dmori

Thanks for this! The exact answer I was looking for. I plan to order 2x 4pk of beer for my hubby and I in room. I was wondering if I am still able to purchase the wine package on ship I addition. What is added to the cost of the package? I see a delivery fee online, but would it be 18% gratuity on ship in lieu of the delivery fee? Thanks!

Sorry, I correct myself. The 2 I found are Cozumelcruisexcursions.net and cozumelcruisetours.com. I will check Google reviews and tripadvisor. I didn't find anything in CC in a previous search.

I did see both sites actually when I googled yesterday. The .com read more legit to me, but yes, I see mitsugirly did use .net. Any suggestions on confirming that either are legit? Definitely why I always am a skeptic about third party bookings...yikes.

Thanks for the review on the snorkel excursion - especially helpful that it is the same company! I did find similar reviews about wait times, excursion leaving late, etc on tripadvisor so it is nice to have your feedback - especially when Chankanaab is the other main contender! Looks like a nice time for sure 🙂 Im going to give this option some more thought as well!

I also briefly looked at a private excursion through a local company (coxumelcruisetours.com - if anyone has used them with reviews/feedback that would be great!). With 7 ships in port that day, I do have concerns for taxi availability and entrance admission without a reservation for Chankanaab. A booked excursion offering transportation would ease a bit of this. @mitsugirly do you have any feedback on Palancar Reef snorkelling, Columbia Reef snorkelling and a beach stop/snorkel at El Cielo beach? If so, how would it compare to Chankanaab (I know...different snorkelling as Chank as its open water and not shoreline snorkelling - but would there be just as much to see?!?!) Thanks!

All great points! Sounds like Chankanaab may be he most fitting incase the weather isn't as ideal for snorkelling as it allows for additional opportunities to keep the kids busy. I don't know why I am struggling so much with this port. Its an easy decision to just hit up a beach club when its just my hubby and I, but keeping the kiddos entertained is a priority for this family trip! Id be happy with a cold one and some sand...Zzz...

Thank you for the menus and additional feedback on SkyReef! That does give me a good idea of what they offer 🙂

Thank you! I haven't found much info on vendors (and yes, thats what I meant by independent vendors) so that is a concern. I recently read on trip advisor that someone paid something like $150 for nachos for 6. My kids are ALWAYS hungry and although they are meal eaters they are also frequent snackers. I have a hard time paying premiums for snack shack food 😛 and assuming we wouldn't be able to take outside snack/food in. I do like the option of a bit more to see and do. So Chankanaab is more drift snorkelling along the shoreline? I know the kiddos will want to refrain from life jackets while snorkelling, so this is helpful info. I do have the coupon saved for it we go! Thanks for the tip! For the $28 admission to Chankanaab we could use that easily towards food & drink with a la carte option at Sky Reef and maybe just as much or more to see snorkelling. Is the majority of the snorkelling here in shallow depths? Looks like Sky Reef is a little further from port than Chankanaab, but really a taxi stop next door. maybe we should plan to feel out Sky Reef first and see how busy it is with 7 ships in port and if not to our liking head next door to Chankanaab...

@mitsugirly we are headed to Cozumel mid February and there are 7 ships in port that day. Please help us decide what to do! Lol. Family of 4 with 2 kids, ages 11 & 13. Both are water kids and love to swim. We are thinking on Chankanaab with PAYG option as our main want for the day is some snorkelling with lots to see. In my research, I stumbled past Sky Reef and am now considering this with the a la carte option as well. We have never been to either location. Chankanaab AI I'm not sold on because I've heard the buffet food and drinks are mediocre at best and are a good distance walk away. I am a foodie so the thought of Sky Reef and some better eats appeals to me. I know you have been to Chankanaab a couple times (I've checked out all your reviews!) Have you tried the food/drink options by independent vendors there? Any suggestions? Considering our wants of good snorkelling and the possibility of some yummy eats...what do you recommend? Chankanabb vs. Sky Reef or maybe something else?

Hello! Looking to book shuttle for return transport to IAH - most likely with Galveston Limo for flight out at 4:30PM in February. Ship arrives in port at 8am. Family of 4 with passports planning to self-disembark with luggage. Shuttle time options are 9:05AM, 10:05AM, 11:05AM. Which would be the best option for a more leisurely disembarkation? If ship docks at 8AM, what is the earliest we can expect to be off? On the flip side, what is the latest to get off? If we choose a later shuttle departure, is our seat guaranteed or is there a chance it will be full and we need to catch the next one? Thanks!

