board.

[champagne123]

We did the "Butts Up" also. So much fun. Google it...to get the website. You may be pleasantly surprised. :)

[fragilek]

You might if you are buying for 5 people lol.

 

I'm still trying to decide if I want to spend money on excursions at both Cozumel and Belize. 5 people at 2 locations get pretty spendy.

 

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If it helps any my 2 girls were 19yr (20 in a few weeks) and 16 when we did the Mayan river trip and it was their favourite excursion. In coz we done the cat snorkeling then beach area trip they enjoyed it (mainly the beach toys bit) but preferred the river one (the snorkeling in coz was rubbish compared to other places we have been like Cayman, Rotan & Barbados)

[bigsky]

You might if you are buying for 5 people lol.

 

I'm still trying to decide if I want to spend money on excursions at both Cozumel and Belize. 5 people at 2 locations get pretty spendy.

 

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Well, in Cozumel we went to Chankanaab Park. That can be cheap if you just take a taxi and hang out there. You can take snorkel equipment. We always go there. Saw a seal show for free. They have a dolphin swim which can be expensive if all of you do it. But if you're choosing on where to do the "cheap" excursion, this can work.

http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/chankanaab.cfm

 

Wasn't much to get in and taxi wasn't much either. Very easy to get there back and forth. Many taxi's will be waiting to take you somewhere and many will be outside when you're done waiting to take you back.

 

We've docked at two different places in Cozumel. Last time, it was a new area with lots of nice little shops. You can walk around there at no charge. Belize you have to be tendered in.

 

Good luck!

[jswerve1974]

I've been to Cozumel love it there :)

 

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[Keith1010]

I think if you've already done the excursions in Belize you have made a very wise decision to just stay on the ship.

 

Keith

[SPacificbound]

My roll call is painfully slow for some reason.

 

Taking a water taxi to Caye Caulker looks fun. Any idea how to rent a golf cart there and how much they taxi and golf carts are?

 

When we were in Belize we rented a condo on Ambergris Caye and had a golf cart. When we went from Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker by water taxi we just walked around.

 

Check here.....

http://caribya.com/caye.caulker/rental.cars/