nascarcruiser

On 2/19/2024 at 2:53 PM, dliteu said:

 

 

 

  Between the $2700 that RCI charged us for about 1 hour in the emergency room on the ship and the hospital in Cozumel holding us hostage (literally would not treat her without a down payment of $4,000 Then another $2,000 and finally another $1998 before they would release her the next day to an air ambulance back to Texas.  The RCI contact in Cozumel actually stiffs us for $6. Gave him $100 to cover the $47 dollars each Mexico charged us to come into the country he kept the change.  The contact's name was Daniel..  Not a big deal, but really....Never did hear from him again after he delivered the forms we needed for Mexico. Not can I get you a hotel, would you like some food, Not let me help try to get you home.  not spit.  The hospital was in the middle of a very poor neighborhood without any resources close by. 

Ok as far as RCI billing you for services on board,insurance should cover that. As far as the hospital wanting multiple payments upfront yes that is the way its done. Known several people who have been admitted for things like broken bones, heart attack and dive accident resulting in paralysis so yes this is the way it's handled.  As far as the hospital being in a poor area, there are only 2 hospitals they would have sent you to. You were in Cozumel so yes its a poor country but knowing where the hospitals are there are resources nearby and the hospital would have helped if you asked.  You may just not have seen the resources you were thought you might see but I assure you you could have found them.  I understand you were upset and frustrated but the situation was handled as it typically is. Sadly it wasn't the way you wanted it handled.  I hope your mom is doing better 

Always brought CBD gummies before and got caught this time https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/11/15/woman-gets-lifetime-ban-from-carnival-cruise-ships-over-cbd-gummies/

Couple of things we learned when a friend had a diving accident in Cozumel on a land vacation. Didn't realize his diving insurance had laspsed and didn't have travel insurance because he thought his diving insurance was valid.  His health insurance did cover him while out of the country though. He was taken to the International Hospital.  Always as tourist ask to be taken to the International Hospital.  The Hospital wrote it up as he slipped on the boat not as a dive accident. And they didn't require the bill to be paid in full when he was discharged.  I think he paid 1/3 of the $30k bill at discharge.   Also the hospital advised if he was not going to renew the diving insurance to purchase travel insurance that covers extreme sports.  That will cover just about any cruise excursions you book.  Most medical on trip insurance will exclude what they consider extreme sports  

No exceptions are made 

Not on the street either 

On 3/18/2023 at 1:35 PM, actuarian said:

A ban for life is not adequate for vandalism or assault. Royal was quite right to force some of them to disembark in Aruba. That will at least cause them to regret their actions, particularly if any of them were traveling with birth certificates instead of passports.

However the parents will find some way to turn it around on the cruise line especially if they didn't have passports.  Oh Royal Caribbean dumped us to find our own way home even though we didn't have passports story at 6. 

I would stick with cash.  You never know what allergies someone may have or what they like

It cost roughly $20 per person and there are 2 ferries.   The biggest problem you will run into is if they close the port while you're in Playa due to wind or choppy seas. They closed it one day we were the this month at 11 am and it didn't reopen until the next day.  If that happens you're stuck in Playa.  And yes I've seen them shut the ferry down when they shut the port down. Port closings happen often Ferries being shut down for port closures not as often but you do not want to be on one when the ports are closed. 

This went into effect just as we were about to leave after a 3 week land vacation.  Our resort went from designated smoking areas to none overnight

 https://www.traveloffpath.com/all-resorts-beaches-and-public-spaces-in-mexico-will-be-smoke-free/

I wouldn't think so since its not the right course of treatment for everyone.   My brother in law was able to take it but not my sister due to other issues she has 

Try Fishing with Pedro.  They have a Facebook page and are great 

For some reason they love $2 dollar bills if you can get some

We just spent 3 weeks there and saw no cartel related activities and no we did not stick to the tourist areas.  Yes I know there is cartel activity but it is not as bad as it is being made out to be.  Taxi's are safe just ask before you get in the charge. Cash is preferred.  I never saw a taxi taking a credit 

Trust me with as much money the Cartel likely makes off cruises and tourism in general, tourist would not purposely be a target.  Politicians yes but tourists highly doubtful.   We spend 3 weeks there every January and have friends who stay 3 months.  We watch where we go and stay aware of our surroundings and have never felt fearful 

7 hours ago, PolicromaSol said:

Why do I get the feeling this rule came from somebody's shoes getting jumped on? LOL

Or tripped over 🤣

3 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

 Casa Mission?

I think you are correct 

Not everyone is a candidate for it.  Only those with certain medical conditions so I doubt it.  

If you buy from an actual pharmacy its will be fine. I wouldn't  use from a gift shop selling medication 

On 4/2/2022 at 4:16 PM, c-leg5 said:

I think I remember you asking for suggestions before your sailings but I thought you had a 14-year old with you and had discounted Del Mar? Glad you got to try both and were able to give a recent comparison.

 

It has been several years since we went to El Cid but agree it is definitely bigger and attracts a lot of crew, once they are able to leave their ships. It has a sandy “cove” as well as man-made sandy “areas” for loungers. I know they used to offer different passes . Their AI always seemed overpriced compared to what you could get at Park Royal but I don’t know what current prices are at both places. We have only done PAYG at El Cid (where you can’t use any facilities) and the “cheaper” cover charge that was mostly credited back towards food and drink and allowed pool and wi-fi. They tried to make us take the buffet when we had that pass, which didn’t look very good, but we managed to order off the menu instead. We were disappointed in standards at Park Royal last June so wouldn’t return there at the moment. 

 

I think it goes without saying that drinks at most AI are not strong although we tend to stick to beer and water, some rum based drinks but never tequila! We also were at DelMar in March. AsI said it is definitely getting busier but of course that was Spring Break period. Not sure what you thought wasn’t maintained? The pool and restrooms have always been fine when we have been there although we were surprised, and not too happy, about the number of people with beer and glasses round the pool this last time. The food at Del Mar was better and more choices when we first started going but they have had to reduce , presumably due to reduced entrance fee and present economic times. The food is still good and we have always had plenty to eat and drink, and good service. Hopefully the original menu will return if the price increases.

 

We also tried Sunset Beach another day in March for a change,  but were not impressed with that. Each time we have passed El Cid recently they have tried to coax us in so we may give it another try this month.

Part of the reason the drinks don't seem strong is whatever mixer they are using is made from pure cane sugar.  We thought the drinks at the Melia were watered down until we had a shot poured out of the same bottle ( we know it was the same bottle because it never left the bar top).  The shot was definitely NOT watered down it was the sugar in the mixer making us think it was watered down 

8 hours ago, Tuckster said:

I may be looking at this time thing backwards. If the ship docks @ 7:00 am Florida time, that will be 6:00 am Cozumel time correct ??? I get confused easily !!!!!!

No Cozumel is on eastern time as far as I recall 

Credit card and we just went there since we were staying on the island 

4 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

There are major car rental agencies on the pier shopping areas, but google "Rentadora ISIS".  Older cars  but in good condition and cheaper and good service.

I second this.  I think the car we got in January was a 2019 Isuzu if I remember correctly 

Sorry you had to deal with this.  Sounds like they didn't have their s@#t together 

There is no issue taking a cab anywhere in Cozumel 

Salty Endeavors or Dive with Martin