skittl1321

If you have to walk, El Cid or Park Royal are your best bets.

It is only a few minute walk, but the roads are kinda busy. Park Royal is slightly further.

Most of the other all-inclusive resorts and beaches are a long ways from the pier.

This is confusing! Never seen taxi rates posted in anything but US Dollars at the cruise pier taxi lines.

It's posted that way because that is what cruisers have. They don't change those signs with the exchange rate :)

The taxi drivers rate sheets (which they are supposed to carry with them) are in pesos. If you happen to have pesos, it is a better deal. We never exchange when we cruise, only for land trips. Compared to some places coz taxis are a great deal, so a few dollars doesn't really matter. We'll use the pesos if we have them though.

Definitely not an insult. They LOVE tips.

We usually don't tip when paying in US dollars, unless they provide exceptional service. The 10:1 exchange rate they use over paying the fare for the same destination in pesos gives them extra anyway. (For instance- an $8 posted fare at the cruise ship would be 80 pesos if you look at their rate sheets- which is just a bit more than $6.) If we do tip, it is just a buck or two.

I wish the tour/excursion/beach places all had their own drivers to meet passengers at the pier

The taxi union prevents this. If you are friends with a local, many will be scared to drive you in their car for fear of the union.

I think I read they have scuba there? I'm going back to Cozumel in 2015 and I will be with 3 non-divers. I've never been to Chankanaab and if we could all go and I could dive that would be great.

From what I saw, I THINK that the diving you can book at Chankanaab is an operator who will pick you up there and take you out to the other reefs.

If you want to dive, I'd book a two tank dive with one of the many fine operators in Cozumel, and then meet the non-divers later in the day. If your boat docks at 7, and you can depart from the marina at 8, if you book with a fast boat, you'll be back around noon or 1. OR find an op that will combine a scuba/snorkeling trip. (I've heard Scuba with Alison will, and I'm sure there others who will too.)

But I don't think if you dive at Chankanaab that you will actually be -with- the snorkelers.

Arrange one thing to do together.

The rest of the time let everyone be in their own. Groups with similar interest will run into each other and change over time.

You're all on the same ship, so you'll run into each other.

He may not have understood what you meant as they tend to take things literally. No, you could not order the fried shrimp as a "starter" - but you could skip the appetizer and order two entrees.

This might be the case.

We've had some funny mix-ups with waiters who didn't speak great English. When one of my table mates asked for an order of escargot "for the table" (after we all got our own appetizers) we ended up with escargot for everyone at the table. (Luckily most people liked it.)

I actually kind of don't like that they push two entrees. You basically can't ask for an opinion on which dish is better- both times I've tried that (on different cruises) the waiter has said "they are both good" and moved to the next person, bringing me both. I think many people would think this is fabulous, and a luxury, but I am not the kind of person who eats two meals, so it seems wasteful.

The thing with a non-swimmer in a life jacket snorkeling is that, chances are they are going to be fine. But what if there is an emergency situation? Will they be able to help themselves?

We came up one day from scuba diving in Cozumel where we went down with beautiful weather and up in a pretty good wind. Swimming back to the boat, with a fully inflated BCD was HARD, as the water was pushing us away. Holding onto the rope to wait our turn to get back onto the boat was HARD. Climbing the ladder with the boat tossing was HARD, and the mate on the boat was doing his best to HELP us up the ladder. The weather turned fast, and people who were snorkeling were caught in this too.

Can a non-swimmer take care of themselves in this situation? The life jacket might help you float, and will hopefully keep you safe until someone can get to you; but me personally, I don't put myself into situations where I KNOW that I don't have the skills to keep myself safe.

If a non-swimmer really wants to snorkel, but on the life vest and do it from the shore. It is still a risk (rip tides, etc), but you have a much better chance of helping yourself when you can just stand up.

(And if a non-swimmer really wants to snorkel, why not go to a local pool and practice? Most pools cost like $10 or less to get into.)

One more aside- if you do decide to do this, make sure the non-swimmer is in a coast-guard approved PFD, and not a snorkel vest.

We actually met another couple at Nachi Cocom and called a cab with them to save some money. The driver wanted $16 per couple, and while everyone else was climbing in the cab, I said no, $20 total and he said ok.

Being informed of the rates is the best way not to get ripped off. The taxi's are regulated by the union. They might try to get more from tourists, but they have to take the correct fare.

But always take care of pricing before getting into a cab!

PADI also offers a 'SCUBA DIVER' certification course - this is even offered on some RCL cruises- but I do not recommend this course. Basically it is 2/3 of the Open Water course, requiring only 2 dives but leaves you need to only dive with a DiveMaster, AND there is no "second half" course to get to open water other than taking the full open water course . . . officially by PADI courses anyway....

 

Editorial comment - Open Water means you a 'ready' in the technical sense. A wise beginning diver will still make their dives with experienced divers or even divemasters until a comfortable level of experienced is gained. Passing downhill skiing 101 does not mean you should try a black diamond slope!

