Mexico

Cooking classes in cozumel

Dawny — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:49:36 GMT

Hi!

I'm thinking of doing the cooking classes in cozumel..

Is it worth it?

What all does it entail.

Thanks!

WiFi Internet availability on Progreso Resort Beach Break

WaveRider1224 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:51:07 GMT

I have booked the Progreso Resort Beach Break shore excursion at the Reef Club Beach Resort for an upcoming cruise
Does anyone know if this hotel has either free or low cost WiFi internet available ?

HELP!!! Want Cool Excursions!!! Mexico

kim thompson — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:16:09 GMT

We are sailing 10/18/09 and the two stops that I want to get information on is Mazanillo and Zihuatenjo. Anyone have current information on the excursions or trips that you loved? I am interested in ATV beach, snorkeling, shopping, beach, eating and or any package deals that may or may not be part of carnival. And if someone did not want to do an excursion, is there stuff within walking distance or short cab that you can do? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Also thow in any ideas and details for Acapulco.

too cold to swim in Dec in Cozumel ?

Nola_Cajun — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:55:14 GMT

I will be going to Cozumel Nov 28 - Dec 3.

Will it be too cold to even consider enjoying a swim at the beach ?

Thank U =)

Progresso/Merida Shopping Trip

Cheyenne — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:18:46 GMT

We recently returned from a cruise on the Ecstasy and booked a shopping trip into Merida. We were very disappointed in the excursion. After an hour long bus ride with a horrible sound system (we understood nothing the guide was telling us) we arrived at a church in Merida. After a short but interesting visit we were taken to a small park where we were greeted by beggars and vendors selling a variety of goods. We were told that we would be taken to a mall for shopping. We were led down an alley to a place of business that obviously was not open to the public. The "mall" was several un-air conditioned rooms filled with inferior products at very very high prices. The staff was one or two people that moved from room to room as the tour moved. We felt this operation was in place solely to sell to the captured tour group. And probably owned by the tour operator. We were told numerous times that the tour leader made no money from our shopping. Too many times to be believed. After a long wait we were led back to the park and dumped there. By this time we were in need of a bathroom, and finally located one in the lobby of a theater. We were left in this park for 45 minutes at the mercy of the sun, the beggars and the vendors. Finally, our tour bus returned and we were able to head back to the ship. As we drove off, we noticed that the beggars were also leaving. They must know the tour groups would bring us there.

Even though we throughly enjoyed our cruise, we would warn our fellow tourists to avoid this excursion - it is not worth the price and and is high in frustration.

Ensenada

josedelcabo — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:01:56 GMT

when you get to ensenada check out the Xtreme tour , its dirty off road funn

HELP !! Recommend to me which MAYAN RUIN excursion in Progreso ?

Nola_Cajun — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:16:00 GMT

I NEED HELP DECIDING WHICH EXCURSION TO TAKE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THESE, SO I CAN BETTER DECIDE
thank you =)

There are 5 to choose from. The top 2 I originally wanted to do was:

1) Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins 2-½ hour bus ride there - 7 hr tour

2) UXMAL MAYAN RUINS & LUNCH - 6.5 hr tour

These two seemed the most attractive to me, but I'm not sure I will be able to stand a 7 hour tour ! That seems a bit much for me. What was your experience in it ? Is it worth it ?

My 3rd choice - only b/c its a shorter tour is:

3) DISCOVER THE YUCATAN AND THE MAYAN WORLD 4 hr tour (begin with a 35-minute transfer to a beautiful location with two natural lagoons)

Then the last 2 that seemed the least attractive were:

4) Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins (temple of the 7 dolls) 4 hr tour

5) MAYAN RUINS & BEACH BREAK COMBO (temple of the 7 dolls) 5 hr tour

ANY HELP ?

