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Going to Cozumel and Calica on Carnival!


Melody80

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We hare heading to Cozumel and Calica on Carnivals Exctacy!:D

What Excusions through Carnival have you been on?

Any reviews?

Ive been surffing the port of call board but Im really interersting in exucrsions through Carnival.

There is a large group of us going with lots of diffrent interests so any reviews (for any type of excusion) you have would be helpful.

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Melody,

You are "cutting it close" like our group with the ship's beign out of commission. We are sailing the Sensation March 11, 2006 (at least I hope we are outta somewhere). How long ago did you book? Have you spoken to your TA about the possibility of the Ecstacy not being back to commerical use? Sorry for all of the questions, there's just not many people on here that in the same predicament we are in... Thanks, Stacey

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Yes, I thought the ecstacy, holiday & sensation were pulled to use for hurricane victims... ? When will you be sailing?

 

To answer your port questions, we've done the Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel & Beach Party in Cozumel and it was lots of fun. The other times, we've gone diving with Eagle Ray Divers (booked directly, not through Carnival).

 

Have fun!

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Well I was under the impression the Ecstasy will be back by the time we sail:eek: ... Ill call my PVP today and see what he has to say about the deal:confused: .

 

Eagle Ray Divers

What did you think?

 

We looked at the excursions last night again. My husband and I are interested in powerboats, shopping, beaching, maybe fishing, begginers scuba.... how to pick! The rest of the group is interested in dozens of athers!

 

Anymore reviews? Remeber Im looking for reviews for ANY carnival excursion;)

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I know they can be refurbished but I might be more worried about the condition of the ship? I know staff was kept on but I really cannot see them polishing elevators and doing all the "extras" they are so special for???? News reports said the dining rooms/casinos/etc would be used for misc. purposes. I was set to sail on the Holiday next month and she was rumored to be taken out commission in 06 anyway. I cannot see how they would be able to keep the ships up to thier typical standards. Just something to think about. :o

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All three ships are supposed to go into drydock after they are done with their FEMA contract and start sailing again by March. I am booked on the Sensation March 11 so it is REAL close and I can't get my PVP to call me back:( I am sure she has taken alot of abuse lately and I even told her on her voice mail that I am not irate, just want to know what my options are. Keep me posted Melody on what your PVP says.

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As for your cruise, the Ecstasy is now involved with the housing efforts for the victims of the hurricane. The Elation will be taking over it's itinerary until 3/2/06. After that, the Ecstasy is expected to continue the 4 and 5-day cruises again. So you will be cruising next April from Galveston without a hitch, on either the Ecstasy or Elation. I would still expect it to be the Ecstasy, but if anything changes, I will let you know. Thanks again!

 

 

This is from my PVP - I sure hope everything works out. I know many of you cruise all the time but this is really a treat for us. We have been saving an planning this trip for 6month now - and were still 6 months away from sailing:rolleyes:.

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This is from my PVP - I sure hope everything works out. I know many of you cruise all the time but this is really a treat for us. We have been saving an planning this trip for 6month now - and were still 6 months away from sailing:rolleyes:.

 

That's all you got from your PVP is "I sure hope this works out"??WOW what great customer service training they must get:eek: . We really hope we get to do ours also. Our Sensation cruise includes several family members who have never cruised so I am keeping my fingers crossed:)

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No, What I had in the quote box is what my PVP had to say:rolleyes:

As for your cruise, the Ecstasy is now involved with the housing efforts for the victims of the hurricane. The Elation will be taking over it's itinerary until 3/2/06. After that, the Ecstasy is expected to continue the 4 and 5-day cruises again. So you will be cruising next April from Galveston without a hitch, on either the Ecstasy or Elation. I would still expect it to be the Ecstasy, but if anything changes, I will let you know. Thanks again!

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

We loved Xcaret during our last cruise to Playa del Carmen. The snorkeling in Cozumel is pretty, too. If you like history and/or architecture, go see the ruins. Want a laid back excurison? Go to the beach and relax! I'm not in favor of the shopping excursions unless the sole purpose for your cruise is to shop. The stores that are promoted onboard the ship during the "shopping talks" are all paying a fee to the cruise line - and guess who pays the fee in higher prices. A lot of the jewelry they promote can be purchased on eBay for a whole lot less, and for higher quality! The leather, pottery and local crafts however can be great bargains.

