Crunchymom

39 minutes ago, deb63 said:

Did you end up doing this excursion?    In looking through Cozumel options, it is one my daughter wants to do - but looking through the reviews, I'm not sure.    Seems like a lot of complaints about not enough time.

 

Also, I was curious how it worked when booked through the cruise line.   Do you get dropped off, given a map, then told where/when to meet back up to return to the ship as a group?    Or do you stay together as a group the whole time?   

 

We have done excursions before where you meet back to all load up together for the transport back to the ship, where you travel as a group the whole time, and even one where you were  dropped off with a voucher to make your way back on your own.    Have to admit with lines, the voucher one made me nervous. . .but we did make it back in time.    

 

 

Yes, we went to xcaret. It was very nice and the whole park is well taken care of. No, there definitely wasn't enough time to do everything but our main goal was just to do the river tour. After the tour, you're able to go off and do what you want. We chose to just walk around. I didn't like this. You have to go on the river tour as a group. I rather would've walked around first then did the river because by afternoon it was extremely hot! So, I think they should allow you to do what you want. Also....what we didn't know, even after researching is that the river is deep. There are a few rocks here and there to stand on for a few seconds but that's it. Not good when we had a 7 year old and a 3 year old. :/ Also...the booth where you can borrow flippers (which would've been very helpful) is kind of hidden and the tour guide gave the impression that they're at the entrance to where you get into the river. No, it's not....so unfortunately we didn't get flippers. As far as eating goes....we took the advice of our tour guide who brought us to a restaurant (I think he knew the owner). Anyway it was expensive and wasted a lot of time. Do the buffet, IMO. I just never found menus online so we didn't know what to do. We all had to meet at a certain time at the front of the park to load up on the bus. Looking back, although it was a nice place and I'm glad we did it, I wouldn't again. I don't like deep water (towards the end, there's seaweed everywhere), also bats in the caves, and fish in the water...so no, lol. We did the short river because of the kids and it was still too long for them (and us because we eventually had to carry them). Our older 2 did great and loved it...they're 15 and 12. Anyway sorry so long. :)

Wow, this is all really good to know! On our last cruise, I think I remember seeing foods labeled gluten free at the buffet but at that time I wasn't purposely looking. How about the 24 hour pizza? He loved the cruise pizza, which consisted of probably 90% of what he ate the whole cruise, lol....he's 15. I'm assuming there's a gluten free option? It has been a struggle with this diagnosis because he was already picky to begin with, now he's even more limited. And gluten free foods aren't exactly cheap. 😞

My oldest was recently diagnosed with celiac's disease. Anyone know how cruises are with their gluten free options? We're considering another cruise next year and it just dawned on me this will be another thing to worry about it. 😞

It was closed on our cruise due to the incident on another ship. So unfortunately we didn't get to try it. 😞 If we ever go on RC again, we'll definitely give it a go....looks real fun! 

Just some of our many pics, lol. 

1st is the Fantasy and Independence.

2nd is my little one and our helpful guide at the ruins.

3rd is my gang as we were leaving Cozumel.

4th is the view from our stateroom.

5th is the river...ahh!

6th is obviously just a pretty sunset. 😉

We're back! Our cruise was 4/29-5/4. It was hubby and I plus our 4 kids (15, 12, 7, 3). I'll try to keep this short and sweet. 😉 

Check in was fairly easy.

Our stateroom wasn't what we expected. We originally were going to book 2 connecting oceanviews, but went with the advice of costumer service and got a room that should fit all 6 of us! It was category 1k, suppose to be 351sqft. It was decent but smaller than expected and having 2 bathrooms would've been better. Beds were super hard, and no fan for white noise. 😕

The view out the front of the ship was amazing though!

Food was ok, desserts were awesome. Windjammer is crowded at times but there's plenty of seating. Only complaint is buffet isn't open late enough. 

Activities were unfortunately lacking. They had more activities offered during port days which made no sense obviously. Then there would be things going on during the times the kids rooms were closed. Adult shows were often after 10pm, when you would get charged for using the kids rooms (which we didn't do). The last night, there was a farewell comedian in the Royal Theater at 7:15. He was done a little before 8pm. We took our 2 older kids to our room to get their bathing suits on, they went to the pool. Hubby and I went right back down to the Star lounge for an adult show (finally something we could go to). Well, we get there and there's no seats and people were standing! They know this is a popular show, why not have it in the theater?? So we left. 😞

Excursions....in Costa Maya we did the Chacchoben ruins, booked through Native Choice. We really liked it! However, I wouldn't recommend for kids under 10. They just don't care, lol. One of our tour guides were awesome...he kept an eye on our little one so hubby and I could somewhat pay attention to our other guide. Highly recommend them.

In Cozumel, we took the ferry to Playa del Carmen and went to Xcaret. The ferry wasn't bad, 45mins and then a bus ride which was maybe 10-15mins. Xcaret was nice, but again wouldn't recommend with young ones if you plan on doing the river. Our 7 year old did good but our 3 year old, no. We didn't know until just before hopping in the "cold" water while signing the waiver that you can't touch bottom. So we had to not only swim, but take turns swimming while holding a 3 year old. Fun! And, there's bats in the caves!! I'm glad we experienced it, but wouldn't do again. The rest of the park was nice and well taken care of. Took the advice of the tour guide on where to eat, he even walked us there, and he must've known the owner because we ended up spending $100. But unfortunately couldn't find menus with prices before our trip, so oh well. 

