bguppies

Definitely pack your sea sickness aid of choice. We did a Sensation cruise to Nassau 15-20 years ago with another hurricane with a similar track between the US and Bermuda and the return trip to port canaveral from Nassau was rocking and rolling quite a bit. Wasn't too bad at sea, but when I went into a store back on land on the way home the next morning, it felt like we were still on the ship the night before. Last track I saw had it going nowhere near any islands in the Caribbean or Bahamas and cutting directly between us here in Charleston, SC and Bermuda, heading towards a windy, rainy day somewhere north. (where if it hits in NY/NJ as a thunderstorm, it wil be called superstorm Lee)

We were able to dock in Costa Maya last December but barely. The ship was slamming into the pier all day. Inside the ship you would have thought there were hurricane force winds outside. But when you left the ship and walked down the pier it felt like a strong breeze at best. So clearly when they built the additional part of the pier to allow more ships to dock, it must have somehow increased wind force on docked ships. Best of luck docking on your day in Costa Maya.

What day will you be in Costa Maya? It will help people make recommemdatioms for you. (since many folks favorite Maya Chan, is closed for most of the hurricane season the past few years after Covid.)

Now I will warn you, the sand in Cozumel and Costa Maya isn't the soft powdery kind like the Bahamas. Its a little courser. (just to keep expectations realistic, because I'm sure you have some magnificent beaches in NZ)

Was there last December for the first time in a few years. (going back this December) Everything was the same as always except on the day we went, the hot tub wasn't working. So if you really enjoyed yourself before, you should be good to go. Still a 130 person limit which is our favorite part of the Nachi experience. (besides the wonderful pool, palapas, service and food.( I much prefer made to order food, than bufett style)

Best take

Congrats sounds like a good three days of excursions. Fingers crossed for good weather at each. I need to get back to Roatan. Was one of my favorite ports. Went to an Iguana Farm and then saw some monkeys at a zoo and then snorkled from shore at West Bay beach and it was by far the best shore snokeling I've ever done.

Do not worry about shade at Nachi. PLENTY of fully shaded seats. Even where DW and I like to sit poolside is in shade after 12 PM and the sun starts to go down behind in the jungle by the entrance. There is two full rows of shaded palapas. (I need to count them when we go back in December) Second row of palapas is back closer to the trees, so I'm pretty sure they stay pretty shaded all day.

No, we had Sargassum once when we were there. The poor workers were non stop filling up wheelbarrows and hauling it away all day. I felt horrible for them. Yeah honestly I haven't been to Nachi's website in years. (usually DW books it as soon as we book the cruise there and we don't think about it again until we are waiting for the cab) I know one time we were there they were staying open later that day for a Carnival ship arriving at noon, but I don't know if they'll stay open late for an 11 AM arrival. I don't cheerlead for much on these boards, but I will for Nachi if I think it'll be a perfect fit for somebody. Otherwise, I'm happy to steer people to Mr. Sanchos, Paradise or Playa Mia if it seems they would be a better fit. (I'd feel terrible seeing somebody at Nachi who would be having a better time with a little more music and action at Mr. Sanchos.) Oh yeah I forgot about ship time versus central time at that time of year. They should be set if they are really docking at 10AM Cozumel time. Either way, 7 ships is a fairly average to light day anymore. Hopefully a few more people with similar likes can come in and help them make a more informed decision than just me raving. (Truly a million you tube videos are available if not)

"Open Monday to Sunday. Opening Hours - Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 P.M. (Cozumel Local Time), Sunday from 10:30 am to 6:00 p.m. For cruise ship passengers arriving after noon to port we remain open until 6:30pm (Apply for specific cruise ships only). Since space is limited we strongly urge you to reserve well in advance to secure your day at our beach paradise" Found this on Nachi's website. https://cozumelnachicocom.com/ Looks like the limit is 130 people not 125. But it does mention staying open later for late cruises, just not sure if your Celebrity ship would be one of them. (I know there is a Carnival ship that doesn't dock until noon that they stay open late for each week.) But if you dock at 11, you should easily get to Nachi by noon and still have 5 hours to enjoy your day. (Its usually 10 minutes in the cab line then a 20-25 minute ride south and west to Nachi) Since your cruise isn't until April you have plenty of time to make a decision and get a reservation locked in if you'd like. (not everyone is as crazy as us and makes our reservation 11-12 months in advance)

You can also go to You tube and find videos for Nachi Cocum, Mr. Sanchos, Playa Mia, Paradise Beach, Chankanaab and hopefully a few more that others will chime in on to solidify your decision. DW and I narrowed our decision down to Nachi two decades ago and we have been happily going there every year or two since.

