Simarimas

We have actually signed up for the River boat and Altun Ha tour. Thanks, much, really looking forward to it.

Unfortunately we will not be going to Harvest Caye, as it is not ready yet, not until February.

4 days!! Our first cruise. Jade, out of Houston. We are excited.

I will most definitely bring back pics and information about Harvest Caye and the ruins upon our return. Still quite a while away!

Hello, first time cruiser here, looking for Mayan ruins to see in Belize.

NCL has a tour to the Nim Li Punit ruins available, but I have found very little about these ruins, other that a brief description and a few photos.

Has anyone been to the ruins? Are they worth it, or should I look into something else?

Our cruise is pulling into the new Harvest Caye, so I am not sure from there how difficult it will be to find another tour to take for different ruins.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Well, we did it!

Norwegian Jade, Nov 14, out of Houston. Cozumel, Harvest Caye (NCL's personal Caye, in Belize) and Roatan.

Booked through a TA, so also got some shipboard credit. Really nice guy, and very helpful.

Had an ice storm here early this morning, so a cruise in the Caribbean looks really good right now.

Can't wait!

Hahaha, love the Hawaii crack, Captain! Man after my own heart, I am always making cracks about my wife as well. I am not a huge drinker, usually, though when I do intend to drink, I can put away a few. And not having too worry about the cost of drinks will also allow the wife to enjoy a few drinks as well.

knbcruisers, picky is something we are not! I travel a lot with my work, mostly driving, so I am a fast food junky, eating while driving, and with both of our odd work schedules, meals at home vary from home cooked, to take out, to microwave. So restaurant style food every night will be a nice change. I am also an eat when I am hungry person, not an eat at meal time one, so the freestyle dining is a plus I think.

I can't thank everyone enough for the advice and input.

AAAAHHHHH!!! I am going crazy!! hahaha.

So now I have gotten a quote from a TA for Norwegian Jade, in Mid November.

After looking at this, it is extremely tempting. The only possible downside, is I do not think we would have time in Belize for the Altun Ha ruins and river ride, however the ship does have a Mayan ruins excursion, so that may work.

But, with a free beverage package, and the cost being comparable to the other two lines, this is hard to pass up. I also like the thought of Freestyle dining instead of a set time for dining.

Any thoughts on the NCL, Jade in particular?

Well the wife and I have been looking at ports and excursions, and I think we have a plan for those.

Belize, we will do the Altun Ha, and Riverboat excursion, through the ship. From what I read, the walk isn't bad.

If we go with Carnival, I think we stop in Mahogany Bay. If so, we will be doing the Little French Key day. The Zoo there is something my wife wants to see, and the pictures I saw of the area look amazing.

Then Cozumel will be a non excursion day. Perhaps taxis around town for shopping and eating, time at the beach, etc.

We still haven't completely decided on a Line yet, I have made a search of some TA's, to see if they have any offers and/or perks. But I think we are looking at late September early October.

A couple more questions, if you don't mind.

If we put a deposit down on a cruise now, and then the price goes down, can we take advantage of the lower price?

How early can you usually board the ship from the departure port? We have a 4 hour drive, and if the ship departs at 4 pm, I would like to arrive as early as possible, but not so early that we are waiting around to board. I understand the room will probably not be ready, but I would like to have the time to roam the ship a bit, etc. before we depart.

Thanks again everyone.

Thanks, Don, Lulu, and Floridiana. I had been looking at the reviews of the Excursions, and definitely decided we would book that one through the liner, just for the facts you all stated. Making sure we don't miss the boat!!! I read that they are pretty long, and most people caught the last boat to the ship.

Thanks for the info everyone. Very informative, and great recommendations!

griffy, I am looking into the Navigator as well.

I have to say, it is a difficult decision to make, which Cruise Line, where to go, etc. But I am loving the adventure of making the decision, it is fun in itself.

I will look into Princess as well, thanks!

From looking at the picture review from the thread Captain Canuck posted by mikey, I am really enticed by the Carnival Freedom! And have been looking at ports. I definitely want to go for the Mayan ruins, river trip. That looks right up our alley. And I definitely will get it through the ship, as the reviews I read said it was always a close call getting back on time, and the guarantee that they wait is a must I think.

