c-leg5

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.

Not everybody wants dinner, or the items on the dinner menu so whether it is wasted would be up to the individual. I have had lunch items served at night by pre-ordering. Some people have reported doing so successfully but probably depends on individual ship.

+1 Captain Jacks, which is our go to bar. Unfortunately the port renovations seem to have come to a standstill from what I have seen so not sure how scenic it is now as it has been a while since we were there. There are a couple to the right also but we haven’t tried them and you would probably have to weave through more tour operators that way. (@crewsweeper don’t you mean the old ferry to Maya Key?) You can stay within the port area but not sure there is too much authentic shopping.

Be careful on exact company name and checking contact etc. looks like name has changed since @mitsugirly used them. There has always been problems between look alike .com and .net. Do your research.

No the first part says sea lion show included. There has always been a separate interaction. I think I recall you discussing whether you had to pay an entrance prior to you going and I think you got a discounted entrance? Like the cabanas which also don’t seem to get access to the pool. we went several years ago and I remember reading even then it wasn’t clear if you had to buy a drink there or not.

I was interested so emailed and this was the reply: You can get information about our Parks and purchase Entrance tickets at www.cozumelparks.com The tickets are valid for one year from the service date, and are transferable, but not refundable. Or you can pay directly at the Ticket booth when you arrive at the Park (Schedule and fares attached). In "Chankanaab Park" (Map attached) you have included the use of the general services and facilities: Parking lot, Beach area, Palapas, Beach chairs, Loungers, Hammocks, Life-jackets, Area for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, Bathrooms, Showers, Mayan house & kitchen, Garden with prehispanic replicas, Tequila tasting, Sea lions show. NOT INCLUDED: Restaurants, Bars, meals, drinks, snorkel gear, services, or activities from the concessions. However, at "Chankanaab Park" there are Concessions for optional activities or add-ons, following you will find the list. Please let me know if you are interested in some of those activities. I will provide you with the contact to get all the information and confirm your reservations, which you must do as soon as possible to guarantee your spaces. Do not purchase tickets online if interested in the add-ons because some include the entries. Dolphin Encounter / Entrance fee, Buffet lunch, and Domestic open bar INCLUDED! * Swim with Dolphins / Entrance fee, Buffet lunch, and Domestic open bar INCLUDED!* Dolphin Royal Swim / Entrance fee, Buffet lunch, and Domestic open bar INCLUDED!* Manatee Encounter / Entrance fee, Buffet lunch, and Domestic open bar INCLUDED! * Sea lion Interaction / Entrance fee, Buffet lunch, and Domestic open bar INCLUDED! * *Also includes an exclusive area: Swimming pool (the only one in the park), Wet bar, lockers, parasol, beach chairs & loungers. Snuba (combination between snorkel and scuba) Seatrek (scuba like the old divers, walking at the bottom, with a helmet to breathe) Scuba Diving (introduction or certified) Snorkel package / Entrance fee, Buffet lunch, drinks, and amenities INCLUDED! Massages Private Cabanas Help us conserve nature by using only Biodegradable and coral-friendly Sunblock. In the Chankanaab Park, it is NOT ALLOWED: Smoking Drones Pets Regular Sunblock Introduce coolers, food, drinks Feed wild animals, birds, iguanas, raccoons Perhaps it was because you were doing Snuba or Seatrek and had a different wristband? We had regular entrance and dolphin swim.

It isn’t just rain. If an El Norte comes in it is cold. There have been days on Cozumel when I certainly don’t want to sit on the beach much less be in the water (which incidentally you can’t do if the port closes to all small craft). someone reported Chankanaab snorkeling excursions cancelled just last week.

Maybe it has changed? We had no problem and I have seen website maps of Chankanaab where it is not listed as extra but I have also heard people have problems like you. Maybe that is another of the third party operator they have within the park. I have never really understood how it works within a national park - I guess they pay a fee to operate like the dolphins, scuba, helmet dive, restaurants etc.

Not sure why you will have to tender? How many ships in port? I have been to Turquoise Bay, a long time ago. It has since been renovated and updated, taken over by one of the hotel chains (Mayan Princess?). There are different package levels for service. The last review I read was very good and I wouldn’t hesitate to try it again if the price was right. Transport through the cruise line is always relatively safe and convenient, if a little restrictive. It is a little further than LFK. There are several reasons why I have never been to LFK so cannot compare.

Most people with kids that age probably go to Paradise beach and that would probably be my choice with extended family. (We tend to go to quieter choices as a couple.) However with the push towards AI, that has become a very expensive beach day, especially when you add in fee for water toys extra. We have only done PAYG - again I would want to be certain of weather. I did see a review once for the Ecoparque once on CC with kids that age, which you might find. I am surprised there aren’t more reviews in all the years I have been following Cozumel. Punta Sur can be an enjoyable quieter day (lighthouse, lagoon, crocodiles, beach, (snorkeling but you need to be a strong swimmer)but you would need to keep a driver with you as it is a distance from port, cash only, limited cell service. Other options would be a day pass to a resort hotel - you would need to check which have suitable activities but advantage is you can reserve through a broker with deposit and can usually cancel on the day if weather is bad. This is the route we often take when traveling with kids. paddle boards, jet skis, ATV, dune buggies through brokers. 7 ships, whilst a lot is not unusual for Cozumel although becoming more difficult with all the mega ships. Taxis have never been in short supply!

