Wet n Wild is the BEST!! Read why. . .

[cruisinhs]

We just got back today from our 7 day cruise on the Elation. Cave Tubing in Belize was the highlight of our trip!!!! Everything that you read on here (if it's possitive) about Marvin and Wet n Wild cave tubing is all true! We had planned to do the Carnival Excursion until a few days before we left and because we had read so much about Marvin decided to give him a try. Let me assure you that I too had doubts about booking over the internet with a company in another country, but here's how it works. It's $12 for the deposit per person which you hold with a credit card. However, if something happens and the tour doesn't take place (which I don't think has EVER happened), they do not keep the money. It's just to make sure your serious because they are holding a spot for you. When we got there, Marvin was standing right where we got off the tender with a sign that said Wet n Wild Cave Tubing. We walked up to him and he said hello Mr. and Mrs. Hoagland. Wow! If that's not service, I don't know what is. He escorted us personally to his little building where we then signed the receipt for the deposit and then paid the rest. You can use cash or credit cards. Then we were on the way! You would think a 45 minute van ride would be boring, but it wasn't boring at all! Our tour guide's name was Charlie and he started right off by telling us all about Belize City and the whole country of Belize. Wow is he knowledgable! He went to college to become an environmentalist, which is exactly who I want with me when I go into the rain forrest. So he described everything along the way, told us all about the diverse animals in the country and anything else he could think of. The conversation never stopped! The experience all the way was smooth. We got our tubes, etc. and were on our way. He described to us all the medicinal plants along the way that there ancestors use and some still use today. It was sooooooo interesting!!!! We saw the group from Carnival and there were about 30 people in their group and they didn't stop at all to look at all the amazing things in the rain forrest. I'm sorry, but if I'm coming all the way to Belize, I want to come away feeling like I really saw some great things. Carnival also gets into the water only to go through one cave. We walked only 10 more minutes to get to a pristine area that has a place where you could get right in, or climb up and jump/dive about 15 feet into the water. I was on this trip to really experience everything so I dove in and it was amazing! The water was crystal clear! Once everyone was in, we headed off! Our guide was great about staying with us and pointing out beatiful formations inside the caves. You wear little head lamps so that you can see around. You really can't even imagine how beautiful it is! After we were all done we turned in our things and got back in the van. I didn't say this before, but we had the nicest vehicle in the whole place. Some of the buses and vans people were riding in, I would be afraid to get into. We had great air conditioning and the van was really nice! They took us to a place called Amigos to eat lunch and it was waiting for us when we got there and steaming hot! The meal is included in the tour price and so is the soda. (That's a change if your on a cruise ship.) The food was sooooo good! It was delicious! Then we got back in and finished our drive back to the peir, where they dropped us off right where the tenders come in and the little shops are. We actually had over an hour to look around before we had to tender back to the cruise ship. The total for everything was $60 and Carnival charges $89 and they have 30 people in their group, float through only one cave and have no lunch included. I had such an amazing time, I just had to come and write about it! We have only been home for about two hours and really it meant that much to me that I put in a good word for Marvin and the service his company provides. If you have any questions, I'll gladly help in anyway I can!

[NICOLE628]

:) crusinhs-

 

I am so glad you gave that awesome review! I am booked with Marvin for my elation cruise in January. I feel so much better now that I have read your review. Everything I have read on Cruise Critics is the reason I chose Marvin- now I know I made the right choice. Thank you so much for your positive review:)

[cruisinhs]

So glad I could help! I really can't say enough for the service we received! Not only that, but after I wrote that thread, I emailed Marvin personally to tell him how much I appreciated all they did for us and emailed me back almost immediately. I know a lot of people who wouldn't have bothered. They figure they already have your money and they move on to the next customer. I know you will have an amazing time and will leave Belize feeling like you have just made some new friends!

[NICOLE628]

cruisinhs-

 

What else did you do on your cruise? I am looking for suggestions. I think we are doing the ships tour of the ruins(chitzen itza) if it does not get booked up for Progresso. That is a very long tour and i do not think i want to take a chance with an outside company unless someone knows from experience who to call. Anyway- your input would greatly be appreciated.

