If not Costa Maya, where?

[Zeno]

Have you been to Chichen Itza? (I haven't seen either - wondering if I'm given the option which I should visit.)

 

Yes I have been to Chichen Itza. It is impressive BUT I much preferred Uxmal.

Uxmal is pure Mayan. Chichen has a lot of Toltec and other influences. Uxmal has a more attractive location in the Puuc Hills (my opinion). Uxmal is definitely not as 'busy' as Chichen and Uxmal has the Pyramid of the Magician - my favorite Mayan pyramid. Truthfully though either site is worth a visit and is impressive.

 

The Pyramid of the Magician:

http://mayaruins.com/uxmal/j1_1698.html

Another view:

http://mayaruins.com/uxmal/j1_1763.html

 

That site has some great photos of Uxmal

[qaperson]

Thanks so much for your thoughts and the photos! I hadn't been considering either site since we weren't originally planning to stop there....even now I'm just hoping we will...can you tell me in case we have to choose whether you can climb the pyramids in either site?

[Zeno]

Thanks so much for your thoughts and the photos! I hadn't been considering either site since we weren't originally planning to stop there....even now I'm just hoping we will...can you tell me in case we have to choose whether you can climb the pyramids in either site?

 

When I was at Chichen Itza, you could climb the pyramid. When I was at Uxmal, you could not climb the Pyramid of the Magician BUT there is another pyramid on the site that you could climb. I cannot say if this is still true for both sites.

 

Great Pyramid at Uxmal (the one we could climb - the views are excellent)

http://mayaruins.com/uxmal/j1_1703.html

[Tarheelbelle]

Chichen Itza is overwhelmingly impressive. I have not been to Uxmal, but would love to go. I have been to Tulum, and to Lamanai ruins in Belize, and the small ruins near Costa Maya [Chacchoben]. In my opinion, the Chichen Itza ruins were the most impressive. It took about 2-2.5 hours to get there from Progresso.

[mbisson]

When I was at Chichen Itza, you could climb the pyramid. When I was at Uxmal, you could not climb the Pyramid of the Magician BUT there is another pyramid on the site that you could climb. I cannot say if this is still true for both sites.

 

Great Pyramid at Uxmal (the one we could climb - the views are excellent)

http://mayaruins.com/uxmal/j1_1703.html

 

 

Now that's a beautiful picture Zeno. Thank you for posting!

 

-Monte

[Zeno]

Now that's a beautiful picture Zeno. Thank you for posting!

 

-Monte

Isn't it a great shot - I wish it were one of mine!

[mbisson]

Isn't it a great shot - I wish it were one of mine!

 

Ditto, but it is rather depressing to see those pics, when I don't have a cruise scheduled that'll take me there!

 

I'm sure you've seen the Sun itineraries that are the same as the cruise we met on. Great prices too, but I just can't go then

[Toyz711]

that picture just make is so exciting to plan a trip to see it and the others. so much history in such a beautiful setting. looks like a move set.

[newmexicoNita]

Great picture Zeno, nothing like I would have expected.

 

Nita

[qaperson]

Thanks again, Zeno - now I just have to cross my fingers that we go there!!

[Zeno]

Ditto, but it is rather depressing to see those pics, when I don't have a cruise scheduled that'll take me there!

 

I'm sure you've seen the Sun itineraries that are the same as the cruise we met on. Great prices too, but I just can't go then

 

Well looking at the pictures sure made me want to go back. Uxmal is absolutely my favorite Mayan ruin. We were on a 'land' vacation in that part of Mexico when I saw it. (We did A LOT of ruins that week - Uxmal, Chichen Itza and Dzbilchaltun.)

 

I've seen the Sun itineraries - so tempting. We have not yet finalized out "winter" vacation (It is going to be a cruise or an island in Jan or Feb but we can't finalize until Nov - so it could be whatever is available.)

[Cap'n Cork]

Do you know how long of a bus ride it is from the Progreso pier to Uxmal? I'd love to go, but don't want to take a really long bus ride with my kids.

 

Sorry, I can't accurately answer that question. I visited the Uxmal ruins during a landlubber's vacation trip to the Yucatan several years ago. I could tell you that Uxmal is within 50 miles of the port of Progresso, but I have no idea if there's a direct bus from the port to the ruins or not.

 

Assuming that NCL has their act together, they might have the good sense to offer a ship's tour there by the time you sail.

[mbisson]

We have not yet finalized out "winter" vacation (It is going to be a cruise or an island in Jan or Feb but we can't finalize until Nov - so it could be whatever is available.)

