MomSwag

Concerning excursion activities: My hubby had reconstructive knee surgery 6 months ago. He has limited mobility in his knee (can't jump/run or make sudden twisting motions).

I have osteoarthritis in my knee and have certain physical limitations too.

I'm wondering how difficult certain excursions would be. If we wanted to see some of the ruins (say, in Cozumel), but were unable to climb very far, would we be able to? Is everything a climb? Can you see any of the ruins without having to pay for a full on tour with lots of climbing?

Also, what are the physical limitations for other activities: snorkeling, cenotes, etc...???

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I got back today from a cruise. Cozumel was one of the stops. You will have no issue with safety. My excursion was the Secret River (exploring cenotes, or cave/river systems). It was amazing! You take a ferry to Cancun, a van ride to a plant/animal preserve, then given a wetsuit, a walking stick, and water shoes, and you slog through caves with amazing guides. Afterwards, you're given a meal and brought back. You'll get half an hour to shop in Cancun and then on the ferry and back. I wasn't too excited about the idea of it initially (peer pressure!), but the reality of it was truly amazing.

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I’m curious as to why you would avoid Belize? We have been 3 times and loved it. We have toured the Lamanai Mayan Ruins and gone snorkeling twice, once to Caye Caulker. The only downside to me is the tendering.

 

 

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I would research Costa Maya and Belize and see if there are excursions that appeal to you more in one of them. We enjoy both ports.

 

Belize offers good snorkeling, cave Tubing and visits to Mayan ruins. The downside is it is s tender port, as mentioned above.

 

Costa Maya offers Mayan Ruins (check Native Choice Tours), some nice beach clubs (check Maya Chan), swimming with dolphins or just hang out at the pool at the port.

 

One other consideration is what you are doing in Roatan. If you are planning an excursion that leaves the port, it’s not a big issue. Otherwise, RCI docks at Coxen Hole, which doesn’t have a lot to do at the port. Carnival docks at Mahogany Bay, which has Zip Lines, shops, restaurants and a nice free beach with loungers.

 

 

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Thanks for the info!

Another vote for Liberty. I've been on that ship several times and I think they have some of the best entertainment at sea. Saturday Night Fever is their main show and they do an excellent job with it. Also, the ice show is a must-see, and is something Carnival can't compete with. Both ships have waterslides, but Liberty also has a Flowrider. One more thing...both ships carry about the same # of people, but Liberty is 25,000 gross tons larger. That means Libert is the less crowded ship.

 

You also asked about Costa Maya. It's a manufactured port with a few restaurants, a large pool and several small shops. It's cool to walk around for a little bit but to really enjoy the port, you need to get away from he port area. There's a shuttle that runs to Mahajual, which has great beaches and local restaurants. Also, there are several great excursions out of Costa Maya, including some Mayan ruins sites.

 

Like Bob said, Belize is a very long tender ride and once ashore, it's only a small, run down mall. You pretty much have to do an excursion there.

Thank you for the information! Do you have suggestions for restaurants in Mahajual?

Costa Maya is my least favourite port of all that I've been to. Loved Belize - gotta try cave tubing (Charlie's Cave Tubing). I remember tendering in Belize, but don't remember it being a problem. (You'll have a great time no matter which one you choose ).

Do you mind if I ask why you didn't enjoy Costa Maya?

I'd go with Liberty to avoid the tender port of Belize. It's a 7particularly long tender ride, like 20 minutes.

So this tender ride....you have to get on another boat to "get off the boat"? Lol. How does that work? How many people can tender at one time? Does it mean you have to wait for them to take 1 group of people at a time? Is there more than 1 boat at a time??

Liberty of the Seas. Better ship, better cruise line, better entertainment, and less crowded.

I've heard before that RC has a more "mature" crowd. (Less party oriented/older)

If you don't mind me asking, how is it better? Is it geared more towards families?

We've narrowed it down to these 2 cruises in APRIL:

Carnival Breeze to Cozumel, Belize and Roatan OR

RC Liberty of the Seas to Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel

Any suggestions/advice of ship choice or destination choice? (The only difference being Belize and Costa Maya)

My 14yo son will be joining us for his first cruise shortly. Thankfully he doesn't have any anxiety about the cruise or trip (we are driving vs flying) but he's flown and no issues. But ironically he's deathly afraid of heights. I mean his feet get more than 4' off the ground and knees start shaking while trying to climb a ladder. We are working on the height thing at home slowly.

