krhpee

We were on a b2b cruise and both weeks stopped in Cozemel. We had hired a driver. It was 100 for the day. He was a dream to have We saw the other side of the island-- no electricity or really running water so other than a park and beach (which is ocean so not all that easy to swim but possible.) He did take us through out the island and showed us lots of other sites. We could stop anytime we wanted. He took us to a the huge grocery store and bought drinks for the day. He had a ice cooler for us too. We asked for him to take us to a friend's jewerly store and some place to buy a local persons crafts. We stopped for some local food. We had made arrangments to go to the orphanange run by some churches here in the U>S> We had a great day with the kids. That has to be arranged in this country before you can get in. We arranged the driver from the states also. He spoke great English and was a young energetic man. I would do it again in a heart beat. His name is Edwardo but I don't know if he is still in the busy. He had a facebook. Look under drivers

Having sailed two Norwegian and 17 Carnivals I have to say I will stick with Carnival unless Norwegian is only ship going there. We did our second Norwegian as a repositioning. The first night at 11 pm as my husband and I were walking from the back of the ship to our cabin close to the front, we passed NO ONE at all. No staff no other cruisers. The crowd was a lot older than other cruises we have been on. The MOST offensive attitude on board was the CLASS system the cruisers seem to have. There are special restaurants and pools for those who spend more money on cabins. One lady i met at the one pool, told me to get a certain type of cabin next time so I would not have to eat with "those people". I told her-- I was one of "those people" Not really the way I like to live- putting others down according to what may seem their income. She has no idea if I had more money than her just because I saved money on my cabin. She was not the only one-- look at NW ads. They promote that attitude. Food was as good as Carnivals. Entertainment was somewhat boring. Bingo has those stupid electronic boxes you use. Not fun at all. Shows were okay too. Captain was totally approachable. He was on deck lots and talked with all of us.

After reading all these wonderful reviews, we hired through Edaurdo. Talk about timely. He got back with my email almost immediately. Made arrangements and sent deposit. Alberto was our driver. We were doing a back to back on the Carnival Elation therefore having two days in Cozumel. We hired ALberto for both days- three hours each. First of all, what a nice man. Well educated, very polite and spoke English quite well. More than I can say for me- I speak English and that's it. He did try to teach me some Spanish but I will need a few more lessons. I would not hesitate to hired him again when we visit Cozumel. He will take you where you want to go, or we let him take us on what he thought we should see. He explained so much to us. When we went shopping, he pushed the cart, lifted the heavy bags. What a jewel of a guy.

As per NUMEROUS Media reporting that Schettino slowed down and sped up, that is FALSE INFORMATION!!!

 

AIS recordings from various sources have PROVEN those False Media Claims/Reports to be false!!

 

Please watch this in its entirety and note both the speeds and the time line: http://news.qps.nl.s3.amazonaws.com/Grounding+Costa+Concordia.wmv

 

Here is a more detailed and more recent one to watch: http://news.qps.nl.s3.amazonaws.com/Grouding+Costa+Concordia+January+13+2012+AIS+Reconstruction+by+QPS.wmv

 

You can see more here on their web site: http://www.qps.nl/display/qastor/2012/01/17/20120117_stranding

 

If you do a Google Search under AIS Costa Concordia Timeline you will find even more that disprove the media reports.

 

Joanie

thank you for this informative post. i cruise a lot and am concerned of what to do in emergency as this. I find your posts quite helpful. thanks again

Just a short note and my opinion regarding ship excursions and at the pier excursions--We have cruised 17 times and have booked most of our excursions from the ship for this reason only-- if you are late coming back to the ship and are booked on a ship's excursion-- the ship will wait for you. If you are on your own booked excursion-- too bad so sad. You make your way to the next port and hope to catch the ship there. Note worth the cost saving for sure.

That being said, I have done excursions both ways, only after reading boards and following peoples experience before me. Don't cut your time short --- Leave plenty of time to get to pier. At some ports, it is not all that safe to go off on your own either. Listen to ships shore excursion talks and do your research before. There are horror stories out there.

Once a Carnival ship waited 5 hours for people delayed in a flood in Jamiaca. We all had to change plans for the next day but it was nice to know they would wait for us.

Everyone has to make their own decisions, but please remember--- you are in a foreign country. Be safe.

Freedom deck 14 on wall behind stairs to water slide. Most are to be under a mast and are there before ship hits water.

Not really mystery coins but good luck coins

When I send cards, I purchase my stamps on board from Pursor's desk. You can buy one for each port if you wish. When mailing, I ask what the cost is for each port. You would be amazed as the cost is quite different. On last cruise, Mexico was 1.46, Costa like 48 cents, and Panama was 24 or the same as american stamp cost for postcard. I try to mail them from cheapest cause it takes forever anyway. Most of the time, the cards will be mailed from the next port anyway> Ask at the customer service desk and they will tell you the price on all the ports you will be calling on. good luck