c-leg5

@S.A.M.J.R.

OK.  Please quote or screenshot the Royal web page that says you MUST have 6 months left on your passport on all open loop cruises.  Thats all I'm asking for.  No one has been able to provide it

From experience I can confirm that a recent open-loop cruise to Columbia definitely needed a passport with greater than 6 month validity and was closely checked at the port.

Here is an article from Nov 2023 which would suggest this may be similar. 
 

https://travel.usnews.com/features/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-on-a-cruise

5 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

Then why is there an expiration date on the Passport Card if it's not valid.  This is the most stupid rule yet.  If that date is not valid put the valid date on it.  DUH!  Can't someone tell us why?  Makes no "valid" sense! LOL  Seems to me anyone would HAVE to honor the date on your card/book, otherwise why is there a date at all.

Expiration is set by issuing country for renewal.

Entry requirements are set by the country you are visiting 

On 4/12/2024 at 10:57 PM, puckliny said:

I totally agree with all the folks saying it should not be an issue, I see that Bahamas, St Martin, St Lucia, Barbados all do not require the 60 day especially for cruisers.  BUUUUT the official stance of RC is that I need the 60 days because it's open loop Ft Lauderdale to San Juan.  So it's silly since it's still a US to US port. 

 

So I'm hoping someone here has had recent experience on RC with this situation and could speak to it.  Last thing I'd want is to meet some stickler at the dock that decides the 60 day thing is an actual issue.  It would not be an issue with any customs officer but the ship maintains policy.  All I get from the Chat and call center is a direct read from their play book.  Anyone go though this recently?

Where did 60 days come from?

16 minutes ago, temple1 said:

They're not dropping passengers in the open Caribbean, but one of the inlets. Not a lot of wave action or under tow from my experience at island stops. All bets are off if a storm is passing through.

 

I will get more info because it looks like one of the better excursions I've seen lately.

 

BTW,  I know 50 y/o people a lot older than I am.

In this case, it is a general classification of the tour which I think could cause challenges to people with certain medical problems of any age. I don’t see any age restrictions  and you don’t mention any insurance restrictions related to age. Obviously what is challenging to one person isn’t to someone else that is why they are advising you and leaving it to your discretion.

This and similar independent tours usually on the local board although I haven’t checked what is offered since cruising resumed. Time restraints are usually the main issue.

43 minutes ago, 20thanniversarycruiser said:

We are cruising on Harmony of the Seas over New Years and wondered about a snorkelling excursion on Costa Maya. I looked into Doctor Dive as an option. Has anyone done a snorkelling excursion with them before? 

This topics is discussed regularly on this forum both by boat and from shore. 
 

Have you tried the search engine for this forum? Choose “topics” and then “location” for most hits.

On 4/6/2024 at 8:52 PM, ddy123 said:

Thanks so much! 

Just to add, The Westin looks nice but is expensive. It is in the same area as Buccanos and Playa Azul.
 

I would be interested in a review if you decide to go with Westin.

I doubt you would get good snorkeling from the beach. A lot of that area is very shallow. I have been in the water but haven’t actually snorkeled there and can’t remember exactly. If you go to Google maps satellite view you will get an idea how far out the reef is. It looks some distance at that point.
 

Generally in Costa Maya it is recommended you get a snorkel boat which can be arrange through any of the beach clubs, or directly, for a much better experience. 
 

We are one of Malecon’s customers from their early days. I realize prices have increased since then but if they are getting a minimum payment I can’t imagine they are bothered whether or not you reach it? Food is, or at least was, very good - a little different to the norm, and a little “fusion”.

Pre- Covid we had several excellent visits there when they were new. I am glad they survived shut down and despite a rocky restart when we found service lacking it appears from recent reviews seem that they have weathered the storm. 

2 hours ago, deliver42 said:

Costa Maya has developed into a shanty town, just like Nassau. I don't even get off anymore.

Other than the fact that there are those who have always disliked Nassau and Costa Maya, I don’t see many similarities between the two locations with regards to problems or amenities. 

