Cave Tubing Comparison and a few questions...

[ray98]

Well....I booked with .BZ for January because I think they are the best deal. The new tubes, lunch and rum punch for a great price.

[HappyHappy1]

MY QUESTIONS:

 

(a) If VIV only does two caves, then how come the VIV excursion is so much longer than the other two?

 

(b) I know some companies stop along the trip so people can buy cashew wine at $3.00 per bottle. Do all three of these companies make this stop?

 

© Which companies let you jump into the water? (I read somewhere that there is a ledge you can jump off of).

 

A - We went with VIV tours and loved it. When we were in the water...our guides took their time and showed us all parts of the cave, including a small waterfall off to the left in an alcove. We saw a couple groups flying through the caves...basically no time to take in the scenery. The guide pulled them through really fast.

 

B - VIV did not stop for cashew wine. Then again...our crew did not ask. Our guides were fantastic and may have stopped if we asked.

 

C - We jumped in the water with VIV.

 

 

Website for VIV Tours is www dot vivtours dot com

[lilmsmuffet]

I keep getting this when I click on your link to read your review and see the pictures..do u have them on a facebook page also??

[Quilting Queen]

[b - VIV did not stop for cashew wine. Then again...our crew did not ask. Our guides were fantastic and may have stopped if we asked.

 

C - We jumped in the water with VIV.

 

Website for VIV Tours is www dot vivtours dot com

 

Thanks for the web site. I will check it out. I already booked with someone for April but if I like the Viv reviews better I can switch.

 

Norine

[HLWCruze]

I've started my review. You can find it here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1720035

 

I keep getting "invalid thread"!

[sweetcurves]

Ok I know I'm going to come off like a princess with these questions but I am just fearful of unknown waters, so I'm going to ask.

 

1) What's in the water? Did you see anything sinister? I'm like crazy scared of snakes, not a big fan of swimming with the fishies, gators/crocs etc.

 

2) I read something about netted bottoms...like in the hole of the tube? So nothing can come and bite my butt? LOL

 

3) How claustrophobic does it get in the caves. I'm the girl who needs an ativan when she has an MRI and can't mentally deal with more than 3-4 hours in an airplane seat.

[sweetcurves]

Ok I know I'm going to come off like a princess with these questions but I am just fearful of unknown waters, so I'm going to ask.

 

1) What's in the water? Did you see anything sinister? I'm like crazy scared of snakes, not a big fan of swimming with the fishies, gators/crocs etc.

 

2) I read something about netted bottoms...like in the hole of the tube? So nothing can come and bite my butt? LOL

 

3) How claustrophobic does it get in the caves. I'm the girl who needs an ativan when she has an MRI and can't mentally deal with more than 3-4 hours in an airplane seat.

 

 

BUMP! Can anyone relieve my fears? LOL

[Trookie]

Great info on this thread! I just booked the 5 hour excursion through BZ. The price has gone up to $50 per person, but still includes lunch and booze.

 

When did you guys get dropped off back at the port? I'm wondering if there is time to do anything else, like eating or shopping, before my ship leaves at 5pm.

[sweetcurves]

I booked through VIV. I'm impressed with how they do things. Kind of excited, kind of scared to death.

[MorganiCat]

We are booked with .bz next week. Will we need bugspray? If so, is Off OK? Or do we need Deet? Recommendations please!

 

Sweetcurves- I will post again when I get back if you didn't an answer by then. ;)

[sweetcurves]

We are booked with .bz next week. Will we need bugspray? If so, is Off OK? Or do we need Deet? Recommendations please!

 

Sweetcurves- I will post again when I get back if you didn't an answer by then. ;)

 

 

In my research, I have learned that bug spray with deet is recommended!

 

Have fun, and yes, report back!

[dolphinlover22]

BUMP! Can anyone relieve my fears? LOL

 

I just got back from a cruise and we booked cavetubing.bz - such a great experience. You don't need any bug spray - several people asked and the guides did not recommend it - i never saw one bug (mosquito) etc.

