bandtaxi

Did this last year and really enjoyed it.  The group stays together.  They have a guide in the front and in the back.  It is a busy road, but the guides are signaling to you so you know to stay on the side. You are using the brakes most of the time with only a couple of times to uphill (a short hill) pedal.  They stop frequently to make sure everyone is ok and see the area.  You really should be keeping your eyes on the road while riding.  You ride close to each other so the group stays together.  I second going through customs on a bicycle is fun and probably something most people don't get the opportunity to do.  The day we did took this excursion, it was really foggy when we got off the train so they took us a couple miles down the mountain to be out of the fog.  Helmets are required and provided. 

Before we went, I saw a review from someone who was disappointed that they couldn't ride at their own speed as they were avid bikers.  It doesn't sound like this fits the original poster, just mentioning it for anyone else reading this.  You stay in line, no passing, no riding ahead (or behind) the guides.  

With 4 ships in port it was PACKED the day we were there.  We navigated the shoulder to shoulder crowd thru the port area and walked outside the gate to get a taxi, $4 pp each way. There were taxis inside the gate, not sure how much those were.  
 

We ended up at Big Mamas with Gilberto helping us.  He got us a table and said we were welcome to stay all day. We had drinks and nachos.  

Just back from Costa Maya. It is a long walk from the ship, down the pier, through the port to the taxis. We had 4 ships in port and the large port area was super crowded and a maze of people to get through. Be mindful of that with a large group with very young and older folks. 
 

At the taxis, we were waiting in a line (not much direction or info on what you should do) Gal in front of us said she was going to walk further (to outside the gate) so she didn’t have to pay someone to ‘get’ her a taxi.  I can’t say that would have happened because we just followed her a short walk through the gate and got a taxi $4 pp one way.  

Once we got to town, it was much less crowded. We walked a bit before we decided to stop at Big Mamas.  If you have a reservation, you should be fine. Just, (like a previous post said) don’t let someone talk you into a different place. Tell them you have a reservation. 
 

Enjoy your day and your celebration!

We were on a cruise that canceled this port the day yours hit the pier! I remember showing pics of your ship to our group.  Costa Maya was always one of our favorite stops with Steve at Tropicante being the place we spent most of our time.  
 

The port area itself had changed a lot before the hurricane, with more shops, etc. We have not been back that way since but are going in a few weeks.  I will be happy to report back to you after that if you still need info. Anything specific you want me to check out or look for?  We plan to go in to Mahahual and see how things are there. 

So sad to hear this!  Tropicante was always our go to place at Costa Maya.  Just booked to go here again for the first time in many years and was looking for to Tropicante.  I knew Steve was no longer here but was hoping that it was still much the same.  

Do you always get a reply?  I haven't heard anything.  Emailed the info 3 weeks ago and cruise on Monday!  I've looked at my cruise manager and don't see anything there.  Help! 

We booked on Aug 20, 4 days before the latest ‘update’ and were told by our PVP that we were required to purchase travel insurance so we did.  Now it’s not required.  Has anyone purchased and then canceled Carnival’s travel insurance.   Cruise is in October so paid in full when booked if that makes any difference. 

We did Ardastra Gardens zoo with our kids and grandkids.  It was a perfect day.  We would never have gone here if I hadn’t have searched out something for kids.  The flamingo show was hilarious!  The bird area and the other animals were fun.  I agree not like a major US city zoo but perfect for a fun family day while visiting Nassau on a cruise.  

Last week we booked a balcony guarantee for the May 2 Panama Canal sailing. I did a mock booking every day (ok, a couple of times a day) and yesterday a balcony popped up.  Called my PVP and got put in that balcony. 

You can check your booking in my cruise manager and see if it has been applied. 

We love cove balconies...so close to the water.  We always try to get the very first one.  The first several cabins are ocean view so the first cove is almost to what is considered the middle of the ship. Love my coves.... 💕 

Was the snorkeling at Carlsmith Beach with a guide or on your own?

Sounds like you have a Havana room?  You will enjoy the Havana area if you do!  

I want to do the April, 2020 one but it's over Easter and DH is a pastor.  Kinda hard to be gone on Easter.  Looking at September, November, or December on a 14 or 15 day RT from California.  Looking forward to info from Xmansmom!

Is the sideways interior you are referring to right by the elevator?  We are concerned about elevator noise and that is the only havana inside left on the cruise we are looking at. 

We stayed at All-Star Sports. When we looked at a cheaper off-property room, but added in transportation costs, that are included when staying on property, it was basically the same. Plus you get 60 day advance fast pass vs 30 day off property.

We have gotten off in San Juan and San Diego but they would not let us get off in New York.

Question... last time we were in St Thomas we asked a cab to take us to Magens Bay. He said it was too windy to go to Magens Bay and he would take us to a beach that was better that day. We were disappointed but said ok. He said follow me. We went to a van that already had people in it and he took us to Secret(?) beach. It was ok but not Magens. I have wondered since then if he said that because the party he already had in his van wanted to go to secret beach. If this happens again, how can we know whether they are telling the truth or just wanting to fill the van???

Our family will be in 3 different cabins. Does the person purchasing the package (or someone from their cabin) HAVE to be in every photo?

Just my two cents on the cove. We LOVE it! My hubby’s choice is the very first one. Maybe a bit of spray but we weren’t bothered by smoke from the neighbors balcony.

Could you give the name of the orphanage so we can see items that are needed?

We visited an orphanage in April. Our driver told us there were two on the island. The one we visited was all boys. I don’t remember for sure but maybe 15-20 lived here. They were all at school except one young boy. We saw rooms where the boys slept and the large kitchen/dining/living room. We took school supplies, small toys / trucks, cars, frisbee, deflated balls and a pump, underwear, toothbrushes, etc. We took these in reusable shopping bags and left those also. We also left some cash.

In San Juan go to El Morro. Take a ball, frisbee, kite, whatever the kiddos like to do outside. The yard is HUGE here. We told the kids they could run, jump, do cartwheels, all the stuff they haven't been able to do down the hallways on the ship!

My son and daughter-in-law are currently on the Magic. I will post if I hear something from them.

Enjoyed reading your review as we were on the same cruise! We loved relaxing at Tropicante also (even though our time was short there).