Dawn Garden Villa cruise review from a Carnival point of view.

[bguppies]

I notice you have done ^this^ on more than one occasion. Is there a reason you won't use the butler?

 

I totally understand if it just isn't your thing and you'd much rather do it yourself. Seriously, I can relate. But you sure are missing out on one of the perks you paid for when you can just phone a guy and say "hey, bring me this-this-this & this, lots of that, a couple of that, some of those, and a pot of this and that" and have it here and set up at x:xx AM, please and thank you!" It certainly makes the morning much more relaxed when you have an early excursion.

 

We had him bring some breakfast the last sea day I think.

 

The buffet was so close, it was just easier to zip down, grab exactly what we wanted and head back up to the cabin, rather than order something and get most of what I wanted and then remember and need something else. (seeing things at the buffet always helped jog my memory)

 

Especially at breakfast, when the elevators weren't packed.

 

Same as with not waiting to be served at Cagney's instead of the buffet.

 

Everybody else in the cabin lived at Cagney's, but the food wasn't any better to make the wait worth the time to us.

 

Especially when we had our table for four in the cabin, to enjoy that sea view most days.:D

 

We knew we had that option, but felt we didn't need it most days.

 

 

I know I'm driving alot of the suite regulars NUTS with using the buffet so much. :mad:

 

Sorry.:D

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[cadien]

Does the buffet have takeout containers or do you have to balance plates back to the room?

[bguppies]

Does the buffet have takeout containers or do you have to balance plates back to the room?

 

I balanced the plates. (but the GV is literally just two decks up)

 

Wasn't bad though as we had drinks, silverware and condiments all back in the room.

 

But my SIL went down a couple of times for meals for them and the twins and somehow got those room service covers from somebody and a tray...

 

Never did remember to ask her where or who she got them from.

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

And now a public service announcement, for one of my favorite Caribbean ports, Cozumel, MX

 

Figured I would throw in pictures and links from my Cozumel research for anybody reading this thread, so far, going to Cozumel soon.

 

Here is a great link for various maps of Cozumel, including this one, clearly showing all 3 piers and most of the most popular beach clubs.

http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/mapisland.php

 

 

Another great pier and beach club map courtesy Mitsugirly.

 

Passion Island where many cruise lines have beach breaks, is at the top center of the first map in a cove.

 

Playa Azul is also north of town. (San Miguel)

http://www.playa-azul.com/eng/beach-club.cfm

 

NCL and Disney's pier is usually Punta Langosta in the center of town.

RCCL's pier is International Pier south of town.

Carnival's pier is Puerto Maya right next door to International.

 

The first place to the south of the piers is Chankanaab Park.

http://www.cozumelparks.com/

The best shore snorkeling of the beach clubs due to it's rockier shore for the fish.

Offers dolphin experiences, sea lion excounters, plus various beach and lagoon areas.

A park fee to enter.

 

Right nearby is the Money Bar, another favorite with shore snorkelers.

http://www.moneybarbeachclub.com/

Basically a bar/restaurant right on the water, with no fee, just cost of food and drink.

 

Then comes the big 4 beach clubs, all in a row on the same stretch of sandy beach.

 

Paradise Beach - $3 for a lounger, $10 expected food and drink purchase.

Inflatable water toys available for extra fee.

Nice sized pool along with plenty of loungers poolside and beachside.

Very popular choice for families on a budget.

http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/

 

Playa Mia - basically a waterpark, right on the beach.

Park fee to enter.

Great choice for people with young kids.

Two adult pools, a large kiddie pool and dual waterslides.

Also inflatable watertoys in the ocean.

Various food and beverage packages available.

http://www.playamiacozumel.com/

 

Mr. Sanchos - ala carte and AI options to choose from.

A small pool on ala carte side and larger, swim up bar pool on the AI side.

Inflatable watertoys in the ocean.

More lively atmosphere than Nachi Cocum next door.

