JoeTx

After our first cruise in 4 years, I'm starting to come to the same realization. Sharing a boat with 3,000 + other passengers is just not that relaxing of an experience anymore for us. Also, the boats have become so big, they have to dock at fake ports just to accommodate all the passengers...

Agree, only negative is distance from public floors, but that is also a good thing in rough weather. On Deck 2, you can barely feel the ship rock when it is swinging wide up on the upper floors... We were nice and dry during a driving rain storm in Roatan in our Cove...

goes for any ship, but do NOT touch ANYTHING before eating. If you hold your fork with your right hand, use the right hand to handle buffet spoons and forks, salt/pepper shakers, ketchup, etc...

Cucina de Capitano is not very crowded during the day. Embarkation day, we went straight up after dropping off our luggage and had spaghetti and lasagna. CdC is on deck 11 right above the Lido Marketplace buffet

Anyone know if I can get a bargain on:

 

High end Cuervo> Reserva de la Familia?

I sampled some recently and ultra smooth but at $135 local (Specs- Houston Area), too rich for my blood? Heading down to Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel in November?

 

Appreciate any heads up; found a shop in Cozumel (Cinco Soles) (downtown) and sent them an email; their response>> $165 US; Thanks but no thanks.. Others have said nope- just buy in Texas.

 

Just asking from other experiences! Thanks in Advance!

We are doing the 12 meter America's cup sailing in Cozumel, I hope we have time to grab a couple of bottles before getting back on the Magic!

Really enjoyed Lamanai several years ago. You take a short bus ride to the river, then its about 45 minutes up river on speed boat. A lot of fun!

I believe it closed and the owners returned to California.

Noooooo! We really enjoyed our day at Sante' So peaceful and relaxing. Wonder if that place is for sale? :)

I've used them in Jamaica, Grand Caymans and Mexico. Never had a problem and always get a prompt responses to inquiries.

Thanks for the great advice. I will go forewarned. The worst that can happen is some expense and inconvenience. What's life without risk?

Vacations are all about relaxing and no worries. Last thing I want is to worry about getting off the boat on time, getting to the ruins on time, worrying about getting back to the boat on time. I have booked excursions on my own plenty of times in the past, but for a trip this long, its not worth it when the cruise ship offers the excursion and guaranties you'll make it back.

90% of the time I recommend private excursions, but this one just didn't sound like one of those times...

The doctors claim is that Adkins does not teach you to control your carbs once you reach your goal. Adkins people cut carbs out, lose weight, start eating carbs again, don't know where to stop and gain it all back plus some.

 

By learning what you can and can't have carb wise, it becomes a healthy eating habit for life.

That is not true. Atkins does teach you how to control the carbs, that is the basis of the diet. There are different phases, and in each you have set amount of carbs you can eat, except for the last phase were the amount of carbs you eat is based on your body type. You add carbs back in until you start gaining weight, then cut back a little to maintain weight.

Most doctors have a bias toward low-carb diets, because it goes against all the old school theory they have been taught. But study after study has proven that you need to cut back on carbs, not fat, to lose weight most efficiently.

The health care and food industries would rather you continue eating all those carbs, sugars and saturated fats. There is alot of money in all those packaged products, and the pharmacuticals would rather you buy there colesteral lowering, blood platlet clearing, indigestion stopping drugs than to actually take care of yourself and eat healthy....

I'm sorta crossing between South Beach and Atkins right now. Lost 15lbs and 5% body weight since Jan. 9th. Probably would have lost more weight, but I'm doing weights too, so am probably adding muscle back which weights more than the fat I'm losing....

Find a mexican taco stand and order Cherizo, eggs and cheese, delicious!!!

Mexico - James Taylor

Orinoco Flow - Enya

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Mexican Radio - Wall of Voodoo

Crystal Ship - The Doors

Another site which offers this trip is www.thompsontours.bz.

 

It sounds as if the major difficulties are 1) getting off the ship on time, and 2) imponderables such as vehicle breakdowns etc. Barring such problems the time-frame looks tight but doable.

The last thing I want on a VACATION is a tight timeframe. Last year I had one and spent most of the private tour worrying about getting back to the boat on time. Turns out worry was justified and we almost missed it. This year, NOT going to do that to myself and booked the one long shore tour we are taking through the cruiseline, the other shorter ones I am booking through independants....

If you are booking a long tour through an independent, you better bring your drivers license, several credit cards, plenty of money and your passports. Without your passports you won't be able to fly back into the US with the new rules in place.

Mylove: Thanks for the info. It sounds like a tough call.

 

Chamima: I found the trip offered at www.belizecruiseexcursions.com and www.ecotoursbelize.com. Haven't contacted either one for their input as yet.

I've had good success in the past with Island Marketing, which is the company behind belizecruiseexcursions.com. I'll be there early March on the Grand and because we tender and its such a long excursion, I've booked through Princess. Its $30 more per person through Princess compared to Island Marketing, but I should be assured of getting off the ship first and guaranteed of making it back in time.... I normal book through independants, but with these factors, thought better to take it safe....

Two of my favorites.

Its hard to pick out a favorite. Here is a slide show I put together from a recent Carnival Cruise.

http://jwtfamily.org/media/conquest2006.wmv

If its any consolation, I WILL be sailing RCCL in Dec!