Cozumel in early December: book ourselves, book through the ship or just stay on board?

[Julia M]

We will be in Cozumel on December 5 (Sunday). It's just dh and I.
I am really at a loss as to what to do. I've never been in the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean area in winter. Is it really warm enough to enjoy the beach AND be in the water? My dh is not really interested in in one of the tours like a city tour or cooking, I'm only looking at beach options.

Price wise, once you add in getting to and from a location, booking through Disney or on our own are basically the same price. Disney goes to Isla Pasion or Playa Mia beach. Private options seem to be Nachi Cocum or Paradise Beach.

Typically, I book private vendors for cruise excursions. My exception is always if we have a far distance to go and the timing is close to the ship departing, or when my teens went on their own excursion without parents. (This has actually been beneficial to me-my sister and daughter went to Dunns River Falls in Jamaica on a ships excursion and my sister got hurt-the cruise line transported her back to the ship via a private car and we had no charge for the medical care she received on the ship. But I digress....) However, in this case, the price appears about the same. It seems the only difference is the Disney excursions give you one free drink instead of unlimited.

I really can't decide what to do. Dh actually suggested just hanging out on the ship (it;s a 4 night cruise), but we already have two sea days. I'd like to do something.

Any input is welcome. Has anyone been on a Disney excursion in Cozumel? I've been to Nachi Cocum and that's it.

Thanks

 

[kathi]

My understanding is that, at that this time, you must take a DCL excursion to get off the ship. Has that changed? We sail later in December and we have booked a DCL excursion in case we cannot go do our own thing.

We always go to Nachi Cocom. It's a small private beach club that is very laid-back and relaxing. If you like a bit more of a lively setting, Mr. Sanchos is highly recommended by many cruisers. The water can be cool and sometimes it's windy, but you should still be able to enjoy the beach or water sports.

 

[mmouse37]

We have been to many of the Cozumel beach clubs on our own and with Disney. If you do any of the beach clubs on your own just be aware the taxi drivers may try to charge you more than what is required. It has happened to us a few times. Do research and find out what the standard rate is to the beach clubs. You can ask onboard at port adventures and also do a seaarch online. If it wasn't Covid era I would not hesitate to just hop in a taxi and go to a beach club but now I think I would just do the Disney beach excursion. I would be worried about not being able to get a taxi back to the ship as readily as in the past and about being in a car with a driver for 15 or 20 minutes I did not know if was vaccinated, was asymptomatic or what.

For the small savings of doing it on your own I would just stick with Disney excursions for now. I don't remember the drinks being that expensive at the beach clubs so if you wanted more than one it wouldn't be that costly. That is just my opinion. I am just being a bit more cautious these days.

We recently did the Dream and we felt very comfortable onboard and on CC but I don't think I would feel comfortable not being in the Disney bubble right now. Have a great cruise!

And we have always had warm to hot weather in Cozumel in Jan and Feb so I would think December should be warm as well.

MJ

 

[DisneYE]

My understanding is that, at that this time, you must take a DCL excursion to get off the ship. Has that changed? We sail later in December and we have booked a DCL excursion in case we cannot go do our own thing.

We always go to Nachi Cocom. It's a small private beach club that is very laid-back and relaxing. If you like a bit more of a lively setting, Mr. Santos is highly recommended by many cruisers. The water can be cool and sometimes it's windy, but you should still be able to enjoy the beach or water sports.

I think the requirement is for Nassau only...Because the Bahamas government requires it? idk.
Mexico doesn't have any restrictions so I think you can just walk off the ship. Would like to know what's the real answer here.

Cozumel is lovely to do on your own. Just walk out the port area at Punta Langosta, exit by the Starbucks and walk north where there's a bunch of shops and restaurants. We love going to Las Palmas restaurant (1/2 mile north), the food is amazing there... then as you walk back to the ship continue south of the pier and go to the Mega grocery store which is great (almost just across the port)... we always grab beer and snacks there..

That's a good 2-3 hour activity - perfect for stretching your legs.

I really hope they let cruisers on their own in Cozumel - if not it's going to be a real bummer.

 

[hrhdhd]

"Mr. Santos is highly recommended by many cruisers."

Note for internet searching: it's Mr. Sanchos.

 

[JWelch62]

I think the requirement is for Nassau only...Because the Bahamas government requires it? idk.
Mexico doesn't have any restrictions so I think you can just walk off the ship. Would like to know what's the real answer here.