Anyone know? I would like to pre-purchase a 4 pack of beer/cider for each myself and husband for our stateroom. Will this cruise the vineyard package still be available to us to purchase onboard if we have already each purchased a liquor product for in our room? Thanks!

Thank you! I searched back and found it 🙂

Has anyone purchased the Cruise the Vineyard wine package? Im seeing it listed as a "New" item under Drink Packages. Looking for feedback on ease of use, selection, etc. Thanks!

This is great feedback! Thanks a bunch 🙂

Thanks for the reply! By AI I was meaning Chankanaab, so you were on point with the recommends there! I will definitely watch for excursion options with the cruise line! Unless we find a deal, as you mentioned, we will plan for the PAYG route. Sounds like the sub-contractors will have some decent offerings. I saw that there does seem to be space to spread out with loungers and palapas and did stumble across @mitsugirly blog with great info and pics! I also looked into the Cabana Beach option and the fee is now $115US Cabana fee plus $17US p/p so puts us more than i'd ideally like to invest. I think Nachi would offer us the same level of solitude for lesser! All this into consideration, hubs and I agreed that either Allegro or Chankanaab could be a good compromise for what the family wants. As you mentioned a lesser crowd with day pass and I was impressed with how uncongested Chankanaab appeared to be (both pros for hubby) in my combing of pictures and reviews. I guess, ideally, we are looking for a venue offering a little more for the kiddos without having to book a further excursion (ie: snorkelling trip from Nachi). The kids do enjoy playing in the sand and may as well both be fish. They both enjoy snorkelling so that alone should offer a couple hours of entertainment while I lounge in the sun. Hubby liked the looks of @mitsugirly snorkelling pics also and said that he would too enjoy it. These are the only reasons we are reassessing our initial decision to head to Nachi. I would love the opportunity to check it out next time we cruise without kids. I did check out Rasta's and Buccanos as well and will keep those in my back pocket for a future visit. Punta Sur - I haven't researched it much. Sorry, I may have missed it previously, but would we require a day hire for taxi as well there?

Hey all! Contemplating Chankanaab for our family of 4 (2 kiddos age 11&13). Thinking a taxi and PAYG with paying admission at the gate is the way we will go, if we do. I've combed tons of reviews and have decided with the crappy options for AI (mediocre buffet and bar both a distance back towards the entrance) this is what suits us best. My kids are fish and will be in the water snorkelling the whole time. I'd like a lounger in the sun and clean ocean water to swim in when I feel the need. Hubby wants an activity in port with lesser crowds with a mix of the above. There are 7 ships in port this day! Eek! Couple questions for feedback: 1.) is it going to be busy busy? Is there a chance with no prepaid tickets (excursion, etc) that we would be declined admission? That many persons in port makes me nervous not having a guaranteed reservation. 2.) What are the independent vendor food and drinks like? Better than buffet reviews? I'm also a foodie and while not expecting an authentic experience at a ((tourist trap)) I would like the option for an edible lunch at tourist prices at least. Any suggestions/recommendations? Are there any neighbouring restaurant options? Thanks everyone! Appreciate the feedback. Cheers 🙂

Thank you!!! Thank you for the detailed post/reply. Sorry to hijack another post, but you seem well seasoned in Cozumel options. I think we have narrowed our wants down a bit more...hubby wants less crowds/more space, I'd like a lounger in the sun and some good ocean swimming, it would be nice to have some additional activities for the kiddos whether water park, kayaks/paddleboards, etc or the option for decent snorkelling. I think I'd like to stay away from the East side of the island just for ease of visit and maybe save those options for a couples trip instead. I am looking further at Allegro as you suggested as they seem to check off most wants - do you know how busy they get? Is there an occupancy cap or can we expect crowds similar to Paradise Beach? Another option I am considering is Chankanaab. We would go the PAYG route, taxi and purchase tickets at the gate (weather/mood depending, etc.) after reading further reviews on crappy AI options (buffet and drinks lacking and far away from where we will most likely set up shop). I do have concerns with how busy Chankanaab will be with 7 ships in port. Should we have concerns about being turned down for admission to the park going PAYG and not an organized excursion? Any tips if you've been? Thanks again to everyone who chimed in. I appreciate all your feedback!