I am going to look at the other ports and then make a decision from that point I think. I am betting with this being our first cruise, that the choice of ship may not be quite as important, as we have nothing to compare it to, so will probably love any of them.

Captain Canuck, you should definitely try to make it to Texas, but in order to catch the bluebonnets you usually have a 2 -3 week window when they are in bloom. Parts of the state are amazing when they are out!

Thanks again everyone. Any other ideas or thoughts are greatly appreciated, and I will definitely have more questions in our search!

Thanks for the port recommendations! Exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. I know I can get a cruise going to both Belize and Roatan.

Wow Captain Canuck! For you to go through the trouble of checking for cruises for me is incredibly nice. Thank you!!

I will check out the thread you posted also.

I would assume that Magic and Breeze, being sister ships, are very similar, if it is anything like the Navy.

Would it make more sense for me to book through a TA, than doing so myself? Are there perks to be had through a TA? I think I was reading that they cannot offer discount prices, but do they provide other perks?

Thanks so much again. You have no idea how much the information and help is appreciated.

I did see in one of the ports, they have a glass bottom boat, which I think would be perfect for my wife. I don't remember which port, but I will find it. I would also like to visit some Mayan ruins if possible.

CB, you are correct about the Navy not being cruising, hahaha. Though I did love being at sea, I have never found anything quite as relaxing, or amazingly beautiful, as sunrise and sunset at sea.

I will look into guidebooks, and see what there is available. Most of what I did in port in the Navy was drink! haha.

I am looking at RCI, Lulu, I was just reading reviews of Navigator of the Seas. From my understanding of the things I have read about both RCI and Carnival, it seems in general Carnival is more of a younger crowd atmosphere. Is this correct?

Also, knowing my wife, who hates spending money, she will want to spend very little on extras, such as dining on board, so we will probably not dine in the specialty restaurants much, if at all. So which line has the better food in the dining room?

No thanks needed for my time in the Navy. I loved it, and got paid for it!! But thank you anyway for the gratitude.

Houston/Galveston are a must, we live in Texas, and will be able to drive to the port. And being our first cruise, I want to make sure the wife enjoys it, before we spend the money to fly to Florida to take another cruise.

I am actually fine with going wherever, so the ports of choice won't be as big an issue, as long as we have the ability to sight see around the port.

That would have been my next question. With us going during the 'off' season, is it better to book early, or to wait? We will both have to put in for vacation from work, so a month in advance we would need to know the dates. Is that close enough to book a cruise and get a good price? Or would be better booking early instead?

Thanks again for all the great responses.

Thanks for the Welcome!

That is good to know Paul, I am good for about 1/4 mile, then need 2or3 minutes to sit, then another 1/4 mile etc.

Knbcruisers, I loved St thomas and St Maarten most during my time in the Navy. Gorgeous water and beaches, I agree with you completely. Thanks for the thoughts!!

Hello all!

First off, let me say how helpful the site and the boards here are. I have just over the past week been looking into cruises and when I found this place, I was pleasantly surprised at all the helpful info, and what appear to be helpful people. OK, enough butt kissing, onto the questions. :)

My wife and I are looking at taking our first cruise ever (well hers anyway, I am ex-Navy, but never have done a passenger cruise). We are looking at the Caribbean for a 7 day cruise in the fall (Sep-Nov). I am 50, with bad hips, and she is not a swimmer, terrified of the water actually, but would be fine wading. We want to sightsee etc on shore, but with my bad hips and her phobia, I am wondering what would be the best activities we should look into?

Also, we will be leaving from Galveston or Houston, so are looking into either Carnival, or Royal Caribbean. I have read good and bad for both, so probably ports will play a bigger role in our decision rather than Cruiseline, as well as cost. We are on a budget, so luxury cruises are out. What suggestions on ports do you have? Any that are a must see? I have been to most of the islands while in the Navy, but that was over 20 yrs ago, so I am sure things have changed. Mostly looking for sights to see etc. My wife has never left the country.

That is it for now, but I am sure I will have more.

Thanks in advance!

Sim