Cozumel- Why do the excursions start earlier than docking time?!?!?!

[bkstarbabe]

Is it just me or do some of the excursions begin before the ship is due to dock? For example, in Cozumel, the Tulum excursion says to meet at 9:50am but the docs say we arrive at 10:30am. Are there any DCL veterans out there that can answer this? We're really confused !

*On our Honeymoon* DCL 8/31/02, WDW 9/7/02

 

[JLSE50]

Two guesses:
1) The time listed is when the group is to meet in a club or room on the ship. Everyone will get instructions, etc and then disembark as a group so that you get to the excursion as soon as possible.
2) It reflects the time change since the ship crosses a line there somewhere.

Who knows the real answer?

Have a great honeymoon. We had ours on the Disney MAGIC in 1999--for our 30th Anniversary--we finally took the honeymoon we could not afford before.

Jan

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I asked this very same question of the CM when we booked our 7 day. Because a couple of the reasons we were contemplating the Western itinerary was the Tulum tour. She said that the posted time is the time the group meets for briefing, etc.

So Jan your guess was a very good one!

Deb

 

[forkicks217]

I was thinking the same thing about the times of the excursion. Also, is the time that they give you for the excursion the same as the time in cozumel, what i mean is there a time diffrence between the 2 places. Has anyone taken a tulum or any ruins excursion other than the ones offered by dcl? and if so maybe you can tell me about them. thanks to anyone that responds. magic 8/31/02, honeymoon

 

[Michelle]

Forkicks, the time listed for the excursion would be for the local time while in the port. And as stated by others, the time posted for your excursion is the MEETING time. They allow time for everyone to meet and be escorted to the starting place.

Have a wonderful honeymoon!

 

[mcnuss]

Could it be that Cozumel is not in the Eastern time zone, but the docking times are listed as EST?

 

[RellingTwin]

I have booked a snorkel trip with a local company (Eagle Ray) and called DCL to ask about the time. Cozumel is on Central time. I was told the ship docks at 10:30 Eastern time (which is 9:30 local time)

If you are planning a DCL tour, no problem, but if you are booking something private you will need to keep the time difference in mind.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by mcnuss

Could it be that Cozumel is not in the Eastern time zone, but the docking times are listed as EST?

Cozumel is in the Central time zone, but the ship's clocks will be adjusted to Central prior to your arrival there. The stated arrival and departure times are always local to the port of call.

 

[RellingTwin]

Dave, I was afraid of that! I called DCL to ask that very question! I was told it was 10:30 EST I have booked a snorkel with Eagle Ray Divers and when e-mailing each other, ERD reminded me of the time difference. Since I thought we docked at 10:30 EST (9:30 local) we are scheduled to meet ERD at 12:00EST (11:00 local). Now I don't know what to do!!
I know if I call DCL again and get a different answer, I'll still worry!Since we are the only people on this tour, it is important we get it right!I don't want to sit on a dock for an hour, nor do I want our hosts waiting for us!
I think I will e-mail ERD and ask them to find out what time we dock!
Thanks for correcting me. I'll get to the bottom of it one way or another!
BTW Dave, when is the next Solar Eclipes??LOL!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by RellingTwin

BTW Dave, when is the next Solar Eclipes??LOL!

I know you're joking, but I enjoy the challenge. There will be a total eclipse this December 4, but it will only be visible in Southern Africa and Southern Australia.

The next total eclipse that will be visible in North America will be August 21, 2017. The peak spot to be will be near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

 

[JLSE50]

Thanks DAVE, I will make a note in my organizer and call tomorrow to book a campsite in Kentucky so that when it happens I will be optimally positioned.

RellingTwin: Why did you ask about solar eclipses?

Jan

 

[RellingTwin]

Dave, I should have known! Can you ever forgive me for doubting you??
I posted a message on a Cozumel board. I asked if someone in Cozumel could tell me what time the Magic docked. The reply was 11am (local time)
I PM'd a former Western cruiser and she said they were told to set their watches back 1 hour on Monday night.
Then there is Dave...who knows all!!LOL

Of course the ONLY one who was incorrect was the DCL guest services!!!

Jan...I asked Dave about the eclipses because I have "teased" him about things like: What time the sun will set on Christmas in Casablaca in 2007. The man is surfs the web like no-one else. If you want to find out something, no matter how obscure, Dave can do it. I am in awe!

 

[pallamb]

Jan - Thanks for clarifying why the times for the excursions are earlier than when we dock. It makes perfect sense. Are you going to be doing Tulum? I think we are. We only have a few more weeks to decide. Patty
"Fellow Halloween Cruiser"

 

[JLSE50]

Even though I book marked this thread, I did not get notification of your post PALLAMB or yours RELLING TWIN. I hope you get notification and find my replies.

PALLAMB: Nope--not Tulum. And as you probably noticed, even though we are doing the same excursion in Grand Cayman, you and DH are going in the afternoon and we are going in the morning.

RELLING TWIN: Thanks for the low-down on Dave. I will remember that!!

have a great day,

Jan