c-leg5

So I have heard from others - never tried it myself since it has become free and certainly not something I would pay for. My comment was said tongue-in-cheek to those who couldn’t find a pen as a possible solution in the future. Might be a project Royal IT is working on?

Sounds like you have Cozumel and Costa Maya confused? keep in mind Costa Maya is a long bus ride each way to the ruins. Cozumel, I would also consider Chankanaab or Playa Mia.

You can always recycle junk mail. Surely you still carry a pen? We don’t seem to end up with the same problem with unused food plates lying around but do whatever works for you.

Yes, still works but maybe we can use the new chat soon to leave messages.

Isn’t it just as easy to leave a note indicating you want it to be removed? Always works for us if we don’t see the attendant in person. Agree we don’t like plates outside.

Obviously, but that wasn’t what the poster I quoted was talking about at the time. It helps when you compare apples to apples. There is nothing like bringing extraneous arguments into a debate to muddy the waters. A few more first-hand reports like post #69 would be helpful and less speculation which is the basis of most of this thread.

Exactly why we like Park Royal. You can take your own car seat but many taxis have seat belts that are in operable. We have also used our private driver once who supplies car seats.

The quote was in response to your land based restaurant where I would certainly expect them to bring you a second entre because presumably you were paying per item not all inclusive? There they would profit from each item presumably. I think I have been on enough cruises to know how meals are ordered and paid for on board. Most “ sides” are not big enough or significant enough to be of great concern to me and certainly not worth ordering another entree for. Shortage of vegetables, without ordering an extra plate of vegetables, in MDR has always surprised me (for years) and would seem to be an obvious way to bulk out a plate while decreasing more expensive protein. There are enough food options on board to find an alternative source at another time and subsequently express my feelings in the survey (for what that’s worth).

Was it free?

As stated prices are clearly listed on a board at EACH pier - there is a slight variation. Take a photo. There are no per person prices - it is per vehicle, depending on size of vehicle BUT if there are two of you and the next vehicle at dispatch is a mini van you should pay the rate for up to 4 people, that is why you should ALWAYS check the price with driver before leaving and to really cover the bases, take a photo of taxi # in case you forget something or have a dispute. If there are 2 of you and you stop a taxi on the street they can charge the going rate for the vehicle size, you can decline and wait for a sedan, or negotiate! The biggest usual scam for taxis from the port is to charge the 4 person rate per couple in a shared vehicle. You should arrange to share the price with your new friends while in line! Alternatively walk onto the street, avoid the line at dispatch and take your own vehicle. Prices are cheaper away from the port.

ETA @jbrinkm I did notice on our recent instructions that they still recommend our usual route through the port, next to the dolphins but the meeting point is now even further down the road outside the port, near the mayan replica. Not sure why they have had to do that - they were hoping to move closer to the port. It was convenient to meet at the shop. We didn’t get to try it out because ours was one of many recently cancelled dockings at Costa Maya. There are some very strange practices in operation these days in Costa Maya.

Certainly in good time. Usually after final payment through pay Pal, I think, but we have been booking late recently and paid all at once. They will send updates as necessary.

We have been many times but not since last Spring. Several existing threads if you use the search engine from last year. I haven’t seen any recent reviews although my daughter enjoyed earlier this year for a few hours. Here are a couple of threads: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2892324-del-mar-latino-beach-club-in-cozumel/#comment-64266454

I thought the hotel had to book you into another hotel at their cost if you were “walked”?

Try this post#13. We don’t do the cut through of the shops so someone else will need to answer that. We head for dolphin pool. It is quieter route. taxis are currently just before the end of the yellow arrow.

Paradise. You have the option of whether or not you want to purchase water park pass with inflatables or other water activities. If you are on Carnival, Island beach may be offered or look at some of the day passes to hotel resorts. If they like snorkeling Money Bar or Sky Reef but no “actual beach” just sandy area.

Agree many snorkeling venues rent equipment but cheaper to buy from Amazon or sports shop for casual snorkeler by the time you have rented several times or for the week. if you are trying to save space to fly we have taken our own mask and snorkel and you can rent flippers, vest etc, as needed.

We always take the direct route between the pool and dolphins and avoid the crowds and hassle of the shops completely. Now the transport has moved inside the port it takes you to that location directly. I see Maya Chan is also suggesting this route now in their instructions, even though their pick-up point is outside the gates. Cutting through was advantageous when you had to walk outside the port gates - not sure it helps much now, especially if you don’t know which shop and you are having to search.

Seems Ok again this morning.

yes they reopened

Thanks! I need to go and check out the current set up. It wasn’t until I saw a recent wide angle photo that It suddenly occurred to me it looks much smaller. I am glad if the cruise line excursions have stopped going there (for selfish reasons) and glad they have reverted to a one entrance charge for all system credited to food and drink, even íf it is higher - it isn’t unreasonable. It was the discrimination against cruisers that stopped us going unless we were staying on the island. I am sorry if the terraced loungers have gone but i like the pool so I will survive! we like La Monina downstairs to sit quietly on the loungers with a drink ( happy hour 12-5) and watch the ocean and read. It is not somewhere i would recommend as a replacement for Buccanos as it has no pool etc. but we like it occasionally while staying on the island for a quiet afternoon. However it (and Hemingway’s) are worth trying for breakfast upstairs in the restaurant for view. El Coctelito always looks too noisy for us but admit we have never tried breakfast. Also check out the new church on the median near La Monina if you have time to spare. One of our favorite breakfast/ lunch is Ahora y Ahora on the sea front but you have to be able to climb the quirky staircase at the back to the rooftop! Lots of good breakfast places on Cozumel.

I agree, Chankanaab or Play Mia would both be good choices for the 4 year old and OK for the 2 year old. We opted for a day pass to Allegra which also has a kiddie pool with equipment (albeit smaller than Play Mia) and climbing frame and good beach when we had a 2 year old because it was quieter and has a children’s indoor play area which your 4 year old may be eligible for. It will depend on your 2 year old. I would also check directly with the resort what the current facilities are because there was a big fire last year and some areas were replaced so I am not sure how it is now as it was several years ago that we went with our grandson. We have also done day passes to Park Royal at that age simply because it is an easy, no hassle, walk from Puerta Maya and International. No transport, car seats etc and easy to get back when/if you have forgotten something or the little one has has enough sun. The other good part about Park Royal is the indoor AC buffet for lunch which gives you a heat break! There is a small beach with gentle access, several pools including kiddy pool but no splash ground. Ice cream / coffee bar. When walking to Park Royal stay oceanside until opposite the hotel entrance because the side walk is better especially with a stroller. Lots of other hotel day passes available which we liked with toddlers. Just other options to consider.

If you search images, Dolphin Discovery chankanaab, you will see several examples of photos. There are stairs but perhaps you will be able to compare to your previous experience.

Brewers Fayre?

+1. It’s been a while since we were there. I have always wondered how they squeezed Island Beach club in next door. I used to walk from Buccanos to Playa Azul. I was looking recently at some photos and was wondering if Buccanos had sold some of their land to next door? Buccanos used to have a a climbing tower/ (maybe zip line) that was used for cruise excursions but the only one I see now is on the Islands site. We used to like the loungers on the terraces above the water, (towards Playa Azul) past the massage areas but the whole Buccanos site looks much smaller now. Since you have wandered the grounds, is that correct? we like La Monina and Hemingway’s across from El Coctelito.