hdawson

try williamlawson@hotmail.com

Yes he is.

Unfortunately, Mr William Lawson has been banned from posting on Cruise Critic. I know I'm not the only one that misses his most informative posts to this board. He has contributed the MOST usable and reliable information on the Progreso/Merida board.

I've never read a single post of his that contradicts the board's rules.

You can click on his screen name and review his previous posts for valuable information I think. They are numerous covering alot of different subjects.

mskillern. I'm not Mr Williams but have traveled many times, land vacations and cruises, to the area and been on this board "forever". I have not heard or read of a single incident of anyone missing the ship because of bus problems.

Besides this board, another great resource for your portcall is http://www.yucatantoday.com

An excellent visitor's guide.

Anyone going to Progreso should checkout http://www.yucatantoday.com. An excellent visitor's guide to the Yucatan state. Not like Cancun, Cozumel or northern border towns. Do your research to fully enjoy. Very safe.

Be a traveler, not a tourist. Avoid the ship's tour herd mentality.

It's a short two or three block stroll to the beach from where the courtesy bus will drop you. Very good restaurants along the Malecon.

William. You can't imagine how much I envy you living in Merida. I'll be in Merida during a port call on Aug 30th. Maybe we can meet up at Main Street sidewalk cafe on Hildago Plaza between Hotel Gran and the Carib for a Montejo brew. When vacationing in Merida I enjoy getting up at 7AM and sitting there (with many cups of Joe) watching all the folks rushing off to work or class. A privilege of the retired. LOL Will keep in touch.

Keep reading this board and also checkout http://www.yucatantoday.com There are many options for your Progreso stop. No snorkling since this is the Gulf and not the crystal clear Caribbean. Research is key. Great fresh fish and seafood in the many restaurants along the Malecon (beachside street) if you stay in Progreso.

Nannersmom. The water is murky because the Yucatan sits on a limestone shelf that juts out off shore. That is the reason for the 4.5 mile long pier. The shallow water has a pretty constant small wave action that keeps the water stirred up.

The area around Progreso (single "s") is very poor. The pedlers that you don't like are merely trying to provide for their families the only way they can. If I had responsibilities and no job, I would do exactly the same thing to provide for my family.

Progresso (dbl "s") is my favorite canned soup.

William. Ticul, about twenty miles from Uxmal is another charmer. Great market with beautiful produce. Instead of taxis they have cyclos similar to Saigon. Not motorized. Peddle power. That is the form of taxis they use. Principle industry is tericota pots and shoes. In the market I had the very best pig skins I've ever had. Also the best nachos I've had.

For city life, Campeche would be pretty nice too.

Me too but I may choose Merida.

Will as you probably expect, I totally agree with you. There are a few posters I just don't know how to respond to. It sounds like this poster did research and went, knowing what to expect and still needs to trash Progreso and it's people.

Rose, you have a great attitude. From your post I suspect you are a traveler rather than just a tourist.

Should be hdawson228@aol.com

stephic. Drop me an email at hdawson @aol.com. Will be glad to send more pics of the Yucatan than you need. lol Progresso with two s's is a soup company. In Mexico, it's one s.

Kingfish. At my age, I have very tough skin.

For ALI: I've only tried to provide information about Progreso, Merida and the state of Yucatan based on my impressions and experience. Two port calls and three 2 wk land vacations. Those experiences are not only in Progreso, but lots of time in Merida and visits to small rural towns such as Ticul, Santa Elaina and the beautiful and large city of Campeche. Also the ruins at Uxmal twice and Chichen Itza. BTW. What ruins tour ripped you off? How much of an effort did you make to experience or enjoy your stop at Progreso? Why do you think your experience was so contrary to most other posters here? Are your opinions superior to the rest of us?

Rowan. I think Ali's screen name is a new name for the poster named "Agrip" who started this thread long ago.

terry&mike. Excellent discription. Hoping it remains AS IS.

Research is the key. Knowing your options.

For those just checking into this thread, I suggest you read the entire thread from the beginning. The vast majority of posters have experienced a completely different visit to the Yucatan via Progreso than aleged by Agrip or Alildabldo. Contrary to the suggestion that some of us are "cruise pros", my first two visits were on Celebrity cruises, I've now chosen to go back for three 2 wk land vacations to the area. In 19 cruises, it's the only area I've decided to go back to for a land vacation. Some are even planning their retirement in the area. The residents of the Yucatan are very warm and friendly when given the chance.

dcikon2. I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph and I too have seen the same things. And I'm embarrassed by their behavior.

I've been to Uxmal twice and Chichen Itza once. CI was on a van tour. Drove both times to Uxmal from Merida. My goal now is to visit more small rural villages of the Yucatan and maybe some moderate ruins along the way. For sure Izamal on my next land trip. Hopefully and maybe, this fall.

Opinions. Opinions. We all have them. Private or public endeavors. Although Chichen Itza made the list, Uxmal is my favorite. Shorter drive from Progreso, prettier and more impressive to me personally. Added note, I believe that both Merida and Campeche have been named USESCO World Heritage Sites or Cities. Both Chichen Itza and Uxmal are definitely worth the effort to see. Some of the structures at Uxmal DO allow some climbing. I think your suggestion that the naming of CI as a New World Wonder was some kind of scam initiated by the Mexican government tourist folks IS very cynical.

Correct. It is described as the Seven New Wonders of the World. It was not a declaration of Mexico, however, I'm sure each site and the local tourism group and country tried to get representation in the selection. To call it a scam is pretty cynical.

The Seven are: http://www.new7wonders.com/classic/en/n7w/results/

Some of those options at Progreso are:

Two really "major" Mayan ruins as well as moderate and minor ones. One of the major ruins was recently put on the Wonders of the World list. Dating back to the sixth century.

A really very nice all-inclusive resort at very modest day pass rates.

Of course a long and wide beach, however, being on the Gulf, the water is not as clear as in the Caribbean. Really good restaurants across the Malecon (seaside street) that will serve you on the beach if you like. Very fresh fish and seafood.

Merida, a Spanish colonial city of one million. The state capitol, home to four universities and archetecture dating back to 1549. and the oldest cathedral of the Americas. Round trip modern bus service Progreso to Merida (21 miles), a whole $3.00pp.

There are very good and reliable tour companies at the pier.

The only thing missing in the Yucatan State is phoney glitz. Very nice people if you're open to them.