c-leg5

49 minutes ago, joepeka said:

I know this subject has been covered, probably to the OP's satisfaction, but I want to give him/her a real time example of five ships in port in Cozumel. Here's a link to the Marine Traffic site showing five in Coz: three in the international pier areas (one CCL, one NCL, one RCI) and two at the pier near town center (one NCL, one MSC). I'm guessing the international piers of CCL could handle at least one more.

 

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-86.937/centery:20.501/zoom:13

interesting I didn’t realize you could zoom in like that in real time!
 

They can fit, two at Langosta, two at International, and four at Puerta Maya. Any more will, and have, tendered in the past. THEN you are getting busy!
 

International and Puerta Maya (not sure about Langosta but possibly) have a smaller pier in addition usually used for tender boats and excursions. 

2 hours ago, reedpartyof4 said:

Thanks, C-Leg. I searched before posting but for sure didnt go to the last page.  Do you recommend taking an excursion in Costa Maya as opposed to doing your own thing, then?  My group is fairly chill and open to anything I plan for us... 

Which page of the board probably depends on your settings, obviously I mean the reviews in the last few months!

Unless you are doing an excursion to the ruins or Bacalar Lagoon, in which case I would probably use Native Choice  (which has been around for years) or the cruise ship (due to distance) I would book everywhere else independently.

The beach bars in Mahahual are all shoulder-to-shoulder along the malecon (10 minutes away by taxi) and choice will depend on individual preference, but try to stick with one of the regularly recommended because there are some that over charge, run scams etc.

out of town, Maya Chan and, more recently, Hayhu have rave reviews. However be careful of your port hours if you choose either of those because transport, and time of day, can affect their value. Maya Chan has been closing in recent years through the summer for hurricane season. Sargassum can be a big problem at any location along this coastline during the season although the government has installed off shore baffles which seems to have helped to some degree the beaches in town.
 

General information:

Depending on how many ships are in port with you the man-made port area can be very busy. There is a very long pier to walk from the ship to the port and a confusing route through the port to get out to taxi transport. This can be a concern for elderly or if traveling with young kids. Many ships have been unable to dock in recent years due to strong winds resulting in an extra sea day or sometimes an overnight in Cozumel if that is your next port.

4 hours ago, reedpartyof4 said:

We will be cave tubing in Belize and dolphin swimming in Cozumel, so really just hoping for one day to relax, have access to food/drinks, and enjoy the water and sun.  Previously, I've had great experiences at Mr. Sanchos in Cozumel and also Chakkanaub.  Never been off the ship in Costa Maya.  Would appreciate any experiences and recommendations!  

Thanks!

 I suggest you scroll down and read some of the reviews on the last page of this board where several of the more popular beach clubs arc regularly reviewed and then come back with any specific questions about individual locations. 
 

You will not find large tourist beach clubs like Sanchos or Chankanaab or large hotel day passes like Cozumel with multiple activities.

The malecon in nearby town of Mahahual is lined with many beach clubs along one big bay with clubs to suit all budgets, some PAYG but mostly offering AI or minimum cover charge these days. No, or very tiny, swimming pools. Many vendors.

A few isolated individual beach clubs exist out of town depending on the time of year you are visiting. 
 

The port itself offers various activities, shops, several pools and a flow rider but no real beach.

2 minutes ago, Kevin in CT said:

I will be there on Wednesday.  There will be four cruise ships in the port on that day so I'm assuming it will be packed.  We jumped on a day bed when booking so we are excited.  Will report back on how everything is. 

Four ships in Cozumel is a light day! Are they all mammoths?

1 hour ago, Jeal said:

Just returned from another fabulous time at the Krazy Lobster. Absolutely no seaweed in the water. We walk to the Krazy Lobster from the port so we see the coastline along the boardwalk. There was minimal seaweed on shore and absolutely no smell. The water was gorgeous. 

Thanks for update. Amazing how reports change within a week. The review last week said sargassum was thick but I don’t think they actually left the port so wouldn’t have the offshore protection.

Was there any sand at your section of Krazy Lobster? Recent reviews have suggested increased rocks and sand bags but I think that is probably just one area of the frontage. 
 

2 minutes ago, joepeka said:

Good info for the OP. I was just responding to the other comment about using Cruise Timetables - I use it as well but it does not provide any info as to Coxen Hole or Mahogany Bay for non-RCI and non-Carnival traffic.

That was what I thought too.
 

There used to be good site for Cozumel that broke down the piers but haven’t been able to find it recently.

19 minutes ago, kitkat343 said:

Cruisetimetables lets you search by port and will show all the ships in roatan

Not sure if cruisetimetables differentiates between different piers in ports?

