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

[PorkChopKid]

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?

...the prices even had me wondering it was a kind of guide for calculating how much of a tip to leave. you know, 15% of.... :rolleyes::rolleyes: I suspect you are more correct...

Edited April 23, 2014 by PorkChopKid

[bguppies]

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

 

Sorry about that.

 

I could have sworn I put a note below the menu pictures to ignore the prices.

 

I did

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

Guess I should have made the font larger apparently.

 

Nachi has the prices, as they also have guests from a local hotel come over on some days. (I guess when they are not full at 100)

At least that is what I read somewhere...

 

Your reservation states you get a 3 course meal, but when our lunch orders came, Carlos told us to just ask him if we needed anything else.

 

I don't believe they charge you for extras. (I'm sure within reason)

But you get so much food, I can't imagine many people ever ask for extras.

 

Bill

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

...the prices even had me wondering it was a kind of guide for calculating how much of a tip to leave. you know, 15% of.... :rolleyes::rolleyes: I suspect you are more correct...

 

If you tipped according to those prices in USD, most waiters would probably lose tips in the translation, for the incredible service you get.

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

OK, we arrived back at the pier and made our way back over the road and towards the ships.

 

Arrived just as the Welcome Back Aboard Party was starting.

 

Have to say, really enjoyed the party and the water, cool towels, etc.. offered as you made your way back to the gangway...

 

Also LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the large rolling bins to deposit your wet towels, instead of having to lug them back to the cabin and wait for the steward to collect that evening at turndown.

 

Fantastic, yet such a simple touch...

 

KUDOs again to NCL for this end to our last port day....

 

Made our way back to the cabin to change and relax a bit before dinner at Aqua...

 

Really enjoyed the Aqua dining room (chosen because most of us did not feel like slacks for dinner at the Venetian)

 

Service was excellent again.

Food was very good..

 

Forget what we wound up finishing the evening off doing..

 

Again a towel animal (hanging monkey this time, very cool) the last Sea Day's Dailys and a note to spring the clock ahead an hour....

[PCLMassachusetts]

Sorry about that.

 

I could have sworn I put a note below the menu pictures to ignore the prices.

 

I did

Guess I should have made the font larger apparently.

 

Nachi has the prices, as they also have guests from a local hotel come over on some days. (I guess when they are not full at 100)

At least that is what I read somewhere...

 

Your reservation states you get a 3 course meal, but when our lunch orders came, Carlos told us to just ask him if we needed anything else.

 

I don't believe they charge you for extras. (I'm sure within reason)

But you get so much food, I can't imagine many people ever ask for extras.

 

Bill

I did see that. When you said to ignore the pesos and divide by 10 for US dollars I thought you meant to do that in order to see what the price was.

 

Really enjoying your review as we will be doing basically this same cruise in December. Just a lowly Family Suite though, no Garden Villa.

Edited April 23, 2014 by PCLMassachusetts

[PCLMassachusetts]

AND... I have been trying all day to get onto the Nachi Cocom website but have not been able to. I would like to see if they have availability for my December sailing. Their Facebook page also hasn't had a new posting since September 2013. I hope this doesn't mean that they have closed up shop.

[PCLMassachusetts]

sorry double post.

Edited April 23, 2014 by PCLMassachusetts

[SenatorsFan]

AND... I have been trying all day to get onto the Nachi Cocom website but have not been able to. I would like to see if they have availability for my December sailing. Their Facebook page also hasn't had a new posting since September 2013. I hope this doesn't mean that they have closed up shop.

 

Hi, I'm not sure how OP booked at Nachi Cocum, but I've used this site before:

http://cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/CozumelBeachBreak.htm.

It really is a great place!:)

 

Thanks OP for your review. I've now done 2 NCL cruises after many CCL and would definitely book another. :)

Heather

[bguppies]

AND... I have been trying all day to get onto the Nachi Cocom website but have not been able to. I would like to see if they have availability for my December sailing. Their Facebook page also hasn't had a new posting since September 2013. I hope this doesn't mean that they have closed up shop.

 

Also try using a different browser.

 

I've never had a problem booking, but in the Nachi threads, I've read people having problems with Internet Explorer and switching to Firefox or Chrome.

 

I've been using Chrome for the past year and had no problem booking.

 

Don't do facebook, so I can't speak to what their facebook page looks like.