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Really not worth the stop anyway 

Whilst I agree that is true to a certain extent since cruising resumed that is a very blanket statement. 

1 hour ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Spending the day here is:

https://costamayabeachresort.com/

 

  
Even Maya Chan has exhibited problems since cruising resumed, some of which are expressed in the blog and musings of the original owner, including seasonal weather and staff shortages, resulting in a shortened season. Short port hours for many ships detract from the value and enjoyment of Maya Chan as well as other out of town beach clubs.
 

Costa Maya has developed some serious problems in recent years due to local bureaucracy together with local greed. I have an uneasy feeling about the area in general these days which is a shame because pre-COVID it was developing into quite a vibrant and flourishing town attracting land visitors as well as cruisers. Many new hotels and beach venues were opening. Many localities are now charging a lot more than the amenities warrant. 

27 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I just read a post from onboard harmony saying their captain said cant dock,, the dock is broken. They were asking about reimbursement. 

 

Anyine else see today the dock was being worked on?

 

I'm going there in the next month. 

Not heard about the dock being broken?
 

I thought the reason given was inclement weather? This seems to be becoming all too common that ships are unable to dock at Costa Maya due to winds and currents.

1 hour ago, WeBeCruisinMon said:

Are there any hotels in La Marque that offer a shuttle or transfer (for a fee of course) from the hotel to the port? Otherwise how could I get to the port from that area hotel? Or Texas City hotel? We’ll have a 1 and a 3 year old so an Uber isn’t so easy since we’re not bringing car seats. (Are these decent areas to stay one night in?)

Are you flying in? How do you intend to get to La Marque or Texas City. 
 

I don’t think there are any shuttles from hotels or it would have been mentioned since the topic is discussed all the time. 
 

we have always taken car seats for kids at that age so they are age appropriate for rental cars or taxis. 

If you are comfortable with riding in a shuttle bus it would be easiest to stay near the airport and take a shuttle from there directly to the port.

6 hours ago, h20skibum said:

I don’t think 315 miles for a one day drive is bad.  When we make our drive to Florida each winter, we break it into three 400 mile segments. 
 

Of course, depending on how bad traffic is, even short distances could take a long time.  I was just reading about the 12 hour traffic backups on the interstate in New Hampshire after the eclipse.  Sounded like people faced some challenges with that.   

You aren’t really comparing like with like.

Big difference between driving 400 miles in US and 400 miles in UK. 

6 hours ago, Kevin in CT said:

Just left Paradise Beach.  
 

Food and drinks are solid!  We got a daybed 14.  Highly recommended this bed, close to the pool and straight shot to the beach.  
 

Only negative is that there is a good amount of sargassum.  Workers were working hard to clear it up but I believe it has been an issue for the past week.

Sorry you encountered that.
 

Sargassum is unusual on that coast and for that long. We have found they are unprepared to deal with it as efficiently as some places since it isn’t a regular occurrence. Have there been storms? 

14 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

yes more than 200 but well worth it.  I can't brag about this place enough!

Thanks, just wondering where @dani negreanu was seeing 200, which would certainly be a bargain!

7 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

The prices listed are in Pesos... 

59 minutes ago, Coralc said:

$12.17 in US dollars. The $200 is Pesos. Very reasonable. 

Agree pesos, but a lot more than 200?

On 4/8/2024 at 12:45 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

With all the posters on this site who were worried about going to Labadee when there is currently no verified threat there, it is highly likely these seem people would not get off a ship at Cozumel with the current incidents happening there.

How is this relevant to this thread?

I am curious as to why you would suddenly bring up this topic at this particular moment. 

5 minutes ago, pamesacruisin said:

Sailing on Saturday, but actually want to return the car on Friday.  We called Enterprise in Galveston today and they blamed the problem on the airport.???  We're going to try calling the customer service # tomorrow. I'll update what we find out.

In that case I would definitely meet up at the airport hotel for the first night.

Will they be clearing customs and immigration in Houston or will they have had a connecting flight, because it will affect which terminal they are at?

