Last minute anxiety...

[WDisneyWLove]

Trip leaves soon....like in a week. I'm having some anxiety recently about our excursion in Cozumel. Am I just being silly and overly worried? I mean, Disney wouldn't let us go into a potentially dangerous situation right? It's one thing to put me or my husband out there....but I've got little kids with me. Talk me down, please. Lol!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Trip leaves soon....like in a week. I'm having some anxiety recently about our excursion in Cozumel. Am I just being silly and overly worried? I mean, Disney wouldn't let us go into a potentially dangerous situation right? It's one thing to put me or my husband out there....but I've got little kids with me. Talk me down, please. Lol!

You're over thinking things. When situations at ports get bad, DCL pulls out of those ports. Cozumel is a very safe port and one of the most popular in the Caribbean. You have a much higher chance in being in a car accident near your home than something happening to you in Cozumel.

 

[Dug720]

The gripes are between the leaders of the countries. Not the people.

 

[NewYorkcruiser]

Cozumel would lose a lot of money if they started turning cruise ships away or victimizing the cruisers. Relax, enjoy...and don't drink the water.

 

[Shanti]

Trip leaves soon....like in a week. I'm having some anxiety recently about our excursion in Cozumel. Am I just being silly and overly worried? I mean, Disney wouldn't let us go into a potentially dangerous situation right? It's one thing to put me or my husband out there....but I've got little kids with me. Talk me down, please. Lol!

What are you worried about happening?

 

[WDisneyWLove]

What are you worried about happening?

I'm not sure exactly. I just know that my in laws just got back from a very nice resort in Mexico that had armed guards stationed outside and on the roof 24/7. Doesn't sound like a place I want to be roaming around unarmed I guess. I have just never visited a place that required armed guards 24/7. lol

 

[Dug720]

I'm not sure exactly. I just know that my in laws just got back from a very nice resort in Mexico that had armed guards stationed outside and on the roof 24/7. Doesn't sound like a place I want to be roaming around unarmed I guess. I have just never visited a place that required armed guards 24/7. lol

In Cozumel? Or in an area known for issues?

My honest guess is it may have had to do with someone important requiring guards staying there (I worked at Opeyland Hotel when President Clinton stayed there and there were armed guards on the roof and at doors). Unless it was in an area known for drug gangs and the like (which I don't think Cozumel as a rule is known for - I could be wrong though).

 

[Vijoge]

When were were in Cozumel there were trucks of uniformed soldiers driving up and down the road in the middle of town. The were all carrying rifles, presumably loaded, and while this was an unusual sight for us it didn't make us uneasy or afraid. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

 

[WDisneyWLove]

In Cozumel? Or in an area known for issues?

My honest guess is it may have had to do with someone important requiring guards staying there (I worked at Opeyland Hotel when President Clinton stayed there and there were armed guards on the roof and at doors). Unless it was in an area known for drug gangs and the like (which I don't think Cozumel as a rule is known for - I could be wrong though).

It was in Cabo. I know its on the other side of Mexico really, but still a vacation hot spot. So, maybe someone important was staying there. That would make sense.

 

[MargaretJ]

I understand, I am a worrier. I have been in several cities in Mexico and have seen armed guards in most places. The first time we went to Cozumel we simply got off the ship and walked around the shopping area across the street & then got back on and enjoyed the ship. We were on the Hurricane Matthew trip which got switched from Eastern to Western last minute so ended up in Cozumel. This time we decided to go on an excursion and it was great. I actually felt safer in Cozumel than in other Caribbean ports. It is an Island and really as someone else said they depend solely on Tourism, they do not make anything there (or so our tour guide told us). We did the San Gioviso Ruins (spelling), the Mexico Cultural Center and then the Cacao Chocolate Factory. It was a fun day.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Trip leaves soon....like in a week. I'm having some anxiety recently about our excursion in Cozumel. Am I just being silly and overly worried? I mean, Disney wouldn't let us go into a potentially dangerous situation right? It's one thing to put me or my husband out there....but I've got little kids with me. Talk me down, please. Lol!

I don't believe disney would stop there if there were Any new issues that concerned them.
One should just be Alert and Cautious traveling anywhere today..sadly, the new normal. That being said. It IS more typical to see Armed guards places..and if that upsets you, perhaps stay on board? Last visit there, we decided to get some input and suggestions from people on cruisecritic ...local beach, non cruise related, experience. While we all ( there was a group of us) had an Amazing experience And day with No issues or concerns..it is Not something I would repeat at this time.

Have a wonderful cruise and safe travels. Enjoy!!

