c-leg5

Lots of existing threads on cozumel board. This is a very popular (busy) beach club and reservations have been recommended recently which are only possible for AI option. You will find most of the answers to your questions on their website particularly FAQ section which has 4 pages. https://paradisebeachcozumel.com/faqs/ entrance fee has been $5 for some years and there is a minimum spend for PAYG.

We have been visiting Cozumel for 20 years, first by cruise ship and in recent years for extended land visits consequently we have a list of favorites dependent on our mood, how long we want to stay and ages of our travel companions and the activities we require. We have been to many - not all beach clubs, hotels and bars around the island. If you give some idea of what you are looking for I might be able to make some suggestions - AI/PAYG, pool, beach/sandy area, snorkeling, willing to travel, quiet/ lively, kids?

https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/dfass-awarded-duty-free-contract-for-cozumel-cruise-terminal/ it is very prominent within the port terminal. Sometimes you have no alternative but to go through it when retuning go the ship depending on which way they route you.

There is a very small beach cove area. sorry not sure why link didn’t post there is a photo here if you scroll through https://eatsleepcruise.com/chankanaab-adventure-beach-park-shore-excursion-review/

Not absolutely necessary, but given the increasing number of people docking, if it is something you definitely want to do it wouldn’t hurt as there are obviously limited number of snorkel boats. Several threads on snorkeling and booking direct also.

There is a very small beach cove area. Try this for overview or use google images “ Chankanaab beach”

There is certainly duty free at International, whether it is the best or cheapest I have no idea.

In that case you will dock at Coxen Hole, not Mahogany Bay and “over the hill” comments won’t apply to you. You would most likely have to meet transport outside the gates although there are some booths at the port. You would need to check arrangements directly with whatever tour operator you choose.

Are you on a Carnival/Princess ship?

55 people for what - PAYG limit? - certainly not total occupancy. There are some strange reports coming out of Paradise Beach these days between limiting capacity and yet fully booked and very busy. I know they are certainly pushing AI these days but I am fairly certain when they first introduced AI they did allow mixed groups with different wrist bands, unlike Mr Sanchos. It makes economic sense to deter sharing although unlike Sanchos areas are not segregated by pass status so there is really nothing to stop groups checking in separately unless they pounce on you as soon as you exit the taxi now? We rarely go to Paradise Beach unless we have kids with us. The facilites are very good but we have always found it to be very busy, with loungers too close together for our liking and tourist prices.

And That’s the problem it isn’t Tex Mex so doesn’t work in Texas.

Aren’t you confusing Samba and Sabor? We want to do Samba on Radiance too and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be included.

I agree there are some bad practices developing in Costa Maya especially regarding taxis. I completely disagree with the “new” taxi rates although for us personally, usually traveling as a party of two it makes no difference although I will no longer “share” a taxi on principle. Like @crewsweeper I was also confused as to how many were in your taxi since you said “negotiated” a fee of $8. Rightly or wrongly, this does seem to be the current rate for two people. I wish they would be upfront and have a posted list at dispatch. I am inclined to take a photo of taxi number before entering as a deterrent to overcharging. That said, I also agree with @crewsweeper that “no change” is a common taxi scam in most places actually - I heard of it happening even on our last cruise to someone in Cartagena, Columbia, but since Mexico is so popular it is more widely reported. It is in deed prudent to only carry small bills by habit although sometimes at the end if the day I agree it can be difficult. We have also been to Costa May several times this year fortunately without incident but I am aware of these reports.

We have never experienced this problem. Like @rockmomwe have always been asked what size table we prefer when we have done set dining but we then we book through a TA. It has been a long time since we did set dining but I seem to recall there is a section on your profile. Our experience has been very similar to @rockmom it is unclear from your posts whether you have actually had problems, or just read about other people’s issues. Since it is clearly important to you to request this in advance I would also suggest the above email. Whilst it is not a guarantee, and requests “get lost”, it may help in your quest. Table location has never been high on our list of priorities but I know many people find it important to check out dining arrangements as soon as they board. We generally do MTD so if we are unhappy with location or service one night we simply ask to change the next. I realize it isn’t that simple with set dining but lack of flexibility is one of the inherent restrictions of set dining. This is not to say you can’t TRY to rectify it once on board but obviously it is an added hassle.

