Cozumel Off Itinerary

[oldIrish]

On Coral Princess 4/3. Just noticed Majahual has replaced Cozumel.

Have no idea where it is. Things to do etc.

Any help out there.

Thanks

[jmunro]

We just went there and it is Costa Maya,,,real interesting place. But when we went they replaced it for Grand Caymen...getting into Cozumel was a real challenge with no docks

[Host CJSKIDS]

Princess keeps replacing Grand Cayman and Cozumel but just change anything for the Star Princess. I wish they would drop one of these ports for us and give us some place new.

[Cruiseteach]

That is strange because I am on the 3/4 Coral and received no such notification. How did you find out?

[divadiverfl]

I was on her 2-12/2-12 and we tendered in Coz but could not GC because the seas were to rough,

Maybe when you are going there is a schedule conflict with to many ships in that day.

There were 5 when we were there.

[crowleychick]

You dock at Costa Maya which is more or less just a square with a whole bunch of shops and a couple of restaurants. Prices don't seem to be that good - I'd almost say a tourist trap kind of place. You can take a bus for $3pp to Mahajual and catch a taxi back for $2 pp.

 

Mahajual is a little fishing village that consists of basically one main dirt road. On the left side is the beach. All along the dirt road are a ton of stalls selling stuff and the prices are MUCH better. We had the best time just sitting on the beach at one of these little hutch bar-things drinking Sol beer. We didn't eat there - didn't want to take any chances. Be sure and get the guy that walks the beach to weave you a hat out of a palm frond with a woven grasshopper on top. My husband got one for $15 and it was the talk of group. Mahajual is just a great place to do a little shopping, sit on the beach and drink a little beer (or whatever!) and really relax and look at the ocean.

 

As this one guy said - " Lady, lady, come look! I have the best cheap Mexican junk in town!"

 

Cozumel is pretty devastated from the two hurricanes. If we hadn't taken the excursion to Passion Island thru the ship (which was great - where they film the Corona commercials) I didn't see much to do there but shop. Although it's known as an incredible diving/snorkeling place, I've also heard that much of the reef was destroyed so not that many fish anymore. Someone else can fill you in on that.

 

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we did ours on the Grand.

 

Cheri

[poetic license]

I have to praise Princess for taking Cozumel off their itinerary, since it really is not recovered enough for cruisers to consider an enjoyable port of call. The beaches were devastated, and there is still much repair work to be done. Don't take this as a bash: I love Cozumel; it was the port my daughters loved best on their first cruise last year, and we have many happy memories there. But it needs time to recover. And cruise guests deserve (and pay) for better than tendering into a construction zone for their vacations.

 

I was in Costa Maya in January. It’s a gem! You must get away from the ticky-tacky, cookie-cutter port area completely. There is so much beauty inland and further down the coast, and it is soooo undeveloped and unspoiled.

 

Although the Mexican state of Quintana Roo has only had electricity for four years, there is already a port area ‘mall’ with all the usual tourist detritus: Diamonds International, Senor Frogs, etc. etc. (UGGGH!) The little fishing village of Mahahual is a $3 cab ride and 2 miles away. There are several little restaurants and shops there, and a shallow, pretty beach just across the street. I opted to take a privately contracted tour of the recent partially excavated Chacchoben ruins, an hour and fifteen minute ride from the pier. The Native One, a local tour company owned by David and Ivan, offered an outstanding tour and experience. It doesn’t get better than this! You will adore Ivan; he is a wealth of information and a truly lovely person. I'll post a picture at the bottom of this post. Contact them at: www.chacchobenruins.com/wst_page8.html.

 

Overall, Costa Maya offers a lot to anyone who desires a more unspoiled place to explore. Better hurry, though: A 3,500 room resort and casino are slated to begin construction later this year, and there are ‘land for sale’ signs everywhere.

 

[oldIrish]

Log on to Princess, go to itinerary for the Coral princess. Enjoy your trip.

[Linda the Book Lover]

On Coral Princess 4/3. Just noticed Majahual has replaced Cozumel. Have no idea where it is. Things to do etc. Any help out there.

Thanks

 

Please join our roll call : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=156548

 

I think the change was made at the end of December to go to Costa Maya. My DH is going on a ship tour - bike and kayak and I am going on the David and Ivan tour to the ruins. There are many things to do from the beach to the ruins with plenty of time in port to them all.

[Sheffie]

Like Nicki, we also did David and Ivan's tour at Costa Maya. It was a wonderful experience! Here is a link to our pictures from that day: http://community.webshots.com/album/527685047YCNWgf We had time after the tour to enjoy lunch at the beach and then just hang out.

 

Have a great cruise, and enjoy your time in Costa Maya!

 

Here is a photo of another temple: (Whoa! That turned out really big! I cannot figure out how to make it smaller. :eek: )