This will be our 5th cruise with Carnival.  We too are VERY disappointed that we are not going to Isla Roatan.  (It was one of the reasons that we picked this cruise.) I had a long conversation with Carnival yesterday and voiced my displeasure at the change.  I asked why I was not advised of the change only to find out that the travel agencies were told and it was up to the agency to advise us.  AND according to Carnival this change took place back in June!!  I never did get a clear answer why this was changed.

Now here is the best part (haha). I was told that I can book an excursion in Costa Maya on line up until 4 days before we leave Nov. 2nd.  I told them that there were only Scuba excursions listed so far and I was not certified or interested in going scuba diving.  Carnival said that they had to get in contact with the excursion venders and to get the everything set up.  (Now keep in mind that this change took place back in June!  We are now 17 days from departure.) What could possibly take this long to get arranged and on the website when they deal with these venders on a weekly basis? I believe that Carnival dropped the ball on this one.So Carnival then told me that once I get on board, I can visit the excursion desk to make my booking!  along with everyone else on board? 

I have been to Costa Maya before.  There is shopping at the end of the pier. Be sure to bargain with the vendors. DO NOT pay the original price they give you.  If the vender doesn't want to bargain, walk away.  They will come after you if they to make the sale.  Also you can bargain on the liquor.  

See you all on the 2nd of November!  (At the excursion desk! LOL)

i got an email from my travel agent back in june. i was really disappointed also. we've decided to go with a private excursion company.

We are going on our first cruise in Dec.  W are interested in private excursions in Costa Maya, Cozumel, Belize City, and Nassau.  We are also interested in what to do if you don't go on excursion, like beach/shopping, etc.  Any ideas?

rfamilycruise:

W are interested in private excursions in Costa Maya, Cozumel, Belize City, and Nassau.

The best thing to do is to hop on google and look up 'shore excursions [your port]' and see what you get.  There'll be a few excursion outfits show up out of the many hits.

We are also interested in what to do if you don't go on excursion, like beach/shopping, etc

Nassau: quite a lot.  Nassau probably has a tourist info web page.

Cozumel: definitely quite a lot.  Cozumel has several such tourism web pages.

Costa Maya: is very small, unsophisticated and relaxed.  Not so much to do for wild partiers except hang out in the dedicated cruise mall.  Majahual is a short walk down the road if you want cheap beer on the beach.

Belize: has more shopping than it used to, but it's not a place to be caught wandering around outside of the port area without an organized group.

just got back. we did private tours in every port. we were VERY happy with every tour except one.

in costa maya, we used  www.thenativechoice.com and LOVED them!!

in belize we used www.cavetubing.bz and LOVED them!!!

 in cozumel we reserved and paid with www.cozumel-watersports.com  and they didn't show up. we waited for 50mins and no one showed. when we got home, i wrote them and they said they had FORGOTTEN!! got my money back. what we did is go to a rental car company by the port and rented jeeps. very easy to get around by yourself.

also went to grand cayman and went with www.ebankswatersports.com and were very happy with them.

How different are the private tours as opposed to the ones offered by Carnival?  I am especially interested in the Costa Maya tours.  Was it difficult getting to their office?  Do I need to worry about getting back to the boat on time?  Thanks

lots better for many reasons: 1) they are about 1/2 the price as carnival. 2) more personalized. instead of being 50 people, we were 6 in a beautiful air conditioned van. 3) during the tour they take longer with things you're enjoying and pass quickly over what doesn't interest you. they picked us up at the port. i had no fear of getting back late, this is how they make their living and know that if they got back late, no one would use them in the future. hope this helps!

My wife and I are looking at the Native Choice in Costa Maya as well. Can you tell me what tour you went on and how much time did you have between the time you got back and the time the ship left the port? My only concern is the time.

we took the extreme chabboken (can't remember the exact spelling.) the tour visited the ruins and then took you to a beautiful secluded lake with an unbelivable lunch and margaritas. still thinking about their delicious fajitas!! you arrive back at the port about 45mins before the ship leaves. hope that helps!

What ship did you go on and how long were you in port? Where the ruins worth it?

ruins were great, we were on the legend. can't quite remember how long we were in port, think about 8 or 9 hours.