Our shop basically gave "Scuba Diver" certification to those who couldn't pass Open Water- they met enough of the requirements, but can't dive independently.

One of the great things about Cozumel is the marine park requires a divemaster with all groups. For us, it made it a great first destination (outside of going back to the local quarry to practice), since we knew we'd be semi-supervised (and we picked an op that caters to beginners, so we were actually pretty heavily supervised the first day, and got more freedom as the days went on.)

My certification was two weekends. (Plus like 8-10 hours of classroom preparation work we did at home.)

The first weekend was classroom and pool sessions. The other weekend was open water. So it could be finished in the course of a month, which is what my husband did. (I think it was like the first week and the third week of the month, not back to back weekends.)

However, even though I passed the pool sessions, I didn't feel I was ready for OW- so I waited a month, took the pool sessions again, and then did the OW- so I didn't actually finish up as quickly as I could have. Other people didn't pass (it isn't automatic, and shouldn't be) and had to retake either classroom or open water.

Our dive shop only has 1 session a month, but a busier area might have more availability.

I am not certified. I've never been diving in my life. I've done my fair share of snorkeling, which I understand has nothing to do with diving, but that's about as far as it goes. I was thinking of getting certified before I go on my cruise through an instructor up here in Northern New York (brrrr!). I feel I would benefit more from a more indepth description of safety than a brief cruise course would teach me.

Do it! I think you would DEFINITELY get more safety information becoming certified than doing a Discover Dive off a cruise ship. You'll also learn to be responsible for yourself and get to do way more interesting dives on your vacation. (And Cozumel is a great place for that- it is SO easy to book with a private dive op and do awesome dives in small groups.)

As for scuba/snorkeling- I actually learned to scuba dive as part of my plan to get better at snorkeling. The breathing out of my mouth freaks me out. When I scuba dive I mouth breathe in, but breathe out my nose (most people don't do this, but it is the way I'm comfortable, and keeps my mask clear). I'm now a lot more comfortable snorkeling because I can breathe in through my mouth better. Snorkeling though, I have to breathe out of my mouth, so I still need to take breaks where I come up to the surface and "reset". But scuba made me so much more comfortable in the mask. But hey- if you're a good snorkeler, and already comfortable in the mask, and breathing while situated underwater, you've got a lot of the scuba obstacles down.

Do you think DAN would be able to suggest a doctor who could clear me or should I just avoid the hypertension question on the safety questionnaire? My blood pressure is, as I stated, regulated from the 5mg Lisinopril. I have no problem with exercise and have never had asthma or any other breathing problem. I'm just unsure if I check the hypertension box on any safety questionnaire if it will automatically rule me out, even though it is regulated and I am physically active and in decent shape.

Yes, DAN can suggest a doctor, however, your own doctor can likely do it. The question asks if you have high blood pressure or are on medicine to control it, there really isn't a way to "avoid" the question without outright lying, but that is up to you. In the very unlikely chance there is an incident, I do wonder if insurance will cover you if you did not answer truthfully and dove without doctor's clearance.

If you check the box, and have not had a physical ahead of time- you will not be allowed to dive. If you prepare by bringing the signed form with you from your doctor, they are going to let you dive. That's the whole purpose of those forms.

I have three or four boxes checked on my form (not blood pressure). I carry the signed copy from my doctor, and all the providers we've used have just photocopied it (I also keep a scanned copy in case anyone takes it). My doctor is not a dive medicine specialist, but she had not problem completing the form. (For my own personal feeling of well being I talked to some hyperbaric physicians DAN recommended, but they don't do physicals.)

If all you want to do is a Discovery Dive, there is no course to take ahead of time.

We chose to get certified locally before leaving on our cruises, but then we canceled our cruise and just went on a dive vacation :)

And, I think PADI Discovery Dives include DAN insurance, like OW classes do- maybe I'm wrong though. (But I've never known anyone to do a DD to have dive insurance, most of them don't even know it exists. If you are a certified diver, never dive without it!)

We love Money Bar. But we also don't find chankanaab to be overly commercial at all. The entrance fee is high though, which is why we don't care to go there again.

Can this whole thing be done in the 8-5 time frame we have? Figured we'd all take a taxi over and back. This would be our first 'excursion' not booked with a cruise line and I definitely don't want us left behind.

Yes. That is more than enough time to enjoy Chankanaab.

Cozumel is a very easy port to do on your own. There will be taxi's lining up outside Chankanaab waiting to take you back to port.

Carnival has an exclusive contract with DD. They cannot let you book on your own knowingly.

Some people have gone in person and found the staff look the other way. Other people book online using the name of a local hotel.

If you plan on doing any sort of dive excursion, check out this medical form:

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/forms/pdf/10063-ver2-0.pdf other dive agencies might have slightly different forms, but this one should be accepted by most anyone.

