Hubby worried about safety in Cozumel

[mevans9066]

Back I april we stopped In Cozumel on a Carnival cruise as a group of girls and went off on our own and felt totally safe! Just me, 2 sisters and our mom! Coz we have always gone off and done our own excursions! This time we wandered around the shops right as we got off docked near Three Amigos, headed out and took a taxi to Mr Sanchos Beach Club! If you've never done Mr Sanchos I highly recommend it!!! We did the all inclusive side and added a private snorkel tour, we'll worth it all! I've always found people to be very Friendly in Cozumel!

 

[grammie12]

Thank you all for your responses! Seems like the majority of you feel like it's safe enough to go! I totally am not bothered by the fear of it, I def want some beach time! Hubby, on the other hand is so overly cautious, I needed some good info to give him and y'all have provided it!

He's just home from work now, so I'll read these replies to him and see what he says!

Thanks so much!

 

[grammie12]

Okay, he's says we're going on the excursion!!

Actually, he didn't even realize Cozumel is an island, so that made a big difference to him! ;-)

He also said all the posts were reassuring!

I can't wait! Thank y'all so much!!

 

[gotomu212]

While the actual perpetrators of this crime are not mentioned, I think it's likely it may have had some drug connection:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/26/world/mexico-cruise-robbery/index.html

Or a more recent one:
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=14091&ArticleId=336889

Just saying, crime happens everywhere.

Not to continue this unnecessarily but the 2012 carnival incident wasn't a bus hijacking but a group doing a hike in a remote area. It was also in PV and 3 years ago at the height of the drug violence.

The second incident wasn't attacking tourists it was attacking a inter-Mexico bus in the interior of the country. Buses are the most common form of transportation for local citizens but are not something that an American tourist would find themselves on. It's somewhat equivalent to saying a robbery that occurred on the Atlanta Marta subway should worry German tourists staring at WDW.

 

[Plaid Princess]

On one recent Disney cruiser one of our table mates was a recently retired FBI agent whose last station was southern California. He told us he would never get off a cruise in Mexico.

Yep. The one time we did get off in Cozumel, we did an excursion that was about 2 blocks from the ship, and immediately returned when it was finished. There's really nothing there we need to see, and the risks in Mexico are just too high. I'd much rather enjoy an empty ship.

 

[ImNarek]

Staying on the ship during a port day can be a lot of fun. It will seem empty compared to sea days. But stay on the ship because you want to, not due to fear. We've been to Cozumel three times now with Disney. We've done a kayaking/snorkel trip and the excursion to Xcaret on the mainland through the cruise line, and wandered the port on our own and enjoyed all three immensely.

Just use the common-sense level of caution applicable to any city and you should be fine.

One thing I will mention, my father chose not to get off the ship at Cozumel because he's a major blood donor and apparently he would have had to wait 6 months to a year before donating again if he visited Mexico. I think it was rather splitting hairs as he hung out on the ship sitting at dock, but it worked for him.

 

[Suger Mag]

Mexico is a rather large country. Yes there is a lot of violence in certain places... and also a lot of safe areas. Just like the U.S.A.. Get out a map and look at the US state department warnings while looking at the map (or play with the link below). Much of the travel warnings have to do with the Pacific coastal areas and the border areas along Texas and California. The Yucatan peninsula (of which the Island of Cozumel belongs) is on the other side of the country and on the Caribbean and is not on the U.S. State dept. warning lists. It really is quite safe. Cozumel is a big scuba diving island so there are a lot of dive shops in addition to the usual tourist schick.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

I have enjoyed both our DCL visits to Cozumel... once with my children and husband.... and the other time with my daughter and 82 year old mother. We did not do any DCL excursions, but felt totally comfortable navigating the Island on our own. Both on foot or by cab. BTW... we loved our visit to Chankanaab nature park.

 

[shelbell77]

Disney won't go if there is any cause for concern. That is why our puerto Vallarta stop was cancelled on the WBPC. Cozumel is an incredibly small island off the east coast and perfectly safe.

 

[WDWChloe]

Just wanted to say we'll be on the same sailing! ^_^

As long as you're not wondering off on your own into potentially dangerous areas, there's less of a chance for something to happen. Disney knows their ports/excursions. Depending on how often crime occurs, they would stop taking those specific excursions or stop going to the port all together.

 

[chimo2u]

Okay, he's says we're going on the excursion!!

Actually, he didn't even realize Cozumel is an island, so that made a big difference to him! ;-)

He also said all the posts were reassuring!

I can't wait! Thank y'all so much!!

I booked the Mr Sanchos all inclusive beach club romantic package day! I've never been there yet but have read so many good reviews about it! Can't wait for our relaxing all-inclusive beach day in Nov

 

[emma'smom]

DCL would declare it a sea day if they were already enroute and thought it would be unsafe.

