First Time Cruiser - help with port activites

[designgirl]

I am planning a cruise for me, my husband, my sister, and her husband. We will be on the Pearl March 24 - April 1 2018, doing the Western Caribbean.

I would love to go cave tubing, and snorkeling, and maybe a little shopping. Any advise on which ports are best for each of these activities. I'd hate to plan snorkeling at one only to find out it's better at another.

Cozumel, Mexico (DAY 3)

Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras (DAY 4)

Harvest Caye, Belize (DAY 5)

Costa Maya, Mexico (DAY 6)

[All-ready2cruise]

There's so much information here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

 

I'd recommend reading some of the info available and asking questions.

 

Also, I'm a big fan of Tripadvisor where you can get great information as well.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

[sanger727]

Cozumel and roatan would be the best to plan snorkeling excursions. Cozumel also has a nice downtown area for shopping and lunch. Ruins are accessible from costa maya if that's of interest.

 

Cavetubing is available from Belize city, which is not accessible from harvest caye, completely different area of Belize. You can check out NCL's excursions to see if anything else there is of interest.

 

 

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[easyboy]

I agree on Cozumel and Roatan.

[roger001]

Cozumel is pretty much the number one shopping port. With rare exception, you dock right downtown Punta Langosta. You can shop or wander all up and down the main street running along the water front. We are fans of Panchos Backyard for excellent lunch and big margaritas. It is a bit pricier but very nice. In Costa Maya, the dock area has been greatly expanded with tourist shopping. If you aren't going on a tour there and want a relaxing day at an all inclusive location, we really recommend Maya Chan, early reservations required. Roatan doesn't have much available safely outside the dock area, unless you are on a tour. For Panchos and Maya Chan, you can google both for their web sites. Harvest Caye is the private island, nicely done for a day in the sun, I think.

[Farts]

Belize has a lot of shopping to do. But don't leave the touristy areas.

[CruisinHarvey]

Belize has a lot of shopping to do. But don't leave the touristy areas.

 

 

I'm surprised there's a lot of shopping in Placencia. I thought it was just a little town that until recently didn't even have a public restroom in town. What is there now?

[Farts]

I'm surprised there's a lot of shopping in Placencia. I thought it was just a little town that until recently didn't even have a public restroom in town. What is there now?

A lot of little shops. It's like a bazaar. IDK how else to describe it.

[VideoTech]

I am planning a cruise for me, my husband, my sister, and her husband. We will be on the Pearl March 24 - April 1 2018, doing the Western Caribbean.

I would love to go cave tubing, and snorkeling, and maybe a little shopping. Any advise on which ports are best for each of these activities. I'd hate to plan snorkeling at one only to find out it's better at another.

Cozumel, Mexico (DAY 3)

Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras (DAY 4)

Harvest Caye, Belize (DAY 5)

Costa Maya, Mexico (DAY 6)

 

I would suggest Roatan over Cozumel for snorkeling. At Roatan, you can go to Tabyana beach. This lovely spot has a great reef snorkeling right off the beach. Swim out a ways, and there you are. Plus you get a great beach, and access to drinks and food if you want it.

 

IMO, the snorkeling at Cozumel is only so-so. But maybe I've just never found the right place.

[Farts]

you can bring your own snorkeling equipment. you don't have to book an excursion

[arestep]

As others have said, there are plenty of reviews here on CC for each of these ports. There are also videos on NCL and YouTube of different shore excursions. Finally, if you haven't decided by the time you board the ship, ask one of the shore excursion specialist. They have been on most of the Shore Excursions, and if you can tell them what you are looking for, they will steer you in the right direction in my experience.

 

I have not been to Harvest Caye yet, so I cannot comment on that. Below are some of the things we have done:

Cozumel: Beach (away from the dock area), Snorkeling (away from the dock area), Shopping (walking), Tequila tasting (both near the dock area and away), and eating real Mexican Food (walking).

Roatan: Beach, Snorkeling, Reef and Zip-lining. All of these are away from the dock area, but taxi and shore excursions are available and inexpensive.

Costa Maya: Basically we have just stayed in the contained tourist village which is within walking distance of the dock. Plenty of shopping opportunities and a Marcos and Charlies and Senior Frogs for food and beverages. Also a pool area in the middle for kids to play. We went swimming with the dolphins once and I do not recommend in Costa Maya. Water was filthy in the dolphin pool! No beach near the boat dock, but I have friends that have rented a beach place nearby for the day that was a quick taxi ride away.

[zqvol]

Roatan is the best snorkeling on the trip. Much better than anything you get at Belize, even though the reef off the coast of Belize is incredible.

[designgirl]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll keep researching for more specific excursions but that helps with which activities to focus on in each port.

[NMLady]

A lot of little shops. It's like a bazaar. IDK how else to describe it.

 

Since NCL no longer stops at Belize City but at Harvest Caye, are you talking about taking a boat from Harvest Caye to Placencia??

[RedRover96]

Since NCL no longer stops at Belize City but at Harvest Caye, are you talking about taking a boat from Harvest Caye to Placencia??

Placencia is now accessible from Harvest Caye, it's small beach town unlike Belize City