Cancun area vs. exotic W. Caribbean cruise

[kcbmarek]

Help me decide ...

For DH's 50th birthday in May 2013, I am torn between going to the Cancun area or on a Carnival Dream Exotic Western Caribbean cruise. DH loves activity and has always been intrigued by the ruins of Mexico/Central America plus loves to snorkel.

For:

Cancun: AI for a week and have to either book tours or rent a car as he will want to hit all the major ruin sites

Carnival Dream: stops include Roatan, Honduras, Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel with a departure from Port Canaveral.

As a married couple for the last 5 years (yes, we married late in life and had an immediate family of 3 teenagers which we became offical "empty nesters" last night with our youngest graduating from high school) we have traveled to Maui, Hawaiian Island cruise, Alaska and most recently, an E. Med cruise (Athens, Ephasus, Sicily, Crete, Rome with additional days in Berlin and Dusseldorf). DH likes the activity and is NOT a day in / day out beach person. Me on the other hand, give me a good book and a beach to equal one happy mom.

I am really torn ... thoughts?

TIA - Kim

[krystalskitsch]

I took that cruise that you're talking about. We had a blast. They ended up canceling Belize on us last minute due to some crazy activity there but that was over a year ago. I was MOST excited about Belize.

Anyway - we did an excursion in Cozumel. Took the ferry to the mainland and went to Tulum for the ruins. LOVED it. Cozumel by itself looked just too touristy ... not that Tulum didn't have tourists but it felt different. Roatan was our favorite. We paid some guy to drive us around the island and then he left us at a beach all day. My husband snorkeled and had a good time.

I thought Costa Maya was beautiful. We stayed near the ship that day... wandering into Senor Frogs with the other cruise people and enjoying drinking at the poolside bar...

It just depends on your preferences. You could load up on active excursions each cruise port. There is definitely something for everyone on the cruise.

[stephm0188]

I'd take the cruise. We went on one that went to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Grand Caymen. Since you guys want to see ruins, I think you'd enjoy the trip.

In Costa Maya we did this: www.chacchobenruins.com/
It was amazing. I can't recommend it enough and hope to go back again someday. It was my favorite port. I hear the ruins in Cozumel are great as well, but we made that our beach day.

Belize has great snorkeling, but I feel a tiny pang of regret that we didn't go on a cave tubing excursion.

[kcbmarek]

Thanks ladies! I am leaning to the cruse as well plus I was quoted a great price which will equate to a couple thousand less than Cancun would cost us!

[carolinagirl831]

We just did the that cruise itinerary in Feb- we had a great time! I also love all inclusives. I think it depends if you want to see a bunch of places or just lie on the beach.

If you do the cruise- when we went to Costa Maya-
we went here for the day- It is an all inclusive for the day for cruise guests- It was awesome! It ended up being everyone's favorite stop. They had great food, drinks, floats to lay on in the ocean, kayaking, snorkel tuors- the water is not the prettiest here but don't let that stop you. We saw starfish, clownfish, all kinds of stuff.

www.costamayabeachresort.com/

[kcbmarek]

Thank you so much carolinagirl!

[protozoa]

Do the cruise since its for your hubs' birthday. Then when its time to take a trip for you, you'll be justified in picking the all-inclusive, sit on a beach and be fed drinks all day vacation!

[kcbmarek]

Thanks everyone. Cruise is booked and once I get back from our E. Med cruise at the end of Sept. I will start working on this cruise plus DH's party. So excited ...

[Deleted]

When you go on this ship to the main dining room be sure to ask for Korina as your waitress you will NOT be disapointed!

[angeldcf]

In Grand Cayman, do Captain Marvin's tour for Stingray City. We booked directly with them (too pricey/massive herd to book through the cruise line).

Cozumel: great eating at Panchos Backyard (NOT the chain). It's hidden in the "Sol" shopping store. Paradise Beach or Chaukanaab are also good. We stayed at an AI in Cozumel a few years & been there 3 times on a cruise.

Belize: definitely do the cave tubing

BTW: I can't stand Cancun anymore. Higher crime, touristy.

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