c-leg5

Are you sure it wasn’t CBP?

OK I replied earlier but it went into the CC dark hole! The ruins on Cozumel are “interesting” and a nice walk but definitely not “must-do” - I would save that for Costa Maya. There are two main chocolate locations - Kaokao (original chocolate factory off transversal) and Mayan Cacao (built later, more touristy, near Playa Mia). I have done the factory tour at Kaokao where you actually make the chocolate from scratch, when we were staying on the island. It was interesting but took about 2 hours if I remember correctly and I think would be a long time out of your tour time, paying for your driver. I think they also do a shorter “viewing”. I haven’t been to the chocolate place on Roatan. Other “informative” visits you may consider - Mayan Bee Sanctuary or Pueblo del Maiz. I haven’t been to either of these yet but would like to take my grandkids. I am not a snorkeling expert and will defer to @mitsugirly blog. She has intensive photo reviews of most snorkeling locations on Cozumel. She also has reviews of many beach clubs.The PP wanted a sandy beach therefore not suitable for snorkeling so my comment regarding taxis referred to cost of taxi back from Palancar or Morena due to distance vs paying the driver you already have to wait. It is easy and safe enough to get dropped off at any location south of the piers as far south as Palancar to get a taxi back but price increases. Money Bar is closest to the piers and taxis wait across the road. Palancar snorkeling would be by boat I believe. I have read good reviews of snorkeling from Punta Sur but you have to be quite a good swimmer and go out a distance, best with a guide. Punta Sur requires an entrance fee to the park and is best as a prime destination for the day, good beach bar, snorkeling, lagoon ride, lighthouse for views - not much time to add on other activities. It is not easy to get a passing taxi back from the east side or Punta Sur. You need to pay and keep your driver waiting in that area. Snorkeling locations south of piers usually include Sky Reef, Playa Corona or Money Bar.There are also snorkeling areas north of town which @mitsugirly has reviewed although I don’t remember her going to Hemingways, or La Monina. We have seen many locals snorkel there when we have stopped for a drink. No cover charge at the places I have mentioned as long as you buy a snack or drink. Happy Hour: Sky Reef 12-3 Money Bar 5-7 La Monina 12-5 Just remember you can’t do everything Cozumel has to offer in a day. Be sure to outline with your driver what your priorities are before you leave so you have a time plan. I have mentioned many places so you can check out their websites. We have toured with Gerry (and some of his other drivers) many times - tell him and Eduardo, cleg5 says “hi”!

Looks like cruiseexcursions.NET has invented a new name.

The OP didn’t ask about seaweed, I was just forewarning them as I have been disappointed by some of my favorite locations in the past. It is seasonal. Unfortunately it has been bad this year and I agree it is likely to be bad by next month which is why I would take the lead from the driver, who will hopefully give an honest opinion, and discuss before I left the port. It is always nice to see the natural beauty of the east side (Coconuts is always good for the view, high above the seaweed albeit touristy and overpriced.) but the east side is not the side to linger on the beach when affected. It builds up and accumulates on east side. West side is only affected temporarily when winds change directions due to storms. Punta Sur remains relatively clear from what i have heard but comes with an entrance fee to the park and may take up more of your tour time than you want depending on your other plans. There is too much to see and do in one tour which is why it is necessary to have a clear understanding with your driver before you leave so you can manage your time.

Sounds like PP IS using a local company but thanks for your recommendation.Welcome to CC. I agree Punta Sur is a good place to visit and east side SO LONG AS SARGASSUM HAS ABATED - not enjoyable when sargassum is bad.

OK if you have a driver for the day I would take the lead from him as to sargassum situation and beach suggestion on a given day. If you want to finish at a beach: If you do a clockwise tour of the island the best option for a PAYG, sandy beach is probably Palancar (tables and chairs free loungers/umbrellas extra) although I haven’t been in a while and I don’t know how the storm that reduced a lot of the beach at Occidental affected it. If you go anticlockwise round, Punta Morena would be good. Actual ocean “swimming “ is not recommended on the east side due to currents and undertow although the “best beaches” are on the east side, providing it isn’t sargassum season. However, there are some safer locations on the east side that your driver can direct you to where you can dip in the sea and cool off, if it is sargassum free. I am not sure if Punta Sur is in your tour plans but that has a good beach. There are no sandy beaches within walking distance of any of the piers. There are places with sandy, man-made areas. You could do your tour and ask to be dropped off at a beach and taxi back to the port but IMO you would be better to just pay the driver an extra hour ($20) and have him wait. It would cost you at least $25 for a separate taxi from Palancar and more from Punta Morena, if you can even find a waiting taxi there. The only place I would consider getting dropped off and a separate taxi would be Money Bar and that is not a sandy beach but loungers on a man-made sandy area, predominately for snorkeling. Other possible places to end up would be Sanchos or Paradise Beach IF you can get PAYG which seems to be a problem presently. Not sure where you plan to tour but we have used Toursplaza many times and enjoyed several tours of the island.

