ABQrobin

No beach inside Amber Cove.... there is a sandy area to sit by the huge pool. The lagoon there next to the pier is pretty murky, you can kayak and paddleboard there. If you want a "beach" you have to walk out of the gate. i have heard there is a free beach in walking distance. The only beaches we have done have been on excursions. Just don't expect pretty white sand beaches anywhere.

Taxi cabs are highly regulated in Cozumel and those charts for fares are required to be posted at each of the piers. If you grab a taxi anywhere else in town, be sure to ask the fare before you get in. There are some taxi drivers who will break the rules and try to charge more so make sure they give you a price. If you don't like the price, say no thank you and walk away. Another taxi will stop for you, repeat the process. I have never had this happen to me (and we have been going to Cozumel on vacations for 20 yrs) but I have heard of people getting overcharged. Just know... it is the LAW in Cozumel, they must follow the rate chart, or they can lose their vehicle.

I would send it again. The island has terrible wifi and e-mail is very spotty at best.

I forgot I did a video when we were there last... full tour of the port.

Cozumel has some of the BEST SCUBA DIVING in the world, but the snorkeling isn''t. It has to do with the reefs. All the incredible diving reefs are 40-50' deep at minimum on the top, with a wall that drops off 200' or more. The side of the wall is where the incredible diving is located. From a snorkel boat you really can't get down there... plus Cozumel is drift diving which means the current is always pulling you along. Not good for people floating on the surface. Here's a sample of the diving:

Get off the ship and at least walk around the beautiful port. If you are feeling like a beach day, take one of the shuttle/taxis over to the malecon beach area. Tons of beach clubs and tons of food options. We loved it.

We got there first thing and found a pair of chairs in the shade. No need for an umbrella or chamshell.

Ditto... the bus ride there is really not as long as you would think as there are tour guides speaking to the whole bus the entire ride, teaching you about the history of the Mayans as well as things about current Belize life and government, culture, etc. I would do either one again.... LOVED them both, both are unique and interesting. If I had to pick one, I would pick Lamanai.

Honestly... having done all 3 in the past 6 years, I would say Xunantunich and Lamanai are both EPIC. Both are an all day event but worth it. And I would say Altun Ha is a cute little brother just to say you did ruins. Its only a half day event.

FANTASTIC! What dates? What port? We are leaving for our Alaska cruise in 2 weeks! So excited (our 2nd time but still crazy excited).

Is that the only piece of clothing with "chew" marks? It sounded in your post like there were multiple. And looking at the one photo, it doesn't look like animal chew marks to me, it looks burned, like maybe cigarette burn or leaning against something hot.

We did it a few years ago... here's my video:

All the cruise lines use the local guides that work there to conduct the tours. When we went on this tour about 5 yrs ago, there were some people who were unable to even make it up the small hill from the parking lot. I felt bad for them. They ended up sitting under a tree while the rest of the group went up to the top of several of the ruins, and walked around and down staircases... I would say we walked about a mile, not something everyone could do. PLUS, it was very hot there. Just an FYI.

Onboard your ship, you are probably going to get frozen fish, which is what we are used to in the lower 48. Its good... but if you have fresh right out of the ocean you will taste the difference. Its a whole new level IMHO.

Icy Strait Point.... the Cookhouse is where you get Fish and Chips, but they close at 5pm. Their menu shows various types as well as fish chowder and daily specials. Oh, and beer. I'll be there eating a late lunch after whale watching in 3 weeks!

When we did the "Behind the Fun" tour several years ago, we got to tour the Crew quarters and dining hall... and we all checked out their menu. Yes... oh yes, I would love to eat from their menu. They told us that the Crew get to vote on menu items they want and since there is a high percentage of Asian and Indian members, they had a lot of yummy foods listed, and totally different from upstairs.

It takes about an hour for it to clear. I just did it a few days ago and thought I was crazy... but when I went back later and check it was gone and I could book something else.

Its the point that people are obsessed with bacon, but then don't eat as much as they put on their plate, so it gets dumped in the trash. I would bet no other food gets wasted like bacon. But my point was that people waste a LOT of food on the cruise, and that drives food costs up.

If you have ever done the "Behind the Scenes" tour on a ship, you will understand the issue with bacon. Those garbage cans from the Lido go downstairs and people have to go through them, laid out on a table to sort and make sure no one is throwing away utensils, plates, cups, etc. The amount of bacon that ends up in the trash is unreasonable, and all food products go in the food mulcher which gets emptied at sea. Paper products and the like go into the incinerator bin to be burned, and all other stuff goes into bins that have to be stored below deck until they can be taken off the ship at port. Its a gross process but everyone should see it and think more about what they throw away onboard... it has to go somewhere.

Conquest decor is by the artist Farcus, and is inspired by the Impressionist artists. Every room is dedicated to an artists works. Some people love it, some hate it. I personally LOVE it. it is by far the most exotic decor of any ship.

Can't wait to hear all about it... we are on the Aug 30th sailing. So excited!!!!

Interesting. We have done 12 Carnival cruises and the ONLY time we have seen bad behavior like cannonball jumping in the hot tubs and running in the halls in the middle of the night was during SPRING BREAK week. Never again will be go then. Parents on that one cruise were in casino or bar all day and night, no idea where there kids were at all. It was pathetic. People were complaining to staff constantly, we didn't even bother... Our friends were on a NCL the same time of year and said it was exactly the same thing. So I really think its more the time of year, not the cruise line. Oh also.... the worst group of teens with the bad behavior did get in trouble, and we saw one of them halfway through the trip with a cast on her ankle, rolling down the hall on one of those knee scooters- she was part of the group always running up and down the halls knocking on doors. Karma.

Awesome! I really think you would enjoy the Alaska cruise but I would go early in season for more sunshine. Our first time we were there in June and it was sunny almost every day. And you really don't mind the cold as much when the sun is shining, especially when there are eagles sitting on every post, and whales splashing in the water around you. Have a great trip, wherever you're going! We leave for Alaska in 30 days and can't wait.

When we did the "Behind the Fun" tour years ago, they explained to us that the Room Service people are the newest crew onboard, and they do this as training before moving up to the dining room services. So please give them a smile, thank you, and tip.

Its usually on the top aft section of the ship, outdoors, no reservations. Some larger ships have a food area there including the bar, with their own selections found just there. We liked the Serenity on the Vista as they had a great salad bar at lunch.