c-leg5

That isn’t the arrangement according to the instructions we received. Before Maya key belonged to Anthony’s Key (Fins n Flippers) the dock was a 5 minute walk just outside the port gates at Coxen Hole which wasn’t bad but that didn’t seem to be the case now. I wasnt involved in the booking so I don’t have the actual instructions but presumably @juraspark does.

I only know because a family member, who had been before through the ship, booked that way because the cruise line had sold out before they realized it didn’t leave from the port as normal. I am not sure exactly where the dock is or what parking lot you are talking about. From what i recall it was going to require a taxi to and from the dock - (Anthony key itself is on the other side of the island and their dock is basically for resort and land visitors). Getting a taxi back is not something I would want to rely on and randomly walking 20 minutes around Coxen Hole would be a hassle i could do without on vacation. We have enjoyed Maya Key several times but one if its biggest attractions is ease of transport especially with young kids. I wouldn’t go out of my way to find alternative transport I would save it for another day and do something else. YMMV. My family member cancelled the direct booking once they realized and went with the sloth and tiki boat/snorkeling in West Bay instead.

We have been more than four times going back almost 20 years. From our experience, the private driver is fine and reasonably economical the first few visits IF you want to tour. Eventually you know where you want to go and then it is a hassle. Last time we pre- booked driver just to take us to West END and back (closer than West Bay but not as easy to get group transport), there were no less than three attempts within Coxen Hole to pickup an accompanying “tour guide”. Eventually we had to say we were getting out if he didn’t just drive to West End. Every other time the driver just waited and returned when we were ready. This one went off to do a side job since we just wanted to stay put. He did return but it would be so much easier to just pick up a taxi and KNOW that you could easily pickup another one back. we have taken to doing Maya Key, having drinks and snack at Captain Jacks or only booking excursions that include transport.

Answered on other thread.

Assuming it is through the cruiseline the dock should be right at the port. It is very straightforward. Do your instructions suggest otherwise? Maya key belongs to Anthony key and if you book direct you have to get to their dock which is several miles down the road.

Thanks for you review. Good to have a recent update. Glad to hear the place is thriving - I was unaware they had built onsite accommodation now. One of these days when we have long enough port hours we will make it out there as they seem to have transport under control now. Not sure ALL places on the malecon are “cheap beer and loud music” at least not in our experience. We seek out the quieter experiences and sometimes the malecon is convenient but Costa Maya in general certainly has problems currently.

Lol, sounds like you got a boutique version.

NCL will dock at Coxen Hole. There is a small port shopping area. You can go outside the port to some local shops and bars but unless you have somewhere specific in mind I wouldn’t bother for random browsing. We like to go just outside port to the left to sit and have a drink and snack on the deck of Captain Jack’s, visible from the ship with red roof. There is a photo on Google maps from 7 months ago that shows the land layout of the port renovation but it doesn’t look like any progress with the amenities that were planned pre-Covid.

Which port?

In your circumstances I would also pre-book a driver to save the hassle of making a decision on the day. I presume since you were taken to an alley you were docked at Coxen hole? Unfortunately that is fairly common and even pre-booking doesn’t completely guarantee a good reliable vehicle although we have found it to be better when we have several places outlined to visit as opposed to transport to just one. It is time Roatan got its act together, if it wants to encourage multiple cruise ships and got itself an organized taxi service which, at the minimum, provides drop-off and pick-up between cruise ports and West End/West Bay on a reliable basis at an official price. Roatan has been developing its cruise ship industry for over 20 years. Whilst popular with many it is certainly not my favorite port stop. Private drivers for the day are fine if you have a group and want flexibility to visit several places. They are overpriced for a ride from A to B and back for 1 or 2 people. Are you docking at Coxen Hole or Mahogany Bay this time?

Listed on the website at La Europa with prices. Presumably you are at International so need a taxi or walk into town to Mega. i have no idea about at the pier I don’t drink tequila.