A lot depends on what sort of tour you are doing and which pier you are at? Also when you say “tour” do you mean ship tour where you will return to the ship and have to set off again, or do you mean private tour with a driver? A few more details would be helpful regarding suggestions and timescale. You are not going to get easy entry, none rocky close to any of the piers.

it will certainly be busy although not unheard of at the peak of the season. I believe 8 ships can currently dock? In previous years I have known even more ships to be scheduled. We seek out quieter locations rather than the prime beach clubs, which are always “ busy” but I was surprised by reports from recent cruisers which suggested Paradise Beach was busy with only 6 ships in port and was pushing for an AI model. Not sure if there is a shortage in the work force (like many places) or increase day trippers from the mainland avoiding sargassum. If you have settled on somewhere/something I would definitely make a reservation, or be willing to go with the flow and have a back-up. I am not sure when you are sailing or where you have checked but keep in mind some of the port schedules are still inaccurate.

Thanks! My suspicion is the fare takes you to where the dirt road used to start.

Did you do this, or find any day passes?

Looking for somewhere new for our next visit and came across these two locations, away from main strip. Any reviews for them from this year. In particular, Chunky Monkey did you go by taxi, or was a golf cart necessary? @crewsweeper or anyone else with local knowledge or contacts, do you know how far you can go for the $4pp taxi fare, is it the end of the malecon or beyond? I remember being charged extra to Luna de Plata but I don’t know if that was a try-on or if the fare is to the edge of town.

Maybe try checking some of the webcams? park Royal and El Presidente look quite clear today.

Sargassum problem on Cozumel is generally on the east side (coast faces same way as mainland Yucatan) but under certain weather conditions currents can bring it to the west side but it is generally more temporary. I have been to Nachi when they did have quite bad sargassum, (not this year and “bad” is relative), and I have to say they did not seem particularly prepared or deal with it like places that are affected regularly and it wasn’t cleared away very intensely. Obviously it isn't there for weeks on end or accumulate en masse like some places.

OK, I wasn’t keeping track I just recall seeing reports since cruising resumed last summer and there were special promotional prices. I see prices have gone up now but they still seem much lower than when they originally opened. Enjoy your day and I look forward to your report.

Have you tried the search engine for this forum? There have been a few previous reviews. Also local forum on TripAdvisor.

Cozumel has some of the best diving spots but most of the reefs are too deep for good snorkeling. The near reefs were destroyed by hurricanes and are taking time to regenerate along with other problems are causing difficulties with the coral. That said it all depends what your standards and expectations are and what you are comparing it to. Also keep in mind it is nature and subject to daily external influences that will affect your individual experience. I suggest you take a look at @Mitsugirly blog - she has probably been to almost all the snorkeling sites on Cozumel and whilst her reviews aren’t necessarily what you will experience on any given day she has done and reviewed most shore, boat and other snorkeling excursions.

This comes from, or is implied from, their website. I have never understood why the website was never updated. I understand they don’t want to advertise it but to remove the statement and just not mention it at all would be better in my opinion. However, whatever the future may hold, as you and I have both said there was a pool February/March this year. I don’t know why PP would have been told otherwise. The above link, from Jane’s blog, describes its installation.

Yes as @Merion_Mom just posted you need to report and ask mods to change it.

Thanks for update. I figured it was probably some “arrangement” with port authority. Taxis were not allowed in for pick-up prior to shut down and you had to exit port to take a taxi to Mahahual, now they are allowed in again like years ago. HOWEVER, the answer does not really “fly” when we were also charged $4pp from outside the fates on our last visit. Sounds like that was not legitimate. For two of us it actually makes no difference since it used to be $8 per taxi but for a family of 4 it is a big difference. Also, if I understand correctly you just set up at the side of Blue Kay and didn’t actually use their facilities so can’t comment on whether whether service and facilities have been affected since shut down?

Unfortunately that wasn’t what your review said https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2856361-adventure-of-the-seas-march-26th-2022/#comment-63350858

Thanks for another opinion although both reviews are confusing - did you both sail MAY 26th? The ship sailed from Galveston in March. +1 for Santos! Agree there are some organizational areas that need some work but doesn’t sound different to what is commonly reported across the fleet presently. I am surprised there was no suite concierge - we had suite and diamond concierge on all our Adventure sailings and the loyalty ambassador was doubling in Pinnacle lounge.

Thank you. I have seen that article before. I was just wondering what “on the ground” reports were.

Have you been on a cruise where people didn’t have Covid since the restart? I think you are expecting a lot if you expect no cases on board.