[cruisinhs]

You know, I would have LOVED to go to Chichen Itza because I have studied it in college, but I just didn't want to spend the day on the bus. I know there are conflicting reports, but a tour guide in Progresso said that usually it takes almost 8 hours on the bus because of traffic and that by the time they get there, there is usually only an hour to spend at the sight because they have to get back to get on the ship. I did want to make sure that I saw a Mayan Ruin though, so we went to Dzibilchaltun. I really enjoyed it, especially since the bus ride was only 30 minutes, which is about how long it took our guide to give us the backgroud and such on the Mayan history of this sight. It's completely up to you, I'm sure it would be amazing to see if you don't mind the long ride. I've been to Cozumel once before this time so I knew exactly what I wanted to do. What are you interested in doing there? If you are looking for a relaxing day on the beach with cheap snorkeling that you can do on your own, I would do Chankanaab Park. It costs $10 for the taxi ride from the pier and that is for 1-4 people same price (so find another couple and save money). Entrance to the park was $12 and then snorkeling equiptment (fins, mask and snorkel) was $8. We talked to a lot of people who did a snorkel excursion and they said that they weren't able to spend hardly any time in the water. Doing it on your own means you do what you want, when you want. Then when we were ready to go back, there are showers in the restroom at the park. There is a little place inside the bathroom where they sell random stuff and I bought a thing of shampoo for 50 cents and was able to bathe completely and wash my hair. Which is nice after being in salty water! The snorkeling is absolutely gorgeous, bring a disposable underwater camera because it is a blast chasing the pretty fish around to get pictures. We went back to town and had a few hours left to shop and got lots of souveniers. I hope this helps.:)

[DonnaLill]

cruisinhs - I was really close to booking with Xstream until I read your review. I will book with Wet & Wild. I have a couple of questions - do you have to wear a life jacket, or is it your choice? Do you bring your swimsuit and change there? Or do you wear it there, and change later? Thanks for your help!

 

Donna:)

[cruisinhs]

I personally promise you won't be sorry and Marvin is always available to answer your emails. He has even emailed me since we returned yesterday. You do not have to wear a life jacket. No one on our trip wore one. To me, they are extremely uncomfortable and besides the water isn't that deep. While we were there though, some Belizean Police stopped us as we were heading out and told our guide that we had to have life jackets. I guess this is abnormal for them to care or maybe there was just a really anal cop on duty that day. Anyway, our guide went and got the life jackets and they wrapped the strap around the outside of the tube and that is where they stayed until we got back to turn in our tubes. As far as the swimsuit thing goes, all the people in our group had their swimsuits on under their clothes. Our guide did ask if anyone needed to change though, so obviously this is something they are used to. There are restrooms at the place where your van parks to start the walk, so you can change there if you need to. It was really easy to wear the suit under clothes though and then when we got there, we just took the other clothes off and we were on our way. The van is locked and as I mentioned before, there is security there so everything is very safe. We left all of our money and everything in the van with no problems. We had each brought a small backpack with a water bottle, towel and change of clothes in it, which we left all in the van during the excursion. When you get out of the river, you are only about a 3-5 minute walk back to the van, so you towel off there. I am sure they would let you change there if you wanted, but our guide said that if we just wanted to sit on our towels for a couple of minutes, we could change at the restaurant where the bathrooms were nicer. That is what I did. And the restaurant isn't what you would think of here, it's screened in and we were actually the only ones there. It was GREAT food! They even have a rare Macaw there that is in another screened in area that shares a screen with the room you sit in to eat. That was pretty cool! The name of the restaurant is Amigos and the restrooms are very nice and clean, so I changed there. Of course, they make sure that your food is ready precisely when you arrive. Get ready for the time of your life and make sure you take along one of those disposable underwater cameras. They float and everything! When are you going to be in Belize and what ship are you on?

[DonnaLill]

Thanks again. I emailed Marvin from his website. We will be on the Carnival Miracle, sailing 1/2/05. Will be in Belize 1/7. Can't wait! Other ports are Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. I read the boards daily for info, and really appreciate your review!

 

Donna:D

[erRN2be]

What's the web address for Wet n wild. I was going to go with Coral Breeze, but after reading your review I'm going to go with Wet n wild, but I'm having difficulty with the address..

 

Thanks

Chelle

[cruisinhs]

:) The website is www.ecotoursbelize.com. You can contact Marvin directly from there because there is a link right to his personal email address. You won't be sorry! What ship are you on and when are you sailing? Marvin will email you back within 24 hours with any answers you may need. It's like talking to a friend!

[DonnaLill]

Marvin got right back to me, and answered all my first timer questions. Thanks again! Sailing on the Jan 2 Carnival Miracle!:D

[cruisinhs]

Isn't he great!

[lanabanana]

Thanks so much for your very enthusiastic review! We are booked with Marvin in two weeks, when we'll be sailing on the Explorer. I booked with Marvin because of other positive reviews on this site and I expect to post one of my own when we return. One of the big selling points for me was the meal included in the price. That just seemed like the icing on the cake.

 

Thanks again for all the great details.

 

Alanna

[DonnaLill]

Alanna - looking forward to your review. Have a great trip!

Donna

[cruisinhs]

I would love to hear everyone's reviews when they return and I hope you all have as much fun as we did!