El Sid Snorkel Day Pass

smooch — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:22:28 GMT

Has anyone taken the excursion. How good is the snorkeling here. We have a variety of ages that might fit going to this resort.

fishing in Cozumel/Belize

Purdy46 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:43:42 GMT

Is it possible to book a deep sea fishing trip from the dock side, just for 1 person leaving Tampa October 4th, anyone recommend a company?

Cabo Adventures Dolphin Swim is a rip off - Don't waste your time and money!

Howard — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:53:48 GMT

From Carnival’s web site: http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?region=MR&portcode=CSL&excursionname=Dolphin+Swim&excursioncode=314019

“Guests’ interaction in the water with the dolphins is approximately 30 minutes. Pregnant women and guests with heart or respiratory conditions are not permitted on this excursion.

Photos and videos of your experience will be available for purchase. For the safety of the dolphins, please remove all jewelry”

The two tickets that my daughter used stated “No Cameras allowed”. I assumed that the swimmers could not bring cameras including water proof cameras since they wouldn’t want them to hit the Dolphins. I assumed wrong.

When we arrived at the place they made all “guests” sign in. It turned out that the guest sign in sheet must have “fine print” on the bottom of the page, I don’t remember it and they did not call attention to it. None of the other three “guests” with me that signed in remembered it either.

We went up to the “swim” area. The swimmers broke up into groups of 8 and were taken around the pool. My daughters were about 100 feet away. As I brought my camera up to start to take pictures the “tour guide” said “No pictures allowed”. I said “what?” and he said he would explain in a minute.

He then stood behind the small roped off area that kept the guests from getting any closer, and told us what we signed downstairs prohibits us from taking any pictures or video and that pictures would be taken by them and available for purchase after. Then he said he was part of the security team and would watch us along with video cameras in the area.

Since I made the only “fuss” about this, the whole time we were there, except for a minute when he went somewhere, he was never more than 10 feet behind me. When I moved around the roped off area to see my kids better, he followed me.

Here comes the worst part:

First let me say, one of my daughters did this swim a few years ago in another Mexican city and for the 40 minutes they were in the pool then, they got to do many activities with the dolphin and I could take as many pictures as I wanted to.

At Cabo Adventures, they spent so much time setting up pictures that they hoped you would buy; half of the 30 minutes in the water was watching other people pose with the dolphin. So they both got a “kiss”, got to “pet” and one swim around the pool and that was it.

Then comes the even worse part: The cost of the pictures. It cost me another $100 and since it was already $160 per person, this was just the worst experience I have ever had dealing with something Carnival recommends.

I did complain when I got back to the ship and they were very apologetic and gave me a 20% refund and said they would try to get the listing changed to say that no cameras are allowed at all, including non-swimmers.

I suggest if you want to swim with Dolphins, you do it somewhere else.

Mexico beaches $$$$ which one??

WP-Parent — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:00:54 GMT

I have been reading on other Carvnival threads about the beaches. I notice some are free, some are $10.00 and some are $49.00 per person.

We will be doing the Uxmel excursion in Progresso, so I see us only having an hour or two at the beach.

while in Cozemel some of us are doing Two Tank Scuba excursion and the rest of us are shopping on our own, so again, just an hour or two beach time.

If we have time to go to the beach at either place it will be for a very short short time.

Can someone please reccomend a free or cheaper beach. We may want to snorkel or just lay on a beach blanket...but it will be for just an hour or two.

Now if there is one beach that is so much better than all the others, and its worth paying the extra money please elaborate.

Thanks

whats happening with swine flu?

Purdy46 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:53:06 GMT

Has anyone heard, I'm from UK, cruising Legend this October, with family, whats happening with any cases on board, there must have been some, are they isolating the ships, they have in the UK with stomach virus, or are they just treating people and sending them on there way, suppose they have to really to remain operating. Does the ship carry Tamiflu?

Deep Sea Fishing in Mexico....

Purdy46 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:07:03 GMT

Is it possible to book from the pier in Mexican ports as want to book for a young friend hopefully cheaper than the ship excursion, can they take a girlfriend along just to watch, anyone recommend a fishing company?