 

None of the tubes I saw had bottoms - none of ours did - but don't worry about anything "biting your butt" lol ;0 They will explain to you that the part of the river that you tube on is very clear/clean - there may be little minnows but the creatures are much further down the river in the areas where the tubing does not go for those very reasons - the animals do not come that far upstream - now there are areas that are very low and they'll tell you "bottoms up" so you don't get your butt stuck lol but other than that, no issues

 

As far as claustrophobia - I can't answer that - the space seemed pretty open to me most of the time so it just depends on you - check out the pictures posted on tripadvisor and you can see where you'll be :)

 

You are going to have a GREAT time!!!!!!! :)

[duncan449]

Ok I know I'm going to come off like a princess with these questions but I am just fearful of unknown waters, so I'm going to ask.

 

1) What's in the water? Did you see anything sinister? I'm like crazy scared of snakes, not a big fan of swimming with the fishies, gators/crocs etc.

 

2) I read something about netted bottoms...like in the hole of the tube? So nothing can come and bite my butt? LOL

 

3) How claustrophobic does it get in the caves. I'm the girl who needs an ativan when she has an MRI and can't mentally deal with more than 3-4 hours in an airplane seat.

 

 

The water is crystal clear and there are no creatures, and no bugs that I saw. Our tubes didn't have netted bottoms, but you don't need it. For the most part the cave is open, there are a few tight squeezes on the walking portion, but nothing that lasts more than a few seconds and then back to open areas.

 

I was nervous when we went, but I'd totally do it again. :)

Enjoy

[elektrawmn]

Just came back from doing tour with VIV

 

Our guide Javier was fantastic! VIV uses mess bottom tubes with headrests and your tubes are hooked together (no feet in armpits)

 

Walk was interesting. Did seem a bit rushed and there were several time wasting areas being stuck in lines and such since there were so many groups out there.

 

Would HIGHLY recommend VIV to anyone.

[sweetcurves]

Just came back from doing tour with VIV

 

Our guide Javier was fantastic! VIV uses mess bottom tubes with headrests and your tubes are hooked together (no feet in armpits)

 

Walk was interesting. Did seem a bit rushed and there were several time wasting areas being stuck in lines and such since there were so many groups out there.

 

Would HIGHLY recommend VIV to anyone.

 

Every review I've read has been positive! That's why I booked with them!

[SpinnerCOyyy]

We booked our group of 13 with VIV Tours, without going through Norwegian shore excursion options. Best decision we ever made! Our tour was set for November 21, 2012. VIV Tours did an outstanding job taking care of our group. Their description of activity level, and what to expect was spot on. Our group ranged in age from 16 to 74. The van ride to the Park was narrated by Roberto. He was informative, clever and gracious in answering questions we had, or pointing out points of interest during the journey. We learned about bamboo chicken which was the name given to iguana, eaten by many on Belize. There were two military manned check points on the trip. Before we stopped for one, Roberto explained that it was for the safety of those traveling on the roads and there was nothing to worry about. Having frequently traveled in Mexico, the check points were no big deal to our group. We were waived through quickly.

 

The road was smooth and even for all but the last two miles. Once we turned off the main road, we drove on a rutty dirt road to the park. Maya, our driver took great care to navigate the van slowly through some of the very deep ruts. Once we arrived at the location, we were able to change clothes if we needed, rent water socks and grab some water. Helmets and life vests were passed out to everyone. All of our belongings stayed in the locked van with Maya. There were large buses of people from cruise lines, as well as 30-40 passenger vans. Obviously a popular excursion point. George, another excellent tour guide was added to our group and we gathered at VIV's starting point.

 

As we began our tour, George took over the narrative. He pointed out specific trees, and explained their medicinal uses. George then proceeded to grab hold of our 73 year old family member and adopt her. He held her steady throughout the walk through the forest reminding her the whole time that he was there for her, encouraging her to walk at her own pace. He had an incredible howler monkey call that often times had other tour guides attempting to answer. We could hear other guides also call out to him to make the call, which he quickly responded to. Although our group got straggled out along the trail, each group still had a guide providing interesting information on the Mayan culture and Belize conservation efforts. We were passed several times by other tour groups who were forced to lug their own tubes. Other groups did try to slow their pace to listen to our guides narratives, as their guides provided little to no information.