 

Aw-you might get hit by the 'ol double edge sword. You might get a good "last minute" type cruise price, but you could also get hit by a higher air fare. Let's hope you get good prices on both and have a great vacation!

[ctdahlquist]

By looking at the map, Roatan looks much more realistic for a port swap. It is quite close to both Belize city and Santo Tomas. If they end up adding another sea day to my Spirit cruise in January, I will cancel. The itinerary is my primary consideration.

[Zeno]

Aw-you might get hit by the 'ol double edge sword. You might get a good "last minute" type cruise price, but you could also get hit by a higher air fare. Let's hope you get good prices on both and have a great vacation!

 

Yah - it's the airfare I worry about - which is why we may end up with an island package thing. I know our friend (who is coming with us this time) would prefer a cruise (She really likes the Jewel's Eastern Carib itinerary.)

I am OK as long as warm places and beaches are involved.

[electricron]

By looking at the map, Roatan looks much more realistic for a port swap. It is quite close to both Belize city and Santo Tomas. If they end up adding another sea day to my Spirit cruise in January, I will cancel. The itinerary is my primary consideration.

 

Roatan is an overnight sail from both Belize City and Santo Tomas. Whether the Spirit can subsitute Roatan for Costa Maya depends upon the rest of the Spirit's itinerary, and how busy Roatan is that day.

 

Here's the Spirit's posted itinerary:

 

Sun New Orleans - 5:30 PM

Mon At Sea - -

Tue Costa Maya 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wed Santo Tomas De Castilla 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Thu Belize City 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Fri Cozumel 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Sat At Sea - -

Sun New Orleans 8:00 AM -

 

The distance, as the birds fly, between New Orleans and Roatan is 960 miles. The actual distance, as fish swim, is 100 miles longer. And, New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico is the first 100 miles by river.

 

Assuming the Spirit sailed at top speed of 24 knots or 27.5 mph, which few ships actually do in service, all the way, it would take the Spirit 38.5 hours to travel that far. But, we all know the Spirit will not sail that fast down the Mississippi, nor upon approach to Roatan. Just slow the Spirit down an average of just one knot, it'll take 40 hours. Another knot less changes travel time to 42 hours. 22 knots is fast.

 

But, technically it can be done, but the Spirit will always be late arriving in Roatan, maybe as late as noon. Will a noon arrival, and a 6 pm departure keep everyone happy?

 

Then we have the other question, can the Spirit dock in Roatan on Tuesday?

Roatan's schedule for January 2008, which is bound to change quickly.

 

Sun --

Mon Norwegian Sun / Seabourn Legend (Jan 7)

Tue Amerstdam (Jan 1)

Wed Voyager of the Seas / Carnival Valor + Costa Mediterranea

Thu --

Fri Seven Seas Navigator

Sat --

 

Except for New Year's Day, Tuesdays are available. But that could change quickly as other cruise lines look for alternate ports too.

 

That answer's the techical questions, then we must consider the human factors. The first two nights and day will have gale force winds across the open decks. Who will want to sun bathe in gale force winds? The Spirit shakes, rattles, and rolls on the aft end at high speed, will anyone with an aft cabin get any sleep the first two nights and day?

[ctdahlquist]

What we really need to do is get rid of the ridiculous embargo on Cuba. Imagine all the extra ports that could be in line for substitution. Wouldn't the cruise industry really get a boost by having new itineraries so close to the USA? No, I don't much like Casto or the Cuban government, but I am all for the freedom of travel -- the same freedom that citizens of all other western countries have.

 

Sorry I made a political statement here, but I was just looking at the map, and the solution to this problem would be quite obvious, given a different reality.

[Arlington22207]

Excellent analysis, electricron. I'm a novice cruiser, but am booked on the Spirit on the Dec 2 cruise. What are the chances of a complete re-shuffling? For example:

Sun New Orleans - 5:30 PM

Mon At Sea - -

Tue Cozumel 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wed Belize City8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Thu Santo Tomas De Castilla 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Fri Roatan (?) 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Sat At Sea - -

Sun New Orleans 8:00 AM -

 

I would imagine the port schedules would be the main issue here.

[Lisa&Neb]

Excellent analysis, electricron. I'm a novice cruiser, but am booked on the Spirit on the Dec 2 cruise. What are the chances of a complete re-shuffling? For example:

Sun New Orleans - 5:30 PM

Mon At Sea - -

Tue Cozumel 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wed Belize City8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Thu Santo Tomas De Castilla 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Fri Roatan (?) 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Sat At Sea - -

Sun New Orleans 8:00 AM -

 

I would imagine the port schedules would be the main issue here.