Cozemel Scuba dive excursion .....how advanced?

lollygag — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:00:40 GMT

We will get our Scuba dive certification on 7/18 and our cruis departs on 7/20.

Is the 2 tank scuba dive out of Cozemel too advanced for newly certified divers?

Thanks,

Paradise Beach in Cozumel

musicteech — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:54:31 GMT

I would like to know if anyone's been to this specific beach. It's not a CCL excursion & you can't book online. It's free entrace fee & $10 for all the water toys & if you purchase $10 of food you get a beach chair. It looks so fun on the internet with tons of stuff to do for kiddos (trampoline, banana boats, blow up slide, blow up iceberg to climb on, snokeling & boats. Guess I'd have to bring lots of cash for taxi, food & drink & water toys.

I initially wanted to go with Mr. Sancho's (again not a CCL excursion) but Paradise looks to have more for kiddos.

www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com

Senor Frogs

Misty — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:16:14 GMT

Anyone know anything about this place??? Looks like tons-o-fun!!

TRAVELING COST FOR INFANT???

francis — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:27:04 GMT

At what age do you get charged for an infant? how much? We are setting up our cruise and they quoted me a regular charge for bringing my 7 month old daughter?

She doesnt eat "normal" food, shes on formula, so she doesnt drink cow's milk, and she would be sleeping with us in our bed, so why would I be charged for my infant?

Taste Of Mexico - Ensanada

LuvMyPride — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:18:15 GMT

I will be going to Ensanada in Oct and I went on this excursion before a couple of years ago and I want to do this again. I was wondering if anyone has been on this excursion this year, and could you tell me if they still have the salsa dance class there also at Mango Mango's after the cooking class. It was so much fun . Thank you

Glory Saling 6/27/09 Roll Call

pjohio — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:54:51 GMT

Leaving in 42 days our 1st cruise! Hometown Massillon, Ohio - Home of the Tigers!

Swine Flu in Mexico - Possible Pandemic?

DebbyDee — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:12:51 GMT

Anyone read these headlines ... and is there concern for tourism/for those travelling to the coastal areas? We cruise to Progresso and Cozumel on June 27th.....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090426/hl_nm/us_flu_31

Debbie

FEELING RIPPED OFF

BFornof — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:42:49 GMT

My husband and I booked a cruise--the first trip without our children in 5 years.

I got sick over 2 weeks ago with a nasty, lingering upper respiratory infection/virus that I STILL am not completely over. Knowing that our cruise was fast approaching (May 7th), and having been told by my doctor that he did not advise traveling to Mexico b/c of swine flu, we contemplated canceling the vacation we had been looking forward to for so long.

Daily, we watched the pandemic level for swine flu and travel to Mexico raise from one risk level to the next. I called on April 28th to speak to a manager about canceling my cruise, explaining to him that I have been quite sick and was concerned about catching swine flu. I was told by the manager that I would lose 1/2 of my $$ due to penalties. At this point, several airlines were not charging fees to change tickets. I was confused as to how Carnival was not concerned about swine flu. The manager told me that he would still go if he were me--that if I ended up sick, the cruise line would quarantine me to my stateroom with a guard outside. I told him that I would speak to my husband and call back if we decided to cancel. I was instructed by him to "be certain that I called back by April 29th to retain any of my $$$, after that date, I would lose 100%".

On April 29th, a toddler died in TX (where I live) from swine flu. Also, the US government stated that all unnecessary travel to Mexico should be avoided. That was enough for me. In addition to that, my husband had caught the virus I had and was showing the beginning stages of my nasty cold. I am a children's photographer in D/FW. I thought that I did the right thing by canceling on April 29th. I did not want to get sick myself, but certainly did not want to bring anything home to my 3 small girls or potentially infect one of the many newborns that I have scheduled for May. I canceled and was told that I lost 1/2 of my $$ and would have to file with the travel insurance company to attempt to get back the rest. Fine.

