Day 3 – Cozumel
We had originally planned to do the secret river excursion in Cozumel but in the last couple weeks before the cruise we learned about the long ferry required. Kim doesn’t handle ferries very well if it’s choppy at all. As well, had heard that the water levels were very high and that the spiders were large and plentiful. In the end, don’t know how the ferry would have affected her but the water levels and spiders were a non-issue according to others that did the excursion. Shows that you really have to take all the issues raised on boards like this with appropriate grains of salt.
Instead, we chose to do the CZ33 Mexican Cuisine Workshop and Tasting excursion which included use of the resort afterwards. It was 8:45 to 2:15.
Morning started off as usual. I was awake way before Kim and managed to get a few nice shots as we were coming in to dock.
Breakfast was Beach Blanket as you’d expect for such an early excursion. I was starting to get very re-addicted to their donuts anyways. And liking that they were doing different things quite often.
Our excursion was leaving from Wavebands and we got there in plenty of time. Too early as a matter of fact. And since this was our first excursion and really excited, we tried to register too early so they asked us to wait a bit. As usual, they asked for 1 person to come up for the whole family to sign in and collect tags and such. Once it was our group’s turn, we left as a big group. Several different excursions going to the same place went together. All went smoothly but I always expect they must lose people along the way since it’s a fairly long walk from the ship to disembarkation and to the bus in this case. Picture of part of the walk is above. Outside, they handed us over to the tour guide who walked us down the pier, through the little mall at the end of the pier and out to the other side where our bus awaited.
The bus was a pretty standard tour bus and the tour guide and bus driver spoke adequate English. They tried to get us speaking a little Spanish. The drive was perhaps 20 minutes. I don’t understand why I can’t find pictures of it…
Arrival at the resort was painless but I found it wasn’t very organized to get us to our final destination where we would start the excursion. As I mentioned, it was several excursions coming to the same place. But, we followed a few other people who seemed to know where they were going and we found the place.
The chef and his assistant were lots of fun. They started with drink orders. Several different types were offered. Beers and the typical mixed drinks. This was our first trip to Mexico so have very little experience with the water cleanliness issue but decided to just jump in since the resort looked upscale enough. I’ve no idea how big of a risk it was in the end. Something I’d forgotten to check into before going on the trip.
A few pictures.
I’ll have you know, the fire was completely on purpose for pictorial benefit.
The idea was that we were doing a 3 course meal that we would eat for lunch. Appetizer, main, and dessert. The main was meant to be fish (Kim recalls grouper but I have no recollection) but I don’t do fish due to my allergy so they said they would bring me some iguana instead. They admitted it was chicken, of course, but the recurring joke was that it was iguana. I would have happily eaten iguana I suppose. The meal was cooked with quite a few things that I’ve never cooked with before. Spices and sauces I’d never heard of and plantains which I’d never cooked with. It was very interesting. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can get some of the ingredients here.
During the meal preparations, they plied us with drinks and good humour. They took all the appropriate food preparation precautions that you’d hope. As we would finish a dish, they would take it away for refrigeration and for the main course, for finishing.
Lunch was served in a nice area upstairs where we got to sit around and chat. Overall, a very worthwhile excursion. For me (with severe fear of the water), much better than a secret river excursion where we’d be swimming around caves in the dark – but don’t tell Kim.
After lunch, we got to explore the resort’s pool and beach. We ran into both families that sit with us at dinner so we got to sit around and gab with our new cruise buddies. Along the way, Kim went into the water with one of the people we’d cooked with. We were shocked by how cold it was. Not what we expected at all. The air temperature was pretty hot, but not sweltering.
I think we had between an hour and two to roam the resort and then it was time to load into the buses again. Thankfully, everyone came back on time so we left on time and we were dropped off back at the mall at the end of the pier. But we were not just ready to go back to the boat yet. We had some shopping to do.