 

And I doubt Nachi has closed up shop in the week and a half since we were there. :D

Especially since if you read the Cozumel boards, they are booked solid for alot of dates the next few months already...

Edited April 23, 2014 by bguppies

[PCLMassachusetts]

Tried it using Chrome as well with no luck. I was able to use the link provided by SenatorsFan. Thanks.

 

Just checked out itinerary and Cozumel is our first stop. I guess we will have to start the vacation relaxing at Nachi instead of ending it there.

[SenatorsFan]

Tried it using Chrome as well with no luck. I was able to use the link provided by SenatorsFan. Thanks.

 

Just checked out itinerary and Cozumel is our first stop. I guess we will have to start the vacation relaxing at Nachi instead of ending it there.

 

Glad to hear you were successful. I hope you enjoy your day there, and your cruise!:)

Heather

[New2cruise1483]

Dumb question but is the $55 dollars per person or per group? Would really like to go there next time we got to Cozumel. Also, is this a ship excursion or is it booked directly through Nachi?

[Love my butler]

Dumb question but is the $55 dollars per person or per group? Would really like to go there next time we got to Cozumel. Also, is this a ship excursion or is it booked directly through Nachi?

 

Per person. Booked directly thru Nachi.

[bguppies]

Last sea day....

 

Won't bore you guys with details, as it was the same routine and events as the previous sea days, with packing to get the luggage out by midnight.

 

John came up at some point that morning and explained the entire debarkation and luggage process and verified the limo to the airport for the flyers in the GV.

 

The last sea day involved a bit of poor behaviour by the teens on the ship. (I'm sure there was some before that we missed, but little things were all over the last sea day)

 

Nothing that NCL could have done about any of it and nothing that I'm sure wasn't happening on every ship in the NCL, RCCL and Carnival fleets at the same time, with kids out for spring break. ( I guess they could have locked the ill acting kids up, but lots of kids always leads to groups acting bad.)

 

The kids pretty much overan the pool in the late afternoon and were being obnoxious to adults, literally taking over a hot tub and blocking off the ladders and that corner of the pool.

 

My Brother and 4 year old nephew were walking on deck 13 outside Cagney's in the morning and my Nephew found a used condom and an open but unused one. (someone had performance problems?)

 

Told John and he had someone out there immediately.

 

Read in some of the other reviews for this cruise about others having various encounters with the older boys onboard. (groups hanging out and doing various poor taste things)

 

We all had a very nice final day onboard.

DW and I were packed by 9PM and hit the sack, as we had a 7 hour drive back to Charleston, Sunday.

 

The rest of our group was still packing when I woke up right before midnight. (what happens when you try to go to that last show, instead of packing);)

Edited April 24, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

Couple of random thoughts on Nachi I had meant to mention and forgot..

 

More kids this trip, than our previous 5 times combined.

 

Wouldn't have even minded except the two kids, who felt the pool was a good snorkel spot, and kept running into people in the pool while swimming underwater. (the bartender finally told them to beat it, away from the bar area, as they kept splashing into the bar)

 

Must have been 15 or so kids out of the 100.

Usually people with kids prefer Paradise Beach for the same type pool, yet $3 fee + food costs, versus the $55 AI cost.

 

Now like I've said, I would pay the $55 for the 100 person limit, but it is just 2 of us.

Generally larger families (which clearly was there that Friday) tend to head to Mr. Sanchos or Paradise Beach where they don't have to pay the AI for everyone.

 

Luckily the kids were not overly loud, to ruin the relaxation at Nachi.

Just a little louder and busier than usual.

 

 

Also, we had never noticed before this trip, as it did not impact us.

But my Aunt and Uncle with bad knees had trouble getting in and out of the hot tub and pool, as there are zero handrails, anywhere on the premises. (wheelchair ramps but no handrails)

 

The pools just have steps in and out, but no rails to hold on to for balance or help pulling.

 

No handrail on the steps down to the beach.

 

The sand is also deep,(very giving) so I'd imagine also tough for anybody with mobility issues...

 

Just wanted to mention the mobility thing, for those who fell in love with the pictures and description, but might need assistance.

 

Not sure if any of the other beach clubs have handrails, but just wanted to throw that out for anyone who may need that information.