1 minute ago, joepeka said:

Quite true though in the case of NCL, MSC and Disney (referring to the OP's list), you can't know for sure which dock (Coxen Hole or Mahagony Bay) those ships will be at. 

Carnival owns Mahogany Bay and you can go to their website and see the schedule.

30 minutes ago, motopolitico said:

Great insight!

 

Itinerary 1:

4 ships in Roatan 2 RCI, 2CCL

5 ships in Cozumel 1 RCI, 2 CCL, 1 Norwegian, 1 Disney

2 ships in Costa Maya

 

Itinerary 2:

2 ships in Roatan 1 RCI, 1 Norwegian

4 ships in Cozumel 1 RCI, 1 Norwegian, 1CCL, 1 MSC

2 ships in Costa Maya

2 ships in CocoCay

Norwegian generally docks at Coxen Hole in Roatan with RCI. There is very little to do in Coxen Hole and you really need an excursion or driver for the day if you haven’t been before. However there is a recently opened pool. The port is under renovation.

4/5 ships in Cozumel is nothing - they regularly have 7/8. Royal and Carnival have their own piers unless they have multiple ships then smaller older ones may dock in town. Norwegian,  Disney and MSC normally dock in town (Punta Langosta) but any one of them “could” float to International or Puerta Maya but with that combination I would say odds are you will be alone at International. 
 

2 ships in Costa Maya is light.

5 minutes ago, Djford75 said:

We also have been to Nachi 4 times and enjoyed it very much.  Considering Paradise Beach this time to try something different, although there will be 7, yes seven ships in Cozumel that day and we are second to last getting there.  Not sure now...

It will be very different.  Just depends what you are looking for.

43 minutes ago, LDVinNC said:

Can I buy a bottle of wine at a bar and take it to my cabin?

Yes although it will be easier at some bars than others depending on what you want.

Probably easiest to get at a restaurant or MDR or if the ship has a wine bar. If you have C&A drink coupons you can get a discount. 

3 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Tbh i found the whole exercise pointless and very time consuming. We wanted to get off and have a look around Miami but by the time the "Important" people were found and we were off and on it wasnt worth getting off again. 

There are always separate arrangements for those who want to get off independently or for a tour and you will be given in-transit cards. You just won’t be able to re-board  as soon as other B2B cruisers but if you are exploring it doesn’t really matter.

I am surprised this option wasn’t outlined on your instructions.

7 minutes ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Another question: Does this affect Crown and Anchor complimentary drinks the same way?

From Galveston crown and anchor drinks comply with same limited menu.

1 hour ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Just read the following article on:

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/home-port-change-impacts-carnivals-drink-package/127393

 

regarding first day cruise drink packages being voided in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

The cruisers were made whole by refunding the first day of the package.

 

I would think this would affect Royal's Vision of the Seas passengers for the two embarkations in the month of April, 2024.

 

Does anyone have more solid information?

 

I have not received any emails from Royal concerning this subject.

Since even the article states “the reason is unknown” unless someone here has previously sailed out of Norfolk on a Royal ship any answers will be pure speculation. 
 

Certainly sailings out if Galveston are handled differently by Royal and Carnival. Royal has a limited menu until in International waters of Texas purchased liquor. Whether this is the case from Virginia hasn’t been stated and if this is the case would Royal to have had time to set up provisions?
 

incidentally, in case it is important to you from Galveston, Crown and Anchor wines are not delivered either until the second day for the same reason. 
 

Only Royal can give you a definitive answer but if it is local restrictions they would presumably refund one days package like Carnival. Whatever the answer is, is it going to affect your decision to sail? If there are local restrictions they will need to adhere to them.

2 hours ago, loveandcruises said:

In looking over shore excursion for an upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise, I noticed that I can no longer take part in some because they require a maximum age. When did this become a thing? Who determines that people over a certain age are too old to drive an ATV or snorkel? Is this ageism? Your thoughts?

One of the recent threads

On 3/28/2024 at 2:36 PM, Colorado Buffalo said:

Comparing Mr Sanchos to Paradise unless there's some gem I'm missing.

 

They are to the south of the piers in popular tourist area. They cater to similar crowd with similar activities.  
 

10 hours ago, Dan G said:

just came home last week and went to the beach club next to Crazy lobster.  I have to tell you that food and drink was very reasonable but the server did try to rip me off by adding tax and a service charge to my $24 bill.  I just told her that in MX all taxes have to be included and I would tip myself.  No problem, she reduced the $40 bill back to $24, but you need to know the rules.  I also found a beach massage for $20 for 60 minutes which was way better than what the ship charged.

Which beach club did you go to?

Take a look through the last page or two of this board for recent reviews, some later ones on this discussion

or TripAdvisor 

9 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Hmmm.  Appears there's also a Tequila Beach in Cozumel?

