help for these ladies

[lovetexas]

hello- i am going on a cruise in aug, but i am asking these questions for my mom and her friend. they are both 70ish widows and they are on the ncl dawn leaving outta houston on jan. 20th. they have several questions which i can not answer. for instance- what time can they get on the ship? they are staying at my moms vacation house in palacios- a little town about 2 hours away- and they are driving over that morning, but they cant decide what time to leave. also what tours does anybody recommend for these older ladies? i suggested the cave tours in belize, but they cant do the walk, and they are not real strong. they will be going to belize, cozumel, progresso, and cancun (for 1 hour- what is that about?)

every since i booked my cruise i found this website and i love it! so im hoping yall out there can help these little ladies out- thanks:rolleyes: :)

[mpk218]

hello- i am going on a cruise in aug, but i am asking these questions for my mom and her friend. they are both 70ish widows and they are on the ncl dawn leaving outta houston on jan. 20th. they have several questions which i can not answer. for instance- what time can they get on the ship? they are staying at my moms vacation house in palacios- a little town about 2 hours away- and they are driving over that morning, but they cant decide what time to leave. also what tours does anybody recommend for these older ladies? i suggested the cave tours in belize, but they cant do the walk, and they are not real strong. they will be going to belize, cozumel, progresso, and cancun (for 1 hour- what is that about?)

every since i booked my cruise i found this website and i love it! so im hoping yall out there can help these little ladies out- thanks:rolleyes: :)

 

 

11:30 is about as early as Ive seen . Definatly not before 11:00.

as far as tours are concerned thats a tough one not knowing there limitations. But there are plenty of bus tours and trips to the beach's. Take a look at the NCL.com web site..

 

mpk

[johnql]

I agree that arriving at the pier between 11 and noon would probably be good if they want to get on the ship asap. However, they should be prepared for some lines and a little chaos. If they prefer to miss the crowds, arriving at 2 would probably be good. BTW, their ship is the Dream, not the Dawn.

[judyf]

I did the river ruins tour in Belize with my Mother (68) at the time. There's not much walking and shade was available. I also enjoyed this tour. I climbed to the top of the ruins while my mother sat under a shade tree taking with our guide. It was a nice tour.

[above sea level cruiser]

 

BTW, their ship is the Dream, not the Dawn.

 

I was beginning to worry about that as we leave on the 28th out of NY.

 

Thanks.:)

[lovetexas]

thanks, i just learned i typed the wrong ship from my mothers friend too- oh well-sorry- im still very new to this board thing-

belize sounds great- i think they can walk well enough for the ruin tour, just not the climbing-

what about cozumel? any suggestions-thanks for all the help

:p

[electricron]

The one hour stop at the Calica port isn't really near Cancun, but at Playa del Carmen. It's for those booking tours on the Mexican mainland can save a 30 to 40 minute ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa. Even though they get off at Playa, they still have to ride the ferry back to Cozumel to rejoin the Dream.

 

On my voyage last month, the Dream was running late and skipped the one hour stop at Playa, and sailed directly to Cozumel, so my tour had to ride the ferry both ways, anyways. :(

 

At Cozumel, for an elderly lady I suggest shopping at the many shops in Cozumel, most of which are in walking distance to the pier, or taking the Tulum Mayan ruin tour. Tulum is right on the beach and has spectaular scenery, although it has been commercialized much more than I would wish. Commercialism seems to follow popularity everywhere. ;)

 

At Belize, I suggest the Lamani New River tour. If it's not raining, it's great, and if it is raining, a grand adventure. Bring your raincoats, you might need them. :D

[kirdo]

Tulum is a long bus trip + 2X ferrys to Coz. We got a 2 for 1 Sub dive on

cozumelinsider.com last Oct. It was $74 total + $5 cab south to the sub

!hr. 100+ down to the coral. 6 step ladder w/help if needed.:D

[Pebbs48]

At Belize, I suggest the Lamani New River tour. If it's not raining, it's great, and if it is raining, a grand adventure. Bring your raincoats, you might need them. :D

 

ER - could you elaborate? I am debating between this excursion & the Altun Ha/Old Belize River (I posted this question on the Belize forum and have gotten a couple of responses already.) Thanks...

[refman]

not sure about the arrival time but with regards to trips i think the excursion desk would be extremely helpful with recommendations and also availability. good luck and have a great time ladies.

[Don Haynes]

I have enjoyed both the Alta Hun and Lamani tours in Belize. There will be about a half mile or so walk with both on uneven ground. There are monkees at Lamani, but there is also a wet fast boat ride too. I think Alta Hun would be safer, not getting wet. The boat ride is slow through Belize City, and then you are transported by bus to Alta Hun. Belize is a tender port unlike the others.

 

At Cozumel, there is a sightseeing tour which leaves plenty of time for shopping near the dock at Cozumel. Very little walking, except for the two or three blocks of shopping. There is also a beach tour, if they like to swim and snorkle at the national park beach. Either one of these should be idea. I wouldn't book a ferry ride to or from the mainland until they have seen Cozumel better.

 

At Progresso there are beaches, but the snorkling isn't as good. But there is a wonderful sightseeing tour of Merida, which ends up in the town square at the oldest cathedral in the Western Hemisphere. To the north of the square there is shopping, unlike the other resorts, not geared for tourist, but for the citizens of Merida. In front of the cathedral is a well shaded park, with seats, and tons of pigeons. A good place to sit and feed the birds. Very little walking except for the shopping.

 

I hope this helps.

[VoyageVirgin]

Definitely go to the Ports of Call forum and check each port they will be visiting. There are people there with the same concerns.

 

In Cozumel we did the submarine last time and it was surprisingly good. But as pointed out by "kirdo", there is a ladder that you need to climb to get in and out. The NCL website now says it is seven foot and you have to do it on your own. I recall the crew members as being very helpful with several passengers who required assistance, but it may not be worth the risk.

 

The Tulum tour sounds like a good choice if they can handle the walking. I don't like spending port time on a bus if I can avoid it, but for what it is worth, the NCL website says it is only a one hour. Also on the NCL Physical Exertion scale the ruins are a 2 (more effort) than the submarine which is a 1 (lowest effort level next to limited mobility and wheelchair of which there are none listed).

 

The lowest rated (Physical Exertion) excursions are the two sub tours, the two fishing tours :confused: and the two shopping tours.

 

The only thing I can say for sure is that if they are looking to laugh, party and dance, go to Carlos and Charlies. Some self humiliation may be involved. :eek: But heck, they will feel like they are twenty again!

 

Good luck,

 

G