c-leg5

"With waiting". What amount of "waiting" time does this consider? Will they wait for you for 3-4 hours at a stop and not charge additional fare? Can this fare also include 2 additional stops on the way back for $2/stop, for a total, let's say, of 6 hours?

The "with waiting" is the +2 hours as stated on the chart. If you want 6 hours you are probably looking at the island tour plus ruins plus negotiation price!

Just wondering if anyone has been to the Natale Beach Resort? It looks great from the pictures, very exclusive and not crowded...thanks for any reviews.

We visited this resort in February. I learnt about Club Natale a long time ago before it was offered through any third party brokers and so we booked direct with resort on a PAYG basis. We enjoyed our day and part of its charm was that there were no more than a dozen people there at the time and six were from my party! We felt like we had a private beach. The whole facility could probably manage 60 people comfortably. The biggest negative was lack of loungers around the pool and very little shade round the pool. Plenty of shade and loungers on the beach but if the resort gains popularity I would hope that the beach bar would be open. I understand it not being open for the small group of people that were there when we were there but be advised that this meant there was no service at the beach, only the pool, and necessitated some one to do a beer run.

Photos in this thread.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=39677691#post39677691

There are a couple of reviews including mine in the following thread.http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1743237

I will be in Cozumel on 2/5/14 with Carnival Ecstasy from 1:30pm - 10pm......I am covered up until 5pm. What can i do with my children after 5pm? I don't want to have a wasted trip.....

 

Suggestions please

How old are the children?

Pretty sure it's one way. Also, I read that people really shouldn't try to do the ruins on their own because it can be complicated to get there and difficult to get back to the ship on time. This is the one excursion you really should think about booking through the ship. If you're late, they'll wait for you if you are on a ship excursion (this happened on our cruise 2 weeks ago - the ruins group was 45 minutes late). If you did it on your own and were late they'd leave without you and you'd have to fly to the next port to meet the ship.

As noted above the prices are round trip and these are prices for visiting the small ruins on the island of Cozumel.

The ruins tour that you are talking about are on the mainland and involve a ferry and bus (or taxi) trip.

Are these rates one way or round trip? The rate for the Mayan Ruins is $60. If we take a taxi out there, have the cabbie wait for us, then come back, will it all cost $60 or $120?

Here is a link with the prices from downtown in pesos (away from main tourist area)

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Taxidowntown?From=Taxilangosta

and from Punta Langosta

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Taxilangosta?From=Taxidowntown

As you will see from the first link the prices at the bottom of the chart are for tours with waiting (or con espera).

There are further tabs on this website for prices from the two southern piers, which are slightly different.

Prices listed are one way. :)

The prices at the top of the list are one-way, the prices at the bottom are round trip.

Thank you so much for the reply...Do you recall if they picked you up at the pier, and if so ,was it a group you needed to wait for. There will be four of us,and we really did not care to be up real early. They said no problem by e-mail, but I am not real clear on this. I will read your other post also. We were supposed to go to Costa Maya on CCL Magic inaugural but missed it because of thruster problems. We plan to go to Mahahual and maybe the Tropicante ? Again, many thanks...Hope to see you onboard..By the way, have you checked the prices lately on this sailing on the Navigator as they have dropped . We are now at $1265 total, or $1484 with prepaid gratuities ,and have $165 OBC from NCC and TA.. Thanks again :)

As I said above, we did not use their transport as we had arranged for a private driver. The price for transport worked out the same since we had 6 in our group and we had other plans for the day. We like the option of having a driver available in case our plans change. The driver stayed with us but I know from your previous posts you are familiar with this option. There was no charge for the day pass to use the facilities, not sure if that has changed as this was about 2 or 3 years ago.

I am not sure if they have their own van for transport, or just sub-contract to the local taxi/tour operators, which was what happened when we did a day pass to Club Natale on our last visit and arranged transport through the resort. In actual fact, I think transport to Turquoise Bay may be arranged through Subway Watersports, which is the diving operation at the resort and who we arranged our fishing trip through independently.

http://www.subwaywatersports.com/shore_excursion.htm#beach

Has anyone been here, and if so, how was it. It is on the Northeast end of Roatan past Punta Gorda, which we have been to..Looks like a deal for $25 PP including transportation , and might be a good place to escape the crowds.

 

http://www.turquoisebayresort.com/cruise-ship-beach-day.html

We have visited Turquoise Bay a few years ago and I wrote a brief report here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1762877&highlight=turquoise+bay

We enjoyed our day on the beach away from the crowds which is what we prefer. As I said in the report we had other plans for lunch so I cannot vouch for the food. We had a private driver for the day so we did not use their transport.

