c-leg5

With needing that many seats i would book sooner than later. The shuttles are not very big.

Usually age, military or state, discount etc which they can ask for qualifying documentation. Did you book through a TA, they should know or should have told you

Food menu is on TA not sure about bar prices.

I think this is a fair assessment. we have been maybe 3 - 4 times in 15 years. It is a good alternative to have in rotation for a quieter day but not somewhere we would return to time and time again like many. Food size has always been adequate for us (and we are not big eaters). Some maintain portions are really big, which we have never found to be the case, but if they have cut them down and increased the price it is becoming somewhat expensive just for “somewhere quieter”!

You seriously think there is a formula that it might apply to again?

Why does it matter to you?

Sounds like you are assessing well and have a good grasp! Hope you find something you enjoy and hopefully some ideas for future visits. Punta Sur is another less developed national park. I would definitely suggest keeping a driver if you go there. It is a considerable distance from park entrance to amenities within the park, too far to walk, and as I think i mentioned cell phone service and electricity are very random over there. Whilst you are unlikely to be completely left for the night I would not take any chances if I had a ship to catch. Drivers are used to waiting and hanging out at beach clubs especially on the east side. Alternatives are drive your own rental, (which we wouldn’t do) or there are various follow-your-leader ATV, jeep tours etc, that my husband definitely wouldn’t do! There is an electric bike tour which I think buses you out there and then you ride the bike. Maybe options for the future.

I am going to answer your questions here to avoid derailing the other thread. I am unsure regarding buffet and drinks whether you mean AI’s in general or Chankanaab? I have only been to Chankanaab once, several years ago after avoiding for many years, because I am usually on a budget and didn’t want to pay the entrance! We joined my daughter and grandson, who were on a ship excursion, and we did PAYG. I was pleasantly surprised and would certainly repeat - in fact we had it booked on a cruise that got cancelled. It was busy but plenty of space to spread out. I have no recollection of how many ships were in port. She had the buffet which was nothing special but adequate, we ordered from a roving waiter and it was good - definitely the way to go by choice but when the ship has a sale sometimes the included buffet excursion price is too good to miss, as happened when we re-booked! Excursion also included taxi fare which was flexible timing so keep an eye on what the ship offers but perfectly simple to do your self and search for online $$ off coupon. Cozumel is used to handling 8 ships. It never bothers us even when staying on the island but then we don’t normally frequent the popular family oriented locations so it is hard for me to assess. I doubt you would be unable to purchase an entrance ticket but always best to have a plan B. Personally, if within your budget and your husband wants relaxing, I would second the suggestion for one of the cabanas at the Cabana Beach area as i sted in the other thread. (Disclaimer, I haven’t checked prices recently and I know they were creeping back to pre-Covid levels so may be overpriced again by now.) If so I would have no problem with a palapa - they were not elbow-to-elbow like Paradise beach as I recall but they are first come first served. Chankanaab is an enclosed national park there are sub-contractors within the enclosure so a few different food vendors, which you can see from the Chankanaab park map, but no nearby restaurants outside. @mitsugirly has some detailed photo intensive reviews of the park, ( and probably all the other places I mention, albeit somewhat dated now and before Cabana Beach). Also I am not sure if the adult zipline and paintball have resumed but certainly the kids Xtrem closed down so although there are extra attractions some for a free, some included, I don’t know how many would appeal to your kids at their age. I have also only been to Allegro once (again because of grandson) but my experience of hotel resort day passes in general is that they are much quieter than the cruiser oriented beach clubs. Occidental next door has better food but beach is better at Allegro. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2976139-short-review-of-day-pass-at-allegro-beach-resort/#comment-66532151 East side, you would definitely want to book a driver to stay with you and whilst most of the bars , like Rasta’s, are more adult oriented- (only be cause there are no commercial organized activities available for kids on east side) I still think Punta Sur could offer possibilities and be quieter. I also think Buccanos could fulfill your requirements. I am confused as to what has put you off Nachi and what you are looking for instead?

I also highly recommend land visit. We stayed at the hotel next door and had a 2-day pass and had a wonderful time. I can never understand how the short cruise excursion could ever do the park justice, unless you have been before and just want to revisit highlights. The park is quite confusing at first so for a few limited hours you would need a definite plan of attack mapped out in advance to make the visit worthwhile, some events are scheduled. It certainly isn’t something I would do independently from Cozumel from a cruise ship.

Not really understanding some of your comments but I assume you are saying they have worked out reliable transport now and communications are via WhatsApp? Time zones will depend on where your ship is leaving from, time of year and whether your ship alters time or not so it depends on individual sailings. With regards route, I presume you are saying the route is on the inland highway and then turn in towards coast for shorter rough ride as opposed to going along the Oceanside the whole way to Maya Chan? Again sargassum depends on season - there have been reports of bad days but if you went recently this is generally a clearer time of year. Glad you had a good day. I was one of the first to discover this location when it first opened and I am still waiting for the opportunity to try it!

Assuming you are referring to Mahogany Bay that was what OP was asking about in the first place. Only possible if you are on Carnival Corporation ships.

Their website has details of all their passes. There are various levels from PAYG in the restaurant area to a minimum charge towards food and drink if you want a reserved lounger. Also details of menu.

I think you are probably missing the point but it’s OK, you will probably be alright until you are not.

Fares are stated on boards at the piers so you can be aware if driver is overcharging and so avoid double tipping. Whilst I agree taxi drivers in Mexico are not generally tipped , drivers in tourist destinations like Cozumel do expect to be tipped by American tourists. In practice many visitors round to the next note $10, $20 in essence because the driver will never have “change”. To avoid over tipping be sure to have small bills for fares.

