8/30 cruise on the Urn....er Legend... with lots of pictures!

[CMM]

Your review is really good. I am appreciating your evaluation of the shows & ports too.

 

In Cozumel the bike taxis just work on tips? So what would be an appropriate amount. Do they fit just two people?

 

Looking forward the rest of your review & photos!

[gaylensgigi]

I love this review and your sense of humor.And good luck with your knee. I am going on Legend in April next year.These pictures are wonderful,thanks for taking the time to share:)

[marshhawk]

Great review, I am thoroughly enjoying it. I think your towel creature was a praying mantis. I am hoping it was a praying mantis, otherwide, it's x rated. Can't wait for the rest of the story. We are sailing the Lengend in January, and your story and pictures are getting me ssooooo excited !;)

[letscruisegd]

for those who have asked if the Legend has the DOD cards, here’s your answer:

 

Great review...I'll be on the Legend next month and can hardly wait. With the DOD card, are the refills in the regular size cups?

[beachbum6264]

Great review...I'll be on the Legend next month and can hardly wait. With the DOD card, are the refills in the regular size cups?

 

 

Either in a regular size cup or take the souvenir cup and they will trade/refill it. Either way, same amount.

[law638]

Still enjoying your review. We will be in Belize in november & have heard that the snorkeling was not to be missed. You will really enjoy Wicked, it's my favorite.

[adorethesea]

 

Can you please tell me about this card? How does it work? What is the cost?

 

Thank you! :p

[MEOWSMURPHY]

Awesome review..like the OP we were on the Legend last Oct and while I saw the urns they just didn't register with me...funny how some things come to the surface and others just submerge ;) We'll be back on the Legend in 21 days and this time with our 2 grandaughters...I 'll be sure to point out the urns to them :D and yes I have the obligatory pic also...Good luck with your knee replacement..I had one 3 months prior to when we sailed last year..while I set off the detectors in the airports I only set the ship detector off once....I told the guy I had a knee replacement and he smiled and said...okay...you can go...go figure...I had the second knee done this past June..I don't anticipate anything different this year...believe me when I say you will wish you had your knee done as SOON as it gave you trouble...I waited 5 years and I sure wished I hadn't...I was up 3 hours after surgery totally pain free...I wanted to walk and walk and walk if they had let me..what a wonderful feeling..I wish you the same results...

 

Emmy

[peachhead11]

Loving your review. I will be going to visit Big Black Dick on my cruise in October. Saw Wicked on Broadway last year and loved it. I'm still playing the CD and singing along just about every day.

[toddsmom]

Awesome review....I can't wait for my pic with Big Black Dick !!!! We leave the 29th of Nov. on the Conquest.......I am sooooooo excited. Keep the review coming !!!!!!!!

[lennel]

I see they did not use the new style sail and sign cards

[beachbum6264]

Went to see Wicked yesterday, if you get a chance, GO! After that I went and bought a new MacBook Pro - so I have spent the day learning how to use this, it’s my first Mac (I was about ready to throw that old thing out the window, I’ve seen the ‘blue screen of death’ once too many times!)

So, I’m back and ready to tell you about Roatan... talk about saving the best for last! The only complaint I have is that we did not stay here nearly long enough.

Woke up to this:

 

 

Nice view! Same morning routing - b’fast in the main dining room, then off the ship to find the Fins and Flippers booth.

 

 

I had made reservations with them a few weeks ago, after reading the reviews and looking at pictures here on the Roatan board. When I booked the price was $20 if you made reservations and $25 if you just walked up. Well, saving $10 made sense to me, so I made the reservations. (more about the price later) They now have a booth in the excursion booth aisle - the first one on the right. This is the one port where they were not shoving things in my face trying to get me to book from them (if they knew me, they would know that is the LAST way to get me to do something!!! Just ask dh!). We found the booth and there was a very nice young man to escort us down to the little pier where the boat comes to take you over to Fins and Flippers. I asked him about the name change - he said since they had named it that back when they had dolphins there (for some reason they did not do well there, so they have been moved), and since there were ‘new’ Mayan ruins (like that makes sense!) - actually, new replicas of Mayan ruins - as well as some rescue animals - they decided to change the name. (and raise the price).

We got to the dock and there was one other couple there ... not a crowd like other excursions, and I hope this is a hint of things to come.....

