Tulum

[TigerLady]

Can ANYONE tell me why Carnival no longer offers the Mayan Ruins of Tulum excursion out of Cozumel?.. We booked with this excursion in mind ?? CCL won't answer my inquiry on this... Can anyone help me out? We leave October 9th...

[CruiseOrLoose]

I can't answer why they cancelled it, but I can tell you that many years ago my husband and I went on that tour. I hated it...there were plenty of of ruins to see, it was kinda interesting, but it is hard to listen to what the guide is saying while you're being carried off by mosquitos. And yes, we did use bug spray...I think bugs were amune to it. It was one of the most miserable tours I've ever taken.

 

I would guess that MAYBE one of the reasons CC doesn't have it anymore may be because they were afraid that one of the passengers might get West Nile Virus:eek:(if one hasn't already).

[KFinTx]

Maybe they don't have a contracted tour operator. Or they won't offer it until you get on the ship. Just guessing, but I have noticed that sometimes the excursions differ from what they say is available online v. what's offered once you're on the ship. Good luck! I've heard Tulum is nice.

[Cruzman]

We did the Tulum tour several years ago thru Carnival and loved it. The ruins over look a beautiful Caribbean beach. If Carnival doesn't offer it, there are lots of private tours available that go there.

[evandbob]

Can ANYONE tell me why Carnival no longer offers the Mayan Ruins of Tulum excursion out of Cozumel?.. We booked with this excursion in mind ?? CCL won't answer my inquiry on this... Can anyone help me out? We leave October 9th...

 

 

Tulum is still listed on the Elation's ship excursions if that is the ship you are sailing on.......so is Chichen Itza.......I've been there several times, it's a wonderful place, hope you make it......never needed mosquito repellant, just a hat for the glaring sun and lots of water. The Elation is in port 9am to 5pm, and the Tulum tour is generally 7 to 71/2 hrs, so I may not want to take an independent tour.

[Alrana Eris]

I took the Tulum ruins excursion in 2005 and the ruins were nice #1 it took way too long to get there boat then bus, they give a snack. then a couple hours at the ruins then back. #2 by the time you get done you also stop at one of them cruiseline/tour guide kickback shop. I got a few things would rather done a bit more shopping. But the pics i took and the views was worth it. 7 hours for me is too long of an excursion if i go back to cozemel its a bit of shopping then go back on the ship.

 

It is in my opinion a very long excursion. 4 hours of it traveling back and forth. about 2 hours at the ruins about 1 hour or less shopping and thats it. I also felt so rushed , we made the ship just barely they waited because we booked it though carnival.

 

Why carnival stopped the excursion who knows..

[firefly333]

Maybe it sold out for your cruise, thats why the listing was removed?

[Ren1216]

I would NOT recommend taking this tour through a private excursion company. As already stated, it's quite a distance from where your ship will dock (ferry is required to the mainland, 45 mins, then an hour long bus ride - ONE way). Done through the ship, it's a 7 hour tour and the ship will wait for you if there is some sort of transportation problem. Those problems DO happen. Buses break down, the ferry can be delayed if the water between the mainland and Coz is too rough, etc.

 

Call Carnival and ask them why it's not offered. Seems odd, it's a very popular tour... but there are usually other options too. Might have to settle for a different ruins site maybe from another port? They offer really nice tours from Belize and Costa Maya as well, in case either of those are on your itinerary.

[GeneHunter]

There's been no change on my Tulum reservations for my Sept 30th destiny Cruise. They are probably sold out of the allotted reservations, so check online daily and if a reservation doesn't open up, go to the Excursions desk as soon as you board.

[ANGSWIN]

I would NOT recommend taking this tour through a private excursion company. As already stated, it's quite a distance from where your ship will dock (ferry is required to the mainland, 45 mins, then an hour long bus ride - ONE way). Done through the ship, it's a 7 hour tour and the ship will wait for you if there is some sort of transportation problem. Those problems DO happen. Buses break down, the ferry can be delayed if the water between the mainland and Coz is too rough, etc.

