Cozumel: How far is Chankanaab Park from the cruise ship dock?

[njreindeer]

We're trying to schedule an extra excursion and want to make sure we make it back on time! How long will it take by taxi to get to/from the cruise ship dock to Chankanaab Park?

 

ALSO, is it true that the docking/sailing times given in RC's brochure Eastern time zone but the Western Caribbean itinerary ports are all on Central Time?

 

Thanks for your help! :)

[Maria65]

Waiting for a cab can be time consuming, but the trip itself is about 7 minutes or so, very close. Because people tend to leave at various times in the afternoon, there is a less wait for a cab on the return trip. You must pass through a small shopping center going to and from the taxi area, just a few minutes walk from the ship.

[Travelitis]

RCCL will tell you to stay on ship's time. If your watch is set to ship's time, you'll be fine. The ship's time will be set to whatever time zone the port of embarkation is. We left from Galveston, so it was Central. When we arrived in Key West which is on Eastern time, we heard constant reminders to go by ship's time.

[JMG]

Cozumel is in the Central time zone. Typically, when ships go to Cozumel, they leave the Eastern time zone for the day but then they return to the Eastern time zone after they leave Cozumel - that is why they do not adjust their clocks for this port. The ships do sometimes change their clocks if they are traveling in a different time zone - they will always list in the Compass - front page - if you are to change your watch or if they are staying on ship time.

 

In Cozumel, we have found that if you wait at the exit to the pier, you have to get in line for a taxi. We left that area and walked down the line of taxis and were able to get right into a waiting taxi.

[Cruisin' Patty]

Please post a review when you return. Thanks in advance.

[njreindeer]

Thanks very much for all of your help. Now I have another question:

 

If our last excursion of the day is a Dolphin Swim that ends by 5pm, will we have enough time to get back to the ship if it sails at 6pm? How close will we be cutting it?

 

It's tough being a first-timer, both for cruising and for Cozumel!

 

And Cruisin' Patty, don't worry, I'll write so much about our cruise and excursions that you'll be sick of reading about them! :) And I'll try to answer all of the questions we had before our first cruise.

 

Thanks again for your help!

[DJ TOM]

I have been to Chakanaab two times and in my opinoin 5PM is too late to be coming back from swimming with the dolphins. If the ship sails at 6PM, that doesnt mean you can get on at 6pm. The ship will be preparing for departure between 5 and 6, it is quite interesting to see the activity of the ship's crew, the sound of anchors being manuevered, engines being revved, ties to the dock being unloded, tugboats ready to escort the ship out of port, tenders being raised back onto the side of the ship (especially in Grand Cayman is where you can see this), People running on the dock to the ship. If I remember correctly the cruise line usaually will require all passengers on board 45 minutes before sailing. And yes they will leave without you.

I would call Dolphin Discovery and try for an earlier Dolphin swim. I have also witnesssed last minute tenders tendering cruise passengers to the ship at the last second, in other words the ship is already sailing. I would hate to imagine what the charge would be for that service and I would think the captain does not have to allow you to be tendered to the ship if he doesnt want to stop. Also rememeber you will have the wait for a cab, the long walk on the dock to the ship after having to go through the shopping area which will be filled with tourists and remember some of those tourists will be on other ships that are leaving later than yours and they will be making it really fun for you to walk through the big crowd all doing last minute shopping.

You might be OK on that time schedule but it just seems to risky for my planning. Jokingly- Of course when you are at Chakanaab you will notice that you can see the ships (probably yours docked) , if you get short on time time and can't catch a cab you could just opt to swim back to the ship, careful not to let the Dolphins escape from Dolphin Discovery when you swim and clear the fence area which houses the dolphins, and dont worry about Sharks they are trained not to bite tourists. NOT----It is a little too far but you can see the ships on a clear day, and Sharks only bite if they think you are a seal or a turtle. Seriously though Have a great Cruise.. http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/072704_local_galvshark.html Also the Sharks are biting in Galveston see the story with above link.

[ws293]

Hi everyone,

 

When you pay for the taxi fare do they accept US dollars? On an average how much does it cost for each way to/back Chakanaab?

 

How about when you shop and eat in Cozumel, do the shops and restaurants accept US dollars or you have to exchange US currency to Pesos?

 

Thanks

[DJ TOM]

Yes they accept us dollars, always get your change in us dollars also

[Rustynail]

We visited another great beach just a stones throw from Chakanaab called Mr. Sanchos Beach. It had shopping, a great restaurant, very cold beer and a lovely beach. Apparently it's less crowded then Chakanaab.

I believe it was $10.00 each way to get there.