The boat comes and we board, ready for a new adventure! Off we go, headed to

 

 

Well, all the reviews that I read that lead me to book this were right! It was amazing ... quiet, clean, beautiful, there are not enough adjective to describe this place. Cindy met us at the dock (I meant to take her picture, but got absorbed in what she was saying and just forgot!). We went in and paid our $20 each, then headed in the direction of the beach.

 

 

This is what we saw:

 

 

 

The reason there are not more people in the pictures is that there was not more than 30 people, at the most, on the island all day. I could get used to this. We picked out our spot for the day

[beachbum6264]

The big attraction here is the snorkeling. If you have small children the beach is not all that great... there is a rather large drop off just a few feet from the water’s edge. But, there is a great pool

 

 

This is where I saw all the kids that were there that day.

 

We brought (or actually, I brought!) our own snorkeling equipment - dh bought a snorkel onboard ($5.00 at the excursion desk) - and he borrowed my mask and fins. You can snorkel right off the beach, just swim out a bit, go over the area of the sea grass, and there is the reef. The easiest way is to walk out to the end of the pier, walk down the ladder, and there you are!

 

 

About 30 yards or so out from the pier is an amazing drop-off. The water goes from turquoise to a deep sapphire blue. Not to be missed. If you are nervous about snorkeling there is a guy in a kayak out there whenever someone is in the water in case you need help.

 

Now, I have snorkeled in a lot of places, Bahamas, Florida Keys, St. Maartin, St. Thomas, Cozumel, and Belize ... but this was absolutely the most amazing coral I have ever seen, loads of fish and the best snorkel spot ever. Even dh was impressed (remember, snorkeling is not his thing ... he’s a country boy born and bred, but I am slowly converting him to become a beach bum like me!! He may be coming around.... after 31 years of marriage I’m beginning to make some headway!)

 

This will give you some idea of what you’re in for if you go.... (not the world’s best camera - yea, blame it on the camera! - but it will do)

 

 

 

 

[CJHAN]

Really good review, super funny thank you so much Its 5 oclock somewhere.

[beachbum6264]

More snorkel pix (yea, I know, I got carried away - but if you’ve been there you know how it is!)

 

you can really see where the water changes color here

 

 

I love this one

 

 

 

 

When I finally decided to come in to shore, dh was hungry (common occurrence), so we headed up to find something to eat (and drink!). We chose the fundidos (a Honduran dish of refried beans and cheese in a “anafres” - kind of an earthenware fondue pot - there were hot coal in the bottom that kept it hot) and conch ceviche. One word..... YUM! dh got a local beer - Salva Vida (Life Saver), I got a Pepsi Light and our bill was about $15. Not too bad.

 

 

Back to the beach for a float around the water

 

 

(have you noticed the absence of people in these pictures? That’s really the way it was)

One couple I talked to while floating around are the parents of one of the singers on the ship (if you are reading this... he was absolutely wonderful) - they told me about his work history and work schedule, all I can say is SIGN ME UP! Oh - wait - I cant’ sing a note, in fact, my only musical talent is that I can usually find a station on the radio.... wonder if they would let me lip sync?!?!

 

 

OK - more about the cost: We spent $70 a person for a 3.5 hour excursion in Belize. Snorkeling was good, but not long enough, beach was good, but not long enough. At $50 this is still a great deal. Would I spend that much to go back? HECK YES! They keep that island as clean as I’ve ever seen a beach/island. Guys were cleaning up dropped leaves all day - raking the sand, and basically keeping it fabulous. Yep, from $25 to $50 is a huge jump, but it’s still a good value for your money. I can’t say anything about the Mayan “ruins” - you have to walk up stairs to see them, and that’s not happening right now. Maybe next time.

 

Well, my eyes are getting tired, I guess it's time to call it a night. I will finish this tomorrow.

[J-Mar]

I LOVE your review! DH and I have been talking about going to Fins and Flippers (or whatever the new name is) for like 2 months now. Then I saw the price increase, DH said.."well good thing you booked it early". But I hadn't booked it yet...oops! So my question is, Is it worth $50.00? I don't mind paying that, especially by your description, it sounds great! Also, did you encounter any biting sand fleas there? I am a mosquito magnet, so thought I'd ask and bring bug spray, if needed.

 

Thanks!!!