 

[cub77cub]

My DH and I were talking about our upcoming cruise on the Fantasy (Western 9/5) and he said he's not sure he wants us to get off the ship in Cozumel. He's afraid that on our way to and from Playa Mia (on a DCL excursion) our bus could get stopped and we could all be kidnapped or something.

He's not usually fearful, so this just came out of the blue! I know there are many parts of Mexico one shouldn't travel in, but has anyone heard/seen any bad reports about Cozumel?

I told him I would ask on the DIS board bc you all are a wealth of information. He's seriously wanting to cancel our beach day, and I really want to talk him out of it!!

TIA!!

We have been there many time, and we never felt unsafe! We even took an excursion (not through cruise line) to the other side of the island. They have beautiful beaches. You should not miss it! I'm cautious and I considered Cozumel one of the safer ports! Enjoy your cruise!

 

[grammie12]

Gosh, it really sounds like he was worried for nothing! It never occurred to me DCL wouldn't even stop at a port that was having reports of a lot of crime. I assume that's standard practice for all cruise lines? Makes me feel even that much safer!!

 

[mevans9066]

I booked the Mr Sanchos all inclusive beach club romantic package day! I've never been there yet but have read so many good reviews about it! Can't wait for our relaxing all-inclusive beach day in Nov

You'll love Mr Sanchos! Carlos our server was awesome! Our fav drinks while there were the Mango Madness and Miami Vice! The guacamole was so good and my fish tacos were yummy! The restroom/showers were clean, we had a locker, our own table and beach front loungers! We added on a private snorkel tour to our all inclusive day pass for 35.00 each and was so worth it! We got to witness a marriage proposal on the beach that day too, it was amazing to witness! I have been to Paradise Beach in Coz a couple times before so we decided to hop in a taxi to try Sanchos and we loved it! Always thought Coz was a beautiful place!

 

[chimo2u]

You'll love Mr Sanchos! Carlos our server was awesome! Our fav drinks while there were the Mango Madness and Miami Vice! The guacamole was so good and my fish tacos were yummy! The restroom/showers were clean, we had a locker, our own table and beach front loungers! We added on a private snorkel tour to our all inclusive day pass for 35.00 each and was so worth it! We got to witness a marriage proposal on the beach that day too, it was amazing to witness! I have been to Paradise Beach in Coz a couple times before so we decided to hop in a taxi to try Sanchos and we loved it! Always thought Coz was a beautiful place!

What would you recommend tipping the hosts for our beach day, or if hubby decides to hire a jet ski?

 

[mevans9066]

Yes we tipped our server an extra 20 bucks I think and a few bucks to the guys that were our tour guides for snorkeling. Carlos was very sweet and always asking us if we needed anything, what drink we wanted next well before the one we had was empty! He was working hard we noticed at all his tables not just us! Our taxi there was like 17 dollars I think so us 4 factored in cash for that both ways and a top for the server as we were budgeting out how much cash to bring cause we'd already paid for the entry fee and snorkeling online by credit card

 

[GooniesAndy]

Glad to hear your hubby decided to give it a go! Cozumel is beautiful and has a very low crime rate. It is an isolated island, meaning you can't make a quick getaway and get very far! I would feel perfectly safe there wandering around by myself, and was there alone with two young children on my most recent visit. We stopped at Playa Mia for a couple of hours and it was great!

 

[scdak]

I am glad your husband has agreed to go on the excursion, little late for me to chime in but I've been there at least 10 cruises and never felt unsafe at all, I've been on excursions (Carnival), I have gone to town by taxi many times (fun shopping), walked from the pier to a local resort (El Cid) with other in my group, and even once alone (forgot the waterproof cameras for 4 teenage girls) etc. Enjoy the port, its one of my favorites.......well, for shopping

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I live about 3 hours from Nogales AZ and Nogales Mexico, visited Mexico several times growing up but haven't been back in years. I had no clue what to expect in Cozumel but was so pleasantly surprised. It was beautiful and I felt very safe. Honestly speaking, I felt a whole lot safer there than when we drove out of the gated port of Falmouth and headed to Ocho Rios for our excursion there.

Yep. The one time we did get off in Cozumel, we did an excursion that was about 2 blocks from the ship, and immediately returned when it was finished. There's really nothing there we need to see, and the risks in Mexico are just too high. I'd much rather enjoy an empty ship.

I think the more beautiful parts of Cozumel are more than a couple blocks away from the port.

 

[funseeker]

I attended a seminar by Paul Violis of Risk Control Strategies who said travel anywhere in the world you want except Mexico. However, if you do choose to go, he strongly suggested you have an escort. I would hope/expect DCL has a rigorous vetting system for shore excursions. We plan to take a DCL excursion in Cozumel. Anything can happen anywhere. You need to be vigilant at all times. But if his concerns will overshadow his enjoyment of the day you may consider staying on the ship and enjoying the countless activities onboard. Whatever you both decide -- have a great time!