One thing you might know about me is that I absolutely love cruises. I find them a great way to explore multiple different countries in a short time without the hassle of packing and repacking every time you move. There’s no multiple hotels, check-ins, check-outs or transportation and there are planned tours (excursions) just for you. I would say the biggest downside is likely the time at each port- but I really use it as a quick “do I like this country and want to come back?” type of preview.

In 2025, I had gone on my first cruise to Bermuda for 5 days (2/3 days in the port) and later that year- I had done a one week cruise to France (2 days) Italy (2 days) Tunisia (1 day) and Spain (1 day). I would say one thing I really wish was different was that I can’t actually see the excursions offered until I book the cruise. After cruising, I began blogging the experience of the specific excursion that I had taken, but what about all the other ones?

In January, I’m traveling to Mexico, Honduras, Belize & Grand Cayman and actually can see all the excursions offered. Now, to transparent- this list does NOT guarantee they will be offered for YOUR cruise to these places, sometimes cruises change, remove or add excursions, but it can give an idea of what you might be able to see or do.

What is an Excursion?
Mexico Excursions
Honduras Excursions
Belize Excursions
Grand Cayman Excursions

What is an Excursion?
Simply put, an excursion is a scheduled and planned activity. It may be used interchangeable to describe a tour, experience or even a workshop. Excursions are offered by the cruise line, which have been known to be more expensive but also more secure. If the excursion from the cruise line comes back late, the cruise will wait. The same is not guaranteed if you use another service outside of the cruise line.

I’ve been on glass-bottom boat excursions, tours through Pompeii as an excursion, excursions to zoos, parks and beaches and more. There is plenty to do!

Mexico Excursions
First up is Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico!

• Mystical Water of Cenote Sayab Kuxtal
  • Travel into the jungle to Cenote Sayab Kuxtal- a natural pool carved by time and used by the ancient Maya for purification and connection to the natural world. Go through hidden sanctuaries, limestone caverns, and take a swim in cenote’s pool.
• Costa Maya Jeep Adventure & Beach Escape with Lunch
• Tequila, Chocolate & Mayan Countryside Exploration
• Bacalar Highlights, Tequila Tasting & Fort Visit
  • Go to Southern Quintana Roo, touring a 17th century pirate fortress and visit Bacalar’s downtown park with options for Tequila tasting and shopping
• Mayan Countryside Escape with Tequila Tasting & Mexican Lunch
• Lahun Tiku Mexican Cooking Class Experience and Beach Break
• Bacalar Lagoon Escape: Sailing the Seven Colors
• Cabana at Penelope Beach Club
• Double Sunbed at Penelope Beach Club
• Beach Break and Mexican Pueblito
  • Visit the Mayan Mediterranean inspired village, a place where art, music, culture and nature coexist. Visit the Penelope Beach Club, see iconic sculptures and purchase Mexican food from local carts
• Tequila, Hidden Ruins & Bacalar Retreat

Honduras Excursions
Next is Roatan, Honduras. I have divided the excursion in categories to make it easier to look for things.

Beach Relaxation

• Little French Key’s Beach Paradise
• Turquoise Bay VIP Beach Break
• Small Group: Ibagari Boutique Hotel Getaway
• Sol y Mar All Inclusive Beach Escape
• Tabyana Beach Break
• Big French Key
• Fantasy Island All Inclusive
• Beach Front All-Inclusive Premium Villa
• All Inclusive Beach Escape at Blue Harbour Club Tour

Water Activities

• Power Catamaran Cruise & Snorkel Adventure
• Lazy Tubing on Saltwater Mangrove, Snorkel & Beach Break
• Jolly Roger Catamaran Sail and Snorkel
• Deep Sea Fishing Experience: Hook and Cook
• 2 Sites Snorkel and Beach Club
• Tabyana Beach Snorkel and Lunch
• Island Cruise, Snorkeling & Shrimp Fest
• Semi-Sub Glass Bottom Boat and Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary
• Clear Boat Snorkel Adventure and Beach Break with Lunch

