Need help withAltun-Ha/River Wallace tour and Fury Catamaran Tour

[PretzCrew]

We are going on our 1st cruise on June 20 on the Inspiration. We have heard some great reviews about the River Wallace/Altun-Ha Mayan Ruins Tour in Belize, the Fury Catamaran Sail and Snorkel in Cozumel, and Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman and would like to book these soon. Our question is, is it possible to book these in advance on our own or can we only book them through Carnival? Any help with this is greatly appreciated.

[ken_nyc]

Two years ago we booked them pretty much as soon as we got on ship. You cannot pre-book shore tours from Carnival, only private shore tours.

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise
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[obnurse]

PretzCrew,
You'll most likely pay more for your tours if you book with Carnival and you also run the risk of your favorite tours being sold out since you can't book with Carnival until you board the ship. However, that being said, it is a little risky to book on your own. The cruise line will not wait for you if your tour is delayed for whatever reason. MANY folks do book on their own and most say it's worth the little risk that it poses. We're taking our 3rd cruise on Inspiration in July and we'll book some of our tours on our own (we've always booked with the ship before) but only in places we're a little more familiar with, like Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I have to admit the idea of heading to the tour desk as soon as we get on the ship does not appeal to us in the least! We're going to be exctied to explore the ship and have lunch! Have a wonderful first cruise. You'll be hooked before you're even stateside again!

kc

[cindywie]

We just got off the Paradise Sunday. We did the Altun Ha/River Wallace tour in Belize and had a good time. The bad part was the bus we had from the pier to the ruins was a school bus and it was hot. Our tour guide was really good, though. She was very informative and funny. The trip on the river was also good. She would keep a look out for animals along the river and point them out and had the boat stop so we could see them. We had a stop before we got on the boat where you could buy souveniers and get a plate of chicken, rice and beans for $5. It was very tasty.

Have a good cruise!

[cindywie]

I just realized I goofed...the school bus was on our Roatan excursion, not Belize. We had a better bus in Belize.

[obnurse]

Did you book your tour thru the cruise ship or on your own? If it was on your own with what tour company did you book and what was the cost? We're interested in doing this excursion, too! It sounds like you had a good time. Also, I heard that the port area is dirty and not very fun and if you want to have fun you have to travel away from the port area. Is that true? Thanks for your advise.

kc

[rsjbhopp]

Hi - just got back from the Inspiration last week. We've done this itinerary before and both times have booked our own tours through Captain Marvins in Grand Cayman (Captainmarvins.com). It's a three hour tour (not like Gilligan's!) and we had plenty of time to get there and back - it's ony a few blocks to the left of the terminal. It saved us quite a bit of money too. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. In Cozumel we booked the Atlantis submarine online. That was TERRIFIC. It also saved us quite a bit over the cruise line's price. We did the Alten-ha tour also. We did this one through the ship though. My cousin goes to belize every year and he said not to do things on your own as parts of Belize are not safe. Do not go off into town on your own. The bus was nice. Air conditioned and the guide was a hoot and very informative. There is also a bathroom on the bus. The driver drives very fast! LOL Alten-ha was very nice. Then we went on another bus ride (very fast!) to the river boat place. There was a little place there that sold a dinner of chicken, rice and beans. It was great food. It also had some little outdoor shops. I got a nice wooden bowl and the shopkeepers were really nice. The river boat tour is about 25 miles. It's open so wear a hat and sunscreen but it wasn't hot as we were going fast enough for a good breeze. Hold on to your hat though. We did stop often to see wildlife and interesting plants and trees. They even stopped and picked some cashew fruit. It's got an interesting taste but is quite astringent. Take a bite and all the spit instantly dries up! LOL It's an experience though. At the end of the boat ride (which is quite long) you will go out into the ocean and cross a bay to the spot you started from - and get VERY wet if the seas are at all rough. We were soaked but we had fun.

Anyway, it's not only possible to book your own stuff in Grand Cayman and Cozumel but preferable, I think. Hope you have fun!

[rsjbhopp]

OH, about the port area in Belize - I thought it was quite nice at the spot we were tendered to. Maybe they've redone it because it all looked quite new and the bathrooms were very nice. Also, I forgot to include Atlantis Submarine web site (atlantisadventures.com).

[obnurse]

rsjbhopp,

You've been a great help to me! Thank you so much for the advise! We will take it and use it wisely. How was the ship? This is our first trip on CCL and we're on Inspiration July 11th-18th.

kc

[obnurse]

rsjbhopp,

Oh, and, was the tendering with CCL a long, drawn out process or did it go fairly quickly and smoothely? We've only been on Princess and it was pretty fast and easy. Thanks!

kc

[PretzCrew]

Thanks for the help all! We can't wait to go! Any other help or comments about the ship or excursions would be appreciated!

[rsjbhopp]

Tendering wasn't bad. We were about three miles out but it went fast. The water was a bit choppy so my dad who just had surgery a couple months ago was a little jossled but not too bad. The ship was very nice. It depends on what you want out of it also. We went Carnival because we needed two cabins and couldn't afford a huge amount and Carnival was the cheapest. We had a good time. We aren't real partiers though and I could really tell the difference between Princess and Carnival in that area. We had some problems with some loud neighbors but I'm thinking that's not real common. Someone called security and they came right away and quieted them down quickly. All in all, I think you will enjoy your cruise. It's what you make it, after all and Carnival employees all try really hard to make sure you are having a good time. Check out my post titled "A few thoughts about the Inspiration" dated 5/16/04 for more.

[imsulin]

PretzCrew - we did the Fury Catamaran last May on another cruise line. The snorkelling part was absolutely awful (it was right along the coast, not far from the cruise ships, and only took about 5 minutes to sail there.) We saw more junk and debris than fish, and one of the crew kept tossing out kibbles & bits to attract the few fish that there were. The water was deep, and most passengers only lasted a few minutes. Then, we sailed for about half an hour (with the rum punch, beer, and the crew trying to rowdy everybody up) to a beautiful beach right next to Playa Sol. We only stayed at that beach for about an hour or so....I could have stayed there all day! The had floatie mats, and the punch and beer. Can't remember what we paid (something like $22.00 pp??), but I wouldn't do that one again. I think someone mentioned that Carnival won't allow you to book their excursions ahead of time.

We were on the Inspiration several years ago, when it sailed out of New Orleans, going to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. We thought it was a great ship, and easy to find your way around. Also thought the food was quite good. The only thing I didn't like was the ugly purple tubes running along the ceiling in the Lido buffet. (What's up with those purple tubes, anyway??). The lounges were fun, the casino was fun, the shows were good, and we really did have a great time! I'm sure you'll enjoy this ship!

[rsjbhopp]

"""""The only thing I didn't like was the ugly purple tubes running along the ceiling in the Lido buffet. (What's up with those purple tubes, anyway??). """""

ROFL - I gotta agree with you there Imsulin!