bguppies

Sounds like that Nickelodeon show from 10-15 years ago...

Green slime is kind of Nockelodeon's thing.

I know when the celebrities appear at the annual Kid's Choice awards they still get "slimed".

If you google "slime time NCL" you should be able to find some pictures or videos...

(here's a you tube link I found for the Epic. It is a riff off of Nickelodeon's old show.)

Looks like alot of fun.

Bill

Yeah your taxi concerns are pretty much going to kill any dreams of crystal clear beaches at any of the western caribbean ports. (the ships generally don't dock near the prettiest beaches)

Everything close to Costa Maya pier is water full of sea grass and at least a short cab ride into town. (or a really long, hot walk)

Cozumel won't have much near Punta Langosta where you dock, without at least a mile or so walk.

Most of the nice sandy beach clubs are south of town and require a cab ride.

You could maybe book Isla Passion/Passion Island excursion if it is offered by Disney.

It is just north of town and Disney's pier.

If you dock at Roatan you could do the Maya Key excursion through the cruise line if they offer it.

It is a short ferry ride to an island right across from where your ship docks.

Otherwise, you need a taxi to other beaches in Roatan also.

Good luck to you and the kids...

Bill

I have been reading many good things about Victor Bodden. Indeed, I find it incredible that, on Trip Advisor, that of just over 1000 reviews posted, 900 of them give Bodden an "excellent" rating. That's unheard of.

 

But there's one issue I haven't seen addressed. Since this company is not allowed to pick up or drop off at the cruise pier, how are they for making sure people get back to their ships on time? And I don't mean just in time but with plenty to spare. We have never done an excursion that wasn't booked through the ship and I'd hate to spend the day worrying that we were going to miss the ship.

 

Comments please? Thanks.

Actually you are HALF right......

They can't pick you up at the pier if you dock at Carnival's pier at Mahogany Bay, since Carnival uses that to try and discourage cruisers to do independent excursions by making it as difficult as possible for people to get to where they meet their van/bus.

So Carnival forces you to walk completely out of the complex, up a hill and over to meet your van at the gate. (like a ten minute walk unless you have mobility issues)

But on the way back, Victor Bodden is allowed to bring you all the way back into the complex, to the exact same spot that the Carnival excursions get dropped off.

We went with Bodden on our first trip to Roatan and it was a great day and excellent excursion.

The reason they are so ridiculously highly rated, is that they have been servicing cruise ship passengers for years and are incredibly professional.

Your driver will know when your ship is scheduled to leave and they run on your schedule, so if you want to arrive back a little early, let your driver know.

Bill

Everyone is going to get mad at me for saying this because the beach right there at Mahogany Bay doesn't let you see the REAL Roatan

 

but .. but ... but

 

It's a very decent beach area with lots of beach chairs (n/c) and nice beach beach bar ... absolutely not too shabby a way to send the day without having to plan anything. ;)

 

