Melismass

Look for Saint Greg's postings on this subject. They include videos & maps.

Thank you for this jgmpuma! I will look for the post!

It's definitely doable. You'll have to walk around the Convention Center up Julia Street to the Port of New Orleans Place. You may want to take a test walk. The last time we did it there were no sidewalks on Port of New Orleans. I think there is also a sign that says "No Pedestrians". We walked from the port to meet up with our ride at Mulate's.

Great news! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it!

Hi All! I have a group of about 20 staying at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriot. It looks really close to the port. Its 0.1miles according to the hotel website. Is it realistic for a group of 20 to walk to the port with luggage etc. We are boarding the Carnival Dream. Thanks!

The port is NOLA! Sorry should have mentioned that in the original post!

Probably help if we knew which port

Wow! That is so true! Im sorry. The port is NOLA. I will edit my post.

Hi All! I have a group of about 20 staying at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriot. It looks really close to the port. Its 0.1miles according to the hotel website. Is it realistic for a group of 20 to walk to the port with luggage etc. We are boarding the Carnival Dream. Thanks!

I mean, there's a pool right there in port. Free of charge.

Why would anyone want to go all the way to Costa Maya to swim in a swimming pool at the man made port?

I know exactly what you are talking about jcprocess! I have been going to Costa Maya for over 10 years and the water depth off the beach in Mahahual has significantly changed. It is very very shallow and in some places impassable unless you walk through prickly, itchy sea grass that is growing in the water (Not the floating Sargassum). That entire stretch of beach in Mahahual is shallow. The best section of swimmable water is definitely Blue Kay. Its actually quite nice there. Enjoy!

I would not even consider buying jewelry in Mexico. Everything they sell is made in China or some similar country in bulk. They will tell you its hand made, one of kind, etc. Trust me its junk junk junk! Having said that, I do buy plenty of souvenirs but I know what I'm getting and I haggle for everything.

We are cruising out of NOLA on October 7th. The hotel prices are very high and there is limited availability. Is there anything going on at that time or is this normal?

Personally, I would go to one of the beach clubs along the malecon such as Blue Kay. However, since you will have had 2 beach days already, maybe consider the new water park with the water slides, zip lines, etc. It looks pretty fun and I know my teen-aged boys would enjoy it. Its called the Lost Mayan Kingdom.

Going to Costa Maya for the first time later this year and from what I've seen on here so far, it seems like Maya Chan is the place to go.

 

My only hesitation is that our cruise is in port from noon to 8 pm. I'm wondering how long the resort stays open, and if we will get to spend enough time there to make it worth it. Thanks in advance!

They recently told me that the last transport leaves Maya Chan at 6:30 PM.

We just spent 6 days in Mahahual in January. It has not changed much. There are more restaurants and beach clubs but basically its the same great little beach town as before. I noticed that the water is much more shallow between the beach and the reef than it was years ago. In most places you cant even get out to the reef. Its that shallow! We loved every moment we spent in Mahahual!

West Bay Beach, where both these properties are located can be walked end to end in about 20 mins.

 

Infinity shares a property line with Tabyana, the cruise shop day pass beach break area. Easy acess to reef snorkeling would be steps from your lounger.

 

Paradise may have more beachfront to work with and has been around longer than Infinity. It may be three min walk from Infinity.

 

They both have pools, you can see the ocean from Infinity's, you can not from Paradise.

 

I think they both offer transport included, which you are going to want to take advantage of.

 

Enjoy the island

How do you go about booking a day pass with Infinity Bay? I have looked at the website and don't see a way to make a reservation. Thank You!

I just returned from a week long vacation in Mahahual. We rented a golf cart one day and drove all over town and out the beach road all the way to Maya Chan. I didn't think the road was that bad, just a lot of pot holes. Its dry right now so I think that makes a difference. It is quite far though. The distance would not necessarily be a deal breaker for me but personally, I would much rather be in the beautiful little town of Mahahual. Once you get to Maya Chan you're pretty much stuck there for the day. I think you miss a lot by not being in town. There is so much to do and see there. It's one of my favorite places on the planet. So, for all those reason I would definitely choose Blue Kay. I liked the snorkeling there very much. The water is beautiful and the beach is very nice. Be sure to walk the malecon and see for yourself what a great little town it is.