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We loved Xcaret during our last cruise to Playa del Carmen.

 

Was looking into Xcaret and it looks good, but was afraid it was too much like a theme park to be enjoyable for adults. What do you think?

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I just wanted to let melody80 know that in her case it doesn't matter wethere or not the Ecstasy is back on her normal run schedual. Carnival has no intentions of letting the 4 & 5 day cruises go by the way side. And yes there is plenty of staff to keep the ship in order and in condition.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Xcaret is not really a theme park - with the rides, etc. It's an eco-park. There is a mushroom farm exhibit, 5' models of several Mayan temples, beaches, a butterfly exhibit you can stroll in, sea turtle farm, many types of orchids, lots of free hammocks and beach space, an underground river you can swim in as part of the admission price, clean walkways, and some activities that cost extra.

 

We did the helmet oceanwalk on our last trip to Xcaret and loved it so much we are going to do it again during our 10/31 cruise. The snorkeling is wonderful and equipment is available for rent. Scuba is also available for a fee. Like dolphins? You can swim with them and learn about them from a professional guide at Xcaret. There is even a river barge you can ride for free and cruise gently down the river through the jungle.

 

Check out the entire park at http://www.xcaret.net and there should be something for everyone in your group. The food is pricey, but you can bring your own picnic. Ask room service if they will pack up some fruit and sandwiches.

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In Calica, we took the shopping tour to Cancun. At our first stop at a flea market, the bus driver hit the windshield into a tree branch and broke the glass. We got to go to a couple of malls and to the beach. They have remnants of Mayan ruins right on the golf course.



 

 



In Cozumel, we took the Highlights and Shopping Tour. Our first stop was in El Cedral, where there are some local shops and a Mayan temple. Our second stop was at the beach, where they had some more huts with arts and crafts. Then we were dropped off at the downtown shops. They have a Burger King, Carlos ‘N Charlie’s, Diamonds International, Del Sol, Hard Rock Café, Los Cinco Soles, Senor Frogs and Tanzanite International. Included with our tour price, is the museum.

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I agree with the others about Xcaret being the best option for Calica. This is a gravel pit, with a tacky flea market set up in the gravel, so you'd better have a shore excursion booked or have a cab destination in mind.

 

Cozumel offers several options, and we've had the most fun at Chankannab and Playa Mia. Here is a link for photos from both.

 

Also, the ship images are of the Ecstasy, and she's in New Orleans for housing for police and firefighters and their families. The ship goes through a multi-million dollar drydock prior to return to Galveston.

 

We are headed on the Elation over Thanksgiving and have sailed the Celebration and Ecstasy (twice) with a good experience and only a few gripes. This is a cheap cruise, and if you want a mega liner or newer ship then expect about a 50% higher cost.

 

The link:

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/blusry

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My DH and I waited until the day we were in Cozumel to book an excursion through Carnival. We loved snorkeling and we were able to book the Chankanaab Park snorkel and treasure hunt excursion. The cost was $55 pp and it included transportation to the Park and back, a 3 hour adventure that included an eco-tour followed by snorkeling with a guide. The snorkel gear was supposed to be the "radio" version but the radio didn't work. They provided private lockers for your personal items and there were bathrooms with showers.

 

After snorkeling, we were given a "surprise" perk - our wristbands were good for the open bar at a local bar that was affiliated with the tour operator - sandollar tours. (I can't remember the name of the bar - it was raining hard and we returned to the ship instead of going to the bar.)

 

The Park also had a bar, restaurant and I believe a gift shop. The park is only a short taxi ride from the southern Cozumel pier and maybe a 15 minute ride from the Punta Langosta pier where we were docked.

 

Overall, this was a great excursion and I would do it again. You can arrange this cheaper on your own since I believe admission into the park is around $10 pp + taxi fare.

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