ABQrobin

Bonaire is the SHORE Diving Capital of the World.  We have done 2 week-long trips there, and averaged 3 dives per day.  Its nice to stay at a hotel that has a dive shop, so you can get tanks and do boat dives if you want.  Those hotels usually have a nice house reef right off their pier also, so we do a dive there every day.  If you love to dive, its a great place to do it.  Food isn't cheap so most people go to grocery store to get stuff to make sandwiches at your room to help costs and time.  Some resorts also include breakfast, some even have rooms with full kitchens.

We like Buddy Dive resort, but there are so many there to choose from!

Nicely done.

On 3/12/2024 at 5:52 PM, mitsugirly said:

Wait, you didn't go diving in Roatan? I was hoping to see a dive video. Tabyana is beautiful and great video Robin!

NO, not this time.  

I was there this past fall.... there is a bus that runs from the top of the hill, down to the main viewing area, and back.  It is not free, so you need local cash or debit if their machine is working that day.  

I have a video if interested... we walked down, then rode bus back up.

WE LOVE Belize... but we love Adventure excursions.  The Mayan ruins there are second to none because they are within 2 hour bus ride from dock.  It seems really far, but honestly the Mayans didn't build their cities for future cruisers, they built them for strategic location.  Belize is a country of fantastic jungles and history... cave tubing and Mayan ruins, with some off-shore islands worth visiting if you just want to snorkel.  Do an excursion... you won't regret it.

our last visit:

15 hours ago, back to the islands said:

 

 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!

My personal opinion... YES, you will be disappointed with snorkeling in Cozumel.. It is IMHO the best scuba diving in the Caribbean, period.  BUT snorkeling, nope.  The reefs in Cozumel are far to deep to see, and it is all drift diving with current you cannot fight, you have to go with it.  

Snorkeling is best done at your own pace, and being able to hang out and watch the fish.  Bonaire and Roatan are the best IMHO for that.  

3 hours ago, kgarroutte said:

Thank you, we just made the decision to take the small boat closer!

 

Keep an eye out for this when it gets posted as available on your cruise.  It WILL sell out immediately.  On our last trip, they did open up a second boat closer to sail date but there are no guarantees you can get a spot.  Literally everyone will be trying to get on it.

Have a great trip.

Just about every beach club on the island offers a "free" tequila tasting.  

13 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Thanks for sharing. Going there for the 1st time in July.
 

I prefer smaller portions b/c I like trying lots of different items. Even if you want to stick to 1-2 items you can just keep ordering more.

 

My wife barely drinks. How was the smoothie?

The smoothie was FANTASTIC.  Yes, we intended to try lots of different items, and share, so smaller portions wasn't a problem.  Plus the food came to us so fast it was amazing.

Enjoy your trip there!

Tracy Arm cruising day is not a pass-thru.... it is an epic event.  YOU really should think about doing the small boat tour.  It gets you right up to the glaciers, and you might see even more.  We saw quite a few mountain goats on a hillside.  Its gorgeous.

My video:

And at Juneau.... we loved the helicopter tour:

BOTH ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!

Both ships will be great.  Pick the itinerary you want most.  

AWESOME news that you are finally looking at a cruise to Alaska!!  It is amazing! 

We have not done it on those ships, but on the Carnival Legend and Carnival Splendor.  

Just be aware the dry season is early summer, wet season is late summer.... expect more rain in August.  BUT the good thing is that there is more wildlife around in late summer due to the summer salmon runs.  

Also... as soon as you book, start booking your excursions.  The best ones sell out long before your cruise.  There are some available at the ports, but not necessarily the best ones.

Have fun.  

I would pick the Spirit (sister of Legend) as we loved it.  

Just got back from the Carnival Jubilee.  We have been going to Cozumel almost every year for the past 24 years, mostly land vacations.  We have done about everything there, but this time we did Paradise Beach club.

Here is our video.... we think it explains everything.

Just back last week on the Carnival Jubilee, stopping in Costa Maya.  Instead of booking thru the cruise ship, we booked a tour with Native Choice Tours.  We thought they were a fantastic company, A/C vans, small groups, local Mayan guides who knew their stuff!

Our video:

NEVER EVER flush any type of wipe.  They will clog the pipes on a ship or at home.  Just don't.  Use them then toss in trash can.

The FIRST bus leaves at 12:30, but you can stay until the last bus call, which is usually an hour before your back-on-board time.  When we were there last week, we didn't go on first bus, we took our time and wandered up to the waiting area.  When there were 8+ people, a van pulled up and took us back to port.  Easy peasy.

We just got back last week from Carnival Jubilee, and did an excursion to Tabyana beach.  We have been to Roatan about a dozen times but this is our first time there and we loved it.  Highly recommend it if you want to relax and chill.

On 10/23/2023 at 8:27 AM, Guest 2000 said:

 

I can not help you with current conditions at Mahogany Bay but if you have not been to Tabyana/West Bay snorkeling..I would very much like you to go. I would like to hear your impresssions West Bay ve Mahogany Bay snorkeling. Many believe West Bay to be the best of the easy to access spots about the island. 

WE just got back from the Carnival Jubilee.... went to Tabyana beach when in Roatan, and LOVED it.  Totally chill vibe.  I did a video on that and will post soon if anyone is interested.

The entire island of Roatan is surrounded by coral reefs.  The reefs are for the most part right close to the shoreline, not far off like at some destinations.  You really can snorkel/dive almost anywhere so the snorkel boats will most likely go to their nearest reef... why not?  If you do a tour that goes to multiple stops, then they will go farther away.  Regardless, its all good in Roatan.

Glasgow/Greenock.....check out Serca Tours.  They use small (6 person) vans for their tours and the guides are amazing!  We used them last year, highly recommended!

Probably not due to the current off-shore... it is very strong and sailboats just aren't a thing there for safety.

Some beach clubs have smaller water craft, like paddleboats and standup paddle boards but they are only used in roped off areas for that reason.  Otherwise they would be rescuing people constantly.

BIG thing.... make sure all bills are in good condition, no tears or missing corners, etc.  Their bank will refuse to take them so the merchants have to be picky.  Also, nothing bigger than a $20 bill.

On 1/29/2024 at 11:16 AM, jtwind said:

I'm looking at tours in Belize, and the ones I want leave at 8:30 or 9.  The ship arrives at 8.  Without suite level priority or a cruise company excursion, how can I possibly arrange an independent shore excursion?  I'l really have no idea when I can get ashore.

Most independent tour operators know the ships schedules and account for the tender times.  They would be stupid not to as their whole business is from the cruise ships.  When you book an independent tour in Belize, they usually ask what ship you are on, then they can tell you yes or no for the time you arrive.  But if it worries you that much, then just go with a ship's excursion to get the guarantee.

Roatan is safe as long as your aren't being stupid... like getting drunk and wandering around in the jungle.  It is just as safe as Miami, or any other touristy place.  Just act like you would elsewhere.

Bodden Tours is a great one where you can put together your own package and they will pick you up outside of port.