c-leg5

Is this through VTG? If so they are only acting as a broker you would need to know who the actual tour operator is to check. Do you have any information about the tour?

Are there no other cabins in your category to move to?

For today? Your statement and question are a little vague.

Yes that is the minimum entry. If you only want beach and lounger you would be better to pick somewhere without extra activities and just PAYG. Playa Mia is basically a water park.

They made a fuss when I tried it and I did tell them to cancel and forget it. That was Pre-Covid but I don’t think that makes a difference.

I have done one in Cozumel but not Costa Maya. I have looked at them and there are several. I think @island lady recommended one to me that she had done several times.

Maya Chan is actually closing until end of August. I am surprised they aren’t closing for longer - last year I believe they closed until October.

Not sure how having 4 ships in port affects going to Bacalar? Most people won’t be going on an excursion that far? The port area might be crowded while you walk through, and the Malecon may be crowded, depending on sargassum, but not sure how it affects private excursions. There seem to be 4 ships scheduled most days if they are able to dock,

Did you go recently? We went when it was fairly new and lack of shade was my biggest complaint in the PAYG area so I am guessing the palm trees have perhaps matured now. Good to know it is still doing well. Certainly nearer than going to West Bay although snorkeling is probably not as good. We also liked the lack of vendors and quieter atmosphere. Sand fleas can be a problem at any of the beaches on Roatan on any given day. They seem to “like” some people and completely ignore others! Nice for a relaxing beach day but not as much to see or do as Maya Key and lacks a swimming pool.

Having done this itinerary multiple times last year, I would agree the port times are less than ideal in Costa Maya and are one reason we chose not to explore far afield last year. We have also been to Costa Maya multiple times previously. There are several issues with the port hours. First, at that time of year Costa Maya will be one hour ahead (EST year round). This affects your biological “eating” clock, and means it is getting dark before you leave. Our scheduled arrival wasn’t always on time and then you have to wait for clearance to disembark. Once disembarkation was temporarily halted after it began because another ship was docking and you can’t use the pier, but if your times are correct that doesn’t look like a problem for you. It is a long walk through the port and outside to where you meet Native Choice, so an hour after docking may still mean you have to hustle if there are any delays. Returning I believe you are dropped off at the port, but still have the pier to walk. All aboard is 30 minutes before sail away, we like to allow at least 1 hour. I am trying to point out you don’t actually have 11- 7 for your excursion. That said, Native Choice is a reliable company that has been around a long time. I am sure they are used to the constraints of the port hours. If I was intent on doing a tour I wouldn’t hesitate to use them. I am not sure how long their excursion is scheduled to be but I believe the ship excursion is 4 hours including about 45 minutes travel each way, so easily achieved within the timeframe.

They are even having problems accommodating 4 ships and the winds this year seem to have caused serious problems. I don’t recall ever hearing of them tendering even before they extended the pier to take 4 ships

Not really understanding “general safety” when it comes to belongings but a locker seems like your best bet (although inconvenient in many ways). Alternative would be to not have everyone in group go in the water at the same time. Paradise Beach is a big location with different areas. The water toys are a long way from the cabanas. I agree with above comments, it is be impossible to know if your items would be safe. Personally I wouldn’t leave anything I would miss unattended. Maybe carry your valuables and put your pump in a locker, (although not sure what kind of lockers they are so care with heat) or the locked bag which many use.

MTD used to be excellent but as many have reported for whatever reason they seem to have chosen to ruin it. There were teething problems when it was first introduced many years ago but it had worked well for over 10 years. It is almost as though they have no record of past experience if it weren’t for the fact that people were reporting this change, to not starting MTD until after early dining, even before Covid, which is the fact that is difficult to understand. We were never aware of that but then we never eat that early. We had several sailings on the same ship in 2022 and the first sailing was certainly the worst as far as organization. Our preferred time is 7.30 - 8pm so we are not as affected as some. We pick a time on the first night and if everything goes well set up same time/ same location for subsequent nights at the podium as we leave. If it isn’t to our liking we request a change. If ee pre- book on the planner I consider it more as a placeholder so we know we at least have a reservation, then change it once we board. Out of courtesy we have always cancelled our MTD reservation in advance if we book A specialty restaurant, or decide in WJ, but last year the coordinators were definitely not interested in knowing, which seemed very strange. I would assume people who actually WANT to dine at different times each night, because of fitting in various activities, probably aren’t so concerned about the actual dining experience with the same wait staff and are more concerned about attending certain activities. Is this for a Caribbean sailing?

