Cruising to Cozumel

[beautiful1021]

We are taking our very first cruise of our lives. Excitement is overwhelming. I don't know how people book a cruise a whole year ahead and stay sane. We are cruising to Cozumel, Mexico on the Holiday with Carnival. What are some really fun excursions to go on? Also, while on the island, which restaurants are the best to eat at. We were told to be sure to go to Senor Frogs for drinks. Also, any special advice for newbies on a cruise ship. Thanks for any input you have.
Lori

[mtp51]

Originally posted by beautiful1021@Feb 6 2006, 11:18 AM
We are taking our very first cruise of our lives.* Excitement is overwhelming.* I don't know how people book a cruise a whole year ahead and stay sane.* We are cruising to Cozumel, Mexico on the Holiday with Carnival.* What are some really fun excursions to go on?* Also, while on the island, which restaurants are the best to eat at.* We were told to be sure to go to Senor Frogs for drinks.* Also, any special advice for newbies on a cruise ship.* Thanks for any input you have.
Lori
19569


Hi Lori,
We have spent a week - 10 days in Cozumel every year for the past 10 years. I am hesitant to tell you what to do as I am not certain of the condition of some areas since Wilma hit. I am going to gather a list of our favorite restaurants and send it to you in the next few days. Senor Frogs is not on the list. :) Let me know how long you will be in CZM - is it just an overnight or afternoon stay?
M

[beautiful1021]

Originally posted by mtp51@Feb 6 2006, 11:38 AM
Hi Lori,
We have spent a week - 10 days in Cozumel every year for the past 10 years.* I am hesitant to tell you what to do as I am not certain of the condition of some areas since Wilma hit.* I am going to gather a list of our favorite restaurants and send it to you in the next few days.* Senor Frogs is not on the list. :)* Let me know how long you will be in CZM - is it just an overnight or afternoon stay?
M
19572


Hi M.,
Wow!! It must be an awesome place if you have spent that much time there. We will have one day there since this is a four day cruise. If we love it, we would like to go to a resort and visit for a longer time. Maybe one of the Sandals Resorts. I look forward to hearing from you about "your favorites".
Lori

[mtp51]

Hi Lori,
Unless I have missed something - Sandals does not have a property on Cozumel. We have stayed at many different places and our favorite (for future reference) is the Presidente Intercontinental.
Since you have just one day, I would recommend getting a taxi (it won't be cheap) and go to the beaches on the east coast. The burgers & Margaritas at Mescalitos really are exceptional. Chen Rio boasts some fine lobster and is the only beach on the windward side that is safe for swimming . Coconuts is also a fun place. If you stay in town and want breakfast, go to Jeanie's Waffle House - it's on the main drag - Ave. Rafael Melgar - on the ocean, south of the Municipal Pier. Our most favorite restaurant for lunch or dinner is a local haunt; El Moro - 75 Bis Norte #124 between Calle 2 & 4. It is sometimes impossible to find, so once again - take a taxi. The food is excellent - giant drinks, extremely friendly staff and an unbeatable value.
If you just want to spend your day snorkeling - taxi south to Dzul Ha Beach. The snorkeling is great, the view is lovely and you can enjoy cervezas with your chips & salsa!
Enjoy your cruise and my favorite island!
M

[silver cloud]

You are going to have the BEST time! We took a cool 50' sailboat for a sail and then snorkled at Cozumel's National Marine park. It was awesome! Cozumel has some beautiful reefs to snorkel/dive as well.

Otherwise in the past i've taken a dune buggy safari (fun!) and also a really cool mini-subarine that took you about 4' underwater and you could see marine life, etc.

You'll no doubt become a cruising addict and cozumel is beautiful!

Have fun!