As for the drive to the terminal, we've already downloaded numerous cruise ship type movies.

Death Ship

Ghost Ship

Poseidon (new and old)

Titanic

Etc.

 

Yes we are warped. Lol

Sounds exactly like something I would do! Lol

Lavender essential oil is great for anxiety/calming.

My 13 yr old is a gloom and doom kid. He hates disaster stories/movies. He hates travelling more than 30 minutes from our house because "too much could happen".

We were in a bad car accident in 2011, so some of his fear has a basis. However, I remind him that he survived.

I don't sugar coat anything for him. I'm honest with him about life and death. I tell him I have no guarantees that he will never experience something terrible, but this is where he has to put his faith into action.

He can sit on the sidelines and live "safe" or he can have all the adventures the Lord calls him to and experience things he's never experienced before!

We're all gonna die someday and somehow. The only thing that will matter is how we LIVED.

Anyone should be able to snorkel if they have the ability to learn how to use a snorkel mask. Young and old if you are comfortable in the water.

I have snorkeled in 3 ft of water off the beach and in 100 ft of water off the side of a catamaran.

Visit a good snorkel/dive shop, they will fit you for a mask and teach you everything you should know. These can be rented for a few hours or few days. Locals can tell you the best shops.

You can even practice in a swimming pool near home ahead of heading on vacation if you have access to a snorkel business at home.

Loved it so much, my DH and I now own full face snorkel masks.

Thank you! I think I like the "practice at home" idea.

Who & where are you cruising? I haven't done a formal night since 2011 (not because we ate in the buffet- because we cruised lines without formal nights...But even in 2011, I think I wore a black knit dress with sandals and nice® jewelry, because knit is easy to pack and that was a long trip in Europe....)

Carnival....Western Caribbean

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'm checking out some of these apps now!

Waze

Uber

XE Currency Exchange

 

 

Darcy

Oooooh! Currency exchange. Good idea!

I love mine- never had a problem with leaks or co2. Won’t work if you dive but I don’t. Make sure it fits well. They come in different sizes. The great advantage for me is no aching jaw when I get out of the water! I tend to clench my jaw with a regular mask.

 

 

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I have tmj issues so I feel your pain!

Wow! Thanks for all of the replies.

I'll check all the links that were provided and educate myself some more on it.

Have any of you used one of these masks to snorkel with?

(They have them cheaper elsewhere. Just using this link for informational purposes!)

http://www.wildhornoutfitters.com/products/seaview-180-full-face-easybreath-snorkel-masks

My hubby wants to know if you can purchase smokeless tobacco (Grizzly to be specific) in Cozumel.

If so, is it cheaper or more expensive than in the States?

Also, can you buy extra and bring it back to the States?

For those of you interested in this sort of thing, do you have any favorite travel apps for your phone?

Are there apps you would recommend specifically for cruising?

Thanks! Slacks and a nice shirt sounds more doable!

I don't wear dresses.

Exactly how fancy is the dress I'll need for dress up night on the cruise?

If I'm spending $$ on it, I'll need to be able to wear it again. Not that I have many places to wear it once I get home. But still.....

Also, I am unable to wear heels, so it needs to look good with...something besides heels. I only own tennis shoes.

At the moment there are no flights to Caye Caulker you would have to fly to ambergris Caye. They both fly Caravans.

Ambergris Caye was on my radar, too. I hear there's a population of 25 there. Lol.

Hmmmmmmm. What happens if one or both of your neighbors smoke on their balcony and you either don't smoke or are allergic to it? What happens if one or both of your neighbors don't appreciate quiet as much as you do? I guess you just go inside and close the sliding glass door. Kind of a disappointment when you have paid double what an ocean view would have cost and can't effectively use what you paid for.

 

Now, I'm quite sure there are many folks that choose balconies and are never bothered by either of those scenarios or the scenarios don't occur. But, I have read quite a few horror stories over the years where people cannot move and just have to put up with it. I, myself, would rather not chance it. Just as I don't chance a guaranteed cabin and don't randomly pick any cabin on the ship without knowing the pluses and minuses. Cruises can be long tortuous events if and when you don't pay attention to the lay of the land.

Valid points. Thank you. I guess one must weigh the pros and cons!

Also a Veranda with larger balcony and higher deck is better, I will love my 14 night Eclipse cruise, will have new moon one day before boarding and full moon the last day at sea before arriving to Miami

Oh wow! Cool. 😎