Only 7 hrs in Belize looking for suggestions

The "John or Betty's taxi" I was referring to was just a generic made up name. It could easily have been Jose or Juanita's taxi, OR, the Yellow Bunny taxi. There are usually many various taxi providers at the end of the port common area. Always ask for a price PRIOR to getting into a cab. This is something I tend NOT to do, but many cruisers obviously take good advantage of these taxis as they are present at every port I have visited. Again, good luck.

Just to clarify our port time is 9 to 4. We would love to get there earlier and take a really excursion. it appears the only thing left to book our cave tubing and zip line and jet ski type of activities which are a bit too extreme for us. The only tour left that does not include that type of thing is going to a chocolate farm and the cost seems very high.

thank you for your good advice. Can we book the taxi that you recommended in advance? And how would we find it?

IMO - OldGrayWolf gave you excellent advice. You are three retired women (old? young? it does not matter) who do NOT want to get off the ship early, taking a 20-30 minute tender ride (EACH WAY - there goes an hour of your port time). So lets say you plan on leaving the ship at 10:00am. Nice - EXCEPT, there is a line of 150+ fellow cruisers ahead of you. Tour groups get priority. Diamond and Ambassador levels get priority. You are looking for the next tender, possibly three tenders, before you get to shore. It is now sometime between 11:30 and noon. What will you do? All the Mayan tours left long ago, The tubing tours long gone. You have the ports shops and eating places, There goes another hour. Maybe John or Betty's taxi can drive you to a local place they recommend. Have cash and tip money. Better look around quickly, then hope John/Betty is still waiting, OR, find another way to return to the port (you would NOT be the first cruisers to get stranded in a strange area. Oh, more cash and tip money). Return to the tender pier, and wait in line for a return tender to the ship. Why are all these people going ahead of us? Oh, right, they were on tours provided by the ship and have a guaranteed return with their tour group, AND, all those pesky top tier folks on the cruise ship also get head of the line privileges (that could be the three of you - I do not know). Please do NOT think you will catch a 3:30 tender to get back on board by 4:00pm. If the ship leaves port at 4:00pm, the tenders must be stowed on board in their at-sea positions. Best guess, you are looking at a shore day between 11:30-3:00pm. What are you going to do by yourselves??

Again, IMO - take the advice of OldGreyWolf. Take a ship sponsored tour. Spend the extra $30/person, OR, stay aboard the ship. That too is a fun experience when many are ashore. I hope you enjoy your cruise on the NCL Gem. Please let us know what you decided to do, and how you enjoyed your time in Belize.

P.S. Just curious, so I looked up the answer to the below question 'Is it Safe to do Excursions in Belize?' This was the answer: Exercise increased caution in Belize due to crime. Some areas have increased risk

I find the excursions offered by the cruise lines very expensive and we are hoping to find affordable alternatives.

NCL should have a number of excursions including sight seeing that would work within that time frame.