Mariner of the Seas Belize Beach Snorkeling Excursions

charlesburton · #1 March 3rd, 2013, 08:04 AM

My wife and I are traveling on the April 7th cruise from Galveston. After doing extensive research on the excursions in Belize we have decided that it is best to just book something that actually departs directly from the ship, with no additional tendering...waiting in lines, etc. Which of the beach or beach snorkeling excursions is best for easy but interesting snorkeling, not too much sun (some shade available)? Is it worth it or should we just stay on the ship?

CENTEX CRUISER · #2 March 3rd, 2013, 10:39 AM

We will be onboard with you , and last March we did the ship sponsored Bannister Island beach break , which was supposed to go directly from the ship. Turned out we were tendered to town first, and dropped off directly at the ship on return, but I was glad as we got to talk to a few locals and learn a few things, and it's not bad around the dock area. this was the Mariner also. This time, Mariner is the only ship in port , and we booked shark ray alley/ caye caulkner with Coral Breeze.

http://www.coralbreezetours.com/Beli...ml?t_product=2

T_Bone2012 · #3 March 3rd, 2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CENTEX CRUISER

This time, Mariner is the only ship in port , and we booked shark ray alley/ caye caulkner with Coral Breeze.

http://www.coralbreezetours.com/Beli...ml?t_product=2

We took this exact tour with Coral Breeze last January, and we loved it. There were only 6 other people on our tour with us. I've heard the Bannister Island tour can get pretty crowded. Coral Breeze had us back to the port early enough so we had plenty of time to walk around the shops. Enjoy!

CENTEX CRUISER · #4 March 3rd, 2013, 10:55 AM

Thanks for the input. My only other thought is if we don't get on a real early tender, will Coral wait a bit before they leave ? Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Bone2012

We took this exact tour with Coral Breeze last January, and we loved it. There were only 6 other people on our tour with us. I've heard the Bannister Island tour can get pretty crowded. Coral Breeze had us back to the port early enough so we had plenty of time to walk around the shops. Enjoy!

charlesburton · #5 March 3rd, 2013, 12:04 PM

Which is the best excursion from the Mariner of the Seas? We want some snorkeling, not rough water and some shade. Does either of these fit the bill or should we just stay on the ship? We considered SharkesRay Alley but didn't want to spend as much time in transit and waiting on lines.

CENTEX CRUISER · #6 March 3rd, 2013, 03:09 PM

At Belize for snorkeling, you will have to tender or boat ride somewhere. There is nothing at Belize city..So it would be Goff's caye , or Caulkner..From what I saw at Bannister, don't think it would be good.There is also Rendevouz Ceye, however you spell it, but all require a boat ride..

T_Bone2012 · #7 March 4th, 2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CENTEX CRUISER

Thanks for the input. My only other thought is if we don't get on a real early tender, will Coral wait a bit before they leave ? Thanks

That is one of the downsides to a non RCL tour. We were on one of the first tenders to shore, and then had to wait for an hour for the people from other ships that had signed up (there were 3 ships anchored that day). I think we finally left for snorkeling around 10 AM. It takes 45 minutes to get to the snorkel area, 1-1/2 hours of incredible snorkeling, leisurely lunch, then back to the ship.

I hear that the water at Bannister island gets really cloudy once 200 guests get in the water.

Enjoy!

CENTEX CRUISER · #8 March 4th, 2013, 09:39 AM

Photo of cloudy side and clear side of Bannister.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

packedandready · #9 March 4th, 2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesburton

My wife and I are traveling on the April 7th cruise from Galveston. After doing extensive research on the excursions in Belize we have decided that it is best to just book something that actually departs directly from the ship, with no additional tendering...waiting in lines, etc. Which of the beach or beach snorkeling excursions is best for easy but interesting snorkeling, not too much sun (some shade available)? Is it worth it or should we just stay on the ship?

Last year we did Snorkeling Wonders of the Barrier Reef (through RCI). The boat picked us up at the ship and returned us to the ship. We got back to the ship in time to dump our things in the cabin, catch a tender to port and walk around the port area a while.