Can you answer yes to anything on it? If so, it is unlikely an operator will let you dive without doctor's clearance. If you plan on just doing a Discover Dive on a cruise- go to the doctor and get a physical and this form signed; it would suck to be turned away because they have you fill it out there and you have the check "yes" on one of the items. Quite honestly- I wouldn't like to dive with anyone who DOESN'T have you fill out this or a similar form; IIRC most dive deaths are due to health conditions, not actual dive accidents.

I didn't read closely, but it looks like High Blood Pressure is only a risk factor if you are over 45, and even then, if it is well controlled you most likely are not really at risk.

Scuba Diving!

But if you aren't certified, we love snorkeling at Money Bar. I dream about their nachos when we aren't in Cozumel.

In fact, it was snorkeling at Money Bar that made us fall in love with Cozumel, and now we've basically given up cruising- we go dive there instead.

It will be $21 each way for 5 people

I like all the people that rave about how good it was...yet after only one time they are tired of it and want something new. :rolleyes:

I did the Chef's Table with the first menu. I thought it was truly phenomenal. But it was expensive (I don't drink alcohol, so really, more so), and it was a TON of food.

There are pieces of it I would love to eat again. But as a singular experience, I would not want the same food again.

Happened last week on the Conquest in Cozumel. Many Pier Runners (or walkers - lot of them didn't seem to care). Ship left probably 1/2 hour late because of all the late people coming in. We had a balcony overlooking the pier. You could tell there were still some people missing. They were on their radio's and shortly after they came down with an envelope. Seems they went to the missing peoples room and brought stuff down as we could see their passports. They gave this stuff to the Port Agent so when they finally figured out they missed the boat at least they would have their passports.

 

After pulling away from the dock we noticed them using the Pilot Boat and dropping off a guy at the Pier. We assume he was with the people that were missing and he figured that out so he got off also with money and whatever.

 

This was the 1st stop so not sure if they ever caught up with the ship in any of the other ports.

 

Another thing is - you really need to pay attention to Ships Time vs Island Time. Always stay on Ships Time. Nice to have a watch that won't change times like a phone will...

When we were in Cozumel there was a HUGE line up of people, all the way to the shop at the sail away (not all on board) time. 30 minutes after sail-away there was still enough of a line, that we gave up watching for runners, and decided to just go play trivia. We left SO late.

My experience in the Bahamas watching runners though is that the people who got left might be so drunk they forgot they were even on a ship. Because those last minute people could barely move on their own. I felt really bad for them.

If you are a diver, I recommend booking with your dive op separately and ahead of time. Send the non-divers to Mr. Sanchos without them and meet them after the day of diving. Heck, you might even be able to ask your op if they an drop you off there instead of taking you back to the marina.

I am an excellent swimmer, and snorkeling freaked me out for years. The mask on my face was incredibly difficult to deal with, because I was a nose breather.

Please, do not take a non-swimmer snorkeling. The safety vest is NOT a lifejacket. It's flotation assistance, it isn't going to save your life. It's designed so that you can wear it and float -face down- in the water, just providing a little bit of bouyancy to non-floaters. Most are blown up manually (so that they can also be deflated if you want to dive), and a small leak would render it useless.

A non-swimmer, in deep water, with ocean waves (even calm ones) is a bad idea.

Propelling yourself while snorkeling takes swimming skills. She could dunk her head in the water (if doesn't have a panic attack just being in deep water) and watch whatever is below her, but most people who snorkel dive to see things up closer, or kick and swim to other locations.

I'd learn to swim, then learn to snorkel.

The staff most likely aren't lifeguards. It is probably very likely she would be fine- but it would be a tragedy if she wasn't and you went in knowing she was unprepared to deal with deep water.

I agree with others that good beach + good snorkeling just don't go together. It's the rocky shore that attracts the fish.

If you want an inexpensive day, I highly recommend Money Bar. There is a sandy area, if you want to dig your feet into the sand and lay out. The snorkeling is excellent. There is no purchase requirement to use their free chairs (please buy something- it's rude otherwise). The bathrooms are clean. The food and drinks are reasonably priced and excellent. Cab ride should be about $9 for up to 4, each way.

I agree Chankanaab also has excellent snorkeling. But a $21 pp entry fee is not inexpensive to me.

Cozumel is so easy to do on your own. No reason to do a ship excursion.

The manatee encounter was phenomenal. I was the only person, so I got to swim with them for 30 minutes, and the trainers gave me a bajillion heads of lettuce and papaya to feed the manatees. They let me wear a mask, so I could put my head underwater and watch them (though the life jacket doesn't let you get too far under).

Pictures aren't as good as with dolphins, because they aren't out of the water much, but they come out just a bit to pose with you- however most of the CD (if you get it) is going to be you and a gray blob. I still go it. I love manatees.

I still joke with my husband that the manatee tried to drown me. Their flippers are surprisingly strong, and man do they want that lettuce- so they grab your legs and pull you!

We also really enjoyed snorkeling there, but without an animal encounter, the admission is too expensive, so we won't go back.