 

[Shanti]

I'm not sure exactly. I just know that my in laws just got back from a very nice resort in Mexico that had armed guards stationed outside and on the roof 24/7. Doesn't sound like a place I want to be roaming around unarmed I guess. I have just never visited a place that required armed guards 24/7. lol

Certain areas of Mexico are dangerous, such as the border area, and some other areas including Acapulco, which used to be a big tourist destination. The violence is due to the ongoing drug war. I haven't heard bad things about Cozumel, and would not be afraid to visit there with my son via a DCL cruise, but I would stick to tourist areas/activities & not go wandering off the beaten path.

 

[wombat_5606]

Trip leaves soon....like in a week. I'm having some anxiety recently about our excursion in Cozumel. Am I just being silly and overly worried? I mean, Disney wouldn't let us go into a potentially dangerous situation right? It's one thing to put me or my husband out there....but I've got little kids with me. Talk me down, please. Lol!

This is where you can go and find out information on the safety of travel for US citizens. You should read this and make your own decisions on places that YOU consider safe or unsafe.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

 

[kiford]

When were were in Cozumel there were trucks of uniformed soldiers driving up and down the road in the middle of town. The were all carrying rifles, presumably loaded, and while this was an unusual sight for us it didn't make us uneasy or afraid. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

I believe that there is a military base in Cozumel so they may have been from there. Where my in-laws live in Germany there is (or was) a military base not too far away and we'd sometimes see soldiers from there in trucks. In any event, it's not unusual to see a higher presence of soldiers or armed guards in poorer countries, particularly near tourist areas especially if they are areas which are barricaded against locals. It's not something that we are terribly used to in Canada and the US but not uncommon in other parts of the world. We saw many armed police wearing bullet proof vests riding double on huge motorcycles in Athens a few years ago (I felt so sorry for them, it was over 100 degrees and they were wearing these massive vests and uniforms).

To the OP, I wouldn't worry too much. We were just in Cozumel/Playa del Carmen in early December and it was very nice. If you are on a tour, stay with your tour group and don't wander off. Pay attention as you would anywhere, keep your wallet in a front pocket, use a crossbody purse, don't flash lots of cash, etc. I felt far more safe in Cozumel and the port area in Playa del Carmen than I did last week walking around in an area of downtown Toronto.

 

[WDisneyWLove]

Thanks all! I definitely feel better about our visit. I won't go as far as to say I feel completely comfortable....but definitely better.

 

[Uncleromulus]

As was said,if you get off the ship stick with tour groups etc and do not wander off on your own.

 

[DizMagic]

Cozumel was our favorite port on the Western sailing. We did a DCL excursion, and then went out a bit on our own walking near port. We never once felt in danger. Honestly, I thought Nassau, Bahamas was scarier.

 

[Soontobegoodsell]

We've never had any problems at any of our ports that we've gotten off on with DCL. They are very aware of issues that are occurring and safety is huge in their eyes. If you don't feel comfortable, you don't have to get off the ship either. But, I would think everything would be good. They wouldn't let you get off if it wasn't safe.

 

[jrabbit]

You're NOT in EPCOT anymore!!!

Lots of the rest of the world is much different than what we are used to here in the USA

There are armed military / police patrolling the port areas and the nearby cities in many non USA countries (except for many of the Caribbean islands - or I've gotten so used to seeing them that they don't bother me any longer)

Mexico - yep they are visible and out in force.
London, Italy & France - they are there, just not as obvious - unless you are near a "target" (ie: Eiffel Tower)
Turkey and Egypt - Pre "Revolution" - they were on the streets, in the venues we visited and we had our own on the bus with us.
Barcelona - I didn't really notice them there - but a long time ago in Spain while Franco was still alive - I witnessed numerous "shows of force" in the areas of Spain that I was visiting.

Sorry, that probably didn't help!!

Never felt Unsafe in Cozumel or Playa del Carmen (mainland). We were just there a few weeks ago - we chose not to get off of the ship because we expected the weather to be a bit windy and cool and we would have been at a beach / in the ocean. We stayed on the ship and had a great time with an empty ship and glorious weather!! Our tablemates and other people we talked to had a great time on excursions or on their own in Coz'

 

[charminnie]

I'm not sure exactly. I just know that my in laws just got back from a very nice resort in Mexico that had armed guards stationed outside and on the roof 24/7. Doesn't sound like a place I want to be roaming around unarmed I guess. I have just never visited a place that required armed guards 24/7. lol

Sounds like you have never traveled abroad especially to Central or South America. Armed guards are the norm. They stand in front of banks and other places of business. You probably will see them in Cozumel but don't be afraid, they are there for your security. Tourist destinations in Mexico have a very visible military presence to detour crime. Tourism is a big money maker for Mexico. Just remember to use your common sense when walking around, just like you would in any city in the US. Just like any port, once you step off the ship you are no longer in the Disney bubble. Relax and have a great time.