 

I agree! We took the 8 hour Tulum excursion in April on the Costa Atlantica and loved it. It was a great excursion - the ruins were fantastic. I also loved the equinox and solstice calender windows, and the remains of the murals and red paint were amazing. Bargaining at the marketplace and eating at "Senor Frosties" was also fun. However, we were an hour and a half late returning to the ship. It was supposed to leave port at 5:30 but we didn't get back until past 6:30. Thank goodness we booked through the cruiseline because they waited for us, but they took off the minute we were all on board. I was just glad that I didn't have to find a ride home.

[marym933]

Tulum is still offered for our cruise in January. On our last Legend cruise in April 2009, the excursion was on the shore tour list and I reserved it. The next time I logged on, it was gone. I called Carnival to make sure I still had reservations. I talked to 3 different vacation specialists that all had different answers. One said it was sold out, another said it wasn't offered anymore and the other said my reservations were fine.

 

For whatever reason, tours sometimes disappear from pre-bookings, but are available on the ship. Tulum was offered on our sailing. It all worked out fine. If you can't book before you go, I think the tour will be available on the ship.

 

I would not arrange this tour on your own. It is a long way from Cozumel via a ferry to Playa del Carmen. There are just too many things that could go wrong. The timeframe is so tight, I kind the chances of literally "missing the boat" are too great.

[Azure Moon]

Loved our day at Tulum...even with seeing a very long snake crossing the road as the excursion group walked towards the ruins :eek:

 

I agree with the posters who said excursions appear and disappear on the website, the phone reps don't always know what's going on, and that if excursions aren't available on-line they may be on the ship.

 

I hope all works out with your trip to Tulum! You will love it!

 

 

I can't answer why they cancelled it, but I can tell you that many years ago my husband and I went on that tour. I hated it...there were plenty of of ruins to see, it was kinda interesting, but it is hard to listen to what the guide is saying while you're being carried off by mosquitos. And yes, we did use bug spray...I think bugs were amune to it. It was one of the most miserable tours I've ever taken.

 

I would guess that MAYBE one of the reasons CC doesn't have it anymore may be because they were afraid that one of the passengers might get West Nile Virus:eek:(if one hasn't already).

I had a run in with some determined mosquitoes at the zoo in Belize in 2008 --- even though I was wearing 3 different bug sprays at the time :mad:!

 

Following that trip hubby and I went to a travel clinic for Hep. A shots and other medicine. Told the travel nurse about the mosquito attack and she told us to use 3M's Ultrathon as it had gotten a good review and it worked for her.

 

In 2009 hubby and I went to the Lamanai Mayan site in Belize. I used the Ultrathon and didn't have any trouble with mosquitos :cool:.

 

Maybe it would work for you as well.

 

Happy, and hopefully, insect-free travels to all.

[tiyana4]

We just got off the Freedom yesterday and the Tulum excursion was offered there. I agree that it is a very long and hot day, but definitely not a tour I would do independently. We had no problems with mosquitoes whatsoever, but it was extremely hot. The site itself is very pretty and the water was very refreshing. I hope you have an opportunity to visit Tulum. It makes for a nice one-time trip.

 

If you are prone to motion sickness, you will want to take something beforehand to help with the ferry crossing and the bus ride - it helped me tremendously.

[paulbill1]

We also took the Tulum excursion on our 2008 Triumph cruise. We loved it. Sure it was hot, but no mosquito's. (If you want mosquito's, go to Alaska!) Beautiful and amazing ruins, knowledgeable guide, and stupendous views and beaches.

 

I highly recommend it.

I would echo others tips in staying with a Carnival excursion. It was quite a way away, so no need to worry about missing the ship if anything goes awry.

 

Regards,

Paul

[k2excursion]

Can ANYONE tell me why Carnival no longer offers the Mayan Ruins of Tulum excursion out of Cozumel?.. We booked with this excursion in mind ?? CCL won't answer my inquiry on this... Can anyone help me out? We leave October 9th...

