iheartmarshall

Pale skin + red hair = sunscreen!! We don't want you to be in pain!

LOL - I totally understand! I can be in the sun for 10 minutes and be burnt.

You ladies look beautiful! I haven't been on a cruise yet (only 314 days, but who's counting?) so all I have are traditional vacation photos... y'all are making me want to go on a pre-cruise before our big cruise! haha

I would second bguppies's recs (exception being the beaches in Belize, where you have to ferry to or do an excursion to get to). Centex cruiser's pics should sign the deal for you on Passion Island (probably one of the best excursions offered by ships in Coz). While a long day, the ship excursion to Xunantunich isn't that bad and you do get a decent lunch in San Ignacio after the ruins, which you can climb up on, unlike Tulum. They're not necessarily "more authentic" rather a different group of Mayas with slightly different socio-cultural habits than the Yucatan Maya. Tulum is great for the vistas but given the time there and the heat starting to build in May, it's a tiring trip from Coz.

Excellent points, thank you! And yes, Centex's pics didn't do any good to help the Tulum argument :) I'm leaning toward Passion Island because it looks like my paradise I don't really want two all-day, tiring excursions back to back (Cozumel is Day 3, Belize is Day 4). Plus, I'm more excited for the opportunity to climb to the top of a ruin in Belize than I am to just stare at it (guess that's what I meant by authentic?) like you can in Tulum. I should really stop stressing about it since I still have MONTHS, but it's what I do.

Thank you everyone!

Tulum is a unique Mayan experience, as they are the only ruins on the ocean. (the Mayans were smarter than modern man, knowing to not build on the ocean, to avoid storm surge from the frequent hurricanes. Tulum being up on the cliffs was higher than storm surge.)

 

But it is also, quite a bit of traveling back and forth, versus actual time at the ruins. Ferry ride, bus ride, ruins and then reverse. (but Xunantich is also a really long bus ride across the entire country of Belize, then back again.)

 

There is 3 Mayan choices in Belize and 3 Mayan choices in Costa Maya. (if you port there) The biggest Mayan ruins are at Progresso, but the majority of Western itineraries don't stop there. (if yours does, I highly recommend Uxmal and there is always Chitzen Itza, if you want the Disney of the Mayan Ruins)

 

But personally I don't think the beach options in Belize or Costa Maya are as good as quite a few in Cozumel (including Passion Island) and many beaches in Roatan, (again, if you are porting there) or Grand Cayman.

 

To Me Belize is Mayan Ruins, cave tubing, ziplines and scuba/snorkeling.

 

Costa Maya is smaller ruins and funky little beach bars in Mahuhual.

 

Roatan is gorgeous beaches and great snorkeling.

 

Grand Cayman is Seven Mile Beach and Sting Ray City.

 

Cozumel is the widest variety of beach clubs for any taste, shopping and great snorkeling.

 

If you are doing Mayan ruins in Belize, I would definitely choose to spend my hours ashore at a wonderful beach, rather than half my day on ferries and busses.

 

Have a GREAT time whichever you choose.

 

Bill

Thank you for your feedback! Our ports are Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Grand Cayman. We want to do stingray city in GC and are looking into Maya Key or zip lining in Roatan. I want at least one lazy beach excursion and like you said, Cozumel seems to have the best variety of beaches to choose from. And to be honest, I feel like seeing the ruins in Belize will be a bit more authentic (if that's the right word?) than Tulum. I guess where I had it in my head that we MUST visit Tulum before we even booked the cruise, I feel bad for second guessing.

DH and I are booked on Carnival next May and I'm already thinking about our excursions, as some of them are already available to purchase. This will be our first cruise and originally wanted the 7-day Western itinerary so we could visit Tulum while in Cozumel. But then I discovered Isla Pasion and I fell in love.

Neither DH nor I are lay-out-in-the-sun-all-day beach people, but I've been craving the gorgeous white sand and clear turquoise waters and Passion Island looks perfect! Plus, even though we aren't big drinkers, the open bar and included lunch sound appealing. We do really want to see some Mayan ruins on our trip and also plan to visit Xunantunich while in Belize so we will at least get some history in. It's just, from what I've seen in photos, Tulum looks so beautiful and I don't know when we will have the chance to return to Cozumel (cruising is always an option, but it will be a few years).

I know that Passion Island and Tulum are two extremes, but does anyone have some guidance or experiences they'd like to share to help me in my decision? Is it worth it to pass up the chance to experience history in Tulum just to spend a few hours on a picture perfect beach? I honestly can't decide. Help!

I have a variety of options I use, depending on how hot it is outside and the length of my dress. I have the typical short slips in 21" and 24" lengths, although they can make me really sweaty if it's warm and humid outside. Then I have a knock-off version of Spanx for when I want something slimming, but of course after a full day's use, it tends to get annoying. So, my old stand-by is cheap deoderant and it works like a charm -- by far the best if you don't care about the slimming effect!

However, now I'm intrigued by these Jockey Skimmies. I've never heard of them but I might check them out!

This thread is only about 1As .. you are in a PT. They are not the same category though both can have port holes.

 

This is a PT on Conquest, sister to Glory. Again for those looking at this thread for descriptions of 1As.. this is NOT a 1A... (sorry to hijack the thread to answer this poster.) It does have two twins that push together.

 

Thanks Firefly! After looking through so many posts, I got confused where some 1As can have portholes, but a PT cabin is not the same as a 1A. I knew you guys would help me out though, and I appreciate it.

You may have to search through this thread.

 

There are PH cabins, and there are a few 1A cabins that also have portholes. See my photo and comments earlier in the thread. I had 2217 on Glory, which is a 1A, has a single bed and a sofa bed, and has portholes. Great cabin for the price. The slamming of waves coming home from Bermuda was not pleasant, but if the seas were calmer, it would've been terrific. Nice long walk anywhere to help offset the caloric intake! ;)

We are booked in 1217 on Glory. The only description about beds it said was that we could either have two twins or one king -- does that mean one bed will be a sofa bed? As long as we can push them together to get one big bed, I don't care how it fits together! lol. The cabin category code online says PT so I'm guessing it's just a plain 'ole PT and not a 1A or anything. I got a bit confused while reading the OP though.

 

I am inferring that you have a PT room booked ES and you're seeking a possible price drop. Since they are a unique category, my guess is that you would be out of luck.

You are correct! We booked a PT and I'm really excited about it, but I wanted confirmation on the category for ES drops. Guess they're all booked up for our cruise next year and unless one becomes available and the price drops and I catch it, I'm out of luck. That's fine though -- I'm just excited to go! haha

Thanks for the clarification!

Quick question, and I apologize if this has already been asked prior in the thread, but on the Glory (Conquest class), are the portholes classified as a 1A or a different _A? When I booked online, they just were listed as PT and not a _A so I assumed they had their own category.

The reason I'm asking is we booked Early Saver and now it's showing that the PT rooms are not an option anymore, which is fine. We're happy with the price we paid and think it's fair. However, if they are technically the same category as a different inside cabin and the price of that category drops, I'd like to see if I can get a rate adjustment. Does that make any sense? lol. I need some clarification! :)