1st Time Cruise Organizer, Valor June 27th-July 5th!!!

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Aznsky

Guest
Hello all,

Wanted to introduce myself, I've cruised 3 times before but that was with my parents. Going to cruise for the first time with my girlfriend and friends this summer and I've become sort of the "organizer" for the group. It's her first time cruising and my first time organizing which is very exciting.

We're confirmed for the 7 night June 27th sailing from Miami. I've researched a bit and these are my ideas for each port:

Tue, Jun 30 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Tender Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 4:00 PM
- Just booked the Stingray City Sandbar morning tour through the cruise company (9:45 am - 12:15 pm). I figured the stingrays would be more hungry in the morning and more eager to eat from your hands :) Also that way we can spend the rest of the afternoon in the city (the other tour runs from 12pm-2pm which kind of splits up your day). What do you all suggest we do?

Wed, Jul 1 Isla Roatan Docked Arrive 12:00 PM Depart 7:00 PM
- Not sure what to do here. Will need to do more research. Any suggestions?

Thu, Jul 2 Belize Tender Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
- Will plan for a ruins tour. Would morning or afternoon be better? Are all the ruin tours the same?

Fri, Jul 3 Cozumel, Mexico Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
- Current plan is to hangout in the city, eat some good mexican food, and just shop (heard it was a very touristy area)

So that's what I've come up with so far. We're still 3 months out, but I'm starting to do more research.

A few questions for all you cruise-addicts:

1) Which island is the best place to swim with dolphins?
2) Which island is the best place to zip-line?
3) Any other recommendations for things to do, or places to eat (we're big foodies!)
4) What activities to look for to do or watchout for while on the ship at night, or the days at sea? (we're all young adults - 25 yrs old) I know they have bunch of contests and such, any super fun ones?

Thank you all so much, I've already learned a lot from just reading. Hopefully I can get some answers to these questions to fully enjoy this trip!!!

Robert
 
S

SandyBeach

Guest
You'll be divided into teams red, white or blue based on where you sit at dinner in the dining room. This means all the activities you participate in could get points for your team. Of course the prize for the winning team is free pizza and bragging rights. It will depend on your own taste which activities you might like to go to or participate in...the names are pretty self explanitory and you'll receive a Carnival Caper each night telling you what's going on the next day.
(Embarkation day there will be one in the cabin for the rest of the day and another one delivered that night for the next day.)

Isla Roatan is by far the prettiest of the ports you will be visiting....great place to snorkel or to zip line. I've also heard Belize is great for snorkeling.

Grand Cayman...Stingray City is a must. Go as early as possible. If there is an excursion before nine take it....then hopefully you'll be one of the first boats to the sandbars. It's a great experience. We've also been to Hell, the Turtle Farm, and done the Island tour. The best though is the sting rays.

I didn't see a zipline listed for Roatan....but I did see some Canopy Tours. Sounds like it might be the same thing. We did the Island tour. Something we tend to do each time we visit a new place. Also contained a boat ride, Garifuna people experience, homemade jelly and humingbirds.

Belize...many say cave tubing is the best there. We went on the Altun Ha Mayan Site and River Wallace tour. We really enjoyed it and I was surprised at the size of Altun Ha.

In Cozumel we took a taxi to the far end of town. Shopped at Los Cinco Soles (I'm comfortable using my credit card there.), and ate next door at Pancho's Backyard. I wouldn't call it a "party" place, but the food is good and consistent from year to year. We walked back towards the ship and looked at some other stores and when we got tired we took a cab back to the ship. I did notice in my papers mention of several dolphin excursions here.
 
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