c-leg5

Yes. Did you have actual experience with one of these cabins or are you speculating?

Occidental and Allegra have reportedly had them in the past but I would write to confirm current situation if this is important.

Yes according to their website.

Cabana Beach is at the far end of the park away from the entrance. It is a private area. Shown on the park map. It originally had its own back entrance but now I think you have to walk through the whole park to it. Although you pay a reduced entrance to the park it includes reduced amenities too, for example I don’t think it allows access to the swimming pool without an extra fee if that is important. It has its own website and I am sure further reviews on TripAdvisor. The website allows you to choose an actual cabana with the price displayed on a given date and then you need to pay a per person park fee extra. Chankanaab is very quick to answer email questions. There are some reviews on this forum for Cabana Beach if you use the search function. I have seen the area but haven’t actually used it. I am not sure if it is natural beach or imported sandy area as access to the sea is also down steps I think - most of that coastline is rocky ironshore. You would need to research further if that is important.

Sorry I didn’t realize! There are TripAdvisor reviews from January 2024 but of course you never know if they are recent or genuine. No charge for the beach within the park, or the pool, from my recent correspondence with them. Are you confusing with the Cabana Beach section? Unfortunately the zipline and paintball sections seem to be closed so I am not sure how much there is that would appeal to an 11 year old.

Keep in mind the near reefs in Cozumel have been severely damaged over the years by storms and are currently undergoing some restoration and artificial reefs in places. The main reefs are offshore and more suited to diving and although there are some snorkeling excursions many consider them too deep to be worthwhile except for experienced swimmers.

I am not sure what you are looking for people to suggest? If you have studied mitsugirly blog you are probably aware of most of the localities that are available for snorkeling from shore, although some of her reviews are quite old now. She has reviews on most snorkeling places on Cozumel, at least most of the child friendly locations. There is Fury catamaran if you want more entertainment and activities or you can go independent snorkel tour but I don’t see that being much fun for the child that wants a beach. When you say you haven’t dived, do you mean ever (as in not certified) or in Cozumel? Whether you can walk to a dive shop depends on which pier you are docking at? the answer is most likely, yes but you will probably need to pre-reserve. Again the type of dive would depend on your qualifications? If new to diving perhaps snuba or helmet dive? Does your 11 year old want added activities on the beach, or are they content with just sand? I see Mitsugirly has just replied. I would also suggest Chankanaab or perhaps Bucannos or El Cozumeleno day pass (although it always gets mixed food reviews) or Play Uvas. Sunset Beach is where a lot of the beginner cruise ship excursions take place for Discover scuba or snuba but again no beach and nothing really for the other child to do if they don’t want to try. You don’t indicate whether an adult would be staying with each child? If so Nachi Cocom or Palancar are examples of beach locations with add-on boat snorkel. Depending on how strong a swimmer your teen is, keep in mind the water can be rough and the currents variable (usually drift snorkeling).

Taxi van for 8 so you can all drink and relax? The Cozumel Bar Hop? Not sure if they have self-drive vehicles that large so it would seem more enjoyable if you could all stay together, otherwise it would mean two or more vehicles (trikes)?

Sounds good! Had you already paid for entrance to Chankanaab through the cruise line?

If you have time, could you take and post a photo of increased taxi fares to share? It has been a long time since I have seen an updated list, although still trying to find out if the increase is official. Is there a board at Nachi Cocom - I don’t remember? I know the hotels and some beach clubs have boards.

Hayhu seems to be the new place on the block if your port hours were long enough go Maya Chan. Sounds like it was a private buy-out that far ahead. In town our go to is Malecon 21. Lots like Jaimie’s if you want Ai but we have never been there.