You would need to be flexible. It MAY or MAY NOT be possible. There are no guarantees but you can request on the ship. If you pick random times in advance you will likely get random waiters and locations but that is the flexibility you choose.

Thanks you for your insight. A couple of suggestions, after the fact, we have used towels to cover the slats on similar canopies in the past. Not sure if you just had ship towels, or if towels are provided? I am surprised there weren’t any adjustable umbrellas available, I would have thought they would have had them for the hammocks. The sun can be very hot and strong for little ones and we have usually opted for a day pass to a hotel resort from the ship when we had grandkids with us. They usually have an AC area for a break from the sun, like a restaurant or a lobby. In Cozumel we have particularly liked Park Royal which has an indoor buffet area for lunch and no transport is required from Puerta Maya or international, so no taxi fare needed and no car seat required. Many taxis in the Caribbean do not have working rear seat belts. So both the big and small cabanas have fans, but they are the tabletop type?

Have you been to Grand Cayman and tried their rum, aged in barrels under the sea? https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/cayman-islands-ocean-aged-rum We weren’t that impressed but it’s a novelty!

Yes,I have followed Cabana Beach since it opened a few years ago so I have seen multiple reviews and photos. It was initially too expensive for us, as just a couple but then prices became deeply discounted during Covid. I was very sorry we missed going at a bargain price when we were staying on the island 2021. Now prices are slowly beginning to increase again. I can see the day bed that only has a slatted roof but I thought you got a more enclosed cabana too with seating which appears shaded from photos I have seen and I thought perhaps he could have napped there. Obviously the sun moves round but i would need to know I had a shaded option. Didn’t they have any additional umbrellas?

I would go with a private driver ( we use ToursPlaza) and take the hassle out of planning and driving . You would need several buggies for seven. You can let them know what you all want and customize your day. They can take you somewhere local to eat and the mercado if you are adventuresome. Pick a PAYG, or low entrance fee beach bar for some beach time. Take a ride round the east side for some photo ops and the natural side of Cozumel, unless it is summer and sargassum season. I am not sure you can do a buggy independently (ie not a tour)and if you want to shop in town parking several vehicles would be a hassle.

Glad you enjoyed! I am confused, don’t you get a cabana AND a day bed with the Cabana 10? Wasn’t the cabana in shade?

This has been our experience. Sometimes you want to keep the same table/staff but the idea of MTD is you can have flexibility so the same table/staff may not be available. We usually make a booking for the following night as we leave but this is not necessary. If you regularly eat at the sane time chances are re you can have the same staff, however there have been times when we haven’t enjoyed the location and/or service and we request a change for the following night.

Exactly, so it was an administrative error. The agent would have been unable to give you a DP340 price if there was more than one person. Someone forgot to complete the booking.

They couldn’t have booked DP340 if there were two people on reservation.

Sorry i had no idea Turquoise had become so expensive. We went primarily for fishing and didn’t even stop for lunch but that was before they got contracts with all the cruise ships. I know I have read complaints from the hotel guests about cruisers taking over so perhaps not such a good idea! I think you will enjoy Maya Key. I liked the pool. It has been a while since our last visit but we first went when it was new and called Fins n Flippers. It is so convenient now you depart within the port and there have always been multiple opportunities to return.

Do you want to snorkel? Maya Key is definitely the most convenient and has extra activities and areas of interest and would be my first choice for solo. I liked Sol y Mar but it was a number of years ago, when it was new, and I have no idea how it is now. I didn’t like that you were escorted to a designated area depending on your server and “pass” you purchased. I didn’t do AI and reviews of it were not so good at the time. I don’t think I would go solo. Shade was a problem in our “area”. I have never been to Tabyana. I think it would be fine if you want to snorkel or just want to sit on the beach. West Bay is too busy and doesn’t appeal to me in general and as you say it is a distance. If you just want a beach and ocean have you considered Turquoise Bay, which is now available through the ship, but we went independently several years ago. I would be wiling to return there since renovations.

What do you mean by “it isn’t reopening” and “it is only available through Native Choice”? Do you mean they stop at a location on the lake but there are no facilities? Are there no water activities, food and drink? Or did you only do the excursion with family lunch and ruins? Doesn’t really explain why Native Choice are not answering emails unless it is going into spam.