Poesia Caribbean Cruise- Mexico Port of Call

[ljdando]

Would anyone know if the Poesia docks at Playa de Carmen or Cozumel? The reason I ask is that I inquired about an excursion with Mexico Blue Dream and they thought all cruise ships docked at Cozumel...not Playa de Carmen. Thanks

[taszmom]

Ships dock in Cozumel. You have to take the ferry from Cozumel Island to get to the mainland of Playa Del Carnival which is about 35 min. Not an enjoyable ride for me, very rough seas.

[mapsmith]

My Opinion only. Since many of the Carnival Ships drop people off in PDC for excursions, then go to Cozumel, I am assuming there is a place in PDC and that the ship will dock in PDC and not in Coz.

 

I have seen reports on the board that there is a dock in PDC that MSC uses. It may or may not be in a "Port Area". (I have read that it is at a quarry?)

 

So I think that MSC does stop at PDC and not at Coz.

[LordCapybara]

I am thinking that since the ship schedule says Playa Del Carmen that the ship in fact does dock at Playa Del Carmen....Disney last year said Cozumel, why would MSC not say Cozumel ??? I am going to dock there during 11/20 cruise I will let you know for sure but I am hoping PDC.

 

Joe

[mafig]

If the ship was going to dock at Cozumel the itinerary would say Cozumel.

[ljdando]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. Looking forward to the definitive answer from Joe. Joe, looking forward to your review of the ship and have a great time !

[TopSecretAdam]

I called MSC today for that exact question because I booked a trip through a private tour company that asked me to ensure what place the drop off was at. MSC infomed me that it does not dock, they tender to Playa. They said there are three possible places they will tender you too. Either the main ferry pier (which is near/on 5th AVE), Calica, or another "unamed" spot.

 

WAY TO GO MSC! Doesnt even know where or how people are getting off the ship in Mexcio. I am upset because the Playa stop is already very short, now you want to add in a tender to it when they assign times... WOW! I am really trying to not let all of these negative reviews get to me as the trip is all paid for an no turning back now, but I am starting to see why so many people are not happy with these inept people!

[mapsmith]

Hopefully we will get a definite answer soon. As I reported on another thread, Google maps show a very long pier in PDC on Ave Constituyens north of the ferry pier. It looks like it might have been built for cruise ships. (Similar to Costa Maya and Fredricksted in St. Croix or BasseTerre in St. Kitts) Since other ships have stopped at PDC (or Calica) it seems like there probably is a port stop and not come in from Coz.

 

PDC is one reason why we chose this cruise.

[TopSecretAdam]

I have been to PDC a few times but never on a cruise. I know of the Pier your speaking of and yes it may be able to accomdate a cruise ship as it does large ferries for back and forth to Cozumel. But according to the actual live in person MSC reps, when I called they said they were NOT docking. They said we would tender. But they didnt give a location the tender would be dropping us off at.

 

I am just looking to see if anyone has gone to PDC on MSC Poesia this year. If you have, please tell us your experience with disembarking. Thanks!

[AmoMondo]

Adam, hope you do get an anwer soon from someone who ahs been on this cruise recently. Hoever, as this will be your first cruise, you may not be aware that tendering arrangements can change without notice depending on the weather. if the weather is bad they may have to tender to a different spot than planned or may not be able to tender at all. This doesn't often happen but something to bear in mind but not unduly worry about. Since you are planning a private tour, you may want to set up an arrangement where you can call on the morning to confirm time/place.

[LordCapybara]

Just back from 10 day, poesia. we were supposed to tender to playa del carmen, rough seas made the authority switch us to cozumel where we docked. I had a privately booked beach day planned at PDC, I went online and they had live chat and I switched my excursion to beach day at Wyndham cozumel, it worked out great. The plan is to tender ashore at PDC, but I don't think it takes much for them to decide to switch, the seas seemed fine.

 

Joe

[mafig]

Joe!!!! Tell us more.

BTW we used to live in Long Valley.

[LordCapybara]

I posted a semi review on these boards somewhere.....minutes ago....

 

I used cozumelcruiseexcursion website and found an all inclusive for PDC, when it was cancelled I went to their online site and it has live chat they switched me to wyndham in minutes. good stuff. You will have great trip on Poesia the friendly Italian entertainment staff, great food, do not believe what you read, the food is very good, I grew up in Belleville and have eaten my share of food......It depends on what you are expecting..rock walls, skating rinks, johnny rockets, waterslides - NO. A good trip, unbelievably clean, good food, good shows, excellent casino with dedicated 3 table TExas Hold'em room a deck below then this is going to be a great cruise for you.

 

Fire away and I will answer as many questions as possible.

 

Joe

 

 

1988 NCL Norway

1990 RCCL Song of Norway

1992 NCL Norway

1993 Celebrity Meridian

1995 Celebrity Zenith

1997 Celebrity Horizon

1999 Disney Wonder (4)

2000 Grand Princess

2001 CostaAtlantica

2002 Celebrity Zenith

2003 Carnivale Victory

2005 Celebrity Horizon

2008 Disney Magic (7)

2009 RCCL Explorer of the Seas (5)

11/20/2009 MSC Poesia (10)

[mafig]

What kind of stateroom were you in? I've read some reviews where it's stated the cabin is very small, did you find that to be correct?

[daZboys]

I am going on the Poesia on Dec 10th and am having trouble deciding what to do at the following ports:

Puerto Limon,Costa Rica

Cartagena,Colombia and

Cristobal, Panama.

 

Did your sailing stop at any of these? If so, what tours would you recommend?

Also, did you try the specialty restaurant?

 

Thanks

[irwins0001]

Can you please tell me anything you can about the Poker room? Stakes, # of players, any tournaments, free drinks?????

Thanks!!!!!

[LordCapybara]

Poker - on deck six, below the casino, 7 of 10 days had a 2pm or 3pm tounament $50+10 with rebuys, you got 2,500 chips to start and with rebuy. I played in 3, best finish was 5th of 30. they have only 3 tables so 30 is max, sized appropriately since on some of tourneys they had only 25/26 players.

 

I had a balcony room 11176, same as an outside, typical for a cruise, my family of 4 managed. It's not the Waldorf but its clean with comfortable beds, shower had HOT water.

 

Ports I hit aruba,curacao,cartagena,panama and Cozumel due to weather.....

 

Columbia - took a city tour from vendor we found on the pier, open bus maybe 4 hours a bit long but ok.

 

Panama - took the MSC tour that was ferry ride through the canal - expensive and long day, but if you never have been to canal I recommend it highly.

 

Joe