Belize via cruise

lls31

One of the ports on our HM cruise itinerary is Belize.  It's the only port we're having trouble figuring out what to do as far as excursions go.  I've been browsing Cruise Critic, but haven't had much luck.

We dock in Belize City.  Many people on Cruise Critic recommend the cave tubing - we are not at all interested in doing this.  Besides the cave tubing, it doesn't sound like we have many options.

After browsing the excursions offered through Carnival, we decided to do Bannister Island.  Problem is, the reviews for this on Cruise Critic are terrible.  I'm not sure what else to do though.  

Any suggestions?  We're pretty much open to anything (except cave tubing or swimming with dolphins).  We are also open to booking an excursion with an outside party - just as long as it comes recommended from someone who has booked with them in the past.  We obviously don't want to get ripped off!

Magdala9

I just took the cave tubing experience last month in Belize.  It was great fun and an experience that DH & I loved.   

Keep in mine that you do not have to do an excursion at each port.  Sometimes it is fun just to relax on board ship. 

lls31

I guess maybe I should ask what's so exciting about the cave tubing?  I've been in several caves before (locally and on past cruises) and I kind of feel like a cave is a cave.  I don't really see the excitement of sitting in a tube and floating through one.  Is there more to it?  If I'm missing something and it's more exciting that I'm picturing, we'd definitely consider it.

As far as staying on the ship, that's something we don't plan on doing.  If we're visiting these islands, we definitely want to get off the ship and do something - even if it's just wandering around.

alithebride

can you just get a cab to a nice beach for the day?

lls31

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_belize-via-cruise?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:51b2a2d9-03d8-44ef-915c-75ca2ac81b2fPost:6a116d2f-2940-44d9-84b2-da71eeeb467d">Re: Belize via cruise</a>:
[QUOTE]can you just get a cab to a nice beach for the day?
Posted by alithebride[/QUOTE]

<div>I wish it were that easy.  From what I've read, there aren't really any beaches in Belize City.  You would have to take a 30 minute boat ride to an island off the coast of Belize to get to a beach (which basically ends up being an "excursion").  That's definitely an option, but I would still like recommendations on the tour company that we would book to take us there.  </div>

daria24

I've been to Belize, but not on a cruise. Belize City is really, really sketchy. It's the only place I've been that I've been afraid just walking around. 

I'm not sure how much time you will have off the boat-does your cruise offer a snorkeling trip? That's probably your best bet. If not you can take the water taxi to Amergris and go snorkeling from there, or just explore San Pedro for awhile. 

I recommend contacting Katie Valk at belize-trips.com. She's an American who relocated to Belize-she can give you recommendations via email. 

If you don't end up doing anything, seriously don't get off the boat. Belize City is the worst.

tdmaus

Belize is beautiful...but Belize City itself is not a good area to check out... i've been to Belize and totally loved it...can you go and see Mayan Ruins? There is one close to Belize City...it's a smaller Mayan Ruin, but close to Belize City, if you dont have much time... cave tubing and ziplining was also fun. I can definitely recommened those... the beaches on the Cayes of Belize are beautiful...but i dont think, you can go there from a cruise ship...

Wiscisbliss

We went to the Altun Ha ruins.  We had a great time; neither of us had seen ruins before.  The ride there was terrifying to most of the people in our van (1 lane road with vehicles going both dirrections at 50 mph), but it didn't really phase me... it was less scary than China driving.    

RYLZ

We did the Altun Ha Ruins also and really enjoyed it.  Afterwards, they stopped for local lunch, which was interesting.

sundayrose

FI and I went to Belize this past Dec 2011 and just stayed at the port and hung out at the outdoor bar/restuarant on the pier called The Wet Lizard (I think they have a facebook page)--the drinks and food (locally inspired) was great and we had a lot of fun just relaxing, taking in the nice weather and chatting with others from our cruise ship as it got later in the afternoon. A coworker went to Belize a few months before I did and I think she did some type of swimming with sting rays at a sandbar and highly recommended that but I know she didn't book through Carnival--I'm not sure who/what company she booked through, sorry!

lls31

I'll look into the ruins.  We were planning on doing Tulum when we dock in Cozumel, but I'm not opposed to doing both.  We both like that sort of thing.  

I actually read about The Wet Lizard when browsing for info on Belize.  I just checked out their website and it sounds like they offer excursions of their own - one to the local brewery, which actually sounds pretty cool.

Thanks everyone!