RCCL underground river excursions in Cozumel?

[CariBear]

Looking to see if anyone has any experience with any of the underground river excursions in Cozumel offered by RCCL. I checked the ports of call board, but didn't find anything related to these specific RCCL excursions, so I thought I would ask here. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

The two I am looking at are:

 

1. Underground Mayan River Cenote & Famous 5th Street Shopping & Beach $84/adult

 

2. Amazing Secret River & Playa Del Carmen (this one looks to be run by Rio-Secreto) $109/adult

 

These basically sound like the same excursion, but run by different companies. We are a family of 4 with 2 kids, ages 11 &16. Thanks!!

[poocher]

This was our plan for our cruise - until the ferry blew up earlier this year and the State Dept warnings went out.

 

Seemed pretty isolated but decided we didnt want to take the chance. Going with a beach club instead.

[Mellowjourney]

Would highly recommend the Amazing Secret River excursion if the ferries to the mainland are running now. Very professional company and great experience.

 

[ace1zoe2]

We’ve done the one thru the ship that is run by Rio Secreto. One of our favorite excursions to date.

 

We normally book all private excursions but since this one involved a ferry to Playa del Carmen we decided to play it safe and book thru RCI. There is a ferry and then a bus or van ride to the site.

 

It’s one of those once in a lifetime experiences. And of course you have to purchase the photos.

 

You will wear a wet suit and be in water cruise m ankle deep to over your head. It’s a very unique experience.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CariBear]

Thanks for the information!!! The pictures are incredible and it looks like a beautiful place! We are going in December.....so I will check the current information regarding the ferries.

[Biker19]

Would highly recommend the Amazing Secret River excursion if the ferries to the mainland are running now.

+1. The ferries never stopped running, it's just a matter if you feel safe using one.

[Mellowjourney]

We’ve done the one thru the ship that is run by Rio Secreto. One of our favorite excursions to date.

 

We normally book all private excursions but since this one involved a ferry to Playa del Carmen we decided to play it safe and book thru RCI. There is a ferry and then a bus or van ride to the site.

 

It’s one of those once in a lifetime experiences. And of course you have to purchase the photos.

 

You will wear a wet suit and be in water cruise m ankle deep to over your head. It’s a very unique experience.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Absolutely agree that this should be done as a cruise ship shore excursion. It is a very long day.

[melissa84]

We did "Amazing Secret River & Playa Del Carmen" and it was an amazing time. We booked through the cruise line - we were the first group off the boat at 7:00 and the last ones on at 4:45 (all aboard time was at 4:30). Ferry to the mainland, then about a 25 minute ride to the location - the last 15 minutes are very bumpy, back/dirt roads. They will provide towels, so no need to carry them from the boat.

 

The walk down to the river entrance is a dirt path, quite a bit of steps, and the river itself is very rocky and uneven on the bottom. There is not a paved walk, or handrails like at Carlsbad Carverns or a park like that. The river itself is about 85% wading - between ankle and knee deep - but the bottom is very uneven and you need to step carefully to not fall. The deep parts are not terribly deep, a 6'+ person might be able to touch bottom for most of it. You are required to wear a life jacket, so just float along over the deep parts. There are a couple of sections where you have to crawl under some rocks, or squeeze over/past a tight way.

 

The guide was very helpful and made sure that everyone was safe. He gave extra help to anyone that he thought might feel unsteady with the rocks or to people who were nervous or weak swimmers.

 

Lunch was included - typical excursion lunch of chicken, rice, tortillas, fruit and salad.

 

Definitely plan to buy the pictures - $99 for all of the pictures they take, plus a lot of professional pictures of the inside.

 

You will have about an hour to walk around and shop in Playa del Carmen but there will be no time at all in Cozumel - straight off the ferry to the waiting ship. Do not miss your return ferry.

 

We really enjoyed it.

[BNBR]

These are NOT the same excursion and not in the same caves. Very different. Amazing Secret River (Rio Secreto) is absolutely amazing and as others have said, probably one of the most memorable excursions you'll ever do.

[starteryaron]

We did "Amazing Secret River & Playa Del Carmen" and it was an amazing time. We booked through the cruise line - we were the first group off the boat at 7:00 and the last ones on at 4:45 (all aboard time was at 4:30). Ferry to the mainland, then about a 25 minute ride to the location - the last 15 minutes are very bumpy, back/dirt roads. They will provide towels, so no need to carry them from the boat.

 

The walk down to the river entrance is a dirt path, quite a bit of steps, and the river itself is very rocky and uneven on the bottom. There is not a paved walk, or handrails like at Carlsbad Carverns or a park like that. The river itself is about 85% wading - between ankle and knee deep - but the bottom is very uneven and you need to step carefully to not fall. The deep parts are not terribly deep, a 6'+ person might be able to touch bottom for most of it. You are required to wear a life jacket, so just float along over the deep parts. There are a couple of sections where you have to crawl under some rocks, or squeeze over/past a tight way.