 

The walk through cave portion was easily navigated while we learned about specific formations, and areas where bats were often found. George led us to the fertility cave where he sent the young kids out to the side then pointed out why that cave earned that nickname. I should point out that many times during the tour, George was providing information to more than just our group. He became the super guide many times. We observed lots of groups stopping to listen to what he was saying, much to the chagrin of their groups tour guides.

 

We were a little surprised to find that we had to cross the river at one point. That may be a little fact we failed to pick up on. The crossing was easy as the river flow was mild and water did not exceed mid shin. George took great care escorting our family member across. We reached the launch site where our tubes were waiting for us. There had to be over 100 people entering, standing alongside, or in the water at the launch site. Because no one single tour company has a contract on cave tours, there are many companies represented. We noticed three different cruise ships at port when we arrived that morning. Possibly as many as 6000 people visiting Belize that day. Because of the large crowd of tours entering the water it was a little chaotic, but our guides lined us up and one by one, got us easily into our tubes, and connected to our group tube line. The water temperature was described as “refreshing”. For our group from Colorado, the water temperature was mild. It was not shocking in any manor.

 

We managed to lazily drift along while our guides provided further narrative on what we were seeing. There were a couple of times we hit log jams of tour groups. Our guides quickly pushed and pulled his group through the jam. We heard other tour group members openly state their envy at our experience. It became clear to us that the gold standard was large tubes with head rests and net bottoms. Not having to carry your tube along the 35 minute hike through the forest. Tubes linked together with carabiners. Informative personable guides who took great care to ensure the safety of elderly tourist. And..... our tour was $40.00 per person! The cruise ship cave tubing excursion available had a cost of $110.00. I do not know if anyone participating in the cave tubing experience at the same time as our group was from our ship.

 

Our tour ended at a point where it was just a short walk back to the park facilities. There were several booths selling food, t-shirts, and some beautiful rug/table runners. One vender was offering coconut wine. We were tempted but could not get the wine back on the ship easily. We got back to the van with snacks for the ride back. We made absolutely sure that our guides were tipped well. They had taken such good care of our group.

 

If you are considering a Belize cave tubing excursion LISTEN TO ME.... book your excursion with VIV Tours. http://www.vivtours.com. Their guides care about their customers. They are knowledgeable and love Belize. You won't regret using this quality tour company for any of the tours they have available. It was a fantastic experience for each and every member of our family group!

[SpinnerCOyyy]

We just got back from Cruise and did VIV Belize Cave Tours. We also had a fearful member in our group. I can tell you I saw NOTHING in the water. It is very clear and I never saw snakes, minnows, or fish of any kind. The only wildlife I saw on this tour were termite mounds in the trees, and tiny little bats (a whopping 5 of them) in the walk through portion of the tour. As for closed in spaces, there is only one spot where sunlight actually disappears. And having said that, I never turned around and looked behind me to see if the sunlight disappeared behind me. The "caves" are never so low that if you stood up in the river, you could bump your head. And the river was always at least 30 feet wide. There are a couple of sections where, if you drifted sideways, there was a low formation, but again, nothing you could reach.

[texascruiseaddict]

Did you have any problem meeting up with you tour guide at the port when you arrived?

[birdy]

We just got back from Cruise and did VIV Belize Cave Tours. We also had a fearful member in our group. I can tell you I saw NOTHING in the water. It is very clear and I never saw snakes, minnows, or fish of any kind. The only wildlife I saw on this tour were termite mounds in the trees, and tiny little bats (a whopping 5 of them) in the walk through portion of the tour. As for closed in spaces, there is only one spot where sunlight actually disappears. And having said that, I never turned around and looked behind me to see if the sunlight disappeared behind me. The "caves" are never so low that if you stood up in the river, you could bump your head. And the river was always at least 30 feet wide. There are a couple of sections where, if you drifted sideways, there was a low formation, but again, nothing you could reach.

 

Spinner, How far in advance did you book? I have e-mailed Viv twice for our February cruise and have not heard anything. Thanks for a great review.

[sweetcurves]

Spinner, How far in advance did you book? I have e-mailed Viv twice for our February cruise and have not heard anything. Thanks for a great review.

