>>>Going on a Harrah's cruise – Norwegian Dawn – Feb 22. Cozumel, Belize, Roatan , Costa Maya. Any suggestions about independent interesting things to do in these ports without taking expensive ship-sponsored tours. Which ports require tenders? I know there is no good VP on this ship, but any other gambling suggestions?>>>
I did this same tour of homicide overachieving countries last year on the Jewel. We just took a cab to Chankannab in Cozumel --A nice beach with bars, chairs, diving instruction, "dolphin experience" and some other stuff. Easy water access, but snorkeling was very average. Some sea life and underwater statuary, but no reef.
We reserved a little day resort ourselves at a beach hotel called Alma Plena in Costa Maya. The hotel is off of a gravel road wirthout much around it but beach and jungle. Palapas, chairs, drink service and nary a cruiser to be seen. Very reasonably priced with a nice lunch and they took care of the cabbies. Snorkeling was supposed to be good with reef easy swimming distance off the beach.. I had my gear and camera, but the wind and surf did not cooperate that day.
We spent the day at Maya Key in Roatan and ferried directly from the port dock. If the currents weren't too strong I think I could have jumped off of our aft suite and swam there. There were several rescue animal exhibits on the island, a nice beach, a pool, bar and food. Easy water access off of a long pier. Once you got past all the dead coral by the pier and swam through a channel in the reef it was beautiful. The reef was in really excellent shape, with lots of life and a sheer drop off into the inky blue depths. Stunning.
We didn't do much of anything in Belize. Had a nice stay in the Bywater after the cruise. Good music and food. I'll take NO or a week on a sleepy Mexican beach with reef within swimming distance over a cruise any day. I don't think I'll do another one unless I do something like Cayamo next year.
Ohh, gambling... Cruisers leave an awful lot of Ultimitate X bonuses that I scavenged a couple of times a day. Aside from that I was mostly just wasting time and money in the ship casino.
C
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Posted by: cmayhem@comcast.net
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