 

The guide was very helpful and made sure that everyone was safe. He gave extra help to anyone that he thought might feel unsteady with the rocks or to people who were nervous or weak swimmers.

 

Lunch was included - typical excursion lunch of chicken, rice, tortillas, fruit and salad.

 

Definitely plan to buy the pictures - $99 for all of the pictures they take, plus a lot of professional pictures of the inside.

 

You will have about an hour to walk around and shop in Playa del Carmen but there will be no time at all in Cozumel - straight off the ferry to the waiting ship. Do not miss your return ferry.

 

We really enjoyed it.

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for this good review!

Can ypu please tell how much time it takes only for the cave part?

I mean, from the time you enter the cave until you finish it?

Also, is all the cave walking part rocky and uneven as you desctibed?

 

Thank you!

[BNBR]

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for this good review!

Can ypu please tell how much time it takes only for the cave part?

I mean, from the time you enter the cave until you finish it?

Also, is all the cave walking part rocky and uneven as you desctibed?

 

Thank you!

 

About an hour + in the cave. It's generally rocky, slippery, and with areas where you are in the water deep enough and cannot touch the bottom (but you float with your life vest).

 

If you have a difficult time walking or maintaining balance, this is not a good excursion for you. It's not terribly difficult, but it's rocky and slippery enough that someone with mobility issues may not do well.

[Jaimeglaser]

We did "Amazing Secret River & Playa Del Carmen" and it was an amazing time. We booked through the cruise line - we were the first group off the boat at 7:00 and the last ones on at 4:45 (all aboard time was at 4:30). Ferry to the mainland, then about a 25 minute ride to the location - the last 15 minutes are very bumpy, back/dirt roads. They will provide towels, so no need to carry them from the boat.

 

The walk down to the river entrance is a dirt path, quite a bit of steps, and the river itself is very rocky and uneven on the bottom. There is not a paved walk, or handrails like at Carlsbad Carverns or a park like that. The river itself is about 85% wading - between ankle and knee deep - but the bottom is very uneven and you need to step carefully to not fall. The deep parts are not terribly deep, a 6'+ person might be able to touch bottom for most of it. You are required to wear a life jacket, so just float along over the deep parts. There are a couple of sections where you have to crawl under some rocks, or squeeze over/past a tight way.

 

The guide was very helpful and made sure that everyone was safe. He gave extra help to anyone that he thought might feel unsteady with the rocks or to people who were nervous or weak swimmers.

 

Lunch was included - typical excursion lunch of chicken, rice, tortillas, fruit and salad.

 

Definitely plan to buy the pictures - $99 for all of the pictures they take, plus a lot of professional pictures of the inside.

 

You will have about an hour to walk around and shop in Playa del Carmen but there will be no time at all in Cozumel - straight off the ferry to the waiting ship. Do not miss your return ferry.

 

We really enjoyed it.

 

Just curious - are water shoes provided, or should everyone in my fam pick up a pair of water shoes before we go? We are signed up for this excursion for the 10/13 sailing on Harmony.

 

Thanks for all the great information!!!

[BNBR]

Just curious - are water shoes provided, or should everyone in my fam pick up a pair of water shoes before we go? We are signed up for this excursion for the 10/13 sailing on Harmony.

 

Thanks for all the great information!!!

 

Almost certain they are not included (we had our own). However, you really should have a pair of water shoes anyways. Lots of cruise stops/beaches are rocky, etc. Grab a few inexpensive pairs on Amazon or at Wal-Mart.

[Jaimeglaser]

Almost certain they are not included (we had our own). However, you really should have a pair of water shoes anyways. Lots of cruise stops/beaches are rocky, etc. Grab a few inexpensive pairs on Amazon or at Wal-Mart.

 

 

Yeah, that's not a bad idea... good call! Thanks for the heads up!

[starteryaron]

About an hour + in the cave. It's generally rocky, slippery, and with areas where you are in the water deep enough and cannot touch the bottom (but you float with your life vest).

 

If you have a difficult time walking or maintaining balance, this is not a good excursion for you. It's not terribly difficult, but it's rocky and slippery enough that someone with mobility issues may not do well.

 

Thanks again.

 

Some additional questions: :):):)

How cold is the water?

How clear is the water in order to see the rocks and the bottom surface?

Is the ferry back and forth included in the excursion (especially in terms of the cruise ship taking responsibility for not being late back to the ship being dependent on the ferry...)?

 

Thanks!

[BNBR]

Thanks again.

 

Some additional questions: :):):)

How cold is the water?

How clear is the water in order to see the rocks and the bottom surface?

Is the ferry back and forth included in the excursion (especially in terms of the cruise ship taking responsibility for not being late back to the ship being dependent on the ferry...)?

 

Thanks!

