Puerto Morelos Departure January 25th

[HappyInVan]

Hi All,

 

Finally, logged onto the Ponant app. Click onto 'Your Cruise in Detail'. There is this gibberish information...

 

"Departure Port > Puerto Morelos

Rafael E Melgar 36 Puerto MPunta Langosta Pier, Address Avenida Rafael E Melgar s/n entre 7 y 11 Avenida Sur, Cozumelorelos, Quintana Roo Departure Time limit 17:00."

 

So, its official. The ship will be at Punta Langosta Pier in Cozumel. I'm only waiting for the instructions to meet at the Hyatt in Playa del Carmen.

 

Thumbs Up.

 

 

 

 

 

[HappyInVan]

Finally, just in from my TA. This notice 11 days before departure...

 

"For port operation reasons, we are forced to modify the port of embarkation. The authorities in Puerto Morelos have denied us access to the port.  

 

The boarding of all our passengers will therefore be on January 25, 2020 at the port of Cozumel.  We have organized your transfer from Playa del Carmen to the ship. However, passengers must make their own arrangements to meet at the location provided below.  

 

We give you an appointment between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the following address: Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 1a Avenida esquina Calle 26, Colonia Centro, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 77710  

 

A bus will take you from the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort to the Playa del Carmen ferry terminal. The ferry crossing privatized by Ponant to Cozumel is scheduled at 5:00 p.m., then we will take you to the embarkation dock.  

 

In addition, the stopover in Puerto Morelos has been replaced by Cozumel on January 31,2020. Consequently,  the  « Chaak  Tun  caves  »  excursion  as  well  as  the  « Great  Maya  Reef  snorkel  » excursion are no longer possible. We now propose you a free time in Cozumel.

 

Disembarkation arrangements will be provided on board."

 

 

[laurelguy]

We did 12/28...you'll love it. The Cozumel thing is a disappointment but they have it all worked out. You meet at the Hyatt in Playa del Carmen and they have a chartered ferry to take you to Cozumel...all described in the communication from Ponant. Missing the reef snorkel is a shame but we really loved Le Champlain..the food..crew etc. We only speak a bit of French but it was GLORIOUS! Enjoy....the Mayan ruins are fascinating.

[HappyInVan]

This is Monday and we are about to dock Seybaplaya.

 

Embarkation was as has been described.  The Ponant excursion team had a table at the entrance to the Hyatt lobby. They had two function rooms with refreshments. The BUSES started loaded the passengers at 4 pm.

 

Our ferry was docked at the Embarcedero jetty near the Hilton Resort, not the terminal downtown. After a choppy ride to Cozumel, the ferry docked near Le Champlain. We just walked the short distance to the ship, instead of the long walk from the main road.

 

There were pedicabs for the mobility challenged. Our luggage was handled by the crew.

 

Registration was chaotic as passengers boarded in one group. There were people milling around as there were two registration station; the main lounge and the reception desk.

 

The vessel is compact and it was easy to get from top to bottom, and aft to stern. Passengers ranged from seniors to the frail. Most spend their day in their rooms and on their balcony. On the first day (at sea), the ship felt almost empty except at meal times.

 

Fortunately, we had a sea day at the beginning of the voyage. Sort out the wifi issues etc at 0900 in the lobby. It's an all inclusive plan. You do need to pay for smoothies and Corona.

 

I'll be happy to answer questions.

 

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by HappyInVan

[HappyInVan]

This is Wednesday at dawn in the Observation Lounge. The sea is calm. Has been for a couple of days. Yesterday, half the ship travelled to Palenque to visit the modest site and museum. 

 

The drive was 4 hours long, too long on the way back. The buildings were in excellent shape. The exterior carvings and motifs had been removed for conservation. Some excellent samples were on  view in the museum.

 

At 9.30 pm the concert pianist Anastasia Kolieva gave a brief performance. Wunderbar.

 

The food so far has been interesting. For dinner, we have had a lobster concoction, swordfish, suckling pig etc. The kitchen tries but they are limited by the number of staff; numbers and experience.

 

I approached the Hotel Manager Frederic. He said that he used to work at a Michelin -star restaurant. The kitchen had 50 to serve 40 tables. Not possible on the ship where there are visibly too few waiters at peak time.

 

I told Frederic that the starters menu was unambitious, but the desserts were generally successful. Each meal, only one soup had been prepared but consistently delicious. The sauces for the main courses were quite acceptable, but the meat and fish tended to be overcooked. 

 

Frederic replied that he had received complaints from Americans that the meat was under-cooked. Suggested that we send the plate back to the kitchen for replacement.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[HappyInVan]

This is Friday morning. Today, we had an escort of 60+ Frigatebirds floating above the bridge for several hours. A dozen Boobies  crossed our path. The bridge reported dolphins racing us at the bow. Passengers could briefly view their passage through the underwater cam.

 

We will be arrival at San Miguel, Cozumel at 4pm. I'm keen to take a walk before dinner. Tomorrow, we will have to be out of the cabins by 8 am and on our separate ways.

 

I am pleased with my cabin on Deck 3. A little tight, but well designed for comfort and  functionality. The balcony is useable and the steel railing adds to the shade. The only criticism is that the toilet is in a cubicle separate from the shower room.

 

The Blue Eye viewing lounge have windows (two) looking underwater through the ship's hull. The view is limited while the ship is underway. There's just turbulence flowing along the hull. However, I would suppose that the view might be intetesting on dive days.

 

The zodiac boats are stored aft on Deck 7. You could sneak a look if you like.

 

I didn't  bother to attend the bridge and engine room tours. Available on sea days.

 

With just 146 passengers on board, the public rooms did not feel crowded. Weather was outstanding, with clouds hiding the sun from time to time. The sea was surisingly calm.

 

On the first nite, the vessel suffered gentle rocking and pitching. Last nite, the dancers cancelled their performance because of irregular rocking. Nothing of concern to the passengers.

 

 

 

[HappyInVan]

Its disembakation morning. Breakfast from 0600, the crew glad to see us off.

 

The process is surprisingly delayed. The 0800 group finally walked off at 0830. The crew are manually loading the luggage into a trailer. Would be much easier with a forklift and containers.

 

The Brillance of the Seas is docked on the opposite side of the jetty. Towering over us, and twice our length.

 

Bon Voyage.

 

Entertainment has been surprisingly good. Betti  is the Italian lounge cooner. The sublime concert pianist Anastasia Kielova from the Ukraine. The four gals from the Paris C-Show. Thank you.