LuLu

~~~~

The downside is that the water at Mahogany Bay is a murky mess, since it was dredged out to accomodate the ships.

The water at West Bay, etc.. is crystal clear beautiful Caribbean water.

The difference of spending a day at a super nice water park or the tiny neighborhood pool.

You get what you pay for and the effort you put in.

But it is nice for Carnival to offer Mahogany Bay to the folks who want free and zero effort. (personally we save free and zero or little effort for Belize and Costa Maya which don't have nearly as much to offer as Roatan.)

Bill

Ok, we watched a Video on cave tubbing a decided to do that. It looks fun. And we hate to go to a port and not get off the ship and experience some of that country. Now I have to pick a company to do that through! Lol! I love vacation planning! Thanks every one!

There are a couple of reputable cave tubing companies that everyone in here uses...

If nobody comes in this thread and can help steer you to them, maybe start a new thread, specifically about cave tubing companies.

Like I said, hope you find one to your liking.

We have yet to stay on the ship in a port yet. (except DW on her 9th stop in Nassau)

But after our last trip to Belize, the tender definitely isn't worth it if you don't have an excursion planned.

Bill

From earlier in this thread...

Just call 1-855-625-4283.

He can take the tender in and he's fine on the ship with sea bands. We unfortunately can't do the 30 to 45 min. out to the Cay's. I've tried to get him on catamarans and the bouncy up and down is a No! :( I love that stuff. I just don't know what to do. I hate to go all the way there and not see the country. By reading the boards there's only cave tubbing, the Cay's and the zoo. And it doesn't seem to be safe in town by what I'm reading. So again I just don't know what to do.

You do realize the tender ride in Belize is easily 20 minutes each way. (not like tendering in most ports, where it is just a 1/4 mile tops, maybe 5 minute, ride in.)

30-45 minutes isn't much of a difference.

From everything you excluded in your initial post, you basically booked a cruise with a stop that you have little intrest in.

Like paying for a day at Disney World, but you don't like rides, hate walking around cartoon characters and don't like lots of walking.:confused:

There isn't much to do in the pier area, other than shopping and a few restaurants and bars.

The pier area is much older and run down (not ghetto, just old) than the other ports you will visit on the Western Itinerary.

But I will say on the positive side, at least it isn't cookie cutter, like the other ports, that all have the same 2-3 bars and the exact same cruiseline shops inside their pier area.

Our first trip there, we went into the pier just to check it out.

We walked the entire pier area. (trying to find the spot to get our passports stamped, but it was their independence day)

Since we don't enjoy shopping or drinking terribly much and we had spent all of our excursion funds for the cruise at the other stops, we were on the next tender back to the ship for the day.

Our next stop in Belize in April, we have decided to just stay on the ship, since we too are not intrested in Cave tubing, zip lining or Mayan Ruins. (at least not this trip. I LOVE exploring the ruins, but have done them already. Again, we are spending our excursion funds in Cozumel and Roatan this trip.)

The long, bumpy, tender ride in and the LONG wait in line to reboard the tenders back, in the freaking heat (we are from SC,the heat down there is crazy humid and hot), and the long ride back out, just isn't worth it to us.

I hope somebody comes in here and has a suggestion that will make the tender ride in worth it for you guys.

Bill

http://www.cozumel-watersports.com/excursions/playamiadaypass.html

A few more options for Playa Mia and it's probably cheaper than the cruiseline excursion... (make sure to figure in the taxi ride, to see how it matches pricewise.)

Bill

Hi there...

 

I just read this WHOLE thread and am SO glad we already reserved our spots for October..

 

3 questions...

 

1. Are towels available ( I am always nervous I will lose the carnival towels ! )

 

2. Is there an age limit for the Jetskis? ( I will have 2 teens with me )

 

3. Is there a gift shop? We dont plan on doing anything but Nachi... but I would like a trinket or two from COzumel....

 

Thanks SO much !

1)Bring your own towels....

2)Have no idea (4 trips to nachi, never seen the jetskis leave the beach)

3)Not sure which pier you'll be at since I don't see a cruiseline mentioned...

But all of the piers will have MUCH more to offer, souvenir-wise, than the tiny bit Nachi has.

Bill

Lastly, does anyone have a copy of the menu?

.

Read Mitsugirly's review here (from post #190-#219)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1755846&page=10

Lots of great pictures of the facitlities and info.

Bill

is it correct there is a weight restriction of 250 lbs for this excursion?

If you are booking through a cruiseline (I can't imagine why in Cozumel) you might want to mention the name, so those who booked through that cruiseline could maybe explain it to you.

Only reason I could see is maybe for the waterslides....

Can't imagine anything else that would have a weight requirement, other than extras like parasailing or something.

http://www.cozumel-watersports.com/excursions/playamiadaypass.html

I did not see any weight restrictions mentioned on the website.

Bill

Hmmm...I had decided to book an AI in Ocho Rios, but his thread is making me reconsider! And I don't really want to do two. Decisions, decisions.

 

How's the shade here? I read on the site that palapas are first come, first served. Is there anything else for shade if we aren't able to get one?

 

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

There is a 100 person limit and 4 chairs under each palapa.

Over the years they have kept adding palapas.

Last time we were there, there was more than 25 palapas. (I think it was 28 or 30)

So mathematically, I think it would be impossible to run out of shaded loungers anymore.