 

I truly want everybody to find their perfect beach day in Cozumel, just like we have at Nachi. (whether it is at Nachi or elsewhere)

[bguppies]

Also forgot to mention on the last sea day, we took our refund from the Dolphin Excursion in Roatan, that DW and I did not rebook, and used that to tip John, Caesar and Uzel.

 

Just went down to the main desk and told them what we wanted to do and gave the business cards for each guy, to the desk clerk. (to ensure proper spelling)

He wrote out an individual receipt for each guy, and printed a last copy of room charges, with the tips added on.

 

We then wrote each guy a note, thanking them for a great cruise experience that week and put the receipt in the envelope, so if there was any problem getting their tip, they could take the receipt and straighten it out.

Edited April 24, 2014 by bguppies

[PorkChopKid]

Dumb question but is the $55 dollars per person or per group? Would really like to go there next time we got to Cozumel. Also, is this a ship excursion or is it booked directly through Nachi?

 

Per person. Booked directly thru Nachi.

As mentioned, it's per person and booked on-line well in advance off of the (click-->) NACHI COCOM website. Our images and write-up can be found at the bottom of this webpage... http://pasqualehome.com/Star_Feb2012/Star_Feb2012.htm

[Mrs. Squirrel]

Great review, thank you!

[Cruise Envy]

Thanks for the great write-up of Nachi -- we visit for the first time in November. Do you remember what they charged to rent floats? We are trying to decide whether to rent or bring cheap ones from home.

[PCLMassachusetts]

I just got an email today confirming availability and listing prices. I think the floats were $5. When I get home I will post the section of the email with all of the prices.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[mabones]

Thanks for all the information for Cozumel. I have visited there numerous times but never heard of Nachi Cocom Beach Club. Will check into that for our November Boston to Beans Cruise.

[PCLMassachusetts]

Thanks for the great write-up of Nachi -- we visit for the first time in November. Do you remember what they charged to rent floats? We are trying to decide whether to rent or bring cheap ones from home.

 

Here are the prices from the email. Sorry but I don't see anything mentioned about floats

 

Nachi Cocom offers many additional options that you can add to enhance your enjoyment of your day in our island paradise. They include:

MASSAGE SERVICES: Enjoy a 30-minute of 1 hr massage directly on our tented beach facility. Enjoy the tropical breezes as our therapists provide relaxing or deep tissues massages. 30 minute massages are $40usd, and 1 hr Massages are $70usd. They are available from 9am to 4pm daily and should be booked in advance to secure your preferred time.

JET SKI RENTALS: This is a fun adventure on the water for 1 or 2 persons per Jet Ski. The cost is $35usd for a 15min ride or $60usd for a 30min ride.

PALANCAR SNORKELING TOUR: This is a must do for advanced or beginner snorkelers. This 2 hour Snorkeling Tour takes place on a Glass Bottom Boat and includes all snorkel gear, marine park fees, life vests, Sodas and water, and two guided snorkeling stops at the world famous Palancar and Columbia Reefs. Adults (16 and up) are $38usd, Kids 12yrs-16yrs are $30usd and children 4-11 are $25usd. Tour times are 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm and limited to only 8 people per tour so be sure to book in advance to ensure your spaces are reserved.

PARASAILING: We can arrange parasailing boats to pick you up directly from the dock at Nachi Cocom. You can fly tandem (2 people flying at once) for $90usd or you can take to the skies on your own for $55usd. Each flight is approximately 15mins. The total length of the tour would depend on the number of flyers on each trip, however generally lasts about 1 hr. Riders are $15usd. Maximum weight is 300lbs:)

1 Tank Dive: We have partnered with one of the best dive operations on the island to offer certified divers coming to Nachi Cocom the opportunity to do a 1 tank dive along with their visit to the beach club. 1 Tank Deep Dive is at 10:30am. This dive operation is located next door about 200 yards from our dock. The cost of the 1 tank dive is $34usd. Equipment rentals are $6usd for Regulator, $6usd for BCD and $6usd for a wet suit if you feel you will need one. Dives take place at Palancar or Columbia Reefs. Be sure to book in advance so we can coordinate our dive schedules in advance.

Banana Boat rides: The kids will love the popular Banana Boat rides. Only $15usd per passenger. This will have a two person minimum.

Please note that Snorkel Gear Rentals ($10usd), Float Rentals ($5usd) and Kayak Rentals ($15usd) are also available from our watersports shop directly.