One thing to note, the resort is not past Punta Gorda and it is not where it is indicated on the map on their website!:

If you look at the website map and zoom in close, the resort is located further east where you see an upside down "Y" inlet from the sea, a sandy beach and a resort with a pool. The inlet is where the boats used by Subway sports for diving, snorkeling and fishing are moored. The main road is paved until the last stretch where you turn off for access to the property.

Any further questions, I will try and remember! I see you are booked on the November sailing on the Navigator - we have also booked that sailing, taking advantage of Costa Maya!

I've read some great reviews on this place but when I go to their website it's all in a different language!! I have no idea how to contact them. Can anyone help?

I believe it closed and the owners returned to California.

c-legs5 you are right! :o All this planning, I got confused about the time. It's $195 for three hours, then $40 extra per hour. I was planning for a 5 hour tour.

Is a taxi van for an island tour at the pier as reliable as booking with Tours Plaza? I would prefer to get a driver that speaks English and knows history/facts about the island.

Will there be time to do an island tour and spend some time on the beach?

We have used ToursPlaza many times, both as a couple and as a group. They are very reliable and communications are very good beforehand. The website has some good suggestions for places to visit and after meeting you, and settling you in the van, the driver will sit with you with a map and make suggestions and ask you what you are interested in and plan a route.

Many people have had good luck picking up a taxi at the port, some even claim to negotiate a rate although rates are posted at the port and should be verified with the driver before leaving.

You may or may not be lucky with finding a driver who speaks good English. Personally, I was a lot more comfortable using ToursPlaza on my first visit and I have subsequently used them for a tour with my 90 year old mother! Gerry is very attentive and considerate but will give you space if you need it.

Depending on where you visit and how long you stay you should have time for beach time. The usual suggestion for a quick synopsis of the island is a circular tour round the island either clockwise or anti-clockwise. If you go clockwise you could visit downtown, ruins/tequila factory, east coast bars and photo shoots, Punta Sur lighthouse and crocodiles and back round and up passed the southern beaches and bars. If you wanted you could follow this route for maybe 3 hours and then depending on how long your ship is in port you could get ToursPlaza to drop you at a southern beach club and pick up a taxi back when you are ready. It is easy to pick up a taxi from the southern beaches but not from the east side. Otherwise ToursPlaza are quite happy to wait while you relax at a beach and include it in your 5 hour tour. It will cost you about $30+ to get back from Paradise Beach/ Mr Sanchos area so you need to do the math on cost of transport and length of time you have available.

This is our first to Cozumel and arriving in Puerto Maya. There will be five of us. A private tour for 5 is about $300 for three hours, which is more than what I want to spend but we don't have to worry about looking for a taxi for five and are able to go anywhere we want.

 

If we just go with a taxi, will there always be one available that fits 5 adults everywhere? If we have to take two taxi, it'll probably add up to alot of money.

 

We want to visit the Mercado, do the free tequila tour, maybe the chocolate tour, and shop around downtown. If there is time, spend time at the beach.

 

Please help me decide. Which way should we go? :confused: Our group consist of 2 young adults, 2 older adults (40's), and a 70 year old.

I am not sure where you are getting that price from - Tours plaza and Cresencio Lopez (the private drivers regularly recommended on the "hiring a driver thread") are around $200 for three hours. A taxi van from the pier is listed at $140 for island tour which is around three hours. Link to taxi prices from puerto Maya .

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Taxipuertamaya?From=Taxiczm

Good timing.

 

The local newspaper, The Daily Herald, featured an article in yesterday's paper titled "Committee Releases Schedule for St. Maarten Day Activities" http://www.thedailyherald.com/index.php/islands/1-islands-news/43147-committee-releases-schedule-for-st-maarten-day-activities.html

 

The article does not address businesses that will be closed, but the Zoo and Butterfly MAY be closed on that day.

 

There will be events, including parades, in various locations, but a taxi should be able to get from the Cruise Facility to Divi Little Bay without too much trouble, or your other mentioned destinations if they are open.

 

I've reached out to my island friend Barbara for verification.

 

gary

My friend says that the Zoo will be open (she's on the board) and she believes that the Butterfly Farm will be open, as well.

 

gary

Thanks!

We are in St Maarten on November 11th and were wondering since this is a public holiday how this will impact our visit?

Specifically, will the zoo and butterfly farm be closed? Will there be parades in St Phillipsburg that will cause delays travelling to or from Little Bay? Will there be events on the Boardwalk?

I have tried Google but it doesn't seem as though the schedule has been finalized yet for this year so I am trying to find out what is the norm.

Love this thread, thanks for everyone's input. I think I've decided to try Park Royal for our October cruise. I read a bunch of reviews for both places on TripAdvisor and the photos for Park Royal look like what we want. I like that there is an actual (albeit small) beach at Park Royal and the pool areas look nicer than El Cid.

