Jump to content

back to the islands

Members
  • Posts

    399
  • Joined

About Me

  • Location
    Texas
  • Interests
    Snorkeling, whale watching, beach, reading
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Princess
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Carribbean, South Pacific

Recent Profile Visitors

765 profile views

back to the islands's Achievements

Cool Cruiser

Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. I have booked through Princess a trip to Caye Caulker, but they also offer the trip to Rendezvous Caye mentioned above. I'm booking through Princess since it's a tender port and for at least the Caye Caulker they pick you up at the boat. Sometimes it is just easier! Does anyone know which place has better snorkeling? I swam with the reef sharks last year in Bora Bora and it was fabulous, but swimming with sharks isn't what I'm going for. I want to see lots of marine life and healthy coral. I don't need to sit on an island without shade (have had several skin cancers), just want to snorkel. mitsugirly and jean87510 have been very helpful on the Cozumel forum. Also, Elizabeth, it sounded like you had the option to go out again on your own? From reviews I had read earlier I didn't know that was an option. I like the time of the Rendezvous excursion better...12:00-5:00. Caye Caulkner is 7:30 am. Anyone done both and can compare both snorkeling areas? Thank you so much!
  2. I use an Olympus TG5. I started with Canons about 15 years ago. I killed one in Hawaii by not shutting it completely.😬 I had another just flood in mid snorkel and they replaced it. I bought a newer model after the D10 was replaced because I was fearful it would die... they both died mid snorkel in St. John in 2012 and I realized how much my camera was my security blanket! Ha With 3 flooding after being closed correctly, I bough the Olympus TG2 in 2013 and it worked great. It still works, but I upgraded before my S. Pacific trip last year. Between my new camera, the wonderful water clarity, shallow reefs, and the rainbow of coral colors I got the most stunning photos! Not just a lucky one here and there, but pretty much every single one! I love revisiting my photos and videos from last year and it just makes me want to get back over there!
  3. Thank you! Hubby is not certified and has no desire. I'm not sure he'd even try it, but I will definitely look into it. Funny thing is he tried to get me to snorkel on our honeymoon 44 years ago and the water was rough and I thought of Jaws and climbed right back into the boat. He tried again a couple years later from shore and I did fine...until I realized how far from shore we'd gotten. I never tried it again til I was 50 on our 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. We started going to St. John and it was so easy from shore there I became addicted. He really wishes he'd never opened this up to me now because it's all I want to do most places. Sometimes he just stays on the boat and watches from there.
  4. Your video was great, mitsugirly! Love the swarm of fish! Yellow tailed snapper? Don't you have to get certified to dive? I don't know if the hubby would do Discover Scuba, but I think I would be game if it's safe without any prior preparation. Although he is my "safety blanket"... along with my camera. He thinks it would be claustrophobic and convinced me several years ago I wouldn't like it. Says I'd stay down too long because I get distracted following fish and don't listen well. He is correct on both accounts. I have been all through your videos, pics, and reviews of all of our ports. Your Sakari is quite the mermaid! My husband calls me the Queen of the mermaids and one of my grands even asked about the color of my tail...before I gave it up like Arial! Ha! Please give me more info on the Discover Scuba and if one with no experience can do that. I really don't even dive down snorkeling...I seem to be uber buoyant so I like shallow snorkeling to get good photos and video. I can dive down in my pool at home, but never do on snorkel adventures. I really think my South Pacific trip last year may have ruined me for life. I guess that's a good problem. Thanks so much!
  5. Thank you all! Have any of you ever snorkeled at Mahahual? I have considered either snorkeling from Hayhu Beach Club or going out with Dr. Dive by boat. The video I've seen looked ok, but not anything special. Do you get to see eagle rays from any of these ports? I have gotten to see them twice only and once they were so deep you couldn't see the spots.The other time I could've touched it, but it was before I bought myself a decent underwater camera. Sometimes I sure wish I was certified to dive, but I'm not. Otherwise, I think I'll just plan to stay on the ship and my husband would love that! Thanks so much!
  6. I love snorkeling and do it every chance I get. I was looking at going out with Cozumel H2O since they were highly rated. I think I'm spoiled. Hubby took me to the South Pacific last year and the coral and fish were so amazing and close! I have never seen anything like it & am dying to get back before I'm too old! I also loved the Virgin Islands, around the Grenadines, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, and Hawaii. Several islands have disappointed me due to dead coral and lack of wildlife. Even some places on my favorite St. John aren't as good as they once were.My faves are Watermelon Cay and North Hauler there. Am I going to be disappointed with a snorkeling tour to the northern reefs? We would visit 4 of these: Paradise shallow,Villa Blanca, Casitas, Little Wrecks, Palomita, Cantarel. I love to take pics so shallow is always better. We will also be going to Caye Caulkner and West Bay Beach to snorkel. I am also considering going out on a boat in Mahahual. My husband has told me to temper my expectations and he would really like to stay on the ship more. I would just like to see either great coral or abundant fish/sea critters, preferably both! I would enjoy any snorkeling, but he says I see the same fish, "Fred," everywhere I go! Ha! Some unusual creatures would be great, too. Sorry this is so long, but I'm struggling with deciding. Lucky problem to have! Thanks so much!
  7. We did the Paul Gauguin this past April and stayed 3 nights pre cruise in Moorea at the Hilton. I'd do it all again! Loved the Moorea Hilton and the great snorkeling right off our OWB.
  8. I get hot so I take this and it works very well for such a tiny fan. It has a USB plug. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PZBVLC7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  9. We also called and booked our excursions last month directly with PG about 60 days out. My understanding is that is the only way you can book their excursions.
  10. We stayed at the Moorea Hilton last month for 3 nights precruise. We hung out at the pool until our room was ready. We arrived about 10 AM and our room was ready between 2 and 3 PM. Actual checkin is at 3 PM. We got into our room a little early, but not a lot. It probably depends on how busy they are. We loved the Moorea Hilton and the snorkeling around the bungalows is very good!
  11. We stayed at the Hilton and I loved it! We also went to the Sofitel for an excursion. It was beautiful, but my choice would be the Hilton in an overwater bungalow, but I don't think you can go wrong either way. The snorkeling was great around the overwater bungalows. Lots of pretty coral in pink, purple, blue, white and gold.
  12. We will be on the April 15 cruise, as well!! Cannot wait!!!
  13. I’m sure you will love either, but the angled balcony is a great choice! I felt like I had the amenities of a mini suite without the extra cost. Enchanted princess is absolutely beautiful - my favorite ship so far. Food was good overall. Some was excellent. Entertainment & the house band was awesome! Don’t miss the sailaway parties from different islands. If the pianist is Funch he was great. They had an Aretha tribute show that was really good, too. I sailed on Grand Princess 2 months later and entertainment wasn’t nearly as good. I felt it was more catered to “old” people. Of course, there were no deck parties except the day we boarded because of covid. Covid was around when I sailed on Enchanted, too, but none of the deck parties were canceled. I hope you love your cruise as much as I did!
  14. @TexasneeOur balcony was 1/2 covered, so I’m guessing standard balcony would be fully covered since they are 1/2 the width of ours on the widest side. I loved our balcony! It was big enough for footstools and we had a loveseat in our room. I ‘d book that same room type again in a heartbeat!
×
×
  • Create New...