c-leg5

Cozumel regularly has that many ships. The main tourist areas will be busy but there are definitely options. Some people never leave Melgar, or the big beach bars south of town. If it is your one and only trip to Cozumel I would consider the Cozumel Bar Hop to get out of town (despite its name - not generally party bus but of course that always is dependent on who is in the group) or a private customized tour, we use ToursPlaza.

Not 100% sure but you will most likely dock in town at Punta Langosta. There, you will have your pick of many restaurants but some of the better ones only open for dinner, or some from 2pm. As usual food is very subjective - type, budget, how far you can walk etc. I suggest you google “Cozumel lunch restaurants” and you will find many recommendations. You can ask about specific places when you have narrowed it down. For lunch we tend to go for places with a view and like Aqui y Ahora rooftop (if you are mobile), museum and museum rooftop restaurant ( not sure if it has reopened), La Monina + Hemingway’s (fairly long walk along seafront). Many good local restaurants a few streets back and round the plaza depending on how comfortable you are away from main tourist street. Many recommend Panchos Backyard behind Los Cinco Soles ( we have never been). Be forewarned, Melgar, the main oceanfront road is a tourist trap with many vendors hustling to get you in their shops. If you are uncomfortable with that go inland a street or two or walk on the opposite side of the street to the shops and admire the waterfront statues. If you decide to go out of town lots of taxis available in main tourist areas - prices should be posted at pier, agree price before you get in.

Were there food and drinks? I heard the resort had closed? What facilities were available?

I don’t think you will find “great” food at a beach bar. We have enjoyed day passes to Park Royal in the past with a toddler for convenience. However a land vacation before cruising resumed wasn’t up to standard so I can’t comment on whether they are back to normal now. My suggestions to check for mixed ages would be Chankanaab, or Buccanos for better food (but their pool was closed for renovations so checking on that would be a must for me). Allegro and Palancar have better sand but food is OK not great and Palancar has no pool. Allegro has good kids pool. For a quieter day Nachi Cocom may appeal but no water sports. It

Maya Key for convenience of travel with a toddler.

It isn’t closed - you will find recent reviews on this board. However i highly doubt you will find great food and there have been mixed reviews as to how prepared they were for reopening. If you haven’t been to Costa Maya you might consider staying at the port area - plenty of activities to occupy kids (including supposedly a new pool although surprisingly i haven’t seen any reviews so not sure what is included). Again I doubt you will find “great” food but that is subjective. I find Pez Quadro busy and expensive. You might look at some of the other out of town locations suggested on this board if you really want a beach.

Which port?

Might be good general advice but not for cruise ship excursions to the mainland from Cozumel. unless you have an overnight stop or very long port hours.

That more or less restricts you to the mainland.

Without knowing the type of excursions @cruiseorcamp is interested in it is difficult to advise further. I agree in the main that unless it is a mainland excursion, which I would definitely do through the ship (although for me personally I would only do them from a mainland vacation because the time constraints don’t justify the costs), there is unlikely to be a problem within the island. Many, not all, ship excursions activities use shared taxis for transportation anyway. There are so many taxis in the main tourist areas they are lined up waiting or can easily call for back-up UNLESS it is an excursion to the east side where cell service and electricity are limited.

Who exactly do you think is being discriminatory? I am confused as to who you are actually blaming. Most of this thread is based on speculation. Certainly no one here knows the answer as to who is setting the restrictions. As already stated, I doubt the cruise line is actively trying to stop people from buying excursions. As far as OP @cruiseorcampis concerned, and their original question, lots of independent vendors in Cozumel where you can probably buy direct. Of course that does then leave the question as to whether they are actually insured or not. If you have a specific activity in mind try the port of call board on CC for suggestions and advice.

OK . Always best to check and photo current rates and the number of your taxi. Always agree rate with driver before leaving.

Is that recent? Looks the same as several years back and I haven’t heard of any official increases although always the currency games and double charging for two or more couples in a shared vehicle. we usually pay in pesos but hasn’t been beneficial recently especially on cruise ship days.

Plenty of restrictions, or surcharges, on insurance policies in US for various criteria - age, residence etc

As stated most likely an insurance requirement. Not sure what excursions you want to do but more than likely you can book it independently in Cozumel for a better price than through the ship.

Per taxi, each way for up to 4 people. Official Prices listed on a board at each port for bigger vehicles.

OK, although I am familiar with that one I have never used it. The OP lives in the north of England and I assumed they would fly from Manchester but they never actually specified where they were flying from.

I lost three items of clothing when left on hangers. I wound make sure it was together in a hanging carrier next time.

Is Houston your first US point of entry? If you are on a connecting flight you will have done customs and immigration.

Personally having flown Manchester to Houston many times, I would probably opt to stay at the airport and book independent (private or shared) or cruise line shuttle for the following day. The downside is, not a lot of places to eat other than at hotel. If you want to get bulk of travel done in one go you could shuttle down to Galveston (several options discussed on here in other threads). The problem with that may be finding somewhere that will allow one night stay in Galveston at Christmas and finding suitable transport to pier next day for 9. You will probably not be in the mood, or have much time to explore Galveston at that time.

Princess will probably dock at Puerta Maya.

About 10 minutes. $12-15.

OP is on NCL not Carnival. Generally only Carnival corporation ships dock at Mahogany Bay.

Yes no problem

sorry I thought you wanted to get off early. Others seem to have answered your question now.