Sounds like one passport WON’T be valid and the mother’s expires shortly after. In most cases I agree the 6- month rule isn’t followed, especially on closed loop cruises, but a few days before our recent repositioning US to US cruise we received an email reminder from Royal stating due to recent changes passports must be valid for 6-months after end of cruise. ( A search didn’t bring up any recent changes that I could find.) My husband only had another month on his and it was in fact queried at check-in. Fortunately, he has a second passport and so there was no problem but it would have been interesting to see what the result would have been otherwise.

Used to be at Jeannie’s and Chankanaab. I would contact Sea Trek for current locations.

Whilst this is true there did seem to be a surprising increase in the number of small hotels opening in Mahahual on recent visits. I don’t know how many visitors there are at the moment but you do see a number of reviews on TA, particularly from Europeans, even during lockdown so they must eat some where at night! One restaurant that caught my eye was a rooftop restaurant that got good reviews. However, as stated above, personally I would spend a few hours at the beach or port and return to the ship for evening food and entertainment. Also keep in mind, time of year, where your ship leaves from, and ship time vs local time . Being on the mainland you don’t get sunset dinners like Cozumel.

I haven’t been to Mahogany Bay but I thought only two ships could dock there? I know it isn’t uncommon for Carnival to be unable to dock there if conditions aren’t right. I also thought there was only room at Coxen Hole for two ships - any more and they have to tender.

7 ships in Roatan? Sounds like a lot of tendering. Which port?

Why can’t you do that? You can have a table for two but you will be inches from the next table for two more often than not.

Best to ask on Cozumel board if you are asking about Chankanaab - as stated, depends which pier. About 3 miles from International, 6 miles from Langosta. You can do a virtual walk on Google.

I will preface by saying I have been to several beach bars in Mahahual AND Maya Chan. I have not been specifically to Jaimie’s. The beach conditions at Maya Chan will be similar to town in that if there is sargassum at one there will be sargassum at both. They do not have the offshore baffles but they do their best to continually clear It, although sometimes it is a losing battle. That will all depends on the time of your visit. Your photo has me a little confused - are those exposed sand bars? I know the water is very shallow in the bay out to the reef with some shallow and deeper pockets I don’t recall actual large sand banks like that at any of the areas i have been. And i don’t recall seeing any at Maya Chan. The main difference with Maya Chan will be ambiance. You will be at an isolated beach club as opposed to shoulder to shoulder with the next one. However you will have a considerable ride to get there. I think your son would have plenty of room to paddle board or kayak and you won’t have ANY vendors. Difficult to compare it to beach clubs in Cozumel because there is a wide variety of clubs in Cozumel and it would depend where exactly you are comparing it to? However I see you recently visited Cabana Beach and whilst I haven’t been there I would imagine it has a similar feel, with perhaps a more “personal” touch and Maya Chan is AI. Service and attention are very good. If you haven’t tried Maya Chan I would certainly give it a try or one of the other locations off the malecon. We have enjoyed Maya Chan several times although the transportation has not been as efficient, and has irritated me recently.

They are subcontracted and rent a space within the park. They are at the far end. You have access to the park but when you have paid that much for the cabana ( because the promotional prices are now over) I am not sure how much time you would want to spend in the park on a short cruise port day. The website tells you what snacks are included. Any extra is off the menu, either from the cabana restaurant or presumably you can buy from one of the other restaurants/ snack bars within the park. i would consider it for a land visit or if you just wanted to pay for a relaxing few hours.

Costa Maya is a completely man-made port area with pools, dolphins, aviary chocolate and tequila tasting, shops, spa, restaurants, bars. Its is pleasant enough for a few hours but food and drinks are very expensive compared to the local town of Mahahual. However you would have to offset that against cost of taxi which depends on number in your party as it is now $4pp for a 5 minute ride. This link will give you more info and some photos and is reasonably up to date https://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/costa-maya/overview-costa-maya-cruise-port.html It might be more useful if you were to say what type of day you are interested in. The waterpark is presently closed so there is really only numerous beach clubs, (which depends on sargassum season), port, ruins or Bacalar Lagoon.