To ensure this a special experience for those looking to enjoy some privacy and seclusion at our beach club, admission is limited to 100 guests daily.

This exclusive beach break package is specially priced at $55.00usd/ 16yrs and up, $35.00 usd for kids 12yrs -15yrs, $17usd for children 4-11yrs. Children 3 and under are free. Note to parents: the drinking age in Mexico is 18 years and is strictly enforced.

*Because the value of the Nachi Cocom Beach Break is not placed on the alcohol, the price remains the same for drinkers and non-drinkers. We have a variety of non-alcoholic tropical treats as well. The true value of Nachi Cocom is placed on the location and the fact that we limit admission to create a more private and exclusive beach break experience for our valued clients. Your reservation with us will guarantee you seating, great drinks, alcoholic or non, great food and service, and all at a very special beach club that values quality over quantity.

 

Our Cozumel Beach Break at Nachi Cocom cannot be booked from your ship and is booked online and in advance through our reservations system.

Our special beach break allows you to get away from the long lines, packed buses and over crowded beaches associated with Cruise Ship organized beach clubs excursions.

 

The club is located approximately 10 miles from your cruise ship pier and is a short 15 minute taxi ride. Due to port regulations and agreements with taxi unions we cannot provide transportation for you. You can easily arrange a taxi from your terminal for approx. $15 for up to 4 people. Vans can be arranged for larger groups. This is very safe and simple to arrange from your cruise port, and there will be a line of cabs waiting to bring you back to your ship when you are ready to leave. There is absolutely no risk whatsoever of missing your ship.

Edited April 24, 2014 by PCLMassachusetts

[bguppies]

Thanks for the great write-up of Nachi -- we visit for the first time in November. Do you remember what they charged to rent floats? We are trying to decide whether to rent or bring cheap ones from home.

 

 

 

For some reason I thought it was $7.

 

$5 sounds better.:D

 

I took my Nachi pictures on my underwater camera and I have to upload the pictures to the computer to be able to read the sign. (I took a picture of the laminated paper they had with all the prices of the extras, but I can't zoom like I could, had I used my I-Phone instead.)

 

Bill

Edited April 24, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

Debarkation day...

 

Had breakfast delivered to the cabin.

 

Everybody ate, got their stuff together and headed down to Spinnakers to wait for debarkation.

 

Was very nice place to hole up while waiting to go.

 

John and his assistant were trying to lock down a few things, last minute, for a couple of people.

 

When we arrived, there was just a handful of people in there.

(I assume the suite guests who carried their own luggage were gone already)

 

But it filled up pretty quickly.

 

John had told us he was just waiting for a call that the limo to the airport had arrived.

He was just going to take our entire group, rather than just the 8 in the limo.

Much appreciated by DW and I, as we had a drive ahead of us, rather than just a short trip to the airport.

 

A bit before the 9AM debarkation we were ready for, the call came to John that the lino was ready and he took our entire group out of the lounge, out the first door to the right and to the gangway, where he handed us off to another lady from the pier and told her where the limo peeps needed to go.

 

Was extraordinarily efficient and quick.

 

Gave John an extra $20 for how quickly he got the entire group out.

 

They held up the people debarking with their own luggage, for a second, to get us on the gangway, and escorted us down to our luggage and set everyone up with a porter to take care of the lugagge.

 

Porters took us through their separate line with no wait, customs glanced at our paperwork and we were off to the garage.

 

Gave everyone else the hugs and kisses as they loaded into the limo and we made our way across the street to the garage.

Greatly appreciated the porter wheeling the bags all way to the garage. (and tipped as such):D

 

We were in our car and out of the garage, within 15 minutes of leaving the Spinnaker lounge.

 

Incredible debarkation, to be sure...

 

Definitely an incredibly worthwhile suite perk.

 

Uneventful drive home and crashing for the rest of the day.

[mitsugirly]

Here are the prices from the email. Sorry but I don't see anything mentioned about floats

 

Banana Boat rides: The kids will love the popular Banana Boat rides. Only $15usd per passenger. This will have a two person minimum.

Please note that Snorkel Gear Rentals ($10usd), Float Rentals ($5usd) and Kayak Rentals ($15usd) are also available from our watersports shop directly.

:) There it is.