Extremely disappointed with the port stop of Costa Maya.  Unless you're doing an organized tour this is a wasted stop in my opinion.  I'd much rather have the extra time in Belize or Roatan since so much time is spent with the tendering process.  Costa Maya was just a stop to get you to buy something that the cruise line "recommended".   No close beaches, in the middle of the jungle without alot to do.  Very disappointed in this port.

Costa Maya

Belize was spectacular.   Did cave tubing NOT thru the cruise line and saved more than 50%.  cavetubing.com was everything we hoped it would be and more - definitely a better choice for the exact same tour!   Cruise-line booked group was immediately in front of us and got nothing more than we did.  Guides were wonderful and our safety and fun was definitely the most important thing to them.  The hike thru the rain-forest was muddier and more dangerous than expected (no handrails over very muddy rocks on sloping terrain), some of the older guests had a hard time making the trek but it was well worth the trouble.  The education we got about the plant life and wildlife was an unexpected pleasure.  Lots of families on this tour and all had a blast.
Definitely check out cavetubing.com   By the way, get Jimmy as your guide if you can, and Mack as your driver!   What a fantastic day!!!!!

Belize City

Roatan was better than imagined!   Do NOT pay the cab prices right outside of the tender area, instead wait until you're out of the "secured" gated area and negotiate with a local driver.  Inside the gate prices were $40 per couple, not bad but we got much better. We asked one of the security guards just inside the last gate to leave the shopping area about transportation to a public "free" beach.  His name was Derrick.  He referred us to his friend Wilson just outside the gate who would give us a great rate, a private tour and would bring us back to the ship whenever we wanted.   Wilson proved to be an EXCELLENT choice.  He took us and another couple on a tour of the island and would stop whenever we wanted to take pictures for $40 for the whole day.  He took us to Bananarama in the West Bay area where there is an excellent restaurant & bar as well as a public beach with chairs for rent if you chose.  We opted to hire a local boat-owner.  Wish I knew how to spell his name but his boat is the Odyssey, and I would recommend him to EVERYONE if I could.  He took the 4 of us out on his boat for $45.  This was for a tour of the coast, dropping 3 of us off in the West End to shop and for him to take my boyfriend snorkeling for an hour.  My boyfriend was expecting "okay" conditions but as soon as the boat returned to pick us up from shopping I could tell this was the adventure of a lifetime for him.  The snorkeling was directly over a beautiful reef.  The boat owner got in the water with my boyfriend and pointed out everything to him, coming up to tell him what fish he was seeing, what shells, etc.   Super friendly locals.

Roatan

My boyfriend and I had both been to Cozumel several times before and had done the tours already so we weren't sure what to do.  We ended up walking to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.  WHAT AN AWESOME CHOICE!   They have a free water park right off the back patio area where my boyfriend was able to snorkel and I was able to listen to the fantastic music and watch the dancing.  No purchase necessary to use their lounge chairs and play in the water park, now that's what I call customer service!!!!!

Cozumel

Inside cabin 8501 was a nice roomy cabin with plenty of drawers and closet space.  However, it is directly above the casino lounge area where several late night events are held.  VERY NOISY CABIN late at night for those wanting a little bit of sleep before they hit the next port early in the morning.

Overall this was a great experience and we would consider another NCL cruise in the near future, just on a bigger & newer ship.Blue Lagoon is a great option and if you ask they'll deliver to your cabin even though it's not a part of room service.

Norwegian Spirit Review

NCL Spirit

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