Not being the risk-takers that others might be, we kept to the main street which is the street visible from the boat - which had the typical merchandise. There were the jewelry stores and the typical souvenir things. I mentioned Anna earlier – the shopping expert on board. She was at the first Diamonds International we stopped at. She hooked us up with someone and by doing so, I certainly felt like we were being treated better than if we were just off the street. But my only other similar experience was Nassau – perhaps it’s just different there. This is where we got to experience the multi-buy where we got 4 items for the price of the main item that we were looking for. It was a matter of not wanting to pay the quoted price for the item but serious about buying something. The salesperson just kept adding things to the deal. Perhaps we still got completely ripped off, but we are happy with the deal. I was actually quite shocked with the situation. I’m not a haggler.
We were especially happy with the deal once we learned that Mexico offered an 8% cash back deal. You only needed your passport and the information of what you bought (receipts,etc). 5 minutes at a booth (that the salesperson took us to) and we were done.
A couple more stops later and we had our shopping done. Colour changing sunglasses for DS that we found out later were not a good deal. Not terrible, but not good. And bamboo sheets which are amazing so far but we were charged quite a bit of duty on. They ended up being a horrible deal. If you’re Canadian at least, you’re probably better off carrying them home.
We snapped a few pics before heading back. It was crazy bright out and quite hot by now. We’d tried taking some pictures without sunglasses but we look like we’re constipated or something squinting while trying to keep our eyes open even a little. Sorry, I’m not sharing them.
I had picked up a new waterproof/shockproof/etc little camera last fall in anticipation of this trip. It has an amazing panorama function inside the camera (or I thought it did) but it wasn’t until we were home that I realized it wasn’t doing a good job of stitching. Most likely a operator error... But if you don’t look too close, they’re not too bad.
We felt the pressure to go into shops and buy things was reasonable. It was there, but not insistent or rude. Overall, Cozumel shopping was fine. It might be worse during peak season perhaps – this was low season. The streets were pretty quiet.
Getting back to the pier means going back through the mall. They were a little pushier there and we’d been warned to avoid it. We just had to show our room cards (iirc) to the security officers to prove we belonged there.
Back to the ship in plenty of time, luxuriating in the cold cloth and water they pass out as you re-board. I think we had a bit of time, but not much, before Kim and I convened at the front of the ship to watch for people running to make the ship on time. We got mildly addicted to this activity in Madeira and solidified in Gibraltar. On the 2013 EBTA we left several people behind in Madeira according to an officer we spoke to. We go to shout encouragement but also I suppose that train-wreck moment. I hope it’s more the former but you never know...
Gibraltar seemed pretty tame but the ship did toot this fella along when he stopped running for the ship. I don’t believe we left anyone behind but hadn’t actually asked an officer to confirm.
Since this was such an early port adventure end for us, we’d figured this would be a good idea for Palo. It didn’t disappoint. It seemed to be the same menu as we’d had before on our EBTA. I took no pictures. One thing I realized later in the cruise is that Palo tries to arrange to give you the same server each meal. We went 3 (or 4?) times and had the same server each time. I appreciate this little touch. Mind you, I loved our server.
An unfortunate thing that we learned later is that we missed our first Animator’s Palate and the only time that they would do the whole show and illuminate the room. I don’t know if this is normal, but it was very disappointing.
Very full from Palo (who can say no to chocolate lava cake?), we waddled and groaned our way to the show. Tonight was the Magic and Illusion of Kyle Knight and Mistie. I have to say that I was extraordinarily impressed. However, tried as I might, I still feel asleep by the last trick. I feel I really missed out on it as people were talking about it for days. They were great. They did an “adults-only” show later in the cruise that I managed to stay up for. I have no comprehension why it was “adult-only”. Still completely Disney.
Is there anyone else like me that feels it’s not just jet-lag making me sleepy on the boat? I always have serious issues staying up late onboard. It became routine that I had a little nap before supper. That seemed to get me through later on.
And that was about it for the day. Sorry, this seemed like a long post.
joining in. I'm thoroughly enjoying your trip report. I have to say I was so nervous in the beginning that you wouldn't make it to the ship on time. Even though I knew if you didn't make it there would be no report to write. I'm looking forward to your next installment.
