Belize Shore Excursions

After our experience in Roatán we immediately went to the Shore Excursions desk and booked an excursion to an island beach getaway. The island was nice enough, though not exactly pristine; the beach was somewhat overgrown, untreated, and dirty, and the water was murky and filled with seaweed, and a bit oily from the boats that brought passengers over from the ships a mere 100 feet away. But the music was nice, and just at the right volume, and there were plenty of lounge chairs, and ample natural shade for those who prefer that to sunbathing. The swimming area also featured a large water trampoline, and there was a dining area where reasonably-priced food was available for purchase. There were also restroom facilities on the island, although getting to them was a bit of a hike. RECOMMENDATION: Watch out for small, bity insects; my parents were pretty bitten up when we left.
The port itself in Belize City, accessible from the ship via tender boat, is a much more lively and entertaining tourist zone. There is a large-ish air-conditioned mall, an open boardwalk, plentiful shops, and bars overlooking the water with free WiFi access for customers. I don’t know if one could spend an entire day there, and from what I heard, the area beyond the pier is just as bad as Roatán, but there is plenty to do if you don’t book an excursion.