questions about Belize??

  • Thread starter mom x4,grandma x4
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M

mom x4,grandma x4

Guest
Hi, this is our first cruise to Belize.
I have read a few different BAD things about this port.
Can you share your experiences with me?

I am curious about how rough the tender boat is? I have heard many get ill on it.

Have you done either of the ruins excursions?? Were they worth it?
I read you can buy lunch because these are long excursions, should we be afraid to eat there??
I also have read that it is dangerous to shop around there, even in the main tourist areas??
Did you feel safe ??

One excursion has an hour boat ride and then a ruins tour and a bus ride back. Sorry I cant think of the name right now, but the boat has no top so you are in the sun. My question is: how large is this boat and how fast does it go, I am wondering if we could keep ahat on our heads or if they would have t obe tied on??

I know these probably sound like crazy questions but I really would feel much better if I could hear from some people who have actually been there.

Thanks in advance fo rany inforamation you can offer!!

mom x4,grandma x4
 
B

Babushka

Guest
We did not do an excursion when we were in Belize last year. We just walked around the shopping area there at the port. The tender ride was a lot longer than most but I didn't feel it was a bad ride and I didn't notice anyone getting sick from it. I believe the ship docks about 5 miles from the port if I remember correctly.

The shopping area was fine and I did feel safe walking around. I would not recommend leaving that area on your own. The whole area was gated in and there were a lot locals just hanging out at the fence area waiting for tourists to go out. We didn't see anyone actually leaving the area but I'm sure that some do. We were cautioned to not do this saying it wasn't a very safe area.

Sorry I can't help with anything else.
 
M

mom x4,grandma x4

Guest
Thanks for the info. all thoughts are appreciated!!

mom x4,grandma x4
 
D

Don M

Guest
Check out the link to Shore Excursions here on the Cruise Addicts site. There are lots of shore excursions listed for Belized, with pictures and testimonials by people who have been on them. I assume this is a very legit site and company since it has a link on Cruise Addicts. Right, John?
 
C

cruise hound

Guest
I have been to Belize two times now, and am returning in Aug. 07. WE have done both tours to ruins, and enjoyed them both, The one you are refering to is Alten Ha, and the boat ride is about 45 mins. long. It is an open boat that carries about 12 passangers and can reach considerable speeds. My suggestion to you is to tie hat on, take a garbage bag to fashion as a rain coat, as you will be in a rain forrest, or it could be rainy season.We enjoyed this trip even though it rained the whole time. The ruins were well worth the slight inconvience. Enjoy
 
S

SandyBeach

Guest
I, too, don't remember the tender ride being any worse than others - with the exception of the length.

The country is poor...the port relatively new...it's a good place to take an excursion.
 
B

bluejays

Guest
We left the gated area in Belize on our own and it was very scary the locals are very poor and they will harrass you. We ended up finding a very nice cab driver that took us out to the ruins but I would strongly recommend that you book any tours through the cruise line.
 
S

serene56

Guest
[quote cruise hound]I have been to Belize two times now, and am returning in Aug. 07. WE have done both tours to ruins, and enjoyed them both, The one you are refering to is Alten Ha, and the boat ride is about 45 mins. long. It is an open boat that carries about 12 passangers and can reach considerable speeds. My suggestion to you is to tie hat on, take a garbage bag to fashion as a rain coat, as you will be in a rain forrest, or it could be rainy season.We enjoyed this trip even though it rained the whole time. The ruins were well worth the slight inconvience. Enjoy[/quote]

I dont remember taking a boat to altun Ha ruins. We took a tour using a private vendor who drove us.
some vendors offer cave tubing.
look at : http://www.coralbreezetours.com/tours.html?iadv=1
 
R

rm1474

Guest
HI
BEEN TO BELIZE A NUMBER OF TIMES.BUT WE ALSO HEARD THE STORIES OF THE BOAT RIDE ETC.SO THE LAST TWO CRUISES I THOUGHT ID TRY IT.THE RIDE IS FROM DOCK TO SHIP 15 MINUTES.SOME OF THE TENDERS ARE BIGGER THEN OTHERS.I WAS ON A SMALLER ONE BOTH TIMES AND IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL.IT WAS KIND OF FUN.ON THE DOCK ARE STORES.CHECK OUT THE SMALLER JEWELRY STORE WHEN U FIRST ENTER THE MAIN BUILDING OFF THE TENDER.THEY HAVE REALLY NICE STONE TYPE THINGS THAT ARE PRETTY GOOD IN PRICE.IAM FROM NJ AND IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN DOWN THE SHORE AND WALKED ON THE WOOD BOARD WALKS,YOU WILL PROBABLY LIKE THE PORT.THEY HAVE A SMALLER VERSION OF THIS KIND OF BOARD WALK.I LIKE DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL AND THE WATCHES THEY SELL.THEY HAVE A BIG SELECTION OF BREITLING WATCHES.I SAY THAT BECAUSE ALOT OF THE OTHER PORTS DONT.DONT KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO COSTA MAYA---IF SO THE SHOPPING THERE IS BETTER.AND THERE IS A BIG WALK OFF THE SHIP DOCK THERE.I KNOW WE ARE AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE, BUT WE HAVE BEEN ON ALOT OF BOATS AND WE DONT DO THE EXCURSIONS ANYMORE.CHECK THEM OUT CLOSELY AND UNLESS YOU HAVE A FAT WALLET WATCH THE PRICES.LAST CRUISE A COUPLE TOLD USE THEY SPENT $200 TO PET STING RAYS.MIGHT BE WORTH IT--I DONT KNOW.CRUISES ARE GREAT, AND IAM SURE YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME.WE JUST GOT OFF THE LEGEND AND BOOKED THE GLORY AGAIN.YOU DIDNT MENTION WHAT SHIP YOU ARE GOING ON.HAVE A GREAT CRUISE.
RICHARD
 
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