Port Adventure: Tulum Ruins

[msd1776]

Hello....I have Tulum Ruins port adventure booked on my November 30, 2014 Magic sailing. I have read a couple of things that are concerning to me since my daughter is prone to seasickness on smaller vessels without the stabilizations like a ship. I have read that the water between Cozumel and the mainland is "always" choppy.

1) I am skeptical of the word always. What have others experienced, especially around the same time of year we are sailing?
2) I am unclear as to what kind of vessel we will be transported on, specifically will it have some open air space? This is important because I have heard that vomiting is very common. I will toss my cookies if I am in an enclosed place and that is going on.
3) People have also been negative on the lunch, specifically the comment that was concerning to me is that "sandwiches were left on the bus in the heat". I would hope that these were set out close to the return to the bus -- I don't want to get sick. does anyone know how they handle this?
4) is it true that if you take this excursion, that basically all of your time ashore is spent on this excursion?

Anything else that you know about this excursion that would be helpful is appreciated.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello....I have Tulum Ruins port adventure booked on my November 30, 2014 Magic sailing. I have read a couple of things that are concerning to me since my daughter is prone to seasickness on smaller vessels without the stabilizations like a ship. I have read that the water between Cozumel and the mainland is "always" choppy.

1) I am skeptical of the word always. What have others experienced, especially around the same time of year we are sailing?
2) I am unclear as to what kind of vessel we will be transported on, specifically will it have some open air space? This is important because I have heard that vomiting is very common. I will toss my cookies if I am in an enclosed place and that is going on.
3) People have also been negative on the lunch, specifically the comment that was concerning to me is that "sandwiches were left on the bus in the heat". I would hope that these were set out close to the return to the bus -- I don't want to get sick. does anyone know how they handle this?
4) is it true that if you take this excursion, that basically all of your time ashore is spent on this excursion?

Anything else that you know about this excursion that would be helpful is appreciated.

We did this tour this past September. Not November, but here's my take on it:

1) Water wasn't as bad as I'd been lead to believe. That said, I can see that it could be. The day we were there was a gorgeous day, no wind, and calm seas (you are on the ocean for the crossing). I would think if the weather was bad (windy, rainy) it could be pretty bouncy on that boat.

2) The upper deck on the boat we were on was open, with a partially covered area towards the front. I'll see if I got any pictures of the boat. The lower deck was completely enclosed, and the windows were so badly fogged up due to the condensation from the AC that you couldn't see out. So felt even more enclosed. One note, the seats on the lower deck were similar to airline seats, while on the upper deck they were hard metal benches.

3) As we boarded the bus (after the boat trip), we were handed a lunch bag. It had the "side dishes" for the lunch. But some of us ate part of it then. The bag had a banana, juice drink, muffin, chips,as well as mayonnaise & mustard packets. We also got a bottle of water. After the tour at the ruins, as we reboarded our bus, they handed out the sandwiches (which had been kept in a cooler with ice). I believe it was a ham & cheese sandwich. Sort of like a Subway-type sandwich.

4) Yes, the whole trip is on the excursion. It takes about 45 minutes for the boat ride (each way) and another 45 minutes to an hour for the bus ride from the boat terminal to the ruins. The ruins are quite impressive, IMO. And, once the actual tour portion of the ruins is done, you can go down (lots of steps) to the beach there to enjoy a little beach time, before rejoining the group for the trip back.

This is the ferry that we took

A little bit of the upper deck

My lunch bag

The beach

 

[msd1776]

THANKS!!!! You answered all of my questions and concerns! I feel much better about this now. I really appreciate you taking the time to post the pics too!

 

[collectoraholic]

Just to let you know, our oldest is prone to motion sickness (in cars, but has never had an issue on DCL) and we made sure to give her Bonine (well in advance--gave it to her nightly on that sailing [it's a 24-hr tablet] just b/c of this excursion so she'd always have it in her system) of taking the water shuttle pictured above and she still puked. It was horrible for her. Many people got sick on the way over, but I did not notice nearly as many getting sick on the way back.

Not wanting to alarm you, but just want to make you aware of our experience. My DH and I have done that water shuttle numerous times and there's always at least 1 person that gets sick, but usually it is many more.

HTHs!

 

[JenJenW]

I am doing this excursion as well. We leave in just over a week! I am wondering if there was any time to shop in the port after the excursion or did you have to get right on the ship?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am doing this excursion as well. We leave in just over a week! I am wondering if there was any time to shop in the port after the excursion or did you have to get right on the ship?

We had a dedicated ferry that we were escorted directly to from the bus when it returned to the ferry terminal. Once back at the port (where the ship was docked), we had to go directly onboard, as the all aboard was 3:45 and we arrived back at 3:45.

There was a fairly large shop at the ruins that had some nice looking things. Mostly touristy stuff, but there some clothing items, also.

 

[for my family]

My 2¢ is that this excursion would be a very long day with quite a bit of travel with limited time at Tulum. However, if you have never been to major Mayan ruins, and you like this sort of thing, and you think this would be your only chance, I would go for it.