These grass palapas go much further down the beach than it looks in some of these pictures. Just an idea about spacing at Nachi versus some of the other beach clubs. (Mr. Sanchos, Playa Mia, etc.)

Most of the main beach clubs heavily discussed in here are on the same section of beach just south of where you will probably dock. They are all sandy beaches so snorkeling is taken by a boat a few miles out to a reef area not from shore. DW and I are happy to pay the fee at Nachi just for the 125 person limit, but we do love the meal (NOT buffett) and trying new drinks each time we go. (we're not big drinkers, but probably drink more in our day at Nachi than we do the entire year before)

DW and I are 58 and 53 and we have been going to Nachi Cocum for 2 decades now, every time we go to Cozumel. They have a limit of 125 people a day, so it never feels overcrowded, even on Cozumel's busier 10, 11, 12 ship days. (although the cruiselines going from 2,000-3,000 passengers ships to 5,000 - 7,000 passenger ships is making it tough on alot of ports) They have plenty of seating for that many people, with 2 daybeds and 20 or so loungers around the pool (plus 3 tables with umbrellas and chairs) and a long row of palapas lining the entire beach with 4 loungers and table under each. They have a large open air dining area under a large palapa with easily a hundred seats that you can eat your food up there or have your waiter bring your food and drinks to you by the pool or on the beach all day. There is quiet mexican music playing up in the main dining area and thats it. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing day, Nachi is a good choice. A cab from International or Puerto Maya piers (RCCL and Carnival's piers respectively) Usually runs $17 each way. (at least it still was when we last went in December 2022) When you are ready to leave just let your waiter or anyone up front know a few minutes before, while you pack up your things and they will call you a cab and have it waiting for you. First thing DW and I do as soon as we book a cruise to Cozumel, is immediately book our day at Nachi Cocum to make sure we don't miss out. If you go to their website and book it, it guarantees an uncrowded relaxing day in Cozumel.

Thank you for taking the time to do such a detailed review. Its much appreciated.

I think the OP's main concern was whether they could get off their RCCL mega ship and make the walk to the Native choice meeting place with only 60 minutes if they were able to disembark right on time and with a 6 and 9 year old in tow. It didn't seem they were concerned if their group could make the walk, just if they could make it in that timeframe. 2 children should equate pretty favorably with a few 70 year olds. So I guess the better answer they might want would be how long did it take your group to get off the ship and to the Native Choice meeting place? And did they seem like they would wait a few minutes for stragglers if there were a few. (since they only had 30-60 minutes to get there if their ship debarks on time)

If you choose to book a cruise between June and October, you have a small chance of having your ports changed or missed. If you choose to cruise in August or September, there is usually at least 1 storm a week churning through the Caribbean or the Gulf or East Coast, so you should assume some disruption. If you don't want disruption, book a cruise outside of those two months. If you want zero chance of disruption book between December 1st and June 1st.

It pains me that beyond the incredibly low trust I have of any governmental agencies anymore, I have little to no trust in the military anymore. (and growing up a military brat from an incredibly military family, I NEVER thought that day would come)

If the true reason for the Sargassum blooms each year is the fertilizer run off from the poor South American countries, it will just keep getting worse. Dirt poor farmers down there could give a crap about well off North Americans and Europeans cruise vacations or beach vacations in the Caribbean when they are just trying to survive. Same reason any global warming measures being taken by North American and European countries won't work as long as China, India and South American countries are so much poorer than us. They will do what they have to, to survive, screw the environment.

Sorry wasn't trying to give you any doubts about your choice with the maps and pictures. Just trying to give you a better picture about distances to walk with two small kids. (especially since 75% of the year it'll be ridiculously hot) DW and I are both getting older and mobility challenged, so we always have to take distances into consideration anymore.

Most excursions seem to meet down by the Mayan replica pyramid, so this map will give you an idea from once you get into the pier area. Just remember the pier itself is a very long walk.

How many ships are docked on your day? If yours is the only ship docked that day (doubtful anymore) they would wait until everyone from your ship arrives usually. But like was already stated, you don't always get to debark right on time, (especially on one of RCCL's monstrocities), Costa Maya has an extremely long pier to walk, plus the entire pier area to navigate through, just to get outside and walk to their offices. I would just check the other ships arrival times that day and verify with them how long it will take you to navigate to their offices

Half Moon Cay over Nassau 100% of the time. (and I love Nassau and find something great to do there everytime)

Is Costa Maya the port with the guys at the top of the 100 foot pole on ropes?