Hello, I am on my second voyage on the Carnival Liberty.WE will be going on June 9th. We usually stay at the Hampton Inn Airport Ft. Lauderdale NORTH. There are two at the airport.
We usually get in aroud 2 am and have used their free airport shuttle. This hotel is not in a touristy area but very popular with cruisers. We will be using this hotel for a third time. There is a Macdonalds next door and a small strip mall for groceries.. soda etc.
We like the free airport shuttle also if you get in at a decent hr. you can sign up for their FREE shuttle to the pier. We have friends who have done this. We dont mind a cab ride. We like to be in control of when we go. We did ask the desk to call and schedule a cab for the am. If you get in late you wont have choices with the free shuttle might have to take a late one.
In Costa Maya we are interested in culture and history not beaches.. and sun cancer! so we took the most indepth Mayan tour offered by Carnival. A trip to Kohunlich.. this is the oldest ruins on this island running along the border of belize.. It is about a 2 1/2 hr. ride from the pier and will take the entire time you are in port.
Since this is a rather new port there isnt tons of things to do here.
Massages on the beach.. you can go to town for a cheap cab ride and sit at the beach. or stay at the pier and shop in a very pretty mall with a swimming pool and music to entertain you.
This is a stop that has not been built out too much yet..
If you want a bit of both the swimming shopping and the mayan ruins. There is a newer smaller site. Chaccoben that is also very popular. For this one you wouldhave time to take the tour and go to the beach or shop. David and Ivan are private guides lots of folks recomment. You can google them for more info. Or search on here.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO TO KOHUNLICH WWITHOUT CARNIVAL! We were the last folks to get back to the ship. No real time for shopping.
In Costa Rica we will probably do the boat tour..
We now have been on this ship and the valor so I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the ship.