There is also alot of trees with shade that you could move a lounger under.

Also hammocks in the trees and plenty of shade in the huge restaurant.

Bill

Wood work in Roatan or Belize is amazing.

Bill

to the top

Used them five times for our excursions to Nachi...

Once the stop was cancelled due to hurricane hitting just to the south and got our refund quickly.

Had to move our reservation once when Carnival decided to completely reverse the itinerary and had no problem changing days.

Every other time, everything went without a hitch. (knock on wood for our next booking for April. ;) )

Definitely a well respected excursion company.

Bill

http://******diva.com/news_83113.htm#Norwegian_Cruise_Line_Plans_Eco-Friendly_Destination_in_Belize

Just plug in our favorite 6 letter word for the ******.

Great article on the new Belize island, with an NCL artists rendered picture.

(at least the ships will dock right at the island from the picture)

Bill

If NCL did away with Cozumel or Roatan for two stops in Belize, that would kill their Western Itinerary for me.

I definitely wouldn't mind switching from the armpit of the Caribbean that Belize City is, to a new private island in southern Belize.

But keeping the horrible Belize City stop and dropping either Roatan or Cozumel would be a deal breaker for us.

Bill

That line in the water, when the tide goes out, is completely out of the water, by a few feet.

The sand at Nachi is deep, but I have never found it more difficult to walk in than other beaches I have been at. (other than in the water, the one time the tide was going out)

Now I know some of the beach clubs had to replenish their sand after that hurricane that destroyed Puerta Maya pier hit.

So even though Nachi is physically next door to Mr. Sanchos and Playa Mia, it could have different sand on top of the natural sand, due to replenishment.

I'll take Nachi's deep sand over courser sand beaches or the beaches with sand mixed with small rocks.

I guess beach sand is subjective like food. ;)

Having been at beaches in California, NJ, Del, MD, VA, NC, SC and FLA, plus all over the Caribbean, I guess I am a little more easy going about beach sand. :D

I'm more concerned about being at a wonderful spot like Nachi, with gorgeous facilties and great service to enjoy all day and the 100 person limit.

But I'm sure Mr. Sanchos and Playa Mia are wonderful too.

If we had kids, I'd be at Playa Mia in a heartbeat with the kids and DW would be at Nachi enjoying her favorite spot in the Caribbean, EVERY single trip to Cozumel.

Bill

Try Passion Island. We have been there twice. They filmed the Coors Beer commercial here once. Great buffet lunch. Lovely beach.

You mean the Corona commercial?

MITSU,

 

 

Then I found your reviews, and other peoples suggestions and I'm thoroughly confused.

 

You family is sold on Chankanaab. I liked your review of the Playa Mia I think it was? I'm not sure what's best for us. We're too 'old' 40 somethings fuddy-duddys who just want to sit around in the sun, maybe snorkel, eat good food (preferably included) and relax. Not a fan of crowds or needing water toys or whatever. So I'm confused as to where to go. I liked your info on Chankanaab but the more I read it, it seems like a busy place with the dolphin thing, sea lion thing, etc... Is it more busy? I was happy with my Nachi choice until you said terrible to walk in the sand. I would hate that and I'm not 20 lbs or anything so it would be even harder, plus the drop off didn't sound safe.

 

I just need advice. Of the places you've been or researched, which would be the most peaceful, non-partyish, less crowded place?

The Nachi sand thing is only when the tide is going out.

It leaves a slightly steep shelf (where the water was) and the sand shifts under your feet as it being dragged out with the tide.

I've been 4 times, but only experienced the tide going out, once...

So I knew what Mitsu was talking about the day she was there, but it is only when the tide is heading out. (sorry I know of no way of checking into that on your date)

If you enjoy a guaranteed no crowds experience, great food and an amazing pool with swim up bar, then Nachi is amazing.

The only down sides are the snorkeling from shore is poor and the sand at low tide...

I usually only go out in the ocean once for an hour or so and spend the rest of my day in the pool, so the sand thing has never bothered me. (and I love to snorkel, but always do so in better spots like Grand Cayman or Roatan.)

If snorkeling is very important to you, I would definitely choose Chankanaab and take the chance of the larger crowds.

Whatever you choose, I hope you find your perfect day in Cozumel.

Bill

Yes the FAQ section of each of their tours states a minimum of 6 people for the tour to run.

 

They do not usually pick up at the piers but at a central location in town. They do drop off at the piers on the return.

 

The tour is not only for cruise ship visitors - we have done it while taking a land vacation in Cozumel and some people even join in that are staying on the mainland.

I can understand not running with less than six, with fuel costs in the Caribbean.

I just can't believe there is any day, with even one ship in port, that they don't have at least six people wanting to go.

Bill

Is there a minimum amount of people, for them to stop and pick up a group at the pier?

Just because there isn't anybody intrested in a dead roll call, doesn't mean there isn't somebody else onboard booked....

Just curious how the bar hop works...

Bill

Sounds like you would be a good fit for the AI side of Mr. Sanchos - swim up bar, nice beach, lively crowd, etc. Good luck! :)

I'll second Mr. Sanchos....

Nachi Cocum sounds like it'll be a little to quiet for your tastes...

Bill

This is the map I made awhile back on google earth. Does this look like the right placement? I did it a year or 2 back.

 

 

 

Online it says the taxi cost is:

 

 

Palancar Beach $22.00 1-4 people

$35.00 5 people

$46.00 6-8 people

Palancar looks right.

I never knew Uvas was that close to Chankanaab and Money Bar.

I haven't heard much about Carlos and Charlie's lately either....

Awesome map work....

Bill