TODAY I was tipped off to log onto the website that I booked this cruise through (vacationstogo.com) b/c there was a notice about swine flu. I discovered that my cruise (May 7th from Galveston) was completely canceled due to there were no options for itinerary changes and that there would be a FULL refund and a $50 cruise credit to all affected. WHY AM I UPSET? The letter is dated April 29th (the same day I canceled) from Lynn Torrent, Senior Vice President of Sales and Guest Relations Refunds would be processed in 3 weeks (I am currently waiting 60 days for my partial refund). Why I am being penalized for canceling a trip that was completely canceled by Carnival? If I had canceled a week before, even days before the release, I could find some understanding. That was not the case.

Upon contacting Carnival, I was at first told by the rep that they completely agreed that I should be given the same treatment as everyone else whose trip was canceled that day. However, after they spoke with a manager whom I was never allowed to speak with, I was informed that my cruise was one of 4 (different ports) that was canceled and that #1&2 were canceled on April 29th, but MY trip was canceled on April 30th and since I canceled on my own on the 29th, they are not giving me a full refund. If you look at the letter from Lynn Torrent, it states this--

"April 29, 2009
Dear Carnival Guest:
We need to make itinerary adjustments for our 4 and 5 day cruises from Galveston on departures
through May 11, 2009. We will now operate two 7-day cruises on May 2 and May 9.
The new 7-day cruises will visit Montego Bay and Grand Cayman.
Unfortunately, your 4-day cruise on May 7 will be cancelled. We sincerely apologize for
canceling this cruise. Unfortunately, there were no viable 4 day itinerary options available to us
given the current situation in Mexico.
We will provide you with a full refund of the cruise fare. In addition, we will also provide you
with a $50 per person onboard credit when rebooking on any Carnival cruise departing prior to
December 31, 2010. Refunds will be processed within three weeks."

This appears to directly address those parties leaving from Galveston, concerning the May 7th cruise. Again--DATED APRIL 29th. I was told by the Carnival rep that they did not know that they were canceling the Galveston cruise until April 30th--thus, no full refund for me. Why, then, is this document concerning Galveston cruises on May 7th dated April 29th??

My thoughts? They want to hold onto every single penny that they can. they absolutely did the right thing by changing ports and canceling cruises that they did not feel would convey a true Carnival experience. I am upset, however, that they are making poor excuses as to why I am not included in the refund. I suppose that if I had just been more of a procrastinator and literally hadn't called the cruise line to cancel when I did, then I would have my money--all of it and much faster. I was informed by vacationstogo that I apparently canceled a whopping TWO HOURS before they released their cancellation of my cruise.

June 6th cruise

Pepper — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:33:53 GMT

Are there any other 'Family' couples traveling on the ship?

Mexico in June?????

DebbyDee — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:12:24 GMT

Those of you booked to cruise to Mexico in June: What do you think? Do you think those Mexican ports will be safe by June?

DebbyDee

8 day Mexican Riveria or 7 day Mexican Riveria??

kootenaygyrl — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:52:15 GMT

I'm currently planning a cruise for next spring break for my family. I am not sure which of the 2 Mexican Riveria's to choose. My husband and I have done the 7 day and loved it. As much as we would like to do something new, the 8 day for some reason just isn't appealing to me. Has anyone done the 8 day and loved it? Which excursions did you love? Since we are a family of 5 we won't be doing any that are too expensive. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

Manzanillo Excursion

ebayaddict — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:33:26 GMT

Hello

I'm new to the site and new to cruising. We sailing on the Spirit Dec 5th with our 3 kids. We really wanted to go on the Magic Pueblos excursion, yet I can't find a whole lot of people that have been on it.

My question is, have you been on this excursion? I can't imagine they would keep the excursion as an option if no one ever selected it.

The 2nd one is safety. We are going to drive an hour and a half away. That's the part that worries me. I have Colima is very safe, but I can only rely on what I read on the net and don't have much else to go off of.

HELP!