Shark Ray Alley: With Caye Caulker or San Pedro, Ambergris Caye?

[new2cruise04]

I would like to book an independent tour to Shark Ray Alley during my and my husband's (first) cruise this month. During my research, I have found two options: one that allows time at Caye Caulker and the other at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Does anyone have suggestions? Also please provide the Web site of the tour operator you used. Thanks so much!

[RedSoxWon]

I took the Shark Ray Alley/San Pedro tour through RCI last month and it was awesome. After snorkeling, we ended at a place called Crazy Canuck's, a tiki beach bar about a five minute cab ride San Pedro. Have a Belikin beer and watch the surf crash on the reef. And I have to say I like San Pedro much better than Cozumel. The shopping wasn't nearly as extensive, but San Pedro had a laid back, Belizean feel to it, and is far less watered down culturally than Cozumel. I think you'd like it.

 

Ron

[new2cruise04]

:) Thank you for the info, Ron. I very much want to visit San Pedro after all the great reviews I've read about it. Your info about the cab ride time to San Pedro answered a big question for me. Because the only problem is that my particular RCI sailing does not offer this tour (I don't know why), and I'm trying to book it on my our through an independent tour operator. But I'm having trouble finding out how to do that in time to make it back to our ship for departure. If anyone has advice on this, I'd appreciate it!

[BobbieSu]

Would you like to fly there? I have looked at two tours who do this. It cuts down on travel time but ups the price.

 

 

 

ecotours/ marvin

 

grumpy and happy

 

I'd probably do grumpy and happy but they need four people and there are only three of us. There might be a minimum for eco tours as well.

 

Su

[Will in sunny FL]

We were with Coral Breeze group last week, on our third trip with them. Luckily for us Paul was there, & we had the pleasure of meeting him.

We prefer Caye Caulker as the stop which, IMHO is more unique of a stop that San Pedro.

The people at Coral Breeze do go out of their way to make your trip a pleasant one. Far superiour to a cruise ship booked cattle boat trip !

Do a search here for lots of info on a varriety of Coral breeze trips.

Good luck !!

[new2cruise04]

Thanks for all the great advice! We booked with Coral Breeze and are very excited about the trip! Su: I looked at Grumpy & Happy's Web site and it did say that for 4 people they could guarantee a private boat . . . Maybe you could still use them--they just couldn't guarantee a private boat if another small group booked to take the trip with you. Another reason we went with Caye Caulker (aside from time restraints) is that my parents have been to San Pedro twice with a group of friends, and both times people got VERY ill (months) from parasites they got eating non-cooked food (cold salads, fruit, etc.) :eek: . Not that I necessarily think that would be different had it been Caye Caulker, but this tour includes lunch and we wouldn't need to venture out on our own to eat. Hope everyone enjoys their cruises!

[jmalstrom]

Very interesting!

 

We were in San Pedro last week (NCL SUN) and I have had an intestinal disturbance almost ever since. At first I thought it was the chocolate buffet that did me in, but after 5 days of it, called my doctor who said it was very easy to pick up bacterial infections in Central America even if you are careful. I am feeling much better after 24 hrs of Cipro!

 

We booked through the ship as we really wanted to see San Pedro but had never been to Belize and were concerned about missing the ship. LOVED San Pedro, but were not fond of the packed boat ride over, being dragged against the current through the reef with hundreds of other people, or the yucky lunch at Crazy Canucks.

 

We hooked up with a couple we met at the canopy tour the day before and rented a golf cart for $25 to tour the island. Had some yummy local ice cream, bought freshly roasted Belizean coffee and had a wonderful Belikin beer. Great fun! Next time I would fly straight to San Pedro - may not eat anything though!!!

 

Also was interesting that our Dive In tour guide - one of NCL's shore excursion employees - drank the whole time we were in San Pedro. He wasn't obnoxious, and he said he was off the clock as soon as we got back to the ship, but we did think it was very unprofessional since he was still escorting us.

[terryteacher]

Just returned from NCL Sea Dec. 25. We tendered into Belize and asked at tourist info. desk whether we should fly or water taxi into Ambergris. We took flight with Maya Air...It was only $60. a person, and the tour bus driver took us on a brief tour of Belize City on way to airport and then took us past the swing bridge on our return. The Paradise Air guys lead us right around the corner to their little booking hut. The view from the air was fantastic. You can book the snorkel tours while you are on the island, too.

[carbon]

Was that $60 round trip?

[lisah1465]

We are going on the Miracle in April and will be in Belize on April 1st. I wanted to book the Shark Ray alley excursion, but I just received an email from Paul from Coral Breeze saying that since the Miracle is the only ship that is in Belize on Fridays, they do not offer a tour on that day. Does anyone else have any suggestions on what tour company to use? Thanks

Lisa

[terryteacher]

$60 round trip and that includes bus to and from airport in Belize. Once we got to Ambergris, we walked around the corner of the airport and rented golf cart from Mano's. Make certain you get a fully charged cart. It cost us $50 for the day. We even took it across the rope pulled ferry. There's a guy who just pulls the ferry across the river??? It costs $10 for that, but the Hammock Bar is just across the river, and it was outstanding...true local color. The bar is owned by some guy from Dallas, Texas and it is advertised as the place the locals go when they want to get away from the city. Thursday night is SIN night (Service Industry Night) for waiters, etc. We also headed to Fido's and it was postcard perfect.

[JiminyCricket]

Lisah1465

We are on the miracle 2/13/05 and just booked the carnival shark ray alley excursion with them, $89pp.

[tpear3]

We went with Coral Breeze on 12/23 and had a fabulous time!!!! We had seen some not so great reviews, e-mailed Paul, and he assured us all would be great. And it was!:) We had a lady guide (can't remember her name) and her daughter (we had out 2 dh's 15 and 13) who could answer every one of our many questions. We also got a golf cart after eating a fabulous lunch and drove around through the residential areas. Our only complaint is that we should have been in Belize for 2 days and dropt the Progresso stop! Thank you, Paul, I will definitely go through him for our next stop in Belize (we may go for a week).

[Lisa766]

What is the website for Coral Breeze? :confused:

[Sheffie]

Lisa, here it the site:

 

http://www.coralbreezelimited.com/current_category.15/Product.2/tours_add.html?t_product=2

[Carnival Queen]

Lisa,

Is that just in April that Coral Breeze doesn't do that tour? We're going on the Miracle February 13th and will be in Belize that Friday, and I just booked that trip with them???

[Carnival Queen]

Jim & Bev,

We'll be on the Miracle the same time as you! And I just booked that trip through Coral Breeze ($69 pp minus a 10% discount for booking early). So we can compare notes and report back. Maybe we'll meet on the ship.

Sue

[Carnival Queen]

We went with Coral Breeze on 12/23 and had a fabulous time!!!! We had seen some not so great reviews, e-mailed Paul, and he assured us all would be great. And it was!:) We had a lady guide (can't remember her name) and her daughter (we had out 2 dh's 15 and 13) who could answer every one of our many questions. We also got a golf cart after eating a fabulous lunch and drove around through the residential areas. Our only complaint is that we should have been in Belize for 2 days and dropt the Progresso stop! Thank you, Paul, I will definitely go through him for our next stop in Belize (we may go for a week).

 

So glad to hear, since I just booked with them (and then read so many bad reviews). Hopefully since Paul is back all will be well. We said on Carnival Miracle 2/13 . . .:)