There are definitely some sub-contracted venues within Chankanaab. I am not sure what the official arrangement is or whether you would consider them as independent vendors. Not sure how the price would come to $150 for Nachos - I assume that was total with drinks, or was it at Cabana Beach? One thing to watch with Chankanaab is sales from your cruiseline. We have visited independently with PAYG admission, taxi, food while meeting family doing dolphin excursion through the ship which included food, transport, admission. The included buffet is nothing special but edible and fine as a snack for kids (depending on how picky they are) I think it included a couple of drinks. We had booked another time through the ship with buffet and transport as it was cheaper on sale than going independent but never actually experienced it as trip was cancelled. We also sat on the palapas above the sea wall and used the bar service for food and drink. You have a lot more options at Chankanaab including pool (we used the pool without any problems although I have read mixed reviews as to whether you need a separate pass, or purchase drinks there to use it) than at Sky reef although your kids are older than most of the included activities at Chankanaab, other than pool, probably appeal to. There are extra pay activities but I believe the zip line has closed and certainly xtrem. Sky Reef you have to be careful on pricing and not get coerced into a package. Alternative snorkeling next door at Playa Corona, again careful with charging. Not much for kids to do at Sky Reef other than snorkeling so it may depend on weather as to whether it is a good option. It isn’t very big - restaurant, loungers, tequila tasting. Chankanaab would require a taxi if you changed your mind. Seems like an expensive second option. Probably cheaper to taxi back close to your pier and snorkel or a pool somewhere near there if you need a second place.

I am not sure if that list is accurate. Puerta Maya shows Carnival Spirit docking on Feb 5th. I don’t think Voyager arrives until 6 pm on 7th according to the schedule I saw. I am not sure where you will dock. Cozumel can dock 8 ships but I am not sure how big they can take at Langosta.

Scroll down this RCI main board.

Other cruise lines are making plans and have made announcements. Just because it hasn’t been announced doesn’t mean it isn’t happening or being planned, it just means Joe Bloggs doesn’t know yet, but that doesn’t stop people talking. Like the OP, it doesn’t bother me one way or another but not sure why you would be averse to a dedicated thread for those that might want to discuss it. I am not sure the ISLAND LADY thread needs to be cluttered with it any more than the deployment threads, but I am sure you are right, in time it will affect some of those on that thread and you will get to hear about it. Not everyone is following that thread and I agree a re-routing isn’t a new deployment.

Do you want to snorkel mainly? What type of beach experience are you looking for? I have been to Soly Mar and Turquoise but it’s been a while. Snorkelers would say Tabyana hands down but we find West Bay busy so that would have to be the priority for the day. I would think Maya Key would also be a ship option?

I hope you have long enough port hours to enjoy. Despite being one of the first people to discover this place we are still waiting to get there. When they were new they didn’t really have a reliable transport system in place. More recently we have had bad port hours.

You could book tiki boat and sloths and snorkel at West Bay.

Difficult to predict but that isn’t one of the months I would normally consider to be low. Recent reports suggest there is a lot out in the Atlantic and forecast this could be another bad year when it comes ashore but that remains to be seen.

It’s been a year since we were there but your assessment seems spot on. It appears the taxis may have moved back outside the port again although I am not sure on that. Dispatch had moved inside last time we were there and that was supposedly the reason for increased fare to $4 pp to cover port access fee - interested to hear if price have gone down again? The taxis have always been there but used to be trolley or taxi out, taxi return for some reason. We like PAYG too but Bars in Mahahual have become greedy and have moved mainly to AI rate, or at least a minimum cover for loungers. Disappointing if you want to bar hop, as we enjoyed, although you can usually do that still if you sit at tables across the malecon rather than beach side. Krazy Lobster has taken over many locations and seems to be relatively legitimate with pricing. we have enjoyed short breaks there but not our favorite for the day. Malecon 21 used to be our go-to location pre-Covid. They have a minimum spend, credited to food and drink not strictly AI. Yaya lost our vote last time when they did a bait and switch, changed their pricing to a ridiculous fee just for loungers - no food and drink credit so I would be very wary of booking there. I think Nohoch has always been AI but you may be able to do PAYG on the day if they have low numbers which is the case with other bars too. Krazy Lobster will be busy but probably have room due to size, Malecon21 I think you may need to pre-reserve, places at south end will probably have room - Sulumar, Chunky Monkey, Hotel Luna de Plata, Machos but not the best beaches.

@grapau27The steak looks very gray, or is it the lighting? I like mine medium rare- was it a cook it yourself restaurant, looks like a hot stone perhaps?

I have plenty of experience pre-Covid. Here is a recent poster

Accepted? Expected?

Yes for Malecon 21 you will take your own taxi. We haven’t been in the last year but I believe the taxi dispatch may have moved back outside the port gates but cannot confirm. Hayhu seems to arrange taxi transport and confirms on WhatsApp, not sure where they meet you now but they will confirm details. Hayhu will be a 20-30 minute ride each way so make sure you have long enough port hours and ship time vs local time.

I have that price on my photo from 2017. There are several reports of increases but I haven’t seen any photos from each of the three piers. Cruise ship piers have always had their own rates compared to outside the gates!

Thanks good to know. I have never been to an AI that didn’t “allow” tipping. I enjoy resorts for an occasional change but I begin to feel too confined quite quickly.