Ala carte option is popular with the budget conscious.

AI side is popular for those looking to have a good time.;)

http://www.mrsanchos.com/mr-sanchos-all-inclusive-cozumel.html

 

Nachi Cocum - $55 - limit of 100 people per day, which no other beach club offers.

3 course meal (I still in 6 trips now, have yet to make it to desert)

All you can drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

Your own waiter for the day who will bring your drinks and food anywhere on the premises, all day for you. (poolside, beachside, in the restaurant)

Chairs spread out on the beach under palapas. (versus straight rows the length of the beach at other clubs.)

Nice size pool with swim up bar and attached hot tub.

 

It is a quiet relaxing kind of day. (think a Corona commercial)

 

http://www.cozumelnachicocom.com/

 

A little bit south of Nachi is Playa Palancar

No entry fee, just pay as you go.

Usually not as crowded as other clubs, as it is a further, more expensive cab ride.

http://www.buceopalancar.com/index_en.html

 

Other options for beach days...

http://www.playauvas.com/

 

http://www.stingraybeach.com/

 

http://www.resortforaday.com/category-s/1824.htm

 

http://www.buccanos.com/Buccanos-Bar-Grill.htm

 

http://www.carlosncharliesbeachclub.com/

[rajones007]

I balanced the plates. (but the GV is literally just two decks up)

 

Wasn't bad though as we had drinks, silverware and condiments all back in the room.

 

But my SIL went down a couple of times for meals for them and the twins and somehow got those room service covers from somebody and a tray...

 

Never did remember to ask her where or who she got them from.

If you ask the right employee behind the counter they'll try to set you up, or at least tell you who to ask. I have asked in the past and been successful. But typically I just cover my plate with another upside-down plate and that works just as well.

[bguppies]

I'll start here with a picture of the taxi price sign at Punta Langosta.

(again courtesy Mitsugirly)

So you can get an idea of taxi costs to various spots on the island.

(First row is cost for 1-4 people, then 5th person, then cost for 6-8 people)

 

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Taxilangosta?From=Taxiczm

 

Some other links for various items of intrest in Cozumel

http://cozumelcruiseguide.com/Punta_Langosta.html

 

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/BEACHES

 

http://www.margaritavillecozumel.com/en/

 

http://www.rocknjavacozumel.com/

 

http://toroscozumel.com/eng/

 

http://www.wetwendys.com/

 

http://www.puertamaya.com/Port-Information.aspx

 

Nice detailed map I had ordered years ago, for those who like to explore out on their own.'

http://www.cancunmap.com/cozumel-map.html

 

Another great map with the pier and restaurants/bars close by.

 

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/coupons

 

http://www.cozumelbarhop.com/

 

http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/cozumel.html#.U1ewLvldUxE

 

Great local store for shoppers who don't like to haggle

http://www.loscincosoles.com/

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

Some pictures of the main beach clubs to give you an idea of what they are like, versus Nachi, which I will start shortly.

 

Paradies Beach

 

Playa Mia aerial

 

Mr. Sanchos aerial

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[getupgo]

That is so encouraging to me. We have always been on Dawn which we love. Now we have lost her being replaced with Sun in 2015. Additionally my brother in-law is joining us for his first cruise so am so wanting it to go well. We sailed on RCI until they dropped Costa Maya so swichedto NCL and never looked back because we like eating dinner any time we want and love the Dawn so much.

 

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[bguppies]

Paradise Beach inflatables

 

 

Playa Mia inflatables

 

Mr. Sanchos inflatables

[bguppies]

Playa Mia's pools and waterslides

 

 

 

 

[bguppies]

Mr. Sancho's pool for walk ins

 

Mr. Sancho's AI side pool

 

[bguppies]

Paradise Beach's pool

 

 

Thus endeth my PSA for the wonderful beach offerings of Cozumel..

 

Truly something for anybody's idea of a great beach day.