 

I did email Park Royal to see about using the facilities earlier than their 11am start time. We basically want to snorkel earlier in the day, so a chair is pretty much all we need. We have done the day pass at Sabor twice and they had no issue with us showing up early. Hopefully Park Royal is the same. Will report back if I hear from them ... or, at the least, after our cruise.

I was just looking into these two as well!! I was leaning to Park Royal as well. Would really love to hear back from you in regard to if they will let you get there earlier!!:D

Previous cruisers have reported that you can arrive early and buy day pass but that drinks and snacks are not available until posted time. You can search in the search engine of this forum for more reports. We have looked round the resort to visit in the future and I did ask if we were able to buy drinks earlier but they are not set up for cash sales unlike El Cid so everything is all-inclusive for guests at the hotel and you have to purchase a day pass to stay. You need to watch for time share people and be prepared to say "no" if you are not interested, although if you have time and are willing to sit through presentation you can get a discounted price.

The entrance and lobby to the hotel are on the opposite side of the road to the piers but there is a booth offering cheaper passes on the ocean side that I believe are timeshare reps. The beach is accessed via underpass from hotel and gardens which includes pool, more pools on beach side.

We will be in port from 9 -5. Since we arrive at the International Port, I am looking at El Cid or Park Royal to spend the day. El Cid has a day pass for $17 or an all inclusive pass for $55. Have not heard back from Park Royal so I do not know any details. Please give me feedback on both facilities - pros and cons. thank you so much

If you use the search engine on this forum and put in each of these resorts you will find several reviews, especially for El Cid.

I haven't seen many reports recently for Park Royal but last time I asked for the rates at Park Royal ( 2012) it was $40 AI per adult ($20 for children over 12) from 11am - 6pm. We have looked round Park Royal but haven't actually bought a day pass as we decided our port day was too short on that occasion and went next door to El Cid on a PAYG. Not sure if El Cid do that now. We have also done the $17 pass which gives you $10 credit towards food and beverages, use of pool and WIFI.

The pools and facilities seem larger and nicer at Park Royal but we have always enjoyed the convenience and price at El Cid when we have been.

Does your private car thru Tours Plaza pick you up at the pier or do you have to meet them somewhere else?

They pick you up at the pier. They are waiting outside with your name on a card. The tour is in a regular taxi type car or van.

We usually use Roatan Culture Tours and we haven't paid a deposit. Last time the transport was arranged by Club Natale and we didn't pay a deposit then either. Always cash on the day.

Carnival cancelled this excursion on the morning of it due to lack of participation. :-(

Not very good for a new tour they are trying to promote. May be the owners will think twice about Carnival exclusivity.

Thank you cleg5 & pookeybear1966 for your replies!!

 

I have another question, how many hours do you think it would take for us to shop for souvenirs at the market, go to the chocolate factory tour, mayan ruins, visit the tequila factory, and the islands wild side making a stop at el mirador and having lunch at playa bonita restaurant??

 

TIA

That is a lot to fit in and very difficult to estimate.

It really depends on how long you want to spend at each place, whether you want to relax or just rush through and say you have been there! It is roughly the same as the above posters route, without the air force base. The places are all en route from each other and I would say minimum 5.5 - 6+ hours like above poster.

It also depends on whether the tours with a guide (chocolate factory and tequila) are ready to go when you arrive. Also whether you do a quick DIY tour of the ruins, or have a guide or do the jungle walk to the outlying ruins.

However as I said you are basically following the circular island road so you could easily "miss" a stop if time is running short or you have had enough listening.

I am using Island Marketing during my 9/28/13 cruise to Roatan and Belize. They took a small deposit, however we wanted to pay for the excursions in full now via credit card They said they could take the deposit via credit card now

but that the remaining balance would have to be paid in cash or travelers checks at the time we are met by our Tour Guide.

Is this the way any of you have had to pay?

Thank you

Island marketing are a third party broker. They do not actually run tours themselves. I have used them several times in various places but as has been said their role is purely administrative.

I have never had a trouble with the booking although some tours have been better than others depending on the actual tour operator.

The balance has always been paid on the day. I have always assumed the deposit was the fee to Island Marketing and the balance was to the tour operator, not sure if this is in fact a valid assumption.

Hi all! We finally decided to hire a driver for the day, from what I've been reading I see that Gerry and Alberto are the best of the best. Does anybody know how to find them? Thanks in advance!

If you google ToursPlaza you will find their website which includes current pricing and suggestions.

I can understand not running with less than six, with fuel costs in the Caribbean.

 

I just can't believe there is any day, with even one ship in port, that they don't have at least six people wanting to go.

