mitsugirly

Hi, sorry I've been working on the review and had to work today. Those 12 hour shifts are L-O-N-G! For those wondering about Day 2 of the review (and linking to a past review), I'm not finished with Day 2 and just forgot to take the link off and make it blank until that day is completed. So, if you've read the beginning and Day 1, you're all caught up for now. 😘 Sorry for the confusion.

We just returned from our first cruise since the pandemic hit and we decided to cruise with NCL and a new ship for us...the JOY. Our ports were Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Ports we have visited many times and was a challenge to find different things to do in each port. We did notice several changes on the ship and it was also spring break. I'm starting my picture heavy, fun-filled review on my travel blog and invite you to join if you'd like. I feel that my reviews have gotten so big that I'm not sure if they are still appropriate to post on here? (I don't want to break the forum LOL...j/k) Let me know what you all think.

No trolley running to malecón instead of using the taxis and taxis are $4/pp

I ended up asking and they said no, they aren't related. His name is Brandon.

Why not try something more adventurous and do the dune buggies to Jade Caverns? It's a lot of fun driving them and going to the caverns and jumping into them. It's something different than just going to a beach and we had a blast. Check them out on my review and see if maybe they'd prefer something like that. HERE Just a thought

I really hope we get to see them. I know nothing is promised but from all the reviews I've read, it looks like they are always out and there in the area. This will be so cool. Hopefully we can fit in the manatees. I might just book the Monkey River and then once on board talk to the consultant and see what they think about time-wise and adding another. Fingers crossed it works. 🤞

Yes, we are just going to the Malecon (Blue Reef). We will definitely verify the rate before going. I wonder why the trolley/buses aren't running anymore?

THIS! Anyone have the answer to this?

That doesn't seem right to me for some reason. I think last I heard was for 1-4 people is was around $12 but I'm not sure if it went up or not. Anyone went recently?

Oh, I guess I should ask...is this regulated? Like we're not going to get into a cab and get to our destination and them tell us a different price right?

Gracias!

Can anyone verify the costs of a taxi for 3 people to Chankanaab (probably from Punta Langosta pier since we are on NCL)? TIA

I was thinking I read somewhere awhile back that they have raised the costs of taxi's from the port to the malecon. Can someone verify what the cost is and if it's per person or per cab. Do they still run the trolley-like bus they used to have? If so, how much is it? TIA

Junkanoo Beach is super easy to walk to with sidewalks and not far. I agree with others if you want a cheap day at the beach, this is the one. You can see the beach HERE with my pictures and our day we had there.

Ok, thanks for the info. We did the one at Jeanies and was looking to try to find info on the one at Chankanaab. Glad you had a good time.

I'm also going to say Magens for calm water (we seen sea turtles there and did snorkel along the right hand side and seen a few thing) Magens Review Here We've been to Secret Harbour and it's really calm and there is snorkeling along the side there. The water is crystal clear. But if looking for chairs, you'd have to rent probably beforehand at the dive shop. Otherwise, if you don't have a problem throwing a towel down, there's plenty of shade along the other side as well. Secret Harbour review here and also here There's also Brewer Bay. There's tons of shade along the tree line, but again, you'd need to throw down a towel. There also plenty of sea turtles there too. The water has always been calm when we were there. Review here and here

Do you like to do excursions with activities? We have been here twice. Once we did the excursion to Saona Island and it also went to the starfish sandbar. (click to take you to my reviews and pictures). The last time we went we did a buggy tour and had the most AMAZING time ever! If we ever go back, I am definitely doing it again.

Awesome! Thanks for that! It sounded like you had a good time. Sakari is wanting to do this to see the howler monkeys. (We've only seen them...well one...in the zoo in Aruba and he's very talkative). Seeing them out in the wild has got her excited. I really hope they are out when we go. However, I really want to see the manatees. I wonder if there's time to fit both excursions in?

No one has taken the Lagoon boat ride to see the manatees here? Or even the Monkey River Eco Tour?

In our fb group there is someone that has posted several times with this Roatan Breakaway Tours. I found something we are interested in with them but wondering if anyone has ever used them? Their website is HERE. The person that post has a last name of "Bodden" and we all know about Bodden tours on the island. Not sure if they are related or what.

Hmm, all I can say is we personally didn't have the best experience with Bodden back in the day. However, I'm willing to give them another try. I did just look at their reviews and there does seem to be several unhappy people recently about them overselling their tours. So, that makes me question booking with them again. I'll have to figure this out. Time is ticking quickly.

Yes, plenty of shade at IP. You can check out many photo's on my blog if you'd like to see the place. HERE

Just wondering if you ended up doing the SeaTrek and if so which one?

We've been here a few times and just took advantage of hanging out at the beach or pool. We want something different this time. I'm not really wanting to take a ferry somewhere and do things on our own this time and started looking at NCL's ship sponsored excursions. A few have peaked my interest. Has anyone done the river tubing? We've done river tubing in Belize (from Belize City when we used to dock there) and had a great time both times. This looks like a more relaxed, floating river tubing and no caves. Just a relaxing day. If you've been, let me know your experience. The other thing is the boat ride to see manatee's. (Placencia Lagoon Wildlife & Mangrove). I think it would be a relaxing time out on the boat and possibly seeing the manatees in their natural habitat. I realize there's never a guarantee, but is it worth the trip? Have you seen manatee's if you went? What was your experience?

No sand toys unless you bring them along. I can't remember if I seen them at the shops or not.