Culture Immersion/Local Tours

• Garifuna Folklore, Flavors & Heritage
• All-in-one Bilingual (Spanish/English Tour)
  • Panoramic motorcoach ride, Mayan chocolate and rum cake tastings, time in the West End Village and downtown Coxen Hole & shopping opportunities

Other Activities

• Ultimate Extreme Adventure Combo
  • Ziplining, Walk on suspension bridges 200ft long through the jungle
• Adrenaline Zip-Line Adventure
• Turquoise Bay All Inclusive Horseback and Beach Break
• Zip Line Adventure & Beach Escape
• Gumbalimba Park and Canopy Zip Line

Food

• Xocolati- The Chocolate Experience
• Roatan Brews and Island Views
• Mangrove Canal Experience and Shrimp Boil
• Lobster Snorkel, Big French Key Beach and Iguana Experience
• Accessible Chocolate Factory, Monkey & Sloth Park, and Scenic Tour

Animals/Nature

• Easy Wildlife Sanctuary and Iguanas
  • Monkeys, Macaws, Sloths and Iguanas and then a shopping center
• Gumbalimba Preservation Park
  • Nature trails, bird santuary with parrots and macaws, monkey refuge, Coxen cave, etc.
• Mayan Eden Eco Park
• Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary
• Lobster Snorkel, Big French Key Beach and Iguana Experience
• Accessible Wildlife Sanctuary and Iguanas
• Accessible Chocolate Factory, Monkey & Sloth Park, and Scenic Tour
• Semi-Sub Glass Bottom Boat and Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary

Belize Excursions
Belize City, Belize is the third destination…

• Kayab Caye Island Escape
• Ceremonial Cave Exploration Tubing Combo with Lunch
• Calypso Train Tour
• Mayan Cave Kayaking & Tubing Adventure

Grand Cayman Excursions
Finally, George Town, Grand Cayman is the last destination before going back home, split into two categories

• Discover Cayman All Island Drive
• Best of the West Cayman
• Pedro St.James Great House, Rum Tasting and Cayman Crystal Caves
• Seven Mile Beach Express
• Land and Sea
  • See cheeseburger reef, shipwrecks aboard a submarine and visit the Seven Mile Public Beach and a unique town called “Hell”
• Stingray Sandbar, Starfish Point, Beach & Bites
• Stingray City Sandbar and Camana Bay
• Sunken Ship and Snorkel
• Grand Cayman Snorkel
• A Taste of Cayman and Beach Break
• Cayman Highlights, Hell and Beach
• Scuba Certified Dive Two Tank Boat with Equipment
• Cayman Bicycle Adventure and Seven Mile Beach
• Oculus Glass Bottom Boat
• Mollie’s Beach Club Getaway on Seven Mile Beach with Lunch

Animals

• Stingray Encounter and Reef Snorkel Adventure with Authentic Caribbean Lunch
• Dolphin Swim and Stingray City
• Turtles and Stingrays “Land and Sea” Adventure
  • See above for “land and sea”
• Dolphin Encounter and Stingray City
• Dolphin Encounter and Turtle Centre
• Coral Garden Stingray City Sandbar Snorkel
• Dolphin Swim Experience and Turtle Centre
• Dolphin Swim Experience
• Original Stingray City Show and Reef Snorkel
• Stingray Explorer Tour with Traditional Caribbean Lunch

As you can see, many of these excursions are similar- many beach getaways, just at different beaches. Activities that are bundles or single. Want to do a dolphin swim but no turtles? Want to do a dolphin swim with turtles?

It can be overwhelming to see, but I hope that this gives you a good insight in planning your next cruise and whether traveling here might fit you and your family/friends needs! I’m sure there is at least something you can find worthwhile to do!

Cheers friends and travelers!
~ Backroad Butterflies ~

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