c-leg5

Yes, saw videos of the waves. I was surprised all 4 ships were able to dock. We have had aborted stops at Costa Maya in the past due to waves (one pier in particular seems difficult to use) and we have watched from the beach when other ships have tried and aborted. Beach days are not much fun if weather is rough!

I know Costa Maya has been a concern for you for several months. It seems they are even less likely to run the trams when there a lot of ships because the pier is not wide enough to accommodate the tram and foot traffic. i heard that was a very busy day, but sargassum was light? did you end up leaving the port in the end?

Lunches have been offered on our 5 night B2B’s Adventure this year.

You used to be able to book one-way with them quite easily and it was standard practice for sailings like TA’s. However now the website is no longer user friendly and you have to call to check. I am sure it us still available but it is a hassle because you can’t play with options like dates, gateway cities etc. It is more difficult with someone on the phone. we had several repositioning cruises booked and we could never get a decent choice.

When you have checked-in you can view your set sail pass and use the "bar code trick”, Either add the pass to your apple wallet (if an iPhone user) or scan it with a bar code reader. You will see a string of numbers under the bar code. The numbers after the dash represent your stateroom number. Once we had that we were able to see category and moved to a more convenient location within designated category. Having said that, when booking a guarantee you have to be willing to accept anywhere. Your official assignment can be any time and I've read that it can be as late as just before you sail.

I was wondering about Sunset when it mentioned reef restoration program. But do they actually have bronze sculptures! I thought those were at Chankanaab, which also has reef balls i believe? We haven’t actually snorkeled there but we called in to Sunset for a drink and snack recently (after your visit). We weren’t very impressed. It was busy with cruise ship excursions but (a special peeve of mine) the lady at the next table insisted on sharing her personal music via Bluetooth speakers drowning out the piped music. If people want personal music they should use ear phones. If we go again we will stay in the upstairs area but it will take some persuading to get my husband there again. Water experience may be good but can’t recommend the lower bar.

That was what I thought but when I re-read OP I don’t think the OP was sailing at all originally. So it was a cabin for two changing to a cabin for a new two guests. I thought they were just going to “shuffle” cabins! So whilst “good to know” I don’t think it is relevant in this case!

someone on your other thread posted a screenshot of their available excursions which include several to Chacchoben and other ruins. We have similar options for our upcoming cruises. I assume they have not been loaded for July yet or they are renegotiating contracts. We haven’t been to those ruins but Native Choice have been recommended for many years (15+?) on CC.

We have paid on arrival. Look for the $2 off pp coupon online.. We have found it cheaper to book through the cruise line, if on sale , since this includes taxi transport and lunch.

Did they make any renovations or changes while they were closed?

Is this new? Their website and TripAdvisor still state 10am - 6pm everyday, except Mondays. I actually thought they closed at 5 to prepare for night dining but perhaps they just close the kitchen.

Why, what? Who are you quoting? Ruins and Bacalar have been an excursion priority for many for many years both through the cruise lines and independently. As I recall you just walked into town which obviously doesn’t require an excursion in itself but some people book auxiliary activities, or visit places outside the malecon. For the OP, we have about 20 excursions listed for our upcoming trip but I agree there is not the variety compared to some ports.

+1

We did this after a recent repositioning cruise when we had time to kill and thought it was well worth the time. The tour got off to a shaky start with a time delay but fortunately they were able to extend the tour time to provide full tour after consulting with all guests regarding flight times. Not sure if you have full United lounge pass access but we only have a day pass these days and I will caution that the main lounge in our terminal was full when we arrived and they only allowed day passes in a small auxiliary lounge.

