I just got off the Magic on Sunday, and can now concentrate on
this cruise. Only five months to go.
I'm no expert, but we went on the November 2006 Costa Maya cruise and went on the Native Choice tour of the Chacchoben Ruins. Since then, Costa Maya suffered
very extensive hurricane damage, so my observations might be outdated.
As they say in the car commercials: YMMV.
Valerie -- you've done an excellent job of gathering information. Keep it up.
While on the Magic, I asked the Cruise Sales Manager whether the October '08 Costa Maya cruise will be able to actually stop at Costa Maya. She said they did not know, and probably won't know until September. In the meantime, they are looking at other ports.
Personally, I would not book an independent excursion at any port where it's still uncertain whether the ship will even stop there. On a different
Disney cruise, I booked an independent excursion for our group in Mexico, and the Magic did not stop there due to weather. After numerous long distance calls and e-mails, I never got a refund (for six people), despite what they said on the website. (NOTE: This was NOT with the Native Choice, and I don't mean to even suggest that they would act this way. YMMV.)
The port at Costa Maya is not like any port I've been to. It was developed by private investors to exclusively serve the cruise industry. In the port area, there are many shops, restaurants, souvenir booths, jewelry stores, and at least one swimming pool with lounge chairs and pool level bar (swim up to the bar, order and enjoy drinks while in the pool).
In other words, you could spend all your time and money without leaving the security gates. While you are insulated in the port from the local culture (oh, like Disney!), you don't have to deal with the undesirables. (Last week in Acapulco, after I left the port terminal, I was propositioned seven times in a short period.)
I'll try to answer some of the specific questions.
Based on the website, if they come to the port to pick us up, it costs $10 per person. If we get the shuttle to their office, it costs $3 per person. To get the shuttle you have to walk through the port area, and it's then a 5 minute ride. . . . To be honest, for the sake of a short walk and shuttle ride, I'd rather save the $28!
In 2006, I recall the Chacchoben Ruins tour was $43 per adult. Because we had a large group, it cost $2 more per person to be picked up at the port.
I think the $10 p/p charge on the website is if a couple or family wants to be picked up. In 2006, it was different since we were filling the buses.
You have to walk through the port area to the parking lot for
any transportation -- shuttle, or tour bus.
Personally, in 2006, we planned to walk to the meeting place in town (I think it was the Cat's Meow restaurant), or take a shuttle rather than pay $10 p/p to be picked up. When they offered to do it for $2 p/p, we jumped on it.
Also, based on the info on the website, a deposit of $10 - $15 USD per person (depending on which tour booked) is required at booking, with the balance at check in.
With our large group, we did not have to pay until we got on the bus.
Can they accomodate more than 1 tour? (Just thinking if we have two different groups that want to do two different tours for example).
Yes. David or Ivan will take one group on the Chacchoben Ruins tour, and the other will take the second group and add the lunch and/or school visit option.
In 2006,
DCL also offered tours of the Ruins. And I also know people who separately booked other independent excursions to the Ruins.
While we enjoyed the Native Choice tour, it was neither everything we expected it to be, nor everything that was promised on the website. On balance I would recommend it, but personally would not book it until DCL confirms we will stop at Costa Maya.
DCL will offer tours of the Ruins. If you book through DCL, and we don't stop there, your stateroom account will not be charged. (Last week, certain excursions were canceled before arrival in the port due to weather, and those who booked through DCL were not charged.)
Valerie -- After the 2006 cruises, Disney has a great deal of goodwill with Native Choice. You might try asking on this thread how many people would go on the tours if we stop at Costa Maya. Once you have that number, you could tell Native Choice it's the Disney ship, we have so many adults and so many children, we would like to be picked up at the port, and ask what are the adult/child prices. You might get better group pricing that way.
On our bus ride to the Ruins, we saw schoolchildren and schoolhouses from the bus. We left a collection of school supplies with Ivan and David for the schools.
I spoke with people who made a visit to a school, and they found it rewarding.
In 2006, several people posted trip reports about the Ruins tour and the home and school visits. They are worth reading, if available, for more perspective.
Again, YMMV.
I hope this helps.
Woody
I cant wait! -Vanessa
I keep trying to tell her I am sure there will be more her age. She will be 8 when we sail. If anyone has any DD's her age could you please post it for her. Thanks everyone!
(dont hold me accountable) be shown on the ship!!
