12LikesCruise Port Ideas
10-14-2019, 03:27 PM
#1
Admirals Club 
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
Cruise Port Ideas
We were supposed to be going to the Florida Keys for Thanksgiving. Due to some family events, we had to cancel that trip a few weeks back. We just found out we had our schedule clear up again, so we went looking for vacation ideas. Due to airfare and/or driving distance, we opted to not go to the keys. My wife and daughters wanted to go on a cruise, so I booked one yesterday. We are going with Norwegian out of New Orleans for 7 days. It works out perfect because I am a 3 hour drive from the terminal at the port and I do not need to pay for airfare or drive for two days each way. Anyway, I have done one other cruise. It was a Disney Cruise and we hit the Virgin Islands and a couple other places. I enjoyed riding on the boat more than the ports.
This cruise hits Cozumel, Roatan, Harvest Caye in Belize, and Costa Maya in Mexico. The only thing I know I am going to do is go to the LCDH in Cozumel if I can and I am going to do a wall dive in Roatan. The shore excursions are very expensive through NCL ($600 to see the ruins!) and I am not fan of a lot of them. So, I turn to the great THT. Can you give me ideas of things we can do at those ports that are safe and will be enjoyable? It will be my wife and I and our 15 year old and 10 year old daughters. We like to walk around, people watch, eat at cool places, and look around.
This cruise hits Cozumel, Roatan, Harvest Caye in Belize, and Costa Maya in Mexico. The only thing I know I am going to do is go to the LCDH in Cozumel if I can and I am going to do a wall dive in Roatan. The shore excursions are very expensive through NCL ($600 to see the ruins!) and I am not fan of a lot of them. So, I turn to the great THT. Can you give me ideas of things we can do at those ports that are safe and will be enjoyable? It will be my wife and I and our 15 year old and 10 year old daughters. We like to walk around, people watch, eat at cool places, and look around.
10-14-2019, 04:40 PM
#3
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
Originally Posted by skibum
What is the "LCDH" ?
Dont you live in Cozumel?
10-14-2019, 04:48 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cozumel mostly, and Denton, Texas
Posts: 3,979
Originally Posted by cwhite6
Las Casa De Habanos. Cuba cigar stores that are run by Altadis that has the exclusive rights from the Cuban government to run them. Pretty much the only places in Mexico I trust to buy real Cuban cigars. I have been to a couple and they are always pretty cool.
Dont you live in Cozumel?
10-14-2019, 04:55 PM
#5
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
Originally Posted by skibum
Yes, never heard of the acronym. I only went there once, food was terrible as was the service, but that happens at most restaurants on Cozumel. I'd suggest going up to Havana Bob's for cigars to compare. Bob goes to Cuba frequently and has quite a variety of real Cuban cigars. He also buys tobacco there and has his own rollers with distinguished resumes. Located at Wet Wendy's about a block and a half from Casa de Habanos. Holler if there is anything else you want to know about Cozumel I may be able to help. I'm headed down for the next 6 months early November.
10-14-2019, 05:26 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cozumel mostly, and Denton, Texas
Posts: 3,979
Originally Posted by cwhite6
Good info! Can you recommend a good place to eat lunch? We are not much on touristy places. Much prefer a local place with good food.
10-15-2019, 06:43 AM
#8
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
Originally Posted by billinstuart
Port Canaveral is becoming quite the cruise port..easy access, avoids south Florida.
10-15-2019, 06:47 AM
#9
Admirals Club
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: De
Posts: 2,506
Roatan we booked a private tour with Victor Bodden Tours.
They were great to work with and we did what we wanted to do and beat the big bus tours.
The money you saved on airfare would make a great day :-)
Cozumel rent a car and hit the East Side of the Island.
Have a drink at Coconuts on that side, Great views from up on the bluff.
Skibum will chime in for great advice.
.
They were great to work with and we did what we wanted to do and beat the big bus tours.
The money you saved on airfare would make a great day :-)
Cozumel rent a car and hit the East Side of the Island.
Have a drink at Coconuts on that side, Great views from up on the bluff.
Skibum will chime in for great advice.
.
10-15-2019, 06:59 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Deltona FL, Penrod KY
Posts: 2,106
We purchase excursions/dive trips/ fishing trips on line
Saves about 30% off ship rates. Sometime you can pick up a trip that has openings for $20-$40
Most take credit card for deposit but never charge it. CASH when you show up.