[beautiful1021]

Hi M,
Thanks for all the info. I have definitely made a note of everything and will check out the island. We are excited. Time is flying by and we will be cruising soon. Again, thanks!!!
Lori :D

[beautiful1021]

Mary,
Sounds like your trip was awesome!! I can see us doing this cruise thing over and over. Thanks for the info. It will be very handy.
Enjoy your next vacation.
Lori

[taurus171970]

Originally posted by beautiful1021@Feb 6 2006, 10:18 AM
We are taking our very first cruise of our lives.* Excitement is overwhelming.* I don't know how people book a cruise a whole year ahead and stay sane.* We are cruising to Cozumel, Mexico on the Holiday with Carnival.* What are some really fun excursions to go on?* Also, while on the island, which restaurants are the best to eat at.* We were told to be sure to go to Senor Frogs for drinks.* Also, any special advice for newbies on a cruise ship.* Thanks for any input you have.
Lori
19569



Hi, when are you going to be on the Holiday?
We are also first time! So excited... 4/10/06
Maybe we can share excursion info we find

Thanks,
Nancy

[Jeanie821]

Congratulations and bon voyage! I just took my first cruise last month, on Carnival's Fascination. It was with a Christian singles group, about 35 people. It was wonderful! Already I'm planning for next year, on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas.

Some things you should know:

1. Bring a jacket or sweater for nighttime on deck - it can get chilly. Also bring a wrap to put over your formal for the same reason.

2. Soda usually costs about $2 per can - if you drink a great deal of soda, buy a soda card.

3. Put work and any other stressors completely out of your mind... you're on vacation!

[BYOFT]

Regarding Cozumel restaurants: I always enjoy that place right in the center of downtown San Miguel on the main road, across the street from the ocean. It is all open air, and always very busy. I've eaten salads, raw fish, had ice in my drinks etc, there, and have never felt sick afterwards...no Montezuma's Revenge in other words.

Can anybody help me out with it's name?

P.S. Their margaritas are top notch!!!

[Gesualdo]

Originally posted by beautiful1021@Feb 6 2006, 11:18 AM
We are taking our very first cruise of our lives.* Excitement is overwhelming.* I don't know how people book a cruise a whole year ahead and stay sane.* We are cruising to Cozumel, Mexico on the Holiday with Carnival.* What are some really fun excursions to go on?* Also, while on the island, which restaurants are the best to eat at.* We were told to be sure to go to Senor Frogs for drinks.* Also, any special advice for newbies on a cruise ship.* Thanks for any input you have.
Lori
19569


We cruised on Royal Caribbean in December and stopped in Cozumel. We booked an excursion through the cruise line that sounds silly but turned out to be a lot of fun. It was called the Highlights and Shopping excursion. We decided to do that because we wanted to do all of our Christmas shopping in Cozumel and we're really interested in the history of the area. It turned out the tour part was far better than the shopping, which was perfect! We ended up with a tour guide (his name was Patricio - Patrick to the gringos) He was extremely knowledgable about the Mayan culture and shared everything he knows enthusiastically. His bus driver's name was José. We learned a little about the Maya, saw a Catholic church built next to a Mayan ruin, visited the beach, took a picture on a donkey, learned a little about the Mayor and his work habits (or lack thereof), saw how city hall in San Miguel ties its Mayan culture into the building, and bought some jewelry. Then he gave us some coupons for a free appetizer at Pancho's Backyard (a restaurant near the pier) and sent us on our way. The food was really good, but we had to leave early because it started raining and the roof leaks. We finished up our shopping on our own, mostly at one store called Cinco Soles, while we waited out the storm.

One thing about cruising - the ports seem to have their own set of chain stores and restaurants. Señor Frogs is one of them. The ship people were always talking about Diamonds International and Del Sol (which made great gifts for the nieces and nephews). Since it was our first cruise and we didn't want to risk getting lost, we got our culture from the tours we took in each port and did our buying in the chains for the most part. I did, however, buy a sterling silver chain priced at around $300 I think for $60 from a guy at the little market at El Centro. I didn't do it on purpose, but the guy was determined to sell me something. I wear it every day now. Patricio did share how to tell the real silver and black coral from the fake stuff. I didn't buy the black coral because I heard it's kind of rare and is bad for the environment to take it (or something like that). I thought an onyx would do quite nicely, anyway, thank you...

The pier was broken up from hurricane Wilma, so we had to tender in to port. It always seemed like there was a long line to get back on the Carnival ship, no matter what port we were in, so prepare yourself. The other thing is, I think Señor Frog's was closed in Cozumel, as were many of the local businesses, because of the hurricane. They may have reopened by now, but you'll probably want to check ahead so you won't be disappointed. But like I said, Señor Frog's is in several ports, so you might be able to try it elsewhere if it's still closed in Cozumel.