[vanclan]

the website states you need to be a good swimmer-I can swim, but not for long periods. How much swimming is required?

[cruisinhs]

Actually the only time I swam was when I chose to jump off the cliff into the water at the point of entry. Again, I chose to do that, and others went down a two foot step into the water. I could touch in the little area where we got in as well in different parts. The guide was very helpful and let everyone do what ever they were comfortable with and he was there every step of the way to help you get into your tube, etc. Once in your tube, you don't get out of it until you are done, so I'm not quite sure where the swimming comes in. Not only that, you can wear a life jacket. It sounds as if you wouldn't need one and I would only really recommend it for those who absolutey can't swim (in case they fell off their tube) or children (just as a precaution). What's great about Marvin at Wet n Wild is that he sincerely wants you to have a good time and he is there to offer friendly advice even before you book with him. I have had several people tell me that they went to his website and wrote him an email just to ask questions and were emailed back the same day. He is really great at what he does! Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

[cheropita]

Thanks so much for your great and informative review. We are in the process of booking with Marvin. We will be in Belize next week. Can't wait!

[cruisinhs]

Cheropita, you are going to have an amazing time! Have a great time and if you remember, tell Marvin that Holly said hello. I have corresponded with him a few times since we returned so he should know who you are talking about! I'm jealous! Oh, and if you are comfortable in water, take the plunge off the cliff at the point of entry. It's probably not something I would think I would do everyday, but the guide was awesome and there's something about being there in the jungle and the pristine water that makes you want to live life to the fullest!!!:)

[cheropita]

Hi Holly,

 

Yes we are looking forward to this tour. I will say hello to Marvin for you. Did you have any problem with snakes??? We will be there a week today! Did you pack a whole other dry outfit or just put the cloths back on that you had over your bathing suit?

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

Vanessa from Canada

[cruisinhs]

First of all, there are no snakes. In fact, some of the people with us were really paranoid about bugs and spiders, etc. We saw nothing! Also, they wore insect repellant and we didn't see a single mosquito. Our guide told us before we got there that we wouldn't have any trouble with bugs/mosquitos, but I guess they didn't believe him.

 

About the clothes thing. This is what everybody in our group did and it worked out really well. We all wore our swimsuits under some kind of really easy clothes to take off. I threw on a sundress with my water shoes, men just wore a shirt with their swim trunks, others slipped a pair of shorts and t-shirt on. When you get to the sight, you will just take off the outer clothes and throw them back in the van. Everything is very secure. We left absolutely everything, except our water cameras, in the van. When it talks about the 45 minute walk, that takes you up to where you enter the river to float through the caves. However, when you are ready to get out of the river, you are just a couple minutes walk back to the van. It gives you a chance to dry out a little. Then he asked if we were okay to sit on our towels until we got to the restaurant. There are places to change there, but he says the restaurant restrooms are much cleaner/nicer. I didn't go to the ones at the river, but I can say that the ones at the restaurant are nice and clean. So we just jumped in for a short ride back to the restaurant where we all changed and then enjoyed a delicious meal! I hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else. Holly

[cheropita]

Hi Holly,

 

Your info has been a great help. I think I have it all figured out now. So glad to hear you didn't see any snakes. Our flights are Saturday morning and then we board The Rhapsody on Sunday.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Vanessa

[Frosting Master]

Hi, we are going to be in Belize on Nov.3 (NCL-Sea) our times for Belize are 7 AM - 6 PM Does this seem like good times for this excursion? Specifically, what time were you back at the tender area. This is our second cruise, and the first time we are going to book something not with the cruise line. I have read many, many good reviews about Marvin, they seem to be very good. I guess, like everyone else, I have the FEAR OF MISSING THE BOAT syndrome. Thanks for any help.

[cheropita]

Hi,

 

I am taking my 7th cruise and have learnt from experience and now only book my tours myself independently. The tour operators know what they are doing and wouldn't have a business if they didn't get people back on time. No one would book with them. I have been told that Marvin leaves for the tubing at 9 a.m. and we get back with 1 hour to spare. We go next week so I will post when we get back. Just e-mail Marvin and he will fill you in.

 

Good luck and have a great cruise!

 

Vanessa

[cruisinhs]

Frosting Master, you have longer in port than we did and we made it back with over an hour to spare. We were not allowed to start tendering until 8:30 or so and then arrived with Marvin by 9A. Then our last tender left from Belize at 4:15 p.m. It sounds as if you will have more than enough time! Like Cheropita said, email Marvin and he will email you back, usually within 24 hours. He is really great! You will have a great time! I was also glad for the extra time to walk around because Belize City was the only port we stopped at where I wasn't shouted at every 2 seconds by a store owner. They truly appreciate the tourists because 25% of the people there owe their jobs to the tourism industry!