Just make sure you/they understand the time you have to be back at port
Doug
Saves about 30% off ship rates. Sometime you can pick up a trip that has openings for $20-$40
Most take credit card for deposit but never charge it. CASH when you show up.
Just make sure you/they understand the time you have to be back at port
Doug
10-15-2019, 07:55 AM
#12
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
Originally Posted by Striper In
Roatan we booked a private tour with Victor Bodden Tours.
They were great to work with and we did what we wanted to do and beat the big bus tours.
The money you saved on airfare would make a great day :-)
Cozumel rent a car and hit the East Side of the Island.
Have a drink at Coconuts on that side, Great views from up on the bluff.
Skibum will chime in for great advice.
.
They were great to work with and we did what we wanted to do and beat the big bus tours.
The money you saved on airfare would make a great day :-)
Cozumel rent a car and hit the East Side of the Island.
Have a drink at Coconuts on that side, Great views from up on the bluff.
Skibum will chime in for great advice.
.
10-15-2019, 09:03 AM
#15
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
Originally Posted by TooReel
Last cruise we went on stopped at Costa Maya. My recommendation would be to stay on the boat.
10-15-2019, 09:29 AM
#17
Admirals Club
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: De
Posts: 2,506
If you haven't be to this site, Check it out.
This link will take you to most ports.
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/
Been on 7 or 8 cruises and have yet to book anything through the cruise line.
I usually just get a private car or van for the cost just a bit more then the cruise line would charge for a tour..
Just in the DR (Puerto Plata) on a cruise and celebrated my 60th.Had these guys wheel us around with lunch waiting on a private beach, Bottle of rum.
Alexander the Great was my Bartender and tour guide, Indiana Jones was our driver & Dolores was the chef.
All for $200.00 ( 6 Hours) + a nice tip for a great day.
Did everything were not supposed to do in the DR and we lived.
Similar to what we did with Bodden
This link will take you to most ports.
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/
Been on 7 or 8 cruises and have yet to book anything through the cruise line.
I usually just get a private car or van for the cost just a bit more then the cruise line would charge for a tour..
Just in the DR (Puerto Plata) on a cruise and celebrated my 60th.Had these guys wheel us around with lunch waiting on a private beach, Bottle of rum.
Alexander the Great was my Bartender and tour guide, Indiana Jones was our driver & Dolores was the chef.
All for $200.00 ( 6 Hours) + a nice tip for a great day.
Did everything were not supposed to do in the DR and we lived.
Similar to what we did with Bodden
10-22-2019, 07:30 AM
#18
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 5,189
I Just sent my inquiry to Bodden for Roatan. I think I am going to skip diving by myself and just do the tour with the family. My wife is excited to get to hug a sloth. 
For Cozumel, skibum has hooked me up with the info I wanted. We are going to take a. Cab or private car to the other side of the island and chill on the beach for the day and eat some street food.
No idea on Belize yet and we will probably stay on the boat and play on the slides and such while the boat is docked at Costa Maya.
For Cozumel, skibum has hooked me up with the info I wanted. We are going to take a. Cab or private car to the other side of the island and chill on the beach for the day and eat some street food.
No idea on Belize yet and we will probably stay on the boat and play on the slides and such while the boat is docked at Costa Maya.
10-22-2019, 08:27 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: South East Pa
Posts: 9,434
Costa Maya is a tiny little village. With that said check out Maya Chan Beach. You can't go wrong, been there three times and love it. Book early if you decide to go!!!
Costa Maya Beach Resort - Maya Chan Beach
.
Costa Maya Beach Resort - Maya Chan Beach
.
10-22-2019, 08:42 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 21,703
When we anchored off Belize my wife took a tender to land and I got on a fishing boat right off the cruise ship.
Cozumel- Rented a Harley. Were guided all around the island stopping at different lookout spots, a light house.
They had a pick up that followed and when in town blocked intersections for safety.
I think skibum commented on a post I made ling ago. He knew the guys or knew of them I believe.
Another time with our grown kids we rented a dune buggy and went in a group of others. Saw the sights and had a nice lunch on the beach.
.
Cozumel- Rented a Harley. Were guided all around the island stopping at different lookout spots, a light house.
They had a pick up that followed and when in town blocked intersections for safety.
I think skibum commented on a post I made ling ago. He knew the guys or knew of them I believe.
Another time with our grown kids we rented a dune buggy and went in a group of others. Saw the sights and had a nice lunch on the beach.
.
