Drinking water/ice in Cozumel

[ebseckar]

We have heard that when in Cozumel we should avoid the water/ice/anything rinsed in water, because it could lead to "intestinal problems". We were planning on doing Disney's Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel and Beach Party excursion in Cozumel and were looking forward to the COMPLIMENTARY MARGARITAS. Don't they use ice to make the margaritas? Should we not drink them?

 

[Michelle]

The Fury makes it VERY clear that they use purified water for the ice and everything else on the ship. It's fine to drink the margaritas.

 

[Bev J]

You will see signs in the resturants and bars also that indicate they use clean, purified water and ice made with the same. If you don't see this then avoid the water/ice. The hot spots don't want you to get sick and go home and complain this is their business.

 

[tezb]

I was wondering about this also...is it safe to eat/drink things at the ports. We did the Eastern and St. Thomas & St Maarten are part of US so water was okay...for most part, but not sure about Western Cruise. I wonder if that could also be the cause of more illnesses lately...hard to pinpoint stomach flu from travelers diarrhea or food poisoining....same symptoms basically.

 

[atigeg]

I learned the hard way about being cautious on our RCCL cruise to Cozumel. We did the excursion to Xcaret and had lunch at one of their restaurants. Hubby drank coffee, but I had something called "rice water" that tasted a lot like coconut milk. It was so good that I had two large glasses. Well, the coffee must have been fine due to the heated water, but the rice water got back at me in a big way!!! It was MISERABLE!!! I have learned to be very cautious at ports now.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you're not sure....
it might not be pure!!!


I would be cautious. I know several people who have experienced Montzuma's Revenge. I would have to stop and ask, Is that particular drink or treat you are considering really worth risking the remainder of your wonderful DCL cruise?

Bottled water and safe food and drinks are probably always readily available. And, if it is something you are not sure about.... you can always ask.

 

[tezb]

Yes, I agree...I wouldn't drink water, etc unless it's in a bottle. Think we will also just stick to the food on the ship...not worth it. Just wondering if these places are safe, for example the minigolf place serves drinks while you golf....is it okay if they give you the drink w/ ice? I would rather not drink it unless it's bottled. Little things like that make you wonder....

 

[mcnuss]

St. Thomas & St Maarten are part of US so water was okay

No offense, but just bc these islands are US territory does not mean the water will be safe! Just ask the many many people in the US who have been sickened by their water supplies.... Not all water in the US comes from a public, regulated source, so if you happen to get water from a bad well, no matter where you are, you could get sick. Not to mention, you can get sick just bc your body is not used to the particular microbes, etc.. in water - having nothing to do with basic cleanliness.

As for drinks in Cozumel, what we noticed is that you always got the can, and the ice was in a glass. Same on GC.

 

[tezb]

Re: the water in St. Thomas/St. Maarten....I am only going by what I was told (from this board) last time we cruised...the water there is supposed to be monitored by the States, etc. I still wouldn't drink it from the tap but it's nice to know these things. The ship even has a whole chart on how their water on the ship is filtered, etc and you can still get sick from stagnant water on the ship so I know nothing is full proof.

Also, just because the ice is in a glass, doesn't mean it is safe. The ice had to come from somewhere..it could have been frozen from polluted water. I would pass on the ice I think....my sister got very sick once in Greece just from ice in her drink.

 

[ducklite]

Um, since when is St. Maarten/Ste. Martin part of the US?

Intestinal problems can hit ANYWHERE, even in the US. It often has nothing to do with BAD water, just water that is chlorinated to a different level than your body is used to.

That said, we carried our own water with us when we left the ship, and didn't eat or drink anything locally at any of the ports except bottled beer out of the bottle. (Other than CC)

One of the biggest worries is the rice and snacks sold on the beaches or in teh flea markets. I would avoid those like the plague.

Anne

 

[mcnuss]

Also, just because the ice is in a glass, doesn't mean it is safe. The ice had to come from somewhere..it could have been frozen from polluted water. I would pass on the ice I think

My point was that the soda was not contaminated by the ice bc it was served separately.

Um, since when is St. Maarten/Ste. Martin part of the US?

ducklite -- good point, I was so focused on the water, I forgot about that!!!

 

[alexandrew]

BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS OF RAW VEGGIES AS WELL...THIS INCLUDES SALSA AND GUACAMOLE...

I CAME DOWN WITH A WICKED CASE OF MONTEZUMA'S REVENGE FROM EATING BOTH AT ONE OF THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS...

CAVEAT EMPTOR

 

[Coz_Minigolf_Sally]

Cozumel has a tourist based economy. It does Cozumel no good to make the tourists sick. All restaurants in Cozumel that are larger than a hole-in-the-wall belong to the restaurant association. As such, they MUST conform to strict regulations regarding sanitary conditions of their kitchens and careful food preparation. All water is purified. All ice is made with purified water.

Although some people do get sick while on vacation, it is impossible to truly know the source. Please do not drink 7 times the amount you usually do, eat food 7 times spicier than you usually do, lie in the sun 7 times longer than you would at home, and then blame the ice in Cozumel! Moderation is the key.

By the way, here at the minigolf we serve beer, homemade sangria, sodas by the can and bottled water. Everything is well chilled. We don't serve ice.

Hope that puts your mind at ease!

Minigolf Sally
Cozumel Putting Course

 

[Flyrfan]

Just to be on the safe side, when purchasing bottled water, only drink from bottles that have not had the seal broken. If you cannot open yourself, don't drink it. I once read that street vendors(can't remember where) refill the bottles with tap water, screw the top on and then when "selling" to a tourist take the top off before giving to the customer.

 

[tezb]

Sorry...I guess I worded it wrong...the US Virgin Islands were acquired by the US and therefore are US Territories.....that is what I meant to say since I am being quoted on everything it seems...I'm sorry for the error....

Mcnuss.....If you are going to quote me, please do it correctly...

Quote....

St. Thomas & St Maarten are part of US so water was okay...for most part.

I said for the most part because I know that you cannot possibly be 100% safe no matter where you are...US included.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

tezb, I think the eyebrows might have been raised because St. Maarten is not part of the U.S. Half of it is the Netherlands Antilles. The other half is the French West Indies.

Anyway... St. Maarten has a purified water system. The water there is safe.

 

[tezb]

Thanks DAve....I thought it was you who originally spoke of the water in St. Maartens but didn't want to say since I couldn't remember for sure...it was over a year ago that the topic first came up. Anyway, thanks for the history lesson....

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by tezb
Quote....

St. Thomas & St Maarten are part of US so water was okay...for most part.

I said for the most part because I know that you cannot possibly be 100% safe no matter where you are...US included.

You need to look at a map. St Maarten is NOT part of the US Virgin Islands.

Anne

 

[tezb]

Well excuse me...I stand corrected...I guess I was thinking of St Thomas & St John and lumped St. Maarten in w/ it, my mistake....I'm actually afraid to say anything else for fear it will be taken out of context, taken literally or misquoted.....

I won't be posting anymore on this topic as I feel something starting out so innocent is turning into a RUDE attack....Without mentioning any names....this is the first time in 3 yrs (on this board) that I have experienced this and now I know how others must feel when they complain about the same rudeness they have encountered....