I’m considering going on a cruise with friends to belize and cozamel areas. Anything spectacular, anything to avoid all together? where are the tourist traps to avoid?
Norwegian Dream — Traveling to Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico; Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and Belize City, Belize
Avoid the dysentery and projectile vomiting viruses, the rapists, the murderers and the drug dealers on the ship..
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I would suggest to go Royal Carribian if possible. Depending of course what crowd you like.
Carnival: young and partying
Holland America: old (avg age ~ 70)
Disney : kids like
Royal Carribean: better than the rest
good luck
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Yep, I’ve never been on a cruise mate, but I’ve seen a few docking in Hong Kong and it can be like pensioners day! With one poor 20 something year old who looks like he’s had his spirit crushed from playing too much shuffle board and hearing about “the good old days”. Don’t take this the wrong way there is nothing wrong with pensioners, retirees or “old people”. Its just that people generally tend to like to travel/vacation/party with people of there same age bracket. Cruses promote an image of young people having fun (we all remember “the love boat”) but its not always trhe case. I heard of one guy asking to see the passenger list before he booked to see how many women were on board- the cruise company let him – and there were plenty of women who had booked singley. What he didn’t find out until he went on the cruise was that they were ALL widows (60 – 70 years in the shade).
So be carefull and a trip to the dock to see one of these cruises leave (and see what type of passengrs typically go one) before you book might be an option – It’s no guarantee but remember once on that boat you can’t say your sick of it and swim to shore!
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I am going to give you a little tip on cruising. This is my secret when it comes to cruising and I am going to pass it on to you
Are you ready? …… The number one thing to remember is: HAVE FUN!!!
I would say 98% of the cruising I do, I have no plans as to what I am going to do when we get to land. I like to wing it, especially if it is your first time. Explore the area, look for things that interest you. The cruise you listed sounds like a really nice one, Norweigan is one of my favorite cruise lines, they are very nice. Cozamel is always a nice destination as well.
Basically, just be smart and use common knowledge once you get there. Don’t get into any un-marked taxis, etc. The cruise ship will often offer a little presentation on the desitnation/s before you arrive. Sometimes they will put in the itnirary that it is a show about shopping in the area. I would suggest stopping by, they will give you some good tips on the area shopping do’s and don’ts, etc. Just be smart and know the good from the bad.
Once on board, I always like to talk with other people on baord, especially if it is your first cruise or your first time to those destinations. A lot of the people on board will more than likely be past cruisers, you will always find a few. Get to know them, then ask them what they suggest. This works really well with the people you sit with at dinner, if you have table guests that aren’t in your party of course. This will help break the ice a little, ask them if they have ever cruised or been to this destianation, what they recommend etc. It will help with the rest of the trip. I also like to talk to the staff on board. They often frequent these ports, in some cases they are able to visit the area a little and learn more about it, so they may have some tips/advice for you.
Also talk with your travel agent, they will have good recommendations for you as well. Finally, look online about the area to learn more about it and possibly by some books or borrow some for the library to learn more about it.
I love cruising, it is so much fun, my favorite way to travel, it is great. Just relax and have a great time and you will want to return. I recommend visiting this site: http://cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=42 they have reviews of all the cruise ships and they are really helpful. If you can, get a verandah, it is wonderful. I love to go out on the verandah at night once my day is done and just relax. Watch the water go by and feel the breeze in my hair, aaaaaahhhhhh, so relaxing.
Have fun!!
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Cozumel was destroyed by the hurricane. It has just recently began allowing ships to stop. The dock was destroyed so the ship will anchor off shore. The good news is the locals are glad to see the tourist back and are very welcoming. If you Dive, go diving at Belize. The coral reef is second only to the Great Barrier reef.
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