If you use the search engine on this board several previous reviews. I don’t recall many since cruising resumed but there are TA reviews since Covid so they obviously started up again.

I agree it is unlikely under normal circumstances to have to cancel many individual trips if you are generally fit and well, but there can be problems if you already have many several future trips, not just cruises, booked and something unforeseen happens that causes cancellation of several “paid in full” trips. As I stated at that point you would have to look to alternative coverage for trips beyond the ones you had to cancel. It depends on your travel habits but several high cost accommodations or travel arrangements could easily be a problem with the low cap. Playing the odds with annual insurance is fine within limitations.

OK good to know i have never been on MSC or to the ruins. The malecon is one long beach with multiple beach bars of different sizes and qualities. We also prefer quieter and have done town and Maya Chan depending on port hours. There are other individual out-of-town clubs in addition to Maya Chan but if there is sargassum at one most likely it will be at all since they all face the same way. The town beach has been equipped with an offshore baffle system which seems to have helped some this year. I am not sure how far it goes or which clubs benefit most -we haven’t been this year. My biggest gripe with Costa Maya, since cruising restarted, is taxi prices and concerns about monopolies. We have also said we will spend some days within the port, something we would never have considered in the past.

+1 Much easier to check refundable/non-refundable on third party websites where you can put in filters or as suggested go for a TA group rate which is usually refundable. I rarely use Royal site for research, too time consuming.

No way to tell what sargassum will be like by November at this point.We have been many times end of November/beginningDecember and it has been fine. You will get a better idea a week or two before. Maya Chan always used to send photos even allowing you to cancel at pick up on the day if sargassum is bad - not sure if that is still the case. You could always go to one of the beach bars on the malecón if it looks clear on the day when you arrive. The port can take four ships so more important is the size of ships and volume of passengers. The port area will be busy but I would get off and walk around if you haven’t been before and probably enjoy a drink. Food and drink are expensive within the port so we would return to the ship to eat. No idea how busy the ruins would be but if you go through the ship you will be with a much bigger group than the independent tours.

Thanks I have already had the policy. I agree the caps are low. Like most insurance there is no one policy fits all but it suits multiple short trips where most of the time you probably won’t claim. In addition to low caps, there is a limit on length of each trip and we have had to buy separate insurance for extended overseas trips. As a PP. said you have to buy appropriate insurance for your needs. Whilst convenient for many it probably wouldn’t have been appropriate for the OP, unless they had taken out the higher coverage, and I think the friend would have required individual insurance as i think it only covers family members.

Certainly it has a cap but you can make multiple claims.

In that case they would then have to buy individual insurance going forward which they would have done anyway. But if they haven’t claimed they could be better off. It becomes more complicated IF you have pre-existing conditions

Obviously, like any insurance, annual or single, cancellation has to be for a covered reason. Not really understanding what you are saying.

Can be any time but probably worse March-October. Depends on storms and currents to a large extent when it is brought in. At its most active fields can spread from south America to Africa.

OK thanks. I dont remember but it has been a while. i see now the insurance is 15% of total cost. Since we were only going one-way with senior discount I think we either decided to self-insure or probably use our regular travel insurance for nonrefundable expenses if needed.

ToursPlaza? https://www.toursplaza.com/recommended-stops/ They can customize, just explain what you are interested in or ask for suggestions. The owner and main driver is Gerry, who speaks excellent English but Eduardo does the administration. He will know who I am we have toured as a couple and with extended family numerous times over last 15 years.

We used Galveston Express once. I don’t recall insurance option what does it cover you for?

Agree with @crewsweeperon the turquoise blue waters I can’t help with ATV, not my thing, but it is discussed regularly on this forum if you use the search function or scroll back a page or two. (ETA I got 33 hits with quick search although granted 3 were this thread) If it is your first visit and you want a sampler, customized tour my go-to operator is Eduardo at ToursPlaza. Lots of places to take kids on Cozumel.