c-leg5

I think the name is IslandS Beach Club. It was a relative small club squashed in between Buccanos Beach Club and Playa Azul in the north of the island a few years ago. I have never been but I think it took some of the land from Buccanos and took over some of the activities they used to have that used to be cruise ship excursions zipline, climbing wall. It has a pool and a jet ski excursion and seems to sell excursions via Carnival website although I believe you can go independently. They have a website. Chankanaab is an established national park predominantly for snorkeling and diving but also has several third party contractors that run various activities listed on the website for the park. It has a pool, dolphin, manatees and sea lions, tequila tasting, massages etc. As always it depends what it is you are looking to do.

We have only taken the Express once when we were doing a one-way from Galveston and we left our car parked at IAH for our return. It worked well for us except my husband didn’t like that the driver was always checking something on his phone - schedule, route?? I agree those at Hobby were left with whatever seats were left over so might be something to consider. There also seemed to be some confusion as to how many had booked. We didn’t get a tour of Galveston hotels and it was before new Royal port was open so the two terminals were close together. I think the hotel people were dropped off after and I am surprised this isn’t routinely the case but may depend on time of day and day of the week.

Presumably if you tipped you were given a zero check to sign?

That probably depends on number in your party? Difficult to generalize with transportation and I don’t believe Uber is a fixed price, which maybe important for some sailings. Also depending on time of day I have had an 50 minute wait quoted for Uber from IAH unless you pre-book.

Where?

Thanks crew, So he is going to run both locations and the hotel?

That is a very strange and confusing listing on his website. No location directions but the same details as before and yet no mention of Blue Reef now. It does appear to be the location @crewsweeper and I indicated. Hopefully crew will come back with more insight. I am sorry to hear he is following the same package model. He is probably correct about less vendors - they don’t tend to make it that far. I am not sure how the beach will be - look forward to future reviews.

Sounds a fairly typical disembarkation procedure. you are supposed to watch the screens for group numbers. I thought they had generally stopped making announcements other than towards the end when they are trying to clear the ship. You should have had a designated waiting area listed on your info in your cabin with disembarkation procedure unless that is another info sheet they have dispensed with? We generally have an earlier tag but wait until our color is called on the screen. We have no desire to wait in a long line and certainly avoid the long line of those all rushing to do self-assist from ships in Galveston.

NCL used to tender before the new pier. I do see Enchantment scheduled as a third ship sometimes - perhaps it tenders as the smallest ship?

That’s a good price back to IAH. I see they are offering an online special summer price.

It is regularly reported on Costa Maya forum that ships are unable to dock. It appears to have been worse since they extended the dock. Purely speculation, but I wonder if it appears more don’t dock because more ships are now scheduled, so increased chance of not docking. I also wonder if it is due to the layout of the piers and if one orientation is more difficult than the other under certain weather conditions. It would be interesting to know if those scheduled at one pier get cancelled more often than others because certainly on a given day one ship will dock and another abort. That said, we have been to Costa Maya many times and have only been unable to dock once on a smaller, older ship without aziPods. We have watched other ships come and go without docking while we were sat at the beach.

We have been to Hotel Luna de Plata but I think that is different, this one nearer to town? is this the camping beach club, el sabor? I think the golf carts go there? I think it is one of the beach bars on the road out of town - they seem to come and go unfortunately. Jaimie should be aware so perhaps he can make a go of it. How long has he been there? Is he running it as a lower budget PAYG because that is what Mahahual needs right now? Mahahual vendors have become very greedy. Unfortunately it may be outside the baffles of the Malecon so it will be interesting to hear how the beach and water are if you go.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/

You know the kids best but unless they are willing to “veg out” or take a boat snorkeling excursion there isn’t much activity at Nachi. Most families with active kids/young adults would choose Sanchos, Playa Mia or Paradise Beach. That said, Sanchos and Paradise Beach are pushing AI now and that makes for a really expensive beach day IMO when you have to pay extra for the water activities pass. Playa Mia you have more flexibility to customize package costs. If they are happy with pool and non-motorized sports (not trampolines/water slides) then some of the hotel day passes are an option.

No but if you go would love a review! It has been on my radar.

It isn’t just Norwegian but it would be interesting to have data on whether one particular pier is affected more than others.

You don’t say how long a time period you have or what type of excursion you are doing. No pool , beach or snorkeling in the immediate vicinity but there are possibilities depending on time and budget.

The second is under youth benefits as stated above.

What makes that original? It is a rehash of the Feb 6 announcement by the port.

Costa Maya is totally different to Cozumel and has no “developed” beach clubs like Paradise Beach, Sanchos etc or even resort hotels with full facilities. Biggest pool (and flow rider) will be at the port, or the waterpark which is not at the beach there are one or two locations which have small dip pools. There are a few places with kayaks and paddle boards, snorkeling excursions or fishing. Water clarity depends on season, currents and storms. The length of the malecon is protected by the off- shore baffles although there were reports last year of murky water in mid-summer due to disturbed silt or possibly sargsssum breaking down and leaching through/round the barrier.

The link is a paid link but I am sure finances will be a joint negotiated venture. It is pedantic to argue whether it is a new structure or refurbishment. Net result is a new terminal.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy

It may not be a complete new structure but it is the refurbishment of a cargo warehouse to create a new fourth cruise ship terminal and all the infrastructure that entails as opposed to renting space at an existing terminal. Are you saying that the Port of Galveston is footing the bill for refurbishment at no cost to the cruise line?

This might be more relevant but still too early to determine in my experience. Is there no longer a webcam at Pez Quadro or Maya Chan? That would be more current nearer the time.

As long as you want? It is an independent excursion. They will tell you when the meeting time is for your ship and offer you various return times, half way through your stay. You sign up for a return taxi.