5 hours ago, pamesacruisin said:

Figuring out transportation getting from IAH to a Galveston hotel is becoming a major headache! Flying into IAH on a Thursday late afternoon.  One would think it would be easy, but there will be 6 of us and 2 of those people are flying in internationally.  Scheduling a shuttle is difficult because I have no idea how long it will take them to go through customs.  Going through all the car rental options and even though Enterprise has a location in Galveston we can't return cars there.🤔  We'd have to return in Texas City.  Thinking Uber might be the best option but will get rather pricey as we will need 2 XL's to fit 6 of us and all our luggage.  What have other large groups done?

Having flown international many times I would arrange to meet and stay at a hotel near the airport and book a shuttle for the next day to allow for delays and meeting up together.

Are you sailing on a Sunday as you say you can’t return the car? Recent posters have reported they are open now for returns.

2 hours ago, kitten816 said:

Thank you, I might just have to do that! This isn’t until January! 

That is probably your problem. I don’t think prices are released that far in advance.

I can’t speak for other parking lots as we have used lighthouse for years for the old terminal. The website isn’t the most user friendly but you can always phone and discuss. 

I cannot give you a personal recommendation as I haven’t actually been to either. However I have considered both in the past so here are some general observations which may help since you don’t seem to be getting many first-hand replies.

La Chilanganoense has been operating under that name for a few years and appears to be affiliated to the small hotel near the port. It seems to be the venue for several excursions/packages both through the cruise line and independently which leads me to believe there may be more transient guests through the day.  It offers some workshop activities like salsa, tequila, food tasting etc and possibly snorkeling? I haven’t read many reviews, good or bad, on CC only TripAdvisor so difficult to assess quality and ambiance for cruisers.

Jaimie’s is a popular location often recommended on CC. It promotes AI for pre-bookings but does take PAYG on space available basis. We tend to prefer PAYG option while cruising but weren’t particularly impressed by the location when we walked past a couple of years ago so didn’t call in to see if we could do PAYG “on the day”. They have recently opened a second location, Lunas as an “overflow”  on the edge of the town near where the paved malecon becomes more bumpy which follows a similar price model.
 

I presume you can book one or the other by choice and but are probably offered Lunas if Blue Reef is full. Since it is on the southern edge of town it is probably quieter regarding vendors. We may check it out next time we are in port.

40 minutes ago, dctravel said:

We were just in Costa Maya and went to Pez Quadro (we tried to get in at Jamie's Blue Reef first, but they were sold out. Pez Quadro is at the 40 Cannons Hotel. They are AI for alcohol and other drinks and each person gets to order once off their beach club lunch menu (different than the hotel lunch menu). We found it to be a great place. Sure there were vendors walking around, but we just said "no thank you" and they moved on without any bother. The beach was clean, the beer kept coming (or sodas for the kids), and the portions for lunch were big and tasty. I would go again.

Glad you had a good day. It is a long time since we went to that location. Food was certainly very good.
 

Did you choose to do AI? someone recently said they were doing PAYG now - did you get a choice,  their AI used to be expensive.

Were there a lot of crew there, or was it relatively quiet? 

17 hours ago, kitten816 said:

Taking a 12 day cruise, can’t find a parking lot for that make days. Does anyone know where there’s extended parking? 

Is this in the near future? 
 

We have used Lighthouse parking and they have had extended rates. For B2B you have to book two separate weeks/sailings but no discount.

There isn’t a Walmart - only Sam’s Club, Mega (Soriana) and Chedraui for main grocer shops. Lots of pharmacies. 

4 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

For Cozumel, Google Cozumel insider.  They post the schedule a week at a time, but you can see where various lines usually dock.  Cozumelinsider.com.  EM

Yes that’s good for a week at a time and general trend.
 

It’s a pity the long term one doesn’t work anymore but that’s a good work around to estimate for excursion pick-ups or to guess if you are lucky enough to be in town. 

3 hours ago, lifes-a-beach said:

 Buccanos

 

https://www.buccanos.com/

 

There are a few threads about it here.  They open at 10 Cozumel time. 

+1 except Mondays.