Most Royal ships dock at International pier. Some smaller older ones will dock at Langosta. I have never taken a mainland excursion but assuming there are no recent changes from what I have seen the cruise lines always charters a ferry that goes from the individual cruise docks. The mainland part of the tour is on chartered buses. At the end of the day the return ferry brings them back to the port. There is no transfer to the ferry pier in town. Numerous times I have watched the late arrival of the return ferry and the ship has been late leaving after waiting for it. This is why it is advisable to stick with ship excursions to the mainland.

Keep in mind Cozumel regularly supports up to 8 ships, obviously size of ships is important to port load. Also demographics of each cruise line. If you are looking fundamentally for good quiet beach Nachi is probably one of your better options if your kids will be content with just a pool as alternative to ocean. Snorkeling will really only be by boat excursion from beach (extra). Next door, you can get a day pass to Allegro with a few more amenities. We went several years as it is also good for toddlers and young kids. There is a recent good reviews on here from a family with older teens. Paradise Beach is an excellent clean facility with pricing similar to Nachi, if you have to do AI (which you probably would have to with that many ships in port) It is extra for the water inflatables if your kids would enjoy that. We normally steer clear of Paradise, unless it is a Sunday, but only because we are an older couple, i would recommend for tweens and teens. It will likely be busy but it is a large complex and with children of your ages it is one I would highly consider. Limited snorkeling from beach around the pier and excellent pool. Like @blue_water suggests, Bucannos is another excellent choice on the northern end. Good website, better food than most beach clubs, small beach with some off beach snorkeling to some artificial reef balls. I haven’t done it - like many Cozumel beaches you do drift snorkeling and have to watch the current and best to ask advice of locals as to where to go to see something before venturing out. I believe current policy is $20pp entry, credited to food and drinks. This changes and best to email and check. Closed on Mondays. Palancar would be another option if you just want beach and PAYG but like @blue_water we preferred it 15 years ago. Last time we went, pre-Covid it was very busy at lunchtime - good for tgem but not as we remembered it! We normally just do table and chairs, I believe they charge a rental for loungers and umbrella. They also offer boat snorkel. I have to disagree with @blue_water recommendation for Rasta’s as being good for your family. Whilst it is also one of our favorites, along with several on east side, I can’t think of much that would interest your kids. However, it did remind me that next door is the entrance to the national park of Punta Sur that they may like with lighthouse to climb, and lagoon with sea water crocodiles. You would need to arrange to have a driver to stay with you for the day (we pre-book ToursPlaza, or you can negotiate at the port). Limited cell phone service, no electricity on east side, so cash-only purchases and no roving taxis. That said it is perfectly safe, just rustic and therefore generally quieter. Punta Sur has a couple of beach bars, good beach and snorkeling but you need to be a strong swimmer to get out to the reef. You can review online or contact Eduardo at ToursPlaza for details of pricing and more information etc. If you are into cultural mayan things there are several places to combine with a beach stop if you book a custom tour, but personally I would dedicate most time to Punta Sur for one trip. HTH, and gives you some places to research.

+1

Whilst I would agree it fulfills most of criteria I have had trouble getting a lounger in the shade at Money Bar - plenty of tables and chairs. From my list above the only guarantee of cabana would be pre-reserving at Cabana beach or Buccanos, the rest would all be lounger with umbrella/palapa, first-come first-served.

Whilst it is generally (not always) quieter than most, it is not good for snorkeling, unless you take a boat, which adds to cost. Also although not strictly AI it does have a set price for day pass which recently increased.

I guess people have a different idea of a lot! We think the selection is very limited - a Glenfiddich and the Glenlivet (no age statement). They used to have a lot more. A couple of Johnnie walker and Dewers white. Good news they are all within $14 limit! You can usually pull up bar menus and prices if you go into app and different bars but I will admit I had trouble tonight.

Let us know how It goes. We tried to return shortly after cruising resumed and it was very run down. Hopefully things have picked up again and don’t get rail roaded by El Faro next door.

+1 Although there was an original village I have to wonder how many locals remain that are truly native to the area. It was evident after cruising resumed there was a severe staff shortage and even prior to Covid workers told us it was too expensive to live locally, presumably in Nuevo pueblo. Mahahual was developed for tourism with the inception of Costa Maya and huge amounts of government funding especially towards rebuilding and developing after the big hurricane that flattened the area and more recently the off-shore baffles to try and counteract the sargassum. I am amazed how many Europeans have discovered the area especially backpackers, and those that have established businesses there in addition to obvious American and Canadian locations. However I have a very uneasy feeling regarding Costa Maya since cruising resumed and concerns about its future. I hope I am wrong and it is able to re-establish and prosper.

Who are you using?

From posting history I think OP @Rdclfamily has already sailed. It would be interesting and helpful to hear where they ended up. I think “Mexican” food is very regionalized and cannot truly be described as “Mexican”. I agree Costa Maya won’t have best examples of “Yucatan” since it appears the majority of establishments have owners from other regions, or even overseas. Some will serve some Yucatan dishes, or probably Tex Mex, but for example I believe YaYa actually has Italian origins! Maya Chan does employ a local chef and does provide a reasonable Yucatan based buffet.

Food used to be better at Occidental (pre-Barcelo) than Allegro and it had a decent (not as good) beach but i heard a lot was lost in a storm so I don’t know what it is like currently. Much quieter at Occidental and more relaxing BUT it is a long walk from lobby to beach for mobility challenged. The one disadvantage of this was, lunch is usually available at a beachside restaurant but when weather is bad or windy, it is only in the buffet by main lobby.