Cheap to $55 ish AI's..

Quiet, to lively, to partying.

Adult to very kid friendly.

[bguppies]

I don't have my pictures uploaded anywhere yet, so I will cull pictures from a few of the many Nachi threads on the Cozumel boards, so everyone can see what I am talking about...

 

Nachi's pool...

The hot tub is in the center top of the picture.

The swim up bar is just to the left.

 

 

We had the furthest table to the left for our day.

(surprisingly the 2 beds went unoccupied until well after noon this trip.)

 

Hot tub is bubbling on the right here.

 

A picture of Nachi's only inflatable toy.

A tiny water trampoline.

[bguppies]

Some very nice pictures where you can see the palapa/lounger layouts and the spacing between groups, versus the pictures of the other beach clubs.

 

 

 

 

 

[bguppies]

Here are some great picstures from Hey Wang that very nicely capture the vibe of Nachi.

 

 

 

 

 

[bguppies]

 

 

[bguppies]

Some of Mitsugirly's awesome pictures....

 

The Restaurant

 

 

 

 

[bguppies]

Her always awesome eye for details, which most of us forget to take pictures of...

 

 

 

 

 

[bguppies]

 

 

Ignore the prices in pesos on the side. (divide by 10 for USD)

 

This is the menu for $55....

 

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[dtiger]

Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing. It sure looks inviting there.

[bguppies]

Hopefully the photos will set the stage for my review chapter on our day at Nachi Cocum. (help everybody visualize)

 

Our cab arrived at Nachi at 8:30AM.

The usual 20 minute ride from the piers. (with a pretty sane driver versus the usual "French Connection" ride we are used to)

 

Insert general travel tip....

I always carry lots of $1's, $5's and $10's at any Caribbean port, to be able to make exact change, versus $20's or larger and either get the "I don't have change" or get change in local currency.

 

We were greeted outside Nachi for the traditional entrance picture, even though we were 30 minutes early.

Donned the sombreros and took the picture.

The girl told us they were not set up yet, but to go ahead and pick a spot for the day and come back to the entrance to pay our remaining fees at 9AM. (as they always do...Love how laid back Nachi is)

 

Nachi is $55 for use of the facilities, with a 3 course meal, all you can drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. (massages, floats, jet skis, etc. are extra)

 

You put down an $11 deposit when you make your reservation and pay the remaining $44 upon arrival.

(they do take credit cards now, but I prefer cash personally)

 

We were the 2nd group to arrive that Friday.

Probably 3 or 4 groups of us, before Nachi "technically" opened at 9AM.

 

Now, since 4 of the 6 of our group would not be arriving until sometime, later in the morning, I had grabbed 4 towels from the ship and brought them to hold their chairs in advance, since we knew Nachi had sold out all 100 spots, months ago.

(no matter which beach club you choose in Cozumel, you need to bring your own towels from the ship.)

 

I went down on the beach, close to the pool and put two towels on loungers on one side of a palapa, for my Aunt and Uncle, who I knew wanted more shade.

I put one towel on a lounger poolside for my other Aunt, who I knew wanted sun.

 

Then DW and I took the poolside table and umbrella, closest to the beach entry.

 

Now over the years that we have been going to Nachi, they slowly have added more palapas, so they now number 30, with 4 loungers under each.

So more than enough for every of the 100 each day to have one, if they want one. (plus another 40-50 loungers stacked behind the massage hut, next to the pool area)

Started with the ten palapas right in front of the restaurant.

Then Nachi added another 5 or so, and so on, until they now have 30 palapas.

 

Poolside there are 4 tables with umbrellas, with 4-6 chairs under each.

Also poolside are 2 beds with a cover and 20 or so, plusher loungers with pads.

 

About the time we started the suntan lotion application, Carlos came over and said he would be our waiter for the day. (we've had him 2 or 3 times before. Great waiter)

Asked if he could get our payment and take it up for us...