[Gesualdo]

Originally posted by BYOFT@Mar 9 2006, 10:45 AM
Regarding Cozumel restaurants:* I always enjoy that place right in the center of downtown San Miguel on the main road, across the street from the ocean.* It is all open air, and always very busy.* I've eaten salads, raw fish, had ice in my drinks etc, there, and have never felt sick afterwards...no Montezuma's Revenge in other words.*

Can anybody help me out with it's name?

P.S. Their margaritas are top notch!!!
21860


My guess is that you're thinking of Pancho's Backyard which had an outside eating area and was directly across from the ocean. It was attached to a mall-like shopping place. And you're absolutely right - no Montezuma's Revenge. We drank Cokes with ice and had no problem. Our tour guide, Patricio, said it was because Montezuma was Aztec and not Maya. "He no come to Cozumel!" But he promised the water was specially filtered because of all the tourists that come to the island.

[funhvr]

my biggest piece of advice for anyone visiting mexico a9or any other country) is to stay away from chain restuarants. find the back alley, mom and pop owned places and give them your business. you are going to be in a foreign country!! enjoy that culture and their food and go visit senor frogs or tgi fridays when you get back to the US. sheesh.

[beautiful1021]

Hi Nancy,
We will be cruising from April 6-10. My friend said the dune buggy and snorkeling excursion is a lot of fun. I saw her pictures and the dune buggies are so cute!!! We are so ready to get out of town for a break. I agree - - put all the cares behind us and just have fun!!!!
Let me know what you find out about any excursions.
Lori :P :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[beautiful1021]

I am so excited and just know that next time we will take a longer cruise. Thanks for the jacket and soda info. We have already decided to put problems and stressors out of our lives. We are just going to enjoy each other and have fun!!!!
Lori :lol:

[Gesualdo]

Originally posted by funhvr@Mar 10 2006, 04:37 AM
my biggest piece of advice for anyone visiting mexico a9or any other country) is to stay away from chain restuarants.* find the back alley, mom and pop owned places and give them your business.* you are going to be in a foreign country!!* enjoy that culture and their food and go visit senor frogs or tgi fridays when you get back to the US.* sheesh.
21944


This depends on your intestinal fortitude. Sometimes we stick to the chains because we know we can handle the food and won't be fighting a stomach bug while we try to see the sights. The local restaurants are a great idea, but they're not for everyone.

[Jeanie821]

Originally posted by funhvr@Mar 10 2006, 04:37 AM
my biggest piece of advice for anyone visiting mexico a9or any other country) is to stay away from chain restuarants.* find the back alley, mom and pop owned places and give them your business.* you are going to be in a foreign country!!* enjoy that culture and their food and go visit senor frogs or tgi fridays when you get back to the US.* sheesh.
21944


Unfortunately, that option doesn't work for all of us. Some of us, like myself, are predisposed to picking up any GI bug around, and eating at a "mom and pop" place would put us at risk.

[taurus171970]

Originally posted by beautiful1021@Mar 10 2006, 09:04 AM
Hi Nancy,
We will be cruising from April 6-10.* My friend said the dune buggy and snorkeling excursion is a lot of fun.* I saw her pictures and the dune buggies are so cute!!!* We are so ready to get out of town for a break.* I agree - - put all the cares behind us and just have fun!!!!
Let me know what you find out about any excursions.*
Lori :P* :rolleyes:* :rolleyes:
21961



Hi Lori,
We did find some great excursions on our own. I'd love to share but aside from reading all the posting rules...

The one I find to be the best deal, is the Calica port Playa Del Carmen
for 45.00 each and a one time fee 50.00 to use their transportation, total cost is 140.00 we will take a 10.00 cab ride to meet, they will reimburse that.
We will get several stops/things to do. Snorkel sev spots, zip line, private beach/picnic, cenote snorkel etc. We will spend all day with them, 8am-4 pm they even pack a cooler of drinks( yes that kind too) etc and provide gear! This I think includes sea turtles, and spider monkeys, LOL how fun! I do suggest tipping them as the are local, and do this for a living. But, since you will be there before me,
if you do this excursion, you have to tell them "Nancy and Kirk say , see you soon"

Like I said I am not sure about posting rules so...if you know that info, just reply with it or tell me how to get you the contact info and I'll do it.

Let me know, have fun. :)