Hi
We just bought a cruise for the New Year and are bringing our 20 and 23 year old college boys.
Does anyone have any input on Grand Cayman, Belize, Cozumel and Costa Maya excursions, thru princess cruise lines.

We want to dive in Belize and Grand Cayman.
What ruins in Costa Maya would you suggest? One is an all day thing, is it worth it? Would my sons kill me? Kohunlich, Dzibanche or Chacchobren which is half day?

What to do in Cozumel? I was thinking of a introduction to scuba.

All these are thru the cruise ship, because I am paranoid about missing the ship, especially with 4 of us.

Do you think there will be other college kids on a cruise from Dec 31-Jan 6?

I need to schedule this stuff quick before they fill up and would appreciate any information.

My girlfriend told me her drink bill for her college boys came up to $1000!! Surprise Surprise. Any suggestions on buying off shore, etc.

We are on the Grand Princess, which we are told was restored. Any input would be appreciated.

Cat

You mention diving, is everyone certified?? Otherwise consider snorkling since the diving time is way short on ship excursions and hardly worthwhile in my opinion.

Your' "miss the ship" is completely unfounded if you go with recommended venders and proper planning. They are WAY superior, as an example in Grand Cayman, the Sting ray city sandbar tour is just that via the ship tour, with an independent, you get 2 other sites for about the same money. A great vender is Cpt. Marvin.

In Belize snorkling in Caye Cauker is just excellent and can include shark alley.

Costa Maya is a completely fake recreated cruise owned port. Research fully the ruin options, plenty to consider.

We just got back from a fantastic tour in Belize! It is cave tubing with Reggie. Go to regtour.com and check it out!!! I emailed Reggie ([email protected]) two nights before we were leaving with questions. He not only emailed me right back but he called me that night on the phone! (had given my phone number). His cost was $45 a person. Carnival was $93 and I was told Princess was $98. There were 9 of us and 30-40 with ship's tour. We were all at the same place at same time. Reggie has never had anyone miss the last tender but has a boat to take anyone to the ship if they do. We spent about 45 minutes going through two caves that were high and wide. You pay him when you get to his van but he likes an email to know you're coming. If you meet anyone on the ship, they could join you. We cruise a lot and this was one of the best if not the best tour we've ever been on.
In Caymen do go with Captain Marvin to Sting Ray City.You can search
cruisecritic.com's seach site to find out more about this tour. Make sure you bring your own throw away underwater camera (I like Fugi better than Kodak!) They take pictures of you holding a ray above your head but charge $25 for it! It doesn't cost you anything to give camera to someone to take these pictures.
In Cozumel we've gone to the national park, Chankanaub, an easy cab ride where there are always cabs to get back to the ship. I don't know what they're like after the hurricane but they have good snorkling, shaded beaches, food, drinks, snorkling equip for rent, and I think they have Snuba -you're connectd to an air hose while under water, and a swim with the dolphins.
Costa Maya was built for cruise ships. There really isn't anything to do right there but shop. The beach right next to the pier was closed last month. You can take a cab ($3) to the "town" which is really just vedors and a beach. Maybe a ship's tour here.
Trip before this one to Belize we took a water taxi to Caye Caulker to snorkle. It was awful - only saw one or two fish. The sharks are on Ambergis Caye, a bit farther on. You tender a long way into Belize and get off in the city. There are no beaches there at all.
Reggie & Capt. Marvin make sure no one ever misses the boat and get you back in plenty of time. They know if they were late, cruise passenges - their main business- would not use them. We have been on 40+ cruises (over 20 years) and never take ship's tours any more. We have our own snorkling stuff and find a beach on our own! Email me if you have any more questions. We'll be on ship in eastern carib for the New Year. Know you'll have a great cruise- and New Years is always fun!

Wow, thank you both for all the input. I found Captain Marvin's web site and we will definitely do him.

I signed up for the Rays and Reef Snorkeling tour through princess. It goes to Sting Ray Village and then on to Horseshoe
reef. Has anyone heard about this tour.

The cave tubing sounds great, but my son is really interested in corals since he has a coral tank at home.

Also, thank you for the camera advise.

Cat

None of us are certified.

It sounds like you are on the Grand Princess out of Galveston. We did this itinerary for Spring Break last year. Sting Rays with Capt. Marvin a must in Cayman. Be sure to book some excursion in Belize (Reggie sounds really good), we didn't and there is really nothing to do the the town where the tenders dock. In Costa Maya we did the ships "Beach Break" I thought this would be a good choice since alcohol was included but the drinks were very limited (none of the frozen variety) and not very good and it was a bus ride of about 45 min. I'd take a tour of the ruins or just hang out in the village they've created. The have a beach and a pool there and restaurant, little shops, etc. Don't know how Cozumel is doing after the Hurricane. A friend went on a Royal Caribbean cruise a few weeks ago and they weren't able to dock in Cozumel due to rough seas. We spent our time there at Senor Frogs/Carlos and Charlies and shopping - but I had two teenage girls who like that sort of thing!

Hi Paige,

Great advise, maybe I should book with the ship for cozumel because of the rough seas.

Did your girls have fun on the ship, or was it boring for them?

I will definitely do the Grand Cayman thing and also I booked in Belize a dive with the rays and horseshoe reef. Did anyone on your cruise take that tour by chance?

I was thinking the beach break thing too, but I'll nix that.

How much was your drink bill at the end? Ha! My boys are the same way.

Thanks again, by chance were you in a mini suite, where the rooms nice?

Cat

Cat -

I really don't remember what our drink bill was - our girls were only 17 at the time so no alcohol for them! We bought them the refillable coke cups (I think $20.00 each). I felt the drinks and wine prices were very reasonable and even less expensive than some restaurants at home. The girls enjoyed themselves and loved getting dressed up for dinner. The outdoor movie screen was great - they show movies all day and night. We had no problem with the girls being bored. Our cruise was over spring break and there were other teens and college students on the ship. I would think you would also have plenty of college age students at that time of year too traveling with their families. I don't think most cruise lines allow under 25 without parents.