Roatan, Honduras

Today we dock at Mohogany Bay in Roatan Honduras at noon.  So we are in rush to get up early.  But of course we both wake up around 4 am and decide to check out the lightning we can see in the distance.  We don’t hear thunder so it must be a distance away, nor is it raining. 

The sky is beautiful with tons of stars visible. 

Around 5:30 we both fall back asleep and don’t wake up until 8:30! 

One thing we were warned about is that Honduras is actually an hour behind the ship’s time. That we all need to take note of the difference in time when heading ashore.

  

This rarely happens that the ship is not on port time but I have a feeling it is because we just changed our clocks and tomorrow we would have to change them back for Costa Maya.

Bernie decides to head up to watch a Shark Week feature called “The Great Abyss” which was shown on Muts.  He really loved it.

The people who attended got these shark fin hats.  This little guy is cute. 

I went to the International café to get a latte and went to Club Fusion for our next installment of Detourist. However when I arrived a couple was heading out and no one else was there.  Hmmm  I double check the schedule and yes 10:15 is the time.  I run into another lady that is taking part and she too wonders where everyone is.  I guess they did not show up.  We end up sitting here and chatting ourselves.  I am guessing Jase missed it or came at the wrong time.

Since I did not have breakfast I decide to head up to the World Fresh Marketplace for a late breakfast.  The place is crowded.  People are either eating lunch late or have an early lunch before heading ashore.

I fell in love with this one dish they served that was polenta on the bottom, then a tomato salsa sauce on top with a sausage.  Yummy!

I forgot to mention last night after the Captain Circle Party we went up to the buffet for dinner and it was packed and this was 9 pm!  

They have only one side open and there are so many eating up here.  Also the area of Planks and Steamers is closed for their specialty dinner so we can’t even sit there.  I am sure it is only busy because so many families and groups are on board and it is easier for them to dine in the buffet.  I do hope Princess adjusts the buffet to maybe have both sides open as I know the dining rooms are not busy.

Sailing into Roatan is lovely.  I encourage you to get outside to watch the sail in.  The Captain has to turn the ship around and back into a long channel.  I doubt many could even do it with their car!

There is also a ship – the Carnival Magic – docked already and the Caribbean Princess gracefully slides in just in front of her.  We can also see in the distance that there is another ship docked in town (looks like an NCL ship).

The last time we were here – around 10 years ago – it was January and it was really cold (read about that port stop here) but we were determined to go to the beach anyways.

Today we decide to try out the beach and see how it is. 

First thing is we have issues with Bernie’s card.  This happened yesterday too.  When he went off they did not have his picture associated with his card. Weird, so they took down his details.  When he came back on yesterday he had issues again.  He did go to the front desk and deal with it.  Craig the Purser staff was helpful and said they would upload his picture to the card.

Well today when we went to get off the same thing happened.  Again he was directed to the side and had to get things straightened out. When we came back on board again he had to clear things up.  It has been a hassle and we went directly to the front desk. Craig was once again working and remembered the issue.  He spoke again to his supervisor and yes the pictures was uploaded last night; however since they are working with two systems – the old one and the new one it appears it was only uploaded to the new system.  They promise they will resolve it. 

So back to going ashore. 

First thing is your are hit with HEAT.  Big change from the last time we were here.  It is HOT! We walk the length of the pier and enter the duty free shops. Now this annoys the heck out of me and it happens in many ports.  They force everyone to go thru the shops to exit the pier.  Problem is the area is quite narrow and people are gawking and stopping and walking slow or loosing their companions. 

Patience is needed and we maneuver our way through the maze and exit the store.  Right away we notice a few people who have bought bottles of liquor here and are now filling up travel mugs with the hard stuff to consume ashore.

This continues to be a sight all over the port. People pouring 40 ounce bottles into soda bottles, travel mugs, large drink glasses or just chugging it on the beach.  This could be a problem.

We arrive in the port area where there are numerous shops and restaurants and bars.  This is where you will meet your tours.  As well there is a tourist information booth; however there was only one person there working and lots of people with questions.

We proceed to walk over the bridge towards the beach.  When you get to the bridge you do need to show ID that proves you are off one of the two ships in port.

You can take the chairlift for a fee but the walk is not too bad distance wise but you do have to dodge a lot of people.  Don’t know off hand how many the Carnival Magic holds but with our ship and guessing that at least have the passengers of each ship went to the beach you can estimate that there were at least a few thousand trying to enjoy the beach.

This is a ship's tour.

Right away we did not like it.  Lounge chairs are crowded next to each other and most are taken.  The water is packed with people.

We walk along the water and it does not take us long to realize this is not for us.  We decide to head back to the ship.

Although for an inexpensive (mind you crowded) day this beach area is perfect.  Prices at the restaurants and bars seem a little high but then again this is normal and similar to Grand Turk.

We walk back across the bridge and back towards the ship. We are so hot and we have a thick layer of sweat.

As soon as we are on board and after visiting the Purser’s desk we head up to the pool deck.  It is very quiet here and we have found our place. 

I grab some tacos from the grill and a cider and spend the next 1.5 hours sunning, cooling off in the pool, repeat.

It is just too hot so we retire to the cabin and watch the passengers staggering back onto the ships.

Tonight we are dining at Steamers with friends.  I will report all about it in a later blog.

Stay tuned.