 

I got an e-mail the very next morning after I reserved online. Did you check your junk mail? Mine went there initially.

[SpinnerCOyyy]

Birdy- We booked about 40 days pre-cruise. We had no trouble hearing back from them, even with our two changes in reservation participants. We also had an additional question on whether we could prepay, which we could not do.

 

Texascruiseaddict- Once in the cruise terminal, we found dozens of tour companies holding signs. We found a VIV guide holding a sign and he led us past the terminal gates, into the parking lot with waiting vans. It was a little chaotic but manageable. We stood along the wall next to the ocean while we paid the guide, and signed all our waivers. We were approached by a vendor selling bracelets, which was a little annoying as she sat with our group while we were being processed. Some of the vendors outside the cruise terminal were aggressive in their sales tactics. Paying with cash while standing along the wall felt a little sketchy. Within 10 minutes, we were in the van and on our way.

[rollnoles2]

Spinner, How far in advance did you book? I have e-mailed Viv twice for our February cruise and have not heard anything. Thanks for a great review.

 

I tried their online reservation form and didn't hear back for over a week. I then emailed them directly (found the address on their website) and heard back within a few hours.

[texascruiseaddict]

birdy- we booked about 40 days pre-cruise. We had no trouble hearing back from them, even with our two changes in reservation participants. We also had an additional question on whether we could prepay, which we could not do.

 

Texascruiseaddict- once in the cruise terminal, we found dozens of tour companies holding signs. We found a viv guide holding a sign and he led us past the terminal gates, into the parking lot with waiting vans. It was a little chaotic but manageable. We stood along the wall next to the ocean while we paid the guide, and signed all our waivers. We were approached by a vendor selling bracelets, which was a little annoying as she sat with our group while we were being processed. Some of the vendors outside the cruise terminal were aggressive in their sales tactics. Paying with cash while standing along the wall felt a little sketchy. Within 10 minutes, we were in the van and on our way.

 

thank you!!

[Iamkesha1]

Seems to me that .bz is better with answering questions and more personable. .com, seems to get straight to the money !!!!

 

I think I'll be going with .bz. for several reasons. Foot to armpit isn't that bad. I mean before they offered a rope link, .com still was horrible at returning emails, etc. I'll go with someone who seems to want and appreciate my business anyday.

 

I emailed .com & .bz yesterday and received the following replies regarding children's rates:

 

Cavetubing.bz vitalinoreyes@gmail.com reply:

 

The price per person for cavetubing is $40US and for children 9 years and younger is $25US so your total price is $130US. Please bring the total amount in an envelope to pay for the entire group to facilitate payment for us. Prices include transportation in A/C vans, entrance fee, licensed tour guide and updated equipment (life jackets, Petzl helmets, L.E.D. lights and yellow tubes with handles). We give you FREE lunch, water, sodas and rum punch. For lunch we serve a local dish of rice and beans with stew chicken and coleslaw prepared by my sisters from my grandmother's recipe. This delicious meal is served at my place which is not a public restaurant, it is only for my guests.

 

tourdesk@bze-trips.com (.com) reply:

 

all our prices are the same for kids and adults , cave tubing 40.00 per person

[Iamkesha1]

Thank you for your post. NO ONE else has said that. They link you with your own family members.... That is good to know, although it definitely wasn't a problem for me either way. I think that will ease others minds.

We went with .bz mainly because of the price ($105 total for me, my husband, and 8 year old daughter) and because of the free lunch/rum punch. I was concerned about linking feet/armpits, but decided to deal with it. I AM SO GLAD I CHOSE THIS COMPANY!!

 

First of all, they break you into small groups and you only link with your own family members. You don't have anyone else's feet or armpits anywhere near you. For us, they paired us up with another family (2 adults, 2 kids), we were side by side with them and our separate lines were tied together with one guide in the front, talking to us, swimming, pulling us along.

Lunch was extremely good, as was the rum punch. They make you feel very welcome and go around offering everyone seconds on whatever they want, including a container of rum punch to drink on the way back to the boat.

 

*edit: I also really liked the fact that they greet you after the 30 minute tender from the ship with very cold bottles of water. This was a nice touch and very appreciated!!