Just back from Belize

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cwachtel

Guest
We just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise that included the port of Belize. We booked the shark ray alley and sightseeing tour through RCI and it was WONDERFUL!!!
I don't know if the other cruise lines offer this, but it is a must do!! We took about a 45 min. speed boat ride through mangrove keys and beautiful water to the barrier reef. We snorkeled there for around an hr. not sure of time but it was nice. The reef is beautiful and has lots of fish, stingrays, coral, etc. We boarded our boat again and continued on to San Pedro, where we had lunch that was included at this wonderful open air bar and still had about 1 1/2 hrs. to walk around the town. The town is very primitive with sand, dirt streets but I enjoyed the street vendors and small stores. Very beautiful island and not commercialized.
Other passengers went on some of the Belize city tours or river tour and were disappointed but this excursion was better than we had expected. It is expensive, like the others, but was worth it. The highlight of our cruise. E-mail me if you have any other questions. I justed wanted others to know about this since we were so hesitant about what to do in this port.

Chris
 
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DisneyBlonde

Guest
Chris,

Did you see any sharks? Do you swim with them? The RCCL website makes it sound like the Swim with the Stingrays in Gr Caymen.

Thx!
 
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cwachtel

Guest
As far as I know only one person saw a nurse shark while we were there. We did not see any. If you do see them, they will be swimming just like the other fish. It is definetely not like swimming with the sting rays. It is snorkeling and hope you see one. But still wasn't disappointed because we didn't see any.
 
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DisneyBlonde

Guest
Thanks, sounds like a good excursion. Did you go with the ship? I'm wondering if there's a Capt Marvin/Peat Taylor-type outfit that I could book.

TIA
 
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cwachtel

Guest
Sorry so long answering this. I haven't been back here for awhile. We booked the excursion through the ship. For this port, I think this was still the easiest. The boat to take us snorkeling picked us up at the ship. Otherwise you will have to tender in to Belize City, which is probably a 10-15 min. tender, catch up with a tour, and then take the ride to the reef which is another 45 min. give or take. You will waste a lot of your day riding around making connections. I think the ship was high in cost but worth it.
 
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Darlene

Guest
Just back from Belize. I highly recommend booking through the cruise line because tourism isn't very developed yet. We heard beaches were great on the offshore cayes. We took a water taxi to Caye Caulker but there was no beach to speak of. San Padre may have been a better choice. Not sure. This is the only time my reading and message board info. wasn't helpful.
 
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Searcher

Guest
Don wrote:

> How much did the tour cost? Thanks.

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Click here to view other Belize City excursions

Shark Ray Alley Snorkel & Beach With Lunch

Check Availability

Approximate Duration: 7 Hours 30 Minutes
Adult: 92.00 (USD) | Child: 72.00 (USD)

Board a speedboat for a one-hour trip along the barrier reef to a popular marine reserve and famous Shark Ray Alley. After you've snorkeled in the incredibly clear waters and had a personal encounter with nurse sharks and graceful stingrays, head to nearby Ambergris Caye for a delicious barbecue lunch on the beach. There will be time to sunbathe or stroll along the sandy beach before you board your speedboat for the return trip along the scenic cayes and mangroves.

Note: Due to the sun's strong rays, it is strongly recommended that guests apply sun block and wear a t-shirt while snorkeling to avoid a sunburn.

Minimum age to snorkel:12 years of age. This age requirement is strictly enforced.

Times Status Assign Guests
08:30 AM Available Book Tour

= Most tour departures complement the ship's meal service hours. If a meal is served on an excursion, it will be designated with this symbol.
= To fully participate may require extended periods of walking over even and uneven surfaces, steep terrain and/or water activity in a slight current. There may be steps, inclines, cobblestone surfaces, and extended periods of standing. Participants with physical limitations should take this into account.
 
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EricJ

Guest
Our daughter is 11 years old. We were told by Celebrity that the age for snorkeling is flexible based on the crew booking the excursion. The info here indicates that the age is strictly enforced. Do you have any idea?

Did anyone you know on the cruise do the Belize Cave Tubing? That is the other excursion that people have talked a lot about.

Thanks.
 
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