You are absolutely correct! I had totally forgotten about that club. It opened much the same time as Islands I think, 5(?) years ago, a little closer to town. It didn’t get good reviews early on which is why I had probably forgotten it. 
 

 I haven’t been to either and they don’t get many reviews on CC.

19 hours ago, Texas_123 said:

This helps a lot!!! Appreciate the link. 

That’s a confusing website. 
 

It implies waverunners are no longer available in Costa Mays but link to Cozumel is vague.

The hotel appears to be the Westin which would suggest they are the company operating out of Islands Beach Club but I am not sure they have inflatables.

Let us know if you pursue it further.

53 minutes ago, Colorado Buffalo said:

Looking for an all inclusive beach pass day at a resort/beach that's not rocky or at least less rocky than what I'm seeing.

A lot depends on what type of day you envisage and age group you are trying to please. I am not sure where you are looking and dismissed?
 

Beaches to the south are generally less rocky . East coast has best beaches but can have sargassum depending on season and currents and no ocean swimming due to undertow. Punta Sur or Passion island are possibilities but have transport complications.

Do you want just a Beach Club or a hotel pass?

45 minutes ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

I wasn't necessarily posting to complain as much as I was to warn others

I realize you were trying to warn others and I never implied you were complaining. 
 

I just felt it would be more useful as a warning if people were aware of the location. Other cruise lines probably use the same location under a different description. 
 

I assume from the photos in your excursion description you were at the old Snr Frogs location at the north end of the bay, near the lighthouse and with a small swimming pool. 

4 hours ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

I booked this excursion on an NCL cruise last month.  I usually enjoy the beach getaway type excursions, but this one was awful.  Besides the current seaweed problem, the beach was fine other than it being rocky for the first 15 feet or so and on the small side.  The problem I had is with the vendors, these guys are relentless.  If I left my beach chair to go anywhere, I was hounded by every one of them.  I try to be nice and take a look around to see if there is anything I might want to buy but it became evident almost instantly that they are trying to rip you off.  Anything I showed interest in was easily inflated by double to start and maybe more.  I tasted some Tequilla that I thought was really good and the first price was $380!  Eventually after several "No thanks'" it was down to $200 but I still wasn't paying that much for it.  Then they started showing me this jewelry that had a special gem that was only available in Costa Maya that changed colors in the rain/sun/dark but wasn't a mood ring.  My wife liked a ring that had this jewel and few diamonds that was set in gold.  They took the time to test everything to show us it was all real.  The price started at $800! and eventually my wife bought it for $350.  It wasn't her size, so they told her they were taking it to the jewelry store at the port to have it sized and got it back to her about 30 min later.  When we got home, she checked her credit card statement, and they charged her $800 anyway.  The receipt they gave her was in pesos, so she didn't catch it at the time.  She immediately challenged the charge with her credit card company.  I wasn't sure there would be anything that could be done about that since she accepted the charge at the time regardless of what they told her.  But now it gets worse.  She went to have the ring appraised and they told her it was fake, everything, the diamonds, the gold and even the main jewel.  So, either they were just putting on a show when they tested it, or they swapped it for costume jewelry when it was supposedly getting sized.  Good news for us is that the vendor was unresponsive to the inquiry and the credit card company removed the charge.  The excursion was fine overall with the free drinks with bad liquor, but I would be careful of the vendors if you wanted some souvenirs.  Live and learn. 

Totally agree with @crewsweeper.

I am sorry you had a bad experience but your description is very confusing. 

I am not sure which beach club you went to?  The whole of the malecon is lined with beach bars so if you were in town it would be helpful to be more specific if you are intending this to be a warning.

I thought the baffles were helping with the sargassum- was this not the case at your location? Or were you taken to a location out of town? Mahahual is one long beach so I am not understanding how it was small and rocky - do you mean your club was a small section? Was it at the north of the bay near the lighthouse? 
 

Costa Maya is renowned for vendors unless you go to a private club out of town. I am sorry for your experience but seriously, who buys diamonds from a beach vendor anywhere?
 

I am glad you at least had a successful outcome and certainly hope you can consider it a learning experience.

3 hours ago, DoraDee622 said:

 

I've been there, too. It's not a very active forum at all - there are only 7 threads that have activity this month. 

OK.

I guess it isn’t particularly active because the topics are general not time sensitive or cruise line specific.
 

I found it useful when we took an 18 month old on a transatlantic and land travel in Europe. In general you know your child best and what items will be necessary and important. There is a limit as to what you can carry when traveling long distance. 
 

59 minutes ago, DoraDee622 said:

I feel like there aren't a ton of posters here with young children - you might have better luck on Facebook. I joined a couple of really great groups there and that's where I've gotten most of my information about cruising with kids.

That’s because most general information and advice here is shared on the family forum.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/28-family-cruises/