Newbie Cruise family iso Info! (West Carib/Mexico)

[kaylus]

Hello everyone,

As the day nears for our first (7 day, too!) cruise we've found ourself beset by questions. While searching for answers we inevitably end up with more questions and/or confusion. I was hoping to appeal to the better nature of those on this board in maybe assisting with updated information about our destinations, our ships, and any advice!

First, we are leaving on the Carnival Dream and we have been given Cabin 1340 -- from what I read it should be a decent cabin, though I don't have particular details.

Here is our schedule:

Embark day, Day at Sea, Cozumel, Belize, Isla Roatan, Costa Maya, Day at Sea, Debark

Sounds like a very full plan, eh? Does anybody have any suggestions at what could be done as a family low cost in some of these cities? Any interesting sites to see?

I noticed that everything in Mahogany Bay and other ports of call seems to be about $100 per person including "Relaxing on the Beach and swimming", I assume this is only if you relax on their special beach... or do they really charge you to do such?

A little further info: My wife and I are very familiar with Foreign travel and have been through Europe, Asia, South America, and North America by ourselves without Tour Guides. I'm not too nervous with the idea of renting a car (there are expats at some of the ports that own rental services) and driving to a ruin, or catching a white bus/van as some forums have discussed (I beleive that was Belize). Does anyone have experience with similar?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

Kevin

[kaylus]

I sincerely apologize -- I forgot to add some information. My family is a family of 4, with my daughters being 13 and 12. We were sent an example of the "Circle C" schedule for them which shows a fully planned day of activities -- at some cases until midnight/1:30 in the morning. Would anyone recommend this?

Do the children have to stay until I sign them out, or are they escorted back to the cabin? I have a bit of fear allowing my children to randomly wander the decks of the cruise ship after deciding to leave an activity, or at 1 in the morning.

Just one of those questions!

Also, in regards to my first post -- I'm also looking for reputable 3rd party excursion sites (I noted X-stream).

Kind Regards,
Kevin

[green_rd]

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to CruiseMates. We sailed with our kids when they were both over 21, so I can't give much advise regard Circle C. You can often grab a cab and get anywhere you want. Belize is a tender port so you will need to ride a boat (free) into port. You can book excursions through Carnival or search for tour providers on-line. If you rent a car in Mexico get the insurance - you are guilty until proven innocent there.

[showcat]

In Belize do a ships excursion, it's a tender port and takes another 20-30 minutes to get to shore there don't want to miss your ship. Cave tubing is an excellent choice for the family, so is snorkeling one of the cay's (where all the beautiful beaches are they are not in Belize city) if you like animals they have a zoo there or the Baboon sanctuary (really Howler monkey's)If you like Mayan ruins like I do the ruins are excellent I went to Xuanantunich one, and I've heard great views of other ruins that include the River Wallace. I would not recomend the city tour or just going shopping here at the visitors center.

In Costa Maya that's an easy cheap beach day. Walk through the cruise ship visitors center ask for the buses to Majahal town. Takes a few dollars and a few minutes there you can find a spot on the beach, eat, swim, shop, drink at one of the bars, if you want get an inexpensive beach massage.

In Rotan I've only done a ships excursion to Parrot Bay resort didn't care for it too American for me, I want to experiance the real Roatan. Next trip I'm looking for Victor Bodden tours google him.

In Cozumel grab a taxi to Paradise beach it's beautiful, you still have to pay to use the beaches here, share a cab to save $$, or take a snorkel tour we found one right off the pier only cost $40 and was better then most of the ships snorkels I have been on. The guide would dive down and bring up starfish and sea horses for us to look at, our glass bottom boat was small so our group was smaller makes for better snorkeling. Hope this helps.

[Aerogirl]

Cabbin 1340 is on the Riviera deck 1. You have a window with a twin/king bed, a sofa sleeper and an upper bunk. Conecting room to 1344. Hope this helps.

[john_galt]

We enojoyed the Mahogany Bay 'Magic Chair' ride to the private beach. This is a sanitized Roatan experience but we had no interest in the 'authentic' Roatan adventure. Here a link to the 'Magic Chair' video.

Middle-Aged Couple Rides the "Magic Chair" to Mahogany Beach in Roatan, Honduras - YouTube