 

The water is cold but not bad. 75 - 77 degrees I'd bet. Definitely remember it being warmer than Florida springs which are 72. Our entire group skipped the wet suits (they provide if you want) and honestly, once you pop in to the water it's not that bad and I'd hate to be wearing a wet suit in there. Nobody complained it was cold or seemed uncomfortable. It was refreshing actually.

 

The water is very clear. It's got a lot of calcium but it's super clear and very much the "spring" you might be envisioning. However, it's DARK and you may not see rocks clearly. Though any rocks that you need to know about your guide will make sure you are safe.

 

Yes, the ferry is 100% included. You meet your group on the pier like any other excursion. They walk you over to a ferry that's waiting for you. You then meet up after getting off the ferry and they load you in to waiting vans. On the return, you go with your group again to the ferry and they get you on the ferry and take care of everything. Very well organized.

[Radium84]

Resurrecting this with new questions.

 

Question 1: The RCCL Cruise Planner says that this takes 7 hours. I can see around 2 - 2.5 hours for transport to/from Rio Secreto, but if the cave swimming is only an hour, what takes up the other 3.5 hours?

 

Question 2: I know that Rio Secreto offers three different packages through their website - 1) RS, 2) RS+, and 3) RS Wild...but I can't figure out which package is included in the RCCL deal.

[crewsweeper]

We did the one without the shopping but with lunch. 

They took us to a set of cenotes that were accessed from behind some small store off 307.  Lunch was at a resort and there was beach time, but very windy.

[coaster]

Google ‘vomit comet Cozumel’ before you decide.

[CariBear]

We chose the Amazing Secret River excursion and it was amazing! They give you wet suits, water shoes, helmets with a light, life vests, and a walking stick. 2 hours to get there....make sure to take Meclizine or Dramamine as the ferry ride is very rough and natural remedies might not work for you....a 1/2 hour getting ready....1 hour in the caves.....1 hour for lunch....1/2 to shop on the way back to the ferry.....2 hours back to the ship.

 

Lots of rocky surfaces in the caves and sharp edges. Several people came out of the caves with cuts on their legs. They had hydrogen peroxide to wash off the cuts. Lunch is at their facility....chicken, chips, rice with local fruit/rice drinks.

 

Pictures were $100, but worth it. 
 

Definitely our favorite excursion in the Caribbean. 

[evenstar1976]

On 8/20/2018 at 9:07 AM, melissa84 said:

We did "Amazing Secret River & Playa Del Carmen" and it was an amazing time. We booked through the cruise line - we were the first group off the boat at 7:00 and the last ones on at 4:45 (all aboard time was at 4:30). Ferry to the mainland, then about a 25 minute ride to the location - the last 15 minutes are very bumpy, back/dirt roads. They will provide towels, so no need to carry them from the boat.

 

The walk down to the river entrance is a dirt path, quite a bit of steps, and the river itself is very rocky and uneven on the bottom. There is not a paved walk, or handrails like at Carlsbad Carverns or a park like that. The river itself is about 85% wading - between ankle and knee deep - but the bottom is very uneven and you need to step carefully to not fall. The deep parts are not terribly deep, a 6'+ person might be able to touch bottom for most of it. You are required to wear a life jacket, so just float along over the deep parts. There are a couple of sections where you have to crawl under some rocks, or squeeze over/past a tight way.

 

The guide was very helpful and made sure that everyone was safe. He gave extra help to anyone that he thought might feel unsteady with the rocks or to people who were nervous or weak swimmers.

 

Lunch was included - typical excursion lunch of chicken, rice, tortillas, fruit and salad.

 

Definitely plan to buy the pictures - $99 for all of the pictures they take, plus a lot of professional pictures of the inside.

 

You will have about an hour to walk around and shop in Playa del Carmen but there will be no time at all in Cozumel - straight off the ferry to the waiting ship. Do not miss your return ferry.

 

We really enjoyed it.

How tight are the tight spaces you mentioned.  Would love to do this but not sure about small spaces.

[lisa6191]

46 minutes ago, evenstar1976 said:

How tight are the tight spaces you mentioned.  Would love to do this but not sure about small spaces.

 

We just did this last week and loved it. We didn't have any small spaces to crawl through. The hardest part was the uneven footing when the water was shallow - it was pretty hard to keep your balance without touching the walls, which they don't want you to do. I definitely recommend taking the walking sticks they offer.

 

A lot of people had a really hard time on the ferry with motion sickness. We did fine but be prepared for that. If you can sit on the outside deck on the upper level it is much better.

[evenstar1976]

1 minute ago, lisa6191 said:

 

We just did this last week and loved it. We didn't have any small spaces to crawl through. The hardest part was the uneven footing when the water was shallow - it was pretty hard to keep your balance without touching the walls, which they don't want you to do. I definitely recommend taking the walking sticks they offer.

 

A lot of people had a really hard time on the ferry with motion sickness. We did fine but be prepared for that. If you can sit on the outside deck on the upper level it is much better.

Thanks for the response.  Not had a problem with motion sickness yet but always better to be prepared