 

 

Then you must check all the other ports and see if they ahve room on that day that you changed to. it is not as easy as just flip things around. All the ports are as booked as they can be, given the ships coming, This means that any change to one port needs to work with all the other ports and ships to!

[electricron]

Excellent analysis, electricron. I'm a novice cruiser, but am booked on the Spirit on the Dec 2 cruise. What are the chances of a complete re-shuffling? For example:

Sun New Orleans - 5:30 PM

Mon At Sea - -

Tue Cozumel 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wed Belize City8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Thu Santo Tomas De Castilla 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Fri Roatan (?) 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Sat At Sea - -

Sun New Orleans 8:00 AM -

 

I would imagine the port schedules would be the main issue here.

 

That would mess up eveyone's pre-cruise privately booked shore excursions.

And the Spirit would have to leave Roatan by noon to reach New Orleans on time.

 

A better schedule would be

Sun New orleans

Mon At Sea

Tue Belize City/Cozumel

Wed Santo Tomas/Roatan

Thu Roatan/Santo Tomas

Fri Cozumel/Belize City

Sat At Sea

 

The first and last ports should be the closest to New Orleans.

Cozumel is the closest, Belize City would be next closest, Santo Tomas the thrid closest, with Roatan being the farthest.

 

Then there's the possibilty of subsituting Grand Cayman or Progresso, both closer to New Orleans, but further from Santo Tomas, Belize City or Roatan.

 

When looking at alternates, remember speed x time = distance.

With an overnight cruise, 4 pm departure with an 8 am arrival, think around 16 hours of time. With a two night leg, think 40 hours of time (16 +24).

 

Therefore, 20 knots (23 mph) x 16 hours = 368 miles

20 knots (23 mph) x 40 hours = 920 miles

 

If a leg is over that distance, think increase of speed, or adding an hour or two traveling time, which can be accomplished by departing earlier, or arriving later. An increase in speed means more expense for fuel with more costs to the cruise line, and more winds across the decks.

 

Shortening a stay at a port will be the cruise lines first choice. But they can only shorten a stay so much.

 

As I added before, 1060 miles is 140 miles longer than 920. In my earlier post, I included both an increase in speed and in traveling time to get to Roatan by noon on Tuesday.

 

I really don't think NCL will do it. More passengers would be happier with an extra day at sea. The ship will travel slower, allowing passengers to use the swiming pools, less wear and tear on the ship and less fuel used, and more time for passengers buy drinks and gamble in the casino. Less expense and more revenues, it's a win-win situtation for the cruise lines.

[jimmm]

Having been to Costa Maya twice on NCL in past years, it would have been a port that I stayed on board at. A few nice beaches but only a row of high priced tourist shops.

Roatan would be nice, as would a hop over to Grand Cayman, since Belize and Cozumel are already on our itinerary.

[newmexicoNita]

What we really need to do is get rid of the ridiculous embargo on Cuba. Imagine all the extra ports that could be in line for substitution. Wouldn't the cruise industry really get a boost by having new itineraries so close to the USA? No, I don't much like Casto or the Cuban government, but I am all for the freedom of travel -- the same freedom that citizens of all other western countries have.

 

Sorry I made a political statement here, but I was just looking at the map, and the solution to this problem would be quite obvious, given a different reality.

you are right, you made a political statement and that can do nothing more than stir up lots of feelings, many of us would just as soon not deal with at this time. Someday, the embargo will be lifted, not now. Nita

[jkloni]

3 sea days with 3 port days would be fine with me. We don't cruise from New Orleans until Feb 3. I guess it's possible Costa Maya may be ready by that time.

 

We're still wondering what will happen on the Nov 3 repositioning cruise of the Spirit.

 

Just wondering how long NCL will wait to make a decision. As they wait, the other ports are being taken by the other lines.... hey....maybe that's NCL's plan. No place to go, so it HAS to be a sea day. People will spend more money, casinos open, drinks, etc.

 

Silly me!

 

Kathy

[Globaliser]

Just wondering how long NCL will wait to make a decision. As they wait, the other ports are being taken by the other lines....

I doubt that NCL are just waiting. They're probably making plans just as fast as everyone else - only not making announcements yet.

[newmexicoNita]

I doubt that NCL are just waiting. They're probably making plans just as fast as everyone else - only not making announcements yet.

Hi friend,

 

Yes, you are about right. I am thinking the same thing. There is more to making a decision about something this than just simply saying, let's just do it this way and let it go. We too are waiting as we are thinking of taking the Spirit out of NOLA in January, but we will just keep waiting if we need to.

 

nita