 

That does seem odd, but as other posters have said, things disappear and re-appear on the website all the time. Keep checking the website, and if you're not able to get it booked before, I hope you'll be able to book it once you're on the ship. I notice that you're leaving out of Mobile. Their two 5-day cruises alternate between Progresso/Cozumel and Cozumel/Calica. If you ever take the Calica cruise, it's much easier to get to Tulum from Calica. No bumpy ferry ride to the mainland, saves over 2 hours, plus it's about $10 cheaper. And, you can arrange that one on your own without worries of missing the ship. You'd probably be back to the ship with over 3 hours to spare. It's a bit of a drive, but it's an easy drive on a nice road. I did Carnival's tour. I loved Tulum, with the beautiful cliffside and beach. The bugs were there, but not too bad. I didn't like the 30-minute stop at the shopping place. I'd rather have more beach time. We were back at the ship with almost 4 hours to spare, enough time to go to Playa del Carman.

[TigerLady]

Thanks for everyone's ideas and help.. I will keep checking the website. I hope I can get it onboard if nothing else.. Mosquitos don't scare me, I live in ALABAMA.. We grow 'em big here...

[LHP]

I have to second the poster that said NOT to take this through a private operator....UNLESS you are a seasoned traveler who understands that you could end up missing the ship...and you accept the responsibility of getting yourself (and your family) to the next port (or home if that is the next stop).

[Marie51]

I can't answer why they cancelled it, but I can tell you that many years ago my husband and I went on that tour. I hated it...there were plenty of of ruins to see, it was kinda interesting, but it is hard to listen to what the guide is saying while you're being carried off by mosquitos. And yes, we did use bug spray...I think bugs were amune to it. It was one of the most miserable tours I've ever taken.

 

I would guess that MAYBE one of the reasons CC doesn't have it anymore may be because they were afraid that one of the passengers might get West Nile Virus:eek:(if one hasn't already).

 

I agree. When I went we were eaten alive by mosquitos and it was a very long, hot day. It was in October. It was a miserable day for me too. I really hate to say that because many people seem to love it. Different strokes for different folks.

[TigerLady]

I called CCL yesterday and inquired about my beloved Tulum.. I was told that due to itinerary changes, not all of the excursions were offered online.. We can hopefully book once on board...

[nothomeonacruise]

I loved it. It's eerily beautiful. I love very historical places, so maybe I am a bit biased.

[dstone]

I do NOT like mosquitos and I do NOT like the heat, but when went on Carnival and took the long, very long excursion to Tulum is was worth it. The history and the view is wonderful and I would recommend it for a one-time visit. Take sunscreen, insect repellant and bottled water and a snack!! Enjoy.

Oh, was in Alaska last year on a cruise and never saw, heard, or got bitten by a mosquito.

[T. Advisor King]

We took the Tulum tour from the Conquest in March last year. We had been to Cancun in the early '90s and had seen Chichen Itza so we were really looking forward to Tulum. I'd have to give the tour an "average" rating, and I'm a big fan of ruins and antiquities.

 

It is a long day, with very little down-time. It starts with a rocky ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, then a longish bus ride where they stop you at one of those captive-audience souvenir shops.

 

It was a hot day, but we enjoy the heat (given the prevalence of rain in the PNW). I don't recall any issue with mosquitos.

 

Our tour guide was okay, but not nearly as descriptive or captivating as the one we'd had in Chichen Itza. The "slant" of the Tulum guide's presentation was different, so he ended up talking more about "his people" (his words, not mine) than about the ruins themselves.

 

We ended up with only a small amount of "free time" to split between the ruins and the gorgeous beach below. The views and sights were spectacular.

 

It was at least mid-afternoon when we returned to the bus and only then did they hand us our snack (which I think was one of those cheese & cracker Kraft snack-boxes). There was no time to stop anywhere for lunch, so you kind of have to accept that you're going to be hungry for a good part of the day.

 

On the ferry ride back, one of the docking bumpers flipped up in the rough seas and smashed the ferry window, injuring a couple passengers with glass shards.

 

I had anticipated that Cozumel/Tulum would be my favourite day of the 7-day cruise, but it really didn't turn out that way. But it wasn't bad.