I don't care anything about the ship reviews, but please don't delete any of the port reviews. I use those as a source of reference when I'm doing my research. Those reviews are far better and more informative than anything I can find on the web. I love them all!:D

You guys should go on and get your Open Water Diving Certification. Then, the next time you cruise to Belize you can book a diving excursion through the cruise line. This is great since the Dive Company will pick you up right from the ship and you don't have to tender! I just found out this is being offered again and I'm super excited about it.

Per Carnival" "The Turneffe Atoll , is one of the most spectacular and most popular dive sites that Belize has to offer, it is the largest of 3 atolls. This two-tank dive will place you along coral caverns, huge coral formations and some of the most diverse sea life you will ever see. This trip is perfect for beginner or advanced divers. You will marvel at the clarity of the water and the sheer number of corals".

I want it!

Yeah, the last time we were there, it had been raining for a few days and the water was stirred up really bad. I know the further we got out the clearer it became, but we were also dealing with a 3 year old and this was her first time in the ocean and salt water. Although she did really well swimming around, she did give out easily and we'd have to throw her on our backs for her to rest while we continued to try to snorkel. We were not able to go out too far due to this and the safety of all of us.

 

 

I really hope we have a better experience this time around...I'm sure we will...how can we not. :)

 

The dive shop did confirm that the route I found was fairly close to the route they take us (they said entry was the same and then they go "left" at the wall. The route I found showed it goes left, unless they are saying left when looking at the map (which would actually be right when you are in the water).

 

 

Anyhow, they said it was known as eel garden because at 60' the sand bottom has the brown sand eels, but they could be seen at 40'. I'm not sure if we will actually go down that far, but it would definitely be neat to see if so.

 

 

This made me laugh! I saw garden eels recently while diving in Hawaii. I didn't know what they were and the DM kept pointing at them so I swam over to get a look but they disappeared. I saw more in the distance so I swam toward them and again they disappeared. If you get close enough to get a picture of these guys, my hat will be off to you! I really hope you get to see them. In my 15 years of snorkeling and now diving, I never even knew they existed! Have a great dive! I cant wait to see your pictures. Also, I really liked the snorkeling off of West Bay. Ive been to pretty much the same places you have and I think you would like the snorkeling there. However, the last time I was there, I got tore up by some kind of microscopic jelly fish. I wondered why I was the only person in the water. I found out real quick! I have never experienced that anywhere else. That was a few years ago in February I believe!

I would find a jeep or dune buggy tour to the Natural Pool. Its pretty cool but mostly I think you would find that side of the island interesting. Its different than what we normally see on the Caribbean Islands. Its "desert-like" with big hills and sand dunes. I have also snorkeled from shore at Baby Beach and I remember it being pretty awesome. That was many years ago and I was a novice snorkeler then, so I could have been easily impressed. I remember it as some of the best snorkeling Ive ever done and Ive done a lot. Again, you might want to get more recent reviews but that's how I remember it!

Sorry, I made the assumption you were sailing Pride of America. My mistake.

Thats ok Lovex4! I appreciate your suggestion anyway. Im actually on the Carnival Legend!

I've been there in April a few times, and conditions were fine. Dove Oahu, Kona, and Maui (Lahaina). For Kona I recommend Big Island Divers. If you look at there website, and FB page, you'll get an idea of weather issues (for example they've had swells lately that have kept them out of the water).

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Thank you Harris! I am going with Big Island Divers. They come highly recommended. I'm glad to hear April may be descent conditions! Thanks for your response!

Thanks for the info! This makes me feel better. I'm just looking forward to this so much I want everything to be perfect or at least tolerable! I would love to not get sick on the boat! :o

Hi All! Just wondering what the water conditions will be like on the various islands in April. We are planning to dive in Kona and snorkel in Oahu and Maui. I have had some experience diving in 4-5 ft swells in the Florida Keys and it was not pleasant. I'm praying the conditions are better in Hawaii! Any input would be appreciated!

Hi All! Just wondering what the water conditions will be like on the various islands in April. We are planning to dive in Kona and snorkel in Oahu and Maui. I have had some experience diving in 4-5 ft swells in the Florida Keys and it was not pleasant. I'm praying the conditions are better in Hawaii! Any input would be appreciated!

Any recommendations for a good luau on the big island, preferably near Kona? We are staying for 4 nights on Kona before we fly to Honolulu to board our cruise ship. I thought this would be a good opportunity for a luau since we wont be rushed or have a time schedule. Thanks in advance!

There is nothing better than a B2B! Its a blessing to be able to have that privilege! Everyone else is getting off and I'm like: I'm going again! Yippee! :D