CozGurl

What did you like about those ports?

I asked on another thread what your favorite snorkeling port was, but what was your favorite ship and favorite itinerary?

If you were planning a cruise strictly on favorite snorkel ports, what would you choose?

Oh wait, do we have to pay extra for food and bev in RFP, BI and Guy's?

Glad to hear something will be open. We're not anxious to hit buffet food but would be up for some coconut shrimp or a tacos with our cocktail while we wait!

On the day of embarkation, when do the restaraunts and bars like Red Frog Pub and Blue Iguana open? I hear so much about hurrying to the buffet but don't hear anything about the others. Are they not open the first day?

We are either going to spend our day at Paradise or Infinity Bay. Does anyone have recommendations on fun places in walking distance to grab a bite or cocktail? Some place around that has something so delicious you can't wait to eat it again?

OTOH, we'll have a Victor Boden driver so after we're done snorkeling we can go and do anything we want so it doesn't have to be in walking distance.

You could also go to Playa Palancar beach and snorkel with them. The have a boat that goes around 10:00 and another at noon. Simple, no frills, 2-3 reefs. If you want to move on after the boat trip you can, or you can eat and drink there as well as get in beach time. You have to take a cab out to them but cabs on Coz are plentiful and price regulated. It is only about $35 to do their boat tour.

The Money Bar tour is around $80? and includes 3 reefs, booze and snacks. It is probably a 3 hour or so tour. After the reef snorkeling they take you to a spot where the water is about 4 ft deep to eat/drink/listen to music. We had a couple of big rays swim right up to the boat while we were standing in the water. Super cool. You can also hang at their beach area and eat and drink and snorkel. Again, you would take a cab and you can pre-arrange this tour unlike Playa Palancar.

I've done both and like them both for different reasons. Depends on what you are in the mood for.

This is the reason we chose Carnival. You can still get out of the port area.

My disappointment is that our travel companions would rather go cave tubing than snorkel. My fiancé and I are big snorkel fans. Luckily our other port is Roatan and the snorkeling is just as good as Belize as it is the same reef (from what I've heard). However, Belize seems to be the only place you can cave tube so that will be something different for a change.

Looks like F and I will have to plan another cruise to Belize to see for ourselves

Are those kind of the prices for cocktails at other bars?

I'm usually a vodka gal or wine gal but I certainly don't object to a great rum runner or mojito now and then.

Wow, thanks very much!

I'm not sure I'm fancy enough for such a bar lol. I'd say the RFP or BI or some such will be just fine for me!

I'm not a huge shopper but my friend that is traveling with us is. I've shopped a lot in Coz so I know what to expect there. The only thing I can really think of that I would absolutely like to find are some silver bangle bracelets.

Can anyone kind of compare the three for me? I don't know whether to spend time shopping in all 3 ports or are they all pretty much the same?

What is so great about the Alchemy Bars? I see so many people mention them and I just don't get it. Can someone explain what is so different about from a regular bar?

I figured they charged right away, so I wanted to know the last possible minute to pre-order and still get the discount.

I'm not giving them a CC for Cheers, cabin expenses or pre-paying gratuities until the week before.

Thanks folks.

I see on Carnival's site that you can buy Cheers through the call center up to the day before leaving. Does anyone know the last day to purchase online with the $5 a day savings?

And when you pre-purchase Cheers do they charge your card immediately or do they charge it on your S&S account or what?

Don't waste your time and money there. Too many better places on the island to go.

I think I'll live on Dream's Serenity Deck!

Do they close that area or is it open 24/7?

We'll be in a balcony room (don't know if that makes a difference) and I'm wondering if there is a hairdryer in the bathroom.

Also wondering if the wall between the balconies can be removed.

The cheapest thing to do is grab a taxi that is large enough to accommodate your group. Prices are set on Coz, unlike other countries, so the prices will be the same no matter which taxi you get.

Anyone know the closest place to exchange my USD for pesos from the Puerta Maya pier?

Do they have free wifi there?

I've read so many reviews my head hurts! Do you have a preference? How is the food? Do they have pools? Music? Good snorkeling? Shade - either on the beach or a restaurant/bar nearby?

We're going to hire Bodden for the day so anything goes really. I'd first thought about Infinity Bay but so many act like the extra $15 pp isn't worth it. I kind of think it would be if it is cleaner (bathrooms etc), better snorkeling and less crowded.

Help?

I can understand why PVPs get upset when you don't book with them because they work on a commission/bonus structure. I've been in that sort of sales for 10 years so I get it. What is unfortunate is that they don't explain that to people so that we will make sure to stick with the same PVP. Apparently they can also buddy with a co-worker so that if they aren't there we have someone to talk to. When my PVP is out of the office her email auto reply gives me the name and email/number of someone else I can use if I need help before she returns.

*Of course if they aren't giving good service they can't expect us to go back to them.*

I let my PVP know upfront that I am in sales and understand her situation. If she doesn't hound me with emails and calls I'll let her know when I need something. We get along great!

Thanks Crewsweeper. Ship excursions aren't usually very good so that's why I wondered.

Carnival offers an excursion called Mayan Princess all inclusive resort with open bar for $100. Has anyone done this? Can you offer any advice? Is it at a decent part of the island for snorkeling?