Took care of that for us and came back with our wristbands.

 

Then we began the drinking.

Ordered our first round of Miami Vices.

 

We then climbed in the pool and Carlos brought our drinks over to us.

(they will literally bring your food or drink orders anywhere in the premises, to you.)

 

DW spent most of the day in the pool, on the shadier side, close to the restaurant and swim up bar.

I walked down on the beach and took pictures of the entire beachfront and palapas.

The hammocks in the trees.

The massage hut.

The extra cost toys area. (jet skis, paddleboards, banana boat, floats, etc.)

 

Then I jumped back in the pool and hung there or poolside the majority of the rest of the day.

 

Ordered more Miami Vices.

Simply half a Pina Colada, half a Strawberry Daiquiri and 100% pure heavenly delight. (did not sound good the first time I heard of it, but simply delicious greatness)

 

And I guess our repeated orders from the pool to Carlos, piqued alot of curiosites and many tried Miami Vices. (I think we hooked quite a few by days end)

 

By 9AM, there was about 10-12 of us there already.

Probably another 20-30 from 9-10AM and another 30-40 from 10-11AM.

 

At 11, DW and I ordered a nachos app to the poolside table for a snack, while we waited for the others. (love those chips)

 

Now the rest of our group did not arrive until between 11-11:30...

There were still palapas available down the beach and plenty of loungers poolside, but they seemed to like the choices I had grabbed for them earlier.

 

Now they were hungry after their Dolphin push, so they laid their things down and we made our way to the restaurant for lunch.

 

I ordered the same beef fajitas that I order every time and it was as delicious as they are each and every time at Nachi.

Now this trip I was curious, as my one Aunt and Uncle have lived in San Antonio for over 30 years now, so I figured their Mexican, Tex-Mex palate would be much more refined, than mine from Baltimore, MD/Charleston, SC.

Uncle loved all of the food and said that the one dish he ordered, was the best he's ever had.

All six of us loved our orders and only a couple of us made it to desert.

(I've tried very hard all 6 times and have never made it to desert yet)

 

After lunch everybody went their separate ways and did their own thing the rest of the afternoon.

 

Was so glad that Cozumel and Nachi were the final stop on this cruise, versus being the first stop, it frequently has been for us.

 

A great, super relaxing day, to wind down a week of cruising.

 

My Aunts and Uncles wanted to do a little shopping before returning to the ship, so they starting packing up around 2 and asked Carlos if he could have a cab ready at 2:30. Departure was at 5PM, so that gave them a couple of hours to shop.

 

When they left, DW and I got out and started packing our stuff up and taking in our last few minutes from another great 6 1/2 hours at Nachi.

 

To me, I would be happy to pay the $55 just for the wonderful facilities and especially for the 100 person limit each day.

The delicious food and free drinks are just a bonus, IMO.

 

Found Carlos and tipped him and thanked him for another great day.

Tipped the bartender on the way out and found our way to a cab.

 

Thankfully this trip back to the pier was a little more exciting and closer to the cab rides in Cozumel that we were used to.

[PCLMassachusetts]

Nachi is $55 for use of the facilities, with a 3 course meal, all you can drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. (massages, floats, jet skis, etc. are extra)

 

.

 

If the $55 includes drinks and food what is with the prices on the menu? Is that for extra snacks throughout the day?

[pisenor]

I was wondering the exact thing as well. What are those extra menu items?

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Forums mobile app

[mitsugirly]

If the $55 includes drinks and food what is with the prices on the menu? Is that for extra snacks throughout the day?

 

I was wondering the exact thing as well. What are those extra menu items?

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Forums mobile app

 

All the food on the menu is included in your AI price. No need to worry about the pricing on the menu. There are no extra charges for them. :) They must be from people that might come during the days that the ships are not in port? Maybe people staying on the island or locals?

[pisenor]

Thanks for clearing that up. :D

 

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