 

Bill

There are many cruisers who would not consider an independent tour and many, many people who have never made it to the east side. Also families with children are unable to do the hop.

Is there a minimum amount of people, for them to stop and pick up a group at the pier?

 

Just because there isn't anybody intrested in a dead roll call, doesn't mean there isn't somebody else onboard booked....

 

Just curious how the bar hop works...

 

Bill

Yes the FAQ section of each of their tours states a minimum of 6 people for the tour to run.

They do not usually pick up at the piers but at a central location in town. They do drop off at the piers on the return.

The tour is not only for cruise ship visitors - we have done it while taking a land vacation in Cozumel and some people even join in that are staying on the mainland.

Ok, so this "cove" area on the property...what is it? Do people just go there to swim? Or is it an area that leads out to a snorkeling area? In one of the pictures, it looked like there was an area that goes back and forth in front of that building (which I think is a restaurant on the premises) and one of the pictures had a water fountain in it. Is this just for looks or do you snorkel here? Or do you completely have to go out of this area for snorkeling? It's kinda confusing since NONE of these pictures I have found have any people in that area. :confused:

 

Tell me more about this Bucannos. Where is it located? Closer to Punta Langosta pier in the opposite direction of the other piers? When I tried to goolge picture the name, I came up with Bucannos Bar & Grill. So is this a restaurant? Or a beach club with other amenities like a beach? I'm not sure if I'm looking at the correct place.

The first of your photos shows the main restaurant – rock face is edge of “beach cove”. I think the El Cid property runs back as far as the pier that you can see at the back of this photo. Immediately on the other side is Park Royal Hotel property.

Beyond the restaurant there is an area with loungers on a man-made sandy area and although we have not snorkeled here I think the main entrance to the water for snorkeling and diving is from this area via steps. If you go to Tripadvisor and search El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel you will find a number of photos showing the steps and the swimming pool and loungers.

I think the website describes the rocky pool area with waterfalls as the “natural pool” anyway it is basically a pool for sitting in.

Small cove are is an area where I have seen young children playing in sand.

The area in the photos with tables and chairs is for lounging and eating behind natural pool and to the side of cove. I believe there is another menu for this area – pizza maybe? Also in this area is massage cabanas.

Bucannos is about 4 miles to the north. It is Bucannos Bar and Grill and is at the old Club Caribe which was destroyed in the hurricane. It is a beach club which used to charge a $10 cover charge, which is credited towards food and drink to stop people just coming in and using the facilities. However a recent report on Tripadvisor suggests this isn't always credited so I would check for current policies if you decide to try it. (It was only one review so maybe it was an oversight.) They have always answered my emails promptly. Judging by recent reviews it seems to be gaining popularity with cruise ship day visitors.

http://www.clubcozumelcaribe.info/

http://www.buccanos.com/Buccanos-Bar-Grill.htm

Just a few other questions....

 

Is El Cid the same thing as El Cid La Ceiba Hotel? I'm searching for pictures on google and it keeps saying El Cid La Ceiba Hotel and I wanted to make sure it's the right hotel I'm looking at.

 

Here's a few pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately the above pool is at El Cid, Mazatlan. The other photos are of the correct hotel. The photos you have shown are mainly of the small cove to the left of the property (looking at the ocean). There is a small pool to the right of the restaurant which is shown on several photos in google images. The whole property is not very large and I am not sure that you would find enough to keep you busy there. There are nicer pools at the property next door, Park Royal, but then you say you are not really into pools on vacation.

I would save either of these properties for when you dock at Puerta Maya and want somewhere close and convenient. If you are docking in town you will probably need to get a taxi there unless you want a long walk in the heat with a little one. Since you are probably going to need a taxi anyway I think I would stick with one of the southern locations that have been suggested or have you considered a pass to one of the northern resorts or Bucannos?

Still wondering if we will be allowed in at Park if we arrive by cruise ship. Really don't want to go with the ship group and be rushed to leave. Would like to spend most of our day there as we have been to Roatan several times already and this would be a new experience for us. Hope someone will post back to this thread if they have recently been allowed to go by taxi and then get admitted without taking a ship tour. TIA

I would suggest that you email one of the independent tour companies and ask them if this is possible.

Victor Bodden and Rony are popular choices on here but we have always been very satisfied with Roatan Culture tours. They have always been very receptive to customizing tours for us and would tell you if could go independently, and probably tell you, or find out, a price for admission. We have never been to the regular stops on Roatan and prefer to have a vehicle at our disposal to stay as long as we want at our preferred stops. Roatan is the one port where it works out almost as economical to have your own private driver for the day as arranging for individual taxis -slightly more expensive if there are only two of you but certainly more convenient in case one plan doesn't work out as expected and you want to go somewhere else.