What port to stay on board

[cruisefam86]

Trying to decide which port to skip and stay on board Star of the Seas to enjoy activities with short lines. Roatan Honduras or Costa Maya? Kids will be 10 and 7 if that helps!

[OCSC Mike]

Too many variables, IMO, and it would likely come down to personal preference as far as what you and your kids like to do.

I would work backwards... look for excursions in both ports and find the best one (based on your preferences)... then stay on the ship in the other port.

Another consideration... if Star is keeping the exact same Western itinerary that Wonder has been doing from PC, you'll be leaving Costa Maya very early (gangway up at 1:30pm) so factor that in as well. Because of this we usually just get off the ship and walk around the port at Costa Maya for an hour or so just for the heck of it and then return to the ship.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

I’m sure you will receive lots of info regarding this…here is mine:
Only been to each of these ports once but will be heading back to both next year.  In Roatan we walked to Mahogany Bay Beach and spent several hours there.  The water is the kind that is very “floaty”…guess because of the salt content?  It’s also not very level with deep dips very close to shore so with kids I would hope they are excellent swimmers otherwise you will spend your time watching them!  One step from waist level can bring you over your head!  It was a nice walk over and there are also chair lifts.  It was a sweltering hot day so needed to be in the water at all times!  I would revisit for sure.  

In Costa Maya we spent an hour or two in the port area.  It is quite large and there is a pool (not the prettiest) in the center of it!
 If you aren’t planning an excursion then this port would be the one to spend most of your time onboard the ship.  
 

 

[tonyfsu21]

Roatan. The reasoning would be the kids. Costa Maya has a pool/shopping/dining complex at the end of the pier which is always a hit with the kids. Roatan is meh IMO.

[smokeybandit]

Flip a coin. You could find good stuff for kids at either port.

[cruisefam86]

20 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Too many variables, IMO, and it would likely come down to personal preference as far as what you and your kids like to do.

I would work backwards... look for excursions in both ports and find the best one (based on your preferences)... then stay on the ship in the other port.

Another consideration... if Star is keeping the exact same Western itinerary that Wonder has been doing from PC, you'll be leaving Costa Maya very early (gangway up at 1:30pm) so factor that in as well. Because of this we usually just get off the ship and walk around the port at Costa Maya for an hour or so just for the heck of it and then return to the ship.

It does say in Costa Maya it’s only until 2. Makes me feel like Roatan day will be better to be on board or at least back by lunch for shorter waterpark lines.

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, cruisefam86 said:

It does say in Costa Maya it’s only until 2. Makes me feel like Roatan day will be better to be on board or at least back by lunch for shorter waterpark lines.

I left that scheduling part kind of open-ended for you to take it whichever way you wanted but I thought it was something to consider.

I figured you might either think "we'll stay on the ship in Costa Maya b/c we can't do a long excursion" or "we'll stay on the ship in Roatan b/c people will be in port for a longer period."

As long as it helps you decide one way or another. We sail mostly for the ship and have no problem skipping any port, TBH, but that's us and I'd never try to steer someone in a certain direction unless I had a very strong reason to do so.

[DunkelBierJay]

I love Roatan and recommend going there if you haven't before, but do it on a Royal or third party excursion that picks you up inside or just outside the port area. There isn't anything to see walking around outside the gate, and is a little sketchy, so you need to be with someone who knows their way around. After being there a couple of times, excursions on my future visits would be limited to scuba diving, which is superior there.

Costa Maya is one of my favorites, and I have never hung around the Mexican Disneyland style port area on my visits there. I have either done Maya Chan or gone into Mahahual where there are tons of options for beach time. Jaime's Blue Reef Resort is my favorite place to go. There are beach chairs and a really good restaurant/bar with very friendly staff (ask for Digby) and a rooftop pool. It is also connected to a scuba shop which I have been diving with. Ultimately, Mahahual is fun with lots of options and very easy to get to/from the port with a taxi.

Long story short...if it were me? I would skip Roatan over the two. The kicker is figuring out how to get out of the maze-like Mexican Disneyland at Costa Maya if you haven't been there before. One note about Roatan is that the port area is fairly small and there's some nice places to eat/drink, so it's easy to go back and forth.

[PhillyLady]

Well, I was just in both ports less than two weeks ago, so I would have to say it really depends on what you like to do.

I deliberately chose the Western Caribbean itinerary because I LOVE to visit Mayan ruins and climb temples.  But hey, that is hot, strenuous work, and may not be completely "kid-friendly." 

However, Roatán is more of a diverse cultural place to visit, with a lot of poverty. Husband went scuba diving here, which he enjoyed, while I took the submarine tour. I really enjoyed seeing all of the underwater life up close, but overall I found the island lacking shopping opportunities (my favorite pastime!), and I cannot really vouch for any of the beaches. They did push the sloth/monkey visit a lot, but it started raining, and the people who went told me the sloths hid away from the rain. The port area was okay, with a pool and some smaller shops.

On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised by Costa Maya, although first we took a Mayan ruins tour out to Chacchoben. The port area is very busy and clean, with a LOT of shopping, and two great pools, although you are supposed to buy drinks or food in order to use them. 

Perhaps you can look on the Youtube and compare? I would say just get off in Costa Maya and buy a tee shirt and/or use the pool, but you may not have time to take an excursion outside like we did.  I, personally would probably not be in a hurry to return to Roatán because it did lack a lot of the ancient history found in other W. Carib stops, but that is just me.

Have a great time!

[dantuck]

I agree with above but would stress that it depends on what you are looking for.  Specifically, for Costa Maya, I would not even get off the ship. I love beach areas and beautiful water. This is NOT Costa Maya.  I experienced Maya Chan in Costa Maya last week.  Outstanding service and great people and food.  However, if wanting to experience a beautiful blue/green water beach, this is not the place.  I have been to Costa Maya twice and both times the beaches were covered in seaweed and brown muck.  I would not even get in the water.  If all to want is to rest on the beach and have good food, service, and great drinks, then Maya Chan fits the bill.  If you want a beach to swim and snorkel, this is NOT it.  For beach and water activities, stick with Cozumel and Roatan.  Roatan is especially good for scuba diving.