Cozumel is lovely to do on your own. Just walk out the port area at Punta Langosta, exit by the Starbucks and walk north where there's a bunch of shops and restaurants. We love going to Las Palmas restaurant (1/2 mile north), the food is amazing there... then as you walk back to the ship continue south of the pier and go to the Mega grocery store which is great (almost just across the port)... we always grab beer and snacks there..

That's a good 2-3 hour activity - perfect for stretching your legs.

I really hope they let cruisers on their own in Cozumel - if not it's going to be a real bummer.

At least in Cabo and Ensenada you could just walk off. On our 11/1 (Cabo) and 11/5 (Ensenada) cruises we were "released" after the excursions left the ship.

 

[KashasMom]

Oh, this would be great if it's true! It's my understanding that in Cozumel if you're unvaccinated you have to take a Disney excursion. We're traveling with toddlers and I'd love to be able to just taxi to the beach rather than spend hundreds with Disney! Can anyone confirm?

 

[Intr3pid]

If you can do a beach trip on your own, I recommend going to the nearby Playa del Carmen/Cancun rather than staying in Cozumel. It takes a ferry ride, yes, but allows you access to the long, sandy beaches. You can get a day room at any of the resorts with beach access and enjoy their pool complex. Cost effective too since you pay for the room - not per person!

For water activities with kids, try SeaTrek in Cozumel or the Xcaret Park. If water parks are your thing, there is Jungala near Playa del Carmen.

 

[JWelch62]

Oh, this would be great if it's true! It's my understanding that in Cozumel if you're unvaccinated you have to take a Disney excursion. We're traveling with toddlers and I'd love to be able to just taxi to the beach rather than spend hundreds with Disney! Can anyone confirm?

I should clarify that you could walk off if fully vaxxed. Unvaxxed children needed to be on a DCL excursion. Sorry for not being clear.

 

[KashasMom]

I should clarify that you could walk off if fully vaxxed. Unvaxxed children needed to be on a DCL excursion. Sorry for not being clear.

Ohhh, I was hoping it had changed. Thanks for calarifying.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

The unvaccinated talk makes me wonder. I go 2X a year to Cozumel and headed there in January. You and your children are allowed to get off the plane and show no vaccination status when arriving by air. Seems to me that might be a DCL thing. Cozumel also has nice long beaches on the southern side and much calmer water for the kiddos than PDC. The ferry over to PDC can be extremely rough and personally for a day I wouldn't want to get sick or waste time on the ferry.... twice. Masks are mandated to be worn in taxis. I wouldn't worry about finding a taxi as all drivers are starving for business. Look up the name Adrian Cozumel on social media (not sure if I can name the one). He has an outstanding reputation on the island for being a guide.

 

[mevelandry]

We will be in Cozumel on December 5 (Sunday). It's just dh and I.
I am really at a loss as to what to do. I've never been in the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean area in winter. Is it really warm enough to enjoy the beach AND be in the water? My dh is not really interested in in one of the tours like a city tour or cooking, I'm only looking at beach options.

Price wise, once you add in getting to and from a location, booking through Disney or on our own are basically the same price. Disney goes to Isla Pasion or Playa Mia beach. Private options seem to be Nachi Cocum or Paradise Beach.

Typically, I book private vendors for cruise excursions. My exception is always if we have a far distance to go and the timing is close to the ship departing, or when my teens went on their own excursion without parents. (This has actually been beneficial to me-my sister and daughter went to Dunns River Falls in Jamaica on a ships excursion and my sister got hurt-the cruise line transported her back to the ship via a private car and we had no charge for the medical care she received on the ship. But I digress....) However, in this case, the price appears about the same. It seems the only difference is the Disney excursions give you one free drink instead of unlimited.

I really can't decide what to do. Dh actually suggested just hanging out on the ship (it;s a 4 night cruise), but we already have two sea days. I'd like to do something.

Any input is welcome. Has anyone been on a Disney excursion in Cozumel? I've been to Nachi Cocum and that's it.

Thanks

And Mr Sancho’s?

 

[Julia M]

And Mr Sancho’s?

I'm not sure what you mean.. Yes, Mr. Sanchos runs in the same price range as the rest.

 

[mevelandry]

I'm not sure what you mean.. Yes, Mr. Sanchos runs in the same price range as the rest.

I put a part of your OP in bold. I was simply adding Mr Sancho’s to your list of private option.