@c-leg5 Was chatting with you a couple days back re: Brady's Cay in Roatan. Was wondering if you had any suggestions for a Cozumel visit for my family (myself, hubby, and 2 kiddos ages 11 & 13). Looking for a day with the beach and water. We are in port 9-5pm with 6 other ships in port that day. As previously mentioned, I LOVE a good beach and that is where I am happiest. AI food and drink is nice with kids, but not a must. I'm currently looking at Nachi for our visit in Feb '24, but what equates to a $340CAN day (inc. transportation/taxi) for our family of 4 is making me research all of our options. We have been to Mr. Sanchos as a couple and did enjoy, but maybe looking for a little lower key. Paradise Beach was also on my list of possibilities, but hubby likes the idea of 130p cap. at Nachi. Also looked at Palancar Beach as a PAYG option. We all love a nice beach, great water to swim, kids would also enjoy some snorkelling opportunities (we have our own gear), I'm also a foodie and love authentic/hole in the wall establishments. Is there anything you can recommend that I may not have stumbled upon? Thank you!

I thoroughly research these things online...to a fault usually lol. From what I could see I could only find posts (reviews, fb posts, and instagram) as far back as roughly 9 months/1 year (looks like Feb '23) ago for Brady's Cay so maybe a new option? The DJ excursion online states a beach break at Las Palmas, but I did clarify directly and they said it is at Brady's Cay and they just haven't yet updated their website. I will be sure to provide feedback! Cheers 🙂

I'm not sure as I haven't been to Roatan as of yet. Here is a screen shot of the area with a pin dropped at Brady's Cay. From what I have seen for excursions with Carnival, Big French Key is still offered, so I feel Brady's Cay is a different location. I could be wrong?!?!

I can't say as I haven't yet been, maybe someone else can provide further insight? The pictures I viewed online look like its a gradual beach/water entry and I do believe there are umbrellas provided with the chair at Brady's Cay - but don't quote me on that. Check out their website at...https://bradyscayroatan.org (I found the website difficult to load on my desktop, but had no issues on my mobile) and I did find more info/pics on their FB page as well as Instagram. Hope this helps!

Thanks everyone for your input! We decided to book the Transportation/Hangout/Beach Break option directly through Daniel Johnson's website. My kiddos will love the Hangout and up close and personal visit with the sloths and i'll get in some beach time - I know not West Bay, but timing will be limited and id rather spend less time commuting and more time with my feet in the sand! I did inquire further with Daniel Johnson and the "beach break" is now located at Brady's Cay on Big French Cay (FYI contrary to what DJ's website says as they haven't updated this info yet, but did confirm through FB chat) and they provide boat transportation there included with the excursion. The reviews I did find on Brady's Cay are all great so here's hoping! There are food/drink add on options as well or a la carte. Prices seem reasonable. There are also various water activities available to add on which was a plus for us and the kids. I will update on our visit once we've been and are back - mid Feb 2024. Cheers!

Great, thanks for the input! I will wait and see if anyone has any feedback on the snorkelling portion of the excursion with Daniel and decide then if its something id like to add on! On a side note, if we were to forego the beach at Las Palmas, what is the best beach and swimming location? Any suggestions on how best to arrange transportation to get there? Cheers!

Hello! Our first time visiting and looking at excursion options with Daniel Johnson (I know seeing the sloths, monkeys and birds up close and personal will be the highlight of my kiddos cruise!). 1.) Can anyone provide feedback on the snorkelling and beach stop options? Snorkelling as part of the excursion - is it worth it? We also have personal snorkel gear we generally bring along so doing our own thing in Costa Maya, Cozumel and Roatan is an option. Does it add much substance to the excursion or would my kids be happy just snorkelling around from the beach stop? 2.) As far as the beach stop, the website mentions this is done at Las Palmas Resort. Any feedback on the beach/optional food and beverage for purchase itself at this location? How does it compare to the beach accessible right in port (Mahogany Bay)? Im a beach lover so id prefer to spend my time at the better beach/water location. Thanks a bunch!

We used Galveston Limo in March 2020 for return transportation from IAH to Galveston. Service was great! No issues. We did as above and booked a Houston hotel with shuttle for the night as we were on a late arrival flight. The following day utilized the free hotel shuttle for ride back to IAH and then caught the shuttle with Galveston Limo to Galveston. They were quick, efficient, and friendly. Dropped us at our Seawall hotel. We used Uber the day of our cruise to get to the port with a wait time of no longer than 20min. We booked the return shuttle the morning our cruise arrived back in port in Galveston for return to and flight out the same day at IAH. Again, no issues finding shuttle at the port or with any of the dealings. Biggest hiccup was having the Houston hotel shuttle drop us off at IAH departures when in reality we probably could have asked to be dropped at IAH arrivals for Galveston Limo pickup. Would have saved some walking, but luckily we had time on our side. Hope this helps! Send Galveston Limo an email with any questions and they will be sure to reply quickly! Ive never had issues with communication and prices were the most reasonable.