cruisergrandma

We buy our travel insurance from 'Travel Insured'. I had emergency gall bladder surgery a week before our last cruise and, of course, had to cancel the trip. The insurance covered our cruise, our airfare and even the tours we had prepaid with independents. We will never book another cruise without insurance!

We will be in Jacksonville very early before our cruise and would love to have breakfast on the beach? Does anyone know of a good beach restaurant?

Carnival Magic?

Is there a good place in Cozumel to get churros?

Shopping is not the main concern. We just enjoyed a bit more of the local experience there and prefer that to a resort area.

Loving your review. Will be on the Magic April 1st with our granddaughters. Did cabin steward ask if you wanted morning or evening service or both? I have been reading that on some posts and it is disheartening.

Thanks!

I can just imagine how many changes have taken place in 10 years! Is West End still as quaint and charming as it used to be? Are there still little shops?

So West Bay is more of a resort area?

We were on Rotan about 10 years ago with our grandson. Our guide took us to a beach area and I am not sure of the name of the area. I think it was West Bay or West End and I can't find out the difference between the two. It was a peaceful area with dirt roads, small shops and lots of dive shops. It was right along the beach. We just walked around, shopped and had a soft drink at one of the little stands on the beach. Can anyone tell me the correct name of this area? We are returning with our granddaughters in April and would love to go there with them. The guide we used then is no longer around so we can't check there. We do not want to go to a resort and there were none in this area. Thanks!

We got ours at AARP Rewards for Good. Took enough quizzes(?) in about 30 minutes to get more than enough points. Quick and easy. Got the cards in less than a week.

The casino rate normally gives you some casino credit.

We book with a local and his fee includes admission to the zoo. He also gives a city tour as you go and he does a guided tour of the zoo itself. We have been with him twice and are booked again for our April cruise. His name is Griffith Eusey and his email is syesue_bz@yahoo.com . Super nice guy and tour is great.

We found Holland very BORING. The ship was nice, food good and service was excellent. Entertainment is lacking. We enjoy the casino and their casino was totally dead every time we went there. Could not even get a decent table to play cards. I think they rolled the sidewalks up by 10 pm. We did not attend any shows. My mother-in-law was wheelchair bound. The only place in the lounge for wheelchairs was the very back and she could not even see the stage so, we did not watch a single show.

50 - counting down ! ! !

In Belize - walk outside the gate of the port area and go across the street to the small flea market. Locals with good items and they will bargain.

At Mahogany Bay - go to the back of the port and there is a shop of locally made items. There is also a kiosk of locally made soaps.

Is a parent cruising with them - even in another cabin? If so, you do not need to do anything. We take our grandchildren - without their parents - and we always write up our own form giving us permission to take them out of the country and to seek any necessary medical treatment for the dates we will be gone. We then have both parents sign the form and have it notarized. Never have had a problem. In fact, we are taking 2 of the grandchildren for spring break. It is a real treat for the grandparents and the grandchildren to have this kind of quality time together.

Don't remember the name brand. The bag has a bird on the cover. When do you sail? We will be in Rotan the first week of April and I will be buying coffee. I can let you know when we return if that will help.

Just shopping.

I love the coffee from Rotan and normally bring back several (6+ bags). If you can buy it from a grocery store do. It will be less than half what you pay at the port or in Coxen Hole. I only found 1 brand in Belize and it was just okay. Never checked in Cozumel but plan to when we go in April.

Sun visor. Compact tote bag. Sewing kit.

There is no need to change to pesos. All of Cozumel takes US dollars.

Is there still a butterfly farm in Belize? Does anyone have any information on it?

We have booked with Bodden Tours for our port in Roatan. I am thinking about adding Victor's Monkey Business to our tour. We will be traveling with our 9 & 10 year old granddaughters and am I wondering if the monkeys bite? Can someone please share their experience?

What time do the shops open? We arrive very early at 7 am and leave at 2 pm. Since it will be so early we really wanted to do a little shopping first and then go to the beach.

We have been to Belize several times and never once felt unsafe. We always go outside the gate. We shop the flea market across the street and the vendors are always so nice and they are so appreciative of our shopping 'local'. We have also walked all around the area. As other have said, no matter where you go be aware of your surroundings.