All in all it was a great trip! Would I do RC again, not sure. The ship was just too big and confusing. Sorry to say, but Carnival are called the fun ships for a reason. 😉 However, the Independence is a beautiful ship, I just would prefer a smaller ship. 

P.S. We got to see the Carnival Fantasy again! Sailed on her 5 years ago. Was docked right next to us, it was cool. 

We're back! We actually purchased distilled water the night before our cruise and was able to bring the rest of the gallon on board with us...no questions asked. Also, our housekeeper brought us an extension cord shortly after we asked for one. 

We went with Xcaret. It is nice there. We did the river tour which was iffy, lol. We didn't know until literally just before hopping in the water when we had to sign the waiver for our 3 year old that you can't touch the bottom because it's deep. And there's bats in the caves! Would we go there again...most likely no. 

Are you on your cruise now? If not, how do you know what time the shows are?

I'm kind of confused by the MTD. I liked the idea when we booked because I thought we could eat when we wanted....but then you have to book a time? I mean, we did but what if we want to eat a little later than our time, can we just change it last minute? 

Thanks all! Wow, didn't know the cruise would provide that. I'll have to let my husband know. He has been fighting for 2 months with the VA about getting this, and it just so happened he gets it on Wednesday. So we weren't prepared to even have it by our trip. He does have extras...he's just going to bring the whole kit he was given. 

Anyone here use a CPAP machine? My husband just started using one last week. Our cruise leaves Monday. The thing takes distilled water? We're flying, so are they going to allow us to bring some or are we going to have to somehow get some when we land? But I thought we weren't allowed to bring food/drinks on the cruise. Help!

22 hours ago, detroitavant said:

 Isn't the upcharge a cold water Maine lobster vs. the formal night warm water?

 

And there is a kids menu in the main dining room although this was the first cruise where my kids decided to try the adult menu.  They picked from both on some nights.

Thank you. I'm thinking I should tell him before we go. Hmm crazy. 😕 Anyway, I figured there was a kids menu. My oldest is 15 and just started with this teen appetite thing, so I'm thinking he'll be ok with ordering off the adult menu, but my other kids I don't think so. 

Another thing....I don't remember, is there a children's menu in the dining room?

We leave next week. I had assumed every cruise has a lobster night, so I was confused when I saw it for a charge on the menu. I don't eat it, but hubby is looking forward to it! I don't know if I should break it to him before we go or let him find out during the cruise. 😞

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

 

Form what I have read it is cheaper to buy passes that include food but I am not sure you can do that through the cruise line?

I didn't really investigate food and drink when we were there as we were staying at the AI resort next door and had a 2-day pass, but I had read food and drink were expensive. 

 

We took a break at lunchtime and went back to the resort for quieter lunch and included drinks!

We did book this excursion through the ship, cheaper than buying it elsewhere. Food wasn't an option unfortunately. We're a family of 6, so I'm worried now how much we'll spend for lunch. I'm still on the hunt for some menus, lol. Hubby has friends who were just there a few weeks ago, at a resort. They had a 2 day pass too and said they didn't even finish the park, lol. Looks like a beautiful place, can't wait.

Yes, that's their actual site. There's no pricing or menus. Hmmm, weird. 

So, we decided on the Xcaret excursion. I was looking into the various places to eat there. Unfortunately I can't find any menus with pricing....not even on their website. Any input or links?

23 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

 

I haven’t been to Playa but i have been to Xcaret, which is wonderful. However if I was you I would choose Playa.

 

Xcaret would be a really long day for a 3 year old. There is so much to do there I don’t see how a cruise ship excursion could do it justice. Also it is spread out and somewhat confusing at first (we had a 2-day pass). I think you would have a hard time satisfying that range of ages in the short time you would have. YMMV.

Thank you for your response. I did read it's a pretty big place and you can't get it done...so I didn't plan on covering the whole park. We mainly want to do the river and just walk leisurely around. Can you touch the bottom of the river? Is there fish in it? I really love the idea of Playa Mia, but my kids won't swim out to the inflatables....and we have the waterslides and all that on our ship. Then I read the buffet isn't all that great. My kids are good about walking...my youngest is actually almost 4 and used to walking all around Disney, so I THINK he'll be good. We're thinking of maybe bringing a cheap umbrella stroller. 

We leave in a couple weeks and still can't decide what to do! Our kids ages are 15, 12, 7, 3. Xcaret or Playa Mia water park?

We'll be on the Indy later on this month.  🙂 I too was wondering about the "luggage tags". They're paper, lol. I remember years ago having nice plastic ones that actually lasted. I was just going to not use the paper ones...but they are needed or do they give better ones at the port at check in? I just don't see how paper ones are going to last the flight. 

Thank you so much for this site. Much more affordable than booking through the cruise line! 

Any tips on kid friendly affordable excursions? We want to possibly see the mayan ruins, we're also not opposed to not booking through the cruise line. Thanks!

Any tips on kid friendly affordable excursions? We want to possibly see the mayan ruins, we're also not opposed to not booking through the cruise line. Thanks! 🙂

Believe it or not, there are people out here who don't do "apps". Don't have a smart phone. Or have a tablet. And some don't even own a computer.

 

There will still be a necessity for printed materiel.

Exactly! I have a basic flip phone and don't get into the useless technology that's out there. I'm glad to still have a piece of paper in my hand to read. :)