Altun Ha Ruins & Belize City Tour

[kat228]

I was hoping someone might be able to offer some opinions. We'll be on the Carnival Legend at the end of January/beginning of February, with a stop in Belize.

 

My boyfriend and I were looking at the Altun Ha Ruins & Belize City Tour through Carnival. I had read that if you booked an excursion through Carnival, you'd be among the first tenders to shore.

 

I'm just starting to learn about cruising, and this is my first post about excursions in port (probably not my last!) so I'm wondering if in this instance it's better to book with Carnival instead of an independent vendor, or if anyone could share a reputable independent vendor that we could do the same kind of tour with. If we were to go with an independent vendor, is getting on the ship an issue?

[lilybug23]

As far as I know it is better if you book your excursions with Carnival just for the simple fact that you know you wont get left behind if you are late getting back to port. If you book with Carnival they guarantee that you will not be left. If you book with a private company and you are late getting back to the port you will not have fun watching your cruise ship sail away without you, and its up to you to either find your way to the next port that the boat will be at or pay to get yourselves home. Play it safe.. book with Carnival.

[tinkr2]

I cruise all the time. I never book with Carnival, RCCL, Holland....etc. I always book with a private line and have never had any problem. I travel with friends or with my husband or with husband and kids. They do let people with tours through the cruise line tender first. It is not a huge wait. The tenders hold a bunch of people. In lots of ports you just walk off the ship at your leisure.the private operators know this and wait for everyone. it is always cheaper to book outside the cruise line. Check out shoretrips or my favorite explore belize caves. Dennis does all sorts of trips, not just cave tubing....which is awesome.

[kat228]

Thanks to you both...guess I'm back at square 1!