@tallyho8 Sounds like you looking for the same type of day as us! Unfortunately I am afraid I am not much help with regards to Costa Maya. Our local ships took a long break from stops at Costa May and only resumed in the last 5 years and 2 of those included Covid stoppages. I always considered Crew was more knowledgeable on Costa Maya as he seemed to have local contacts and diving buddies! But it is true I have been several times in the last year! Pre-Covid we had begun to enjoy Malecon21 very much (which was a new club, at the time) and were looking forward to return on visits earlier this year. Unfortunately service and attitude were very lacking early in the year. Whilst I would be willing to give them a second chance we haven’t done so yet and have been looking for alternatives. They have a minimum consumption fee ($30?), credited to food and drink, to include lounger. We have been several times this year to Costa Maya and have 4 more visits coming up. Whilst we have been “looking” we haven’t really found “the place” and have “settled” for Krazy Lobster for short stops and to Maya Chan once. We don’t generally do AI, while cruising, but find unfortunately that this is the “model” that many bars both on the malecon,and beyond, have adopted. We have walked the length of the malecon and have not been over impressed with Mahahual since cruising resumed. Many places have closed or been taken over by Krazy Lobster. Tropicante was closed when we were there one Sunday, or we would have given that another try with new management. I intended to book YaYa for our next visit but they changed their policy on me. When I was going to book, instead of minimum consumption charge of $25pp credited towards food and drink which they quoted me in February, it is now $25pp for A LOUNGER. Nowhere on the malecon warrants $50 just for two loungers in my opinion. I am perfectly willing to pay for consumption proportional to my length of visit but that is just price gouging. Many people, including Crew, seem to enjoy Jaimie’s but we weren’t impressed with appearance as we passed by and again since it is mainly AI (with some exceptions) we haven’t tried it. I would say we seem to prefer the southern end of the malecon (quieter)and have tried Sulumar and Hotel Luna previously. I have been looking to try Machos, as also suggested by Crew and perhaps, Chunky Monkey. I am also quite interested to try Hotel Maya Luna but that is further off the malecon, but therefore no vendors. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. We are in a state of flux ourselves. The taxi pricing situation and general policies of beach clubs in Costa Maya, since cruising resumed, has us somewhat disappointed presently to the point where we are seriously considering staying in port for our next visit, or walking to the nearby hotel Khan Ahau to try restaurant Catrina and pool as suggested by others. This is something we would never have done previously.

I think that one is “helmet dive” which seems to be different and was at Jeannie’s and Chankanaab. The mini-sub is on TripAdvisor but contact seems “iffy”. I understood from reviews the noise frightens away marine life but I have no personal experience. @jbrinkm Suggest contacting Hotel Cozumel (now Wyndham) to see if they have contact information if it is still available. Islands Beach Club seems to be another beach club with activities, usually offered through Carnival but I think you can go independently. I haven’t been but I have seen jet skis or mini motor boats racing passed when I have been at Playa Azul. Otherwise perhaps water park at Playa Mia.

Yes I know there are one or two places available ( Chank, Islands, possibly old Buccanos) but I don’t think Cozumel is renowned for zip lines and seemed a strange suggestion from a local. I thought perhaps there was somewhere new.

where?

I am not a fish aficionado so cannot comment on authenticity although I have seen fish charters claim to take people fishing for snapper in season. I just know whether I have enjoyed a “fish” dinner or not! I think many commercial fishermen these days flash freeze their catch? I understood Lionfish, once considered a reef predator, was now considered under control? As a local, according to your profile, perhaps it would have been useful to answer the OP’s question and maybe offered some insight into “good” fish restaurants that we could enjoy, hopefully serving red snapper but at least being honest as to what they are serving?

I am sure it will take some time. Self-disembarking has always been a hassle at Galveston due to sheer numbers and I am sure the bigger the ship the worst it will be. We have only sailed the smaller Adventure several times this year. Does the new terminal have zig-zag ramps to wheel cases off? That helped considerably in the old terminal when installed although makes for a long walk. We don’t do self-assist and just wait for the lines to clear.

https://restaurantguru.com/red-snapper-Cozumel-m7325 my choice would be San Carlos.

The taxis inside the port are purportedly paying a fee for the privilege which they are passing onto the customer (and then some). Outside the port, fares are subject to negotiation , like most taxis in Mexico. Cozumel taxis are not beyond price gouging either but at least their extortionate tourist rates are actually posted on a board at the port and have a somewhat “official” union basis. Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed your first visit to Costa Maya as many people are put off after their first visit. Evidently you hit Mahahual on a seaweed free day which would make a big difference to first impressions. For myself, I have to say I am becoming a little weary of current practices in Costa Maya and Mahahual and despite having several upcoming visits scheduled we will be staying around the port for some of them, something we would have been very unlikely to do in the past.

Possibly re-negotiating contracts.

Perhaps we will get some updates on what was done? According go their blog they tried to get pick-up within the port but that didn’t happen so I guess it is the same pick-up location as before? Transport to and from are one thing that we have had problems with on recent visits.