Only certain wines are available “by the glass” which may be the “choice” you are referring to? However, the UDP and your C&A coupons, both entitle you to 40% off bottles under $100 and 20% over, as already mentioned, so unless you want a different glass with every course each per person, this would probably be a better option price wise and for more choice. I think you can get a general idea of what is offered by looking at any sailing although this may be subject to some regional differences due to supply so try to look at a similar sailing if possible. Otherwise just go with the flow and be spontaneous! I am not understanding how a beverage package would increase the choice factor or has a bearing on your decision? Also you can bring on a bottle of your preferred choice of wine per person at embarkation. ETA I just looked at Ovation for April and I can see the wine menus listed on the app? Are you looking under the restaurant tabs?

The table?

Difficult to suggest somewhere specific. If you need an actual beach is a priority, it will have to be one of the beach clubs south of the piers. More options if you just want somewhere oceanfront with a bar? That said, I feel most places probably have some background music, probably around the bar area and yet I cannot think of any specifically, meaning it is there, but low-key. Mr Sanchos may be louder but I haven’t been there (someone will correct) and they do have a tendency to push AI there now as you say. In the day time I am sure most places have just background noise - at night, several places have live bands. The only places I remember specifically are ones where the music, or someone, has annoyed me! (Usually someone playing personal music loudly so that it interferes with facility music - Sunset Bar and Money Bar come immediately to mind. Nachi too but that was just annoying I don’t remember any facility-music on the beach.) We have liked No Name Bar at Hotel Barracuda in the past but there is no actual beach it is lively, has a pool and is popular with crew but last time we were there, unlike previously, we didn’t enjoy the genre of music obviously geared to a younger crowd) and we had to leave quicker than intended. It is PAYG but on the higher end of local prices. Not sure if the music choice was a one “off” day. For convenience and budget we like to go to Del Mar Latino, AI but at only $40 pp a bargain when you consider no transport required. How lively, is variable but it can be lively with a Carnival ship in port!! It is very small but has a small pool, again no beach. Consider Money Bar or Sky Reef. If music and beer are a priority, I would suggest one of the sports bars in town. Live music at Woody’s (one of our favorites), Dicks Dive and others around the square. Alternatively, he may enjoy the Bar Hop but again depends on budget.

If you have a favorite from another restaurant I would be surprised if they couldn’t get it for you, especially if you are doing UDP and you requested it in advance. However in my experience the list is merely a suggestion and may differ from what they actually have available at any given time. Much easier to just make a decision in real time from what is available. No harm in asking if you have seen something you want but I wouldn’t get too fixated and be prepared to be flexible.

That is where it will be when it is available. Are you looking at something in the distant future? Try something on a similar sailing sooner.

The wines are listed under beverages on the menu on the app. Whether or not they have them at any given time is another matter.

I would suggest you study some you tube reviews to get a “feeling” for the place. I am not sure what you are envisaging regarding “getting stuck in a tourist trap” and perhaps that would put your mind at ease. Yes, it is a tourist attraction, most people climb for the views and there is a small museum. Yes, your driver can take you there and then you can leave after viewing, climbing or whatever you want to do there. As @crewsweeper says there is an entrance fee to enter the park. It seems a pity not to look around a little after hiring a driver, but the choice is yours. Presumably you will take a circular tour round the island. This is one of favorites, in the right season. Several nice beach bars, providing there is no sargassum. Rastas is good and we like Punta Morena, away from the main restaurant area but it doesn’t sound like you are into beaches. The east side is all about views, photo ops and wild side. No electricity (bring cash) and limited cell service. Incidently, if you just want to “look” at lighthouses there is the old one at Punta Langosta and the newer one south of town. There is another one but you can’t get to it easily.

Which pier are you docking at? Any particular type of music he loves/hates? In the daytime it will be mainly piped music unless you go to one of the bars in town.

Depends on ship. You just have to ask.

I thought this was discussed in deployment thread 2025. Probably best watch there?

Well, no guarantees it won’t change!

The current menu will be on the app for your sailing.

Thanks! It’s been a while since we docked there. I know NCL used to tender but I didn’t realize it was still happening since they built the new pier.

We used a BOGO. We did it at night. I had the entree from lunch menu by preference and the rest of the party had evening menu so yes of course we paid dinner price. I wouldn’t expect anything else. But I have heard of people that have done lunch prices at lunch time.