[beachbum6264]

I LOVE your review! DH and I have been talking about going to Fins and Flippers (or whatever the new name is) for like 2 months now. Then I saw the price increase, DH said.."well good thing you booked it early". But I hadn't booked it yet...oops! So my question is, Is it worth $50.00? I don't mind paying that, especially by your description, it sounds great! Also, did you encounter any biting sand fleas there? I am a mosquito magnet, so thought I'd ask and bring bug spray, if needed.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Totally worth it. I took some bug spray but never used it, never needed it. Spent a lot of time in the water, but did walk (limp) around a bit to take some pictures and get to lunch but never saw a bug.

[J-Mar]

I think I was typing when you were... So I see that you would pay the $50 dollars, good to know. I think that is where we will go. It looks fabulous!

[J-Mar]

I'm glad you didn't encounter any bugs. I swear those darn things will find me within a 20 mile radius!! ;) We leave Oct. 18th on the Legend, so excited and more so now that I read your review..thanks!! :)

[grannyof9]

Thank you so much for your review! It is the best I have ever read (and I read them all). We sail this Sunday and, of course, can hardly wait. Be sure and let us know how your surgery goes. We have the "King of Crusing" going on our cruise next week. Was cruising about a month ago and broke his hip in Cozumel- BUT guess who will be on the ship on Sunday. He's amazing. Again, thanks for the review.

[mamajules]

We have been to Belize before and took the water taxi to Caye Caulker – which I loved.

 

Really loving this review. Going on the Legend in October, and this really gets me even more excited.

 

About Caye Caulker, which you said you've done before - that's what we're thinking of doing in Belize. Have been there before and went to the ruins at Altun Ha, this time want to just relax a bit. So you really liked Caye Caulker? Anything specific you would recommend seeing, doing while there?

 

Thanks for a great review!

[beachbum6264]

Really loving this review. Going on the Legend in October, and this really gets me even more excited.

 

About Caye Caulker, which you said you've done before - that's what we're thinking of doing in Belize. Have been there before and went to the ruins at Altun Ha, this time want to just relax a bit. So you really liked Caye Caulker? Anything specific you would recommend seeing, doing while there?

 

Thanks for a great review!

 

 

There's really not a lot to "do" on Caye Caulker - it's a really laid back place - no cars, no paved roads. We just walked down to the 'split' (get off the water taxi and walk to your right until the land ends!), hung around there, did a little swimming (current was pretty strong, not really a 'beach', but nice clear water). Then we just walked around the 'town' and did some shopping, stopped to have a drink and a snack, then caught the water taxi back. It was just the atmosphere of the place that we enjoyed.

[crewsweeper]

Great Review beachbum!!! Love your itinerary in ports--beach, sun, swim, snorkel, eat, drink. As Paul M remarked earlier...never made the connection that there were urns everywhere. I'd guess they are Greek urns in memory of Greek Legends, whose ashes are now housed in those urns:D

 

Thanks for taking all the pics at old F&F, the place looks just as clean as I've seen it. You're correct in that if you want to just do a beach and not fight crowds or put up with lots of noise, $50 isn't a bad price to pay. It's that much to MP and back in a taxi plus a day pass. I think the uproar was the inital fear that they wouldn't honor the old price. And people looking for water sports, aka PB in Coz, think it's too high of price to pay for what you get. Won't be as easy to get to in the future for Carnival cruisers.

 

Waiting for your wrap up.

[looksandletters]

Thanks. I have a Canon SD870 - it is not waterproof, but I bought a DiCAP case for it (got it on Amazon) for about $30. It works great, I can change settings and zoom with the case on. This was the first time I had used it, and I'm happy with it. I used the disposable underwater cameras before, but could never see through the viewfinder with a mask on. This is much better.

 

Did you have any issues with the case at all? I wanted to just get the cheap case (as opposed to the $200+ housing I've seen other places) but the reviews were kind of mixed, and I didn't want to take a chance with ruining my camera. I'd much rather use the digital than the disposable ones though!!

 

Thanks for the review!

[mamajules]

There's really not a lot to "do" on Caye Caulker - it's a really laid back place - no cars, no paved roads. We just walked down to the 'split' (get off the water taxi and walk to your right until the land ends!), hung around there, did a little swimming (current was pretty strong, not really a 'beach', but nice clear water). Then we just walked around the 'town' and did some shopping, stopped to have a drink and a snack, then caught the water taxi back. It was just the atmosphere of the place that we enjoyed.

 

Thanks! That's what I've heard is its really laid back, and I've seen some info on the "split." Sounds perfect to me, I like laid back, easy going, so sounds like just what we'll do!