vivianmarie244 Posted February 2, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Trying to talk my husband into a cruise for just the two of us in 2020. Looking at Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston as we've already been to Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral and would like to see different islands. I'm trying to decide between the two itineraries that go to Roatan, Cozumel, and either Belize City or Puerto Costa Maya. We're not big into sitting on the beach for hours and we don't drink so excursions that include alcohol don't really interest us. We prefer to get out and see the sights especially historical sights. Which one would be better for our type of interests? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 2, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I'd still take Costa Maya because Belize is a tender port, and a long tender at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lajbec Posted February 2, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Belize is known for cave tubing. Not a whole lot to see there. We did an excursion that was not the "hike" where you took a bus to a landing and floated in a raft. We've also done a semi submersible and then stopped at a manmade "island" for a two hour-ish. Belize is not somewhere to "walk around" outside the gated area. Costa Maya, we do an all inclusive Maya Chan. It was a taxi ride by the coast outside of touristy area. We don't drink alcohol at all or do "beach" but we can tear up some diet cokes, cookie smoothies, and their INCREDIBLE guac and taco lunch. I believe their may be a long bus trip to ruins. Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journeymaker Posted February 2, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 2, 2018 You'll want Belieze if you want tubing and activity but the tender is a pain if you can afford to take ship activity and first tender it is best Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising_knc Posted February 2, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I have been to both. Prefer Belize by far. We did the excursion to Xunantunich. Long bus ride but we got to see a lot of Belize. When we climbed the temple at the ruins we could see Guatamala. Costa Maya seems too fake. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waverley7 Posted February 2, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I have been to both places twice......Belize, did Cave tubing the first time and the second time we went to Goff's Caye. Hubby snorkelled and I enjoyed the little island. Both were really great excursions! I don't mind the tender over, I'm on holidays....who cares! Costa Maya, the first time my daughter and I went zip lining and the second time we went to the new amusement/water park they built right by the pier. (This water park is not busy at all) We felt like we had our own private spot with a few others. Elevators there to go up to the rides and they have TONS of zip lining there too. Lots of fun! Again, both were awesome! My husband and my mom did the ruins and enjoyed themselves as well. Good Luck on your decision! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted February 2, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 2, 2018 For us Costa Maya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted February 2, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I'd still take Costa Maya because Belize is a tender port, and a long tender at that. +1...not a fan of Belize anyway. Love Costa Maya! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted February 2, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 2, 2018 +1...not a fan of Belize anyway. Love Costa Maya! :) Agree. We made the mistake of walking outside of the gated compound (:rolleyes:) in Belize. Yikes we were pounced on immediately by a lot of different hawkers. I threw a dollar bill on the ground to divert their attention and told my wife run, everyone man and women for themselves. Ok I made that part up. :D Lets just say I thought Ocho Rios was bad! :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brookie848 Posted February 2, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Costa Maya has a tour to the ruins. Most people suggest going with Native Choice, which can include stopping at a house for lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivianmarie244 Posted February 2, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Looks like Costa Maya is winning so far. Honestly, the long tender to Belize may do it for my husband. When we went on our honeymoon cruise a "few" years ago, we had to tender to Cozumel. It was on an enclosed tender with no air circulating and the seas were ROUGH. Just about everyone was throwing up around us. You could hear, see, and smell it! When we got on land, we immediately went and bought some Dramamine. A couple from Kentucky who was on the same excursion begged us for a couple. It was horrible! But, after we recovered, it was a funny story to remember from our honeymoon. ;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted February 2, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Agree. We made the mistake of walking outside of the gated compound (:rolleyes:) in Belize. Yikes we were pounced on immediately by a lot of different hawkers. I threw a dollar bill on the ground to divert their attention and told my wife run, everyone man and women for themselves. Ok I made that part up. :D Lets just say I thought Ocho Rios was bad! :eek: LOL...I could actually see you doing that! ;p Try Cartagena sometimes. Worst ever! :eek: No desire to go back there ever again. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted February 2, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 2, 2018 LOL...I could actually see you doing that! ;p Try Cartagena sometimes. Worst ever! :eek: No desire to go back there ever again. :o Good to know. Also Trinidad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopster95 Posted February 2, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Looks like Costa Maya is winning so far. Honestly, the long tender to Belize may do it for my husband. When we went on our honeymoon cruise a "few" years ago, we had to tender to Cozumel. It was on an enclosed tender with no air circulating and the seas were ROUGH. Just about everyone was throwing up around us. You could hear, see, and smell it! When we got on land, we immediately went and bought some Dramamine. A couple from Kentucky who was on the same excursion begged us for a couple. It was horrible! But, after we recovered, it was a funny story to remember from our honeymoon. ;p If Costa Maya is your choice, you may enjoy this full day to the Ruins of Dzibanche & Kohunlich https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=42738841&highlight=Dzibanche+%26+Kohunlich#post42738841 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV FAN Posted February 2, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 2, 2018 We stay on the ship at both ports. Enjoy having the ship to ourselves! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted February 2, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I'd still take Costa Maya because Belize is a tender port, and a long tender at that. I need to get back to Belize as I wasn't scuba certified the first time in 2009. I hope they have improved the tender operation. Back in 09 it looked like the evacuation of Dunkirk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted February 2, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I need to get back to Belize as I wasn't scuba certified the first time in 2009. I hope they have improved the tender operation. Back in 09 it looked like the evacuation of Dunkirk. It was that way in 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFerrington Posted February 2, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 2, 2018 +1 for Costa Maya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy71 Posted February 2, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Trying to talk my husband into a cruise for just the two of us in 2020. Looking at Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston as we've already been to Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral and would like to see different islands. I'm trying to decide between the two itineraries that go to Roatan, Cozumel, and either Belize City or Puerto Costa Maya. We're not big into sitting on the beach for hours and we don't drink so excursions that include alcohol don't really interest us. We prefer to get out and see the sights especially historical sights. Which one would be better for our type of interests? I loved Belize! My mom and I did cave tubing the first time and went to the ruins at Lamanai the second time. I haven’t been to Costa Maya. I know I’m in the minority, but I thought the tender boat ride was fun. Belize is apparently not a Port you want to wander around on your own. We did the cave tubing with a private company and Lamanai as a ship’s excursion. I’m sure you’ll have a great time whichever you choose! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted February 2, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I guess it depends what you want to do. We enjoyed both but did different activities. Belize we took a river tour and went to some Mayan ruins. Costa Maya we went to a beach all inclusive for the day. Had a great time at both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janette34 Posted February 3, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 3, 2018 When I visited Belize the tender was actually a large ferry, not enclosed and if I recall correctly was about 15 minutes. We did a ship tour to Xunantunich. It was a long day, but really enjoyed it. I do have to say that Belize is probably the saddest area I have seen, so much garbage everywhere. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplegrapefruit Posted February 3, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 3, 2018 If you are up for an adventure you might enjoy Belizr We did an excursion to the ruins at Lamanai in Belize and it is still one of our favourites. It was a long day but totally worth it to see ruins so far in the jungle and away from crowds. Just bring bug spray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mcatmcat Posted February 3, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Belize is boring for us , love to get to caosta maya to mahawal ( or soemthing like that ) beach :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted February 3, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Good to know. Also Trinidad. Yup, good ports to stay on the ship....which we rarely do as we always enjoy getting off the ship in almost every port...but there are limits to my explorations. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted February 3, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 3, 2018 If Costa Maya is your choice, you may enjoy this full day to the Ruins of Dzibanche & Kohunlichhttps://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=42738841&highlight=Dzibanche+%26+Kohunlich#post42738841 How long is the bus ride? I don't usually book those tours due to the long bus rides which take up most of the day sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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