I visited Tulum a few years ago while vacationing at an AI south of Playa del Carmen. We rode a collectivo, which is like a local van service. The trip from our resort took about 25 minutes, and was dirt cheap. The ruins were great and the beach is really cool. However, in late April away from the water, the heat and humidity were stifiling!

I would go back to Tulum the next time I'm vacationing in that part of Mexico; however, for me I would not take an excursion while on a cruise.

 

[JenJenW]

Thanks! This will help me plan the day better!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I have a feeling that you may have read my comments on this tour on other posts.

I second most of what is said above.

If it is a calm sunny day, then the boat from Cozumel to the mainland, might not be too bad. When we went, it was cloudy and windy, and the boat (excuse my language) was like a vomitorium.

I was also the person who spoke about the standing joke in my family - "Don't eat the Mexican Subway" - whenever confronted with potential salmonella poisoning. Back when we took the tour in 2011, it was actually Subway sandwiches that were sitting in the hot bus, and it was fairly evident that they had not been sitting on ice. Happy to see that they have changed this.

That being said, the ruins were spectacular and we don't regret for a minute taking the trip to see them. Just know that travelling to get there (boat & bus) will be very long and very hot, and prepare yourself accordingly (e.g. pack lots and lots of water before you leave the ship).

 

[holula]

I am doing this excursion as well. We leave in just over a week! I am wondering if there was any time to shop in the port after the excursion or did you have to get right on the ship?

I did this in January and we got back at 4.45. Ship all aboard was at 5.

I enjoyed this excursion a lot. The ruins are impressive even though the boat/bus is long. The top deck was open air with a shade cover and I didn't get motion sick on either ferry journey. They do give out tablets at the start of the day.

 

[kiford]

We did this trip in December (2011 I think). It wasn't so much that the water was choppy as that the ferry goes quite fast and so the trip was very bumpy. We sat inside but there were seats outside. One woman inside got very sick and spent most of the trip in the bathroom throwing up. However, as far as I know, she was the only one who did and the ferry holds a lot of people. I had no problems. I actually fell asleep on the way back as I found the bumping slightly hypnotic.

Our lunch was definitely on ice. Content was similar to what others have described - simple but reasonably tasty and after a day walking through the ruins I was starving. It was very hot and there is little cover so you need to make sure of hat and sunscreen and sunglasses.

There was some touristy shops at the ruins but they also stopped the bus about halfway there at some place. I'm sure the bus driver, tour guide or tour company has some kind of deal with them but it also gave the opportunity for a bathroom break. Also a lot of touristy stuff but I bought a lovely silver necklace, bracelet and earrings for what I consider to be a reasonable price. If I hadn't placed a limit on my spending I would have bought more as there was a very good selection and was hard to choose.

I thought it was a great tour, well worth doing. The tour guide was very good. We've been to Mayan ruins at Kohunlich which is in the jungle. Tulum is on the coast on top of a cliff with no canopy cover. Totally different so the contrast was really interesting and gives a very different perspective on the Mayans. I really enjoyed the entire day.

 

[jlemieu1]

Depending where you are going I like the ruins in Costa Maya better. No boat ride but a bus ride.

 

[chelseafc]

My DH and I are taking this tour next month, too. This was very helpful of what to expect, thanks.
I get every kind of motion sick, so I'm prepared that the ferry will not be good for me, but I really want to see the history.

 

[RedSox68]

Hello....I have Tulum Ruins port adventure booked on my November 30, 2014 Magic sailing. I have read a couple of things that are concerning to me since my daughter is prone to seasickness on smaller vessels without the stabilizations like a ship. I have read that the water between Cozumel and the mainland is "always" choppy.

1) I am skeptical of the word always. What have others experienced, especially around the same time of year we are sailing?
2) I am unclear as to what kind of vessel we will be transported on, specifically will it have some open air space? This is important because I have heard that vomiting is very common. I will toss my cookies if I am in an enclosed place and that is going on.
3) People have also been negative on the lunch, specifically the comment that was concerning to me is that "sandwiches were left on the bus in the heat". I would hope that these were set out close to the return to the bus -- I don't want to get sick. does anyone know how they handle this?
4) is it true that if you take this excursion, that basically all of your time ashore is spent on this excursion?

Anything else that you know about this excursion that would be helpful is appreciated.

Let me say this about that -- this subject is a sore one with me for the simple reason that I BELIEVED all the hype posted on various threads about getting sick and how awful the boat ride was, etc. etc. etc. For that reason, I chose not to go -- but my husband and daughter did. They had a blast. Loved the ruins, had no problems on the boat or bus (they both took Bonine before leaving) and saw none of the people hanging over the sides and throwing up! I regret to this day that I didn't go.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We have done this tour, on of our group gets bad seasickness, they on the transfer to/ from The mainland did feel unwell as we were low on the boat and enclosed. It passed quickly but best advice is get in the fresh air, any open deck, and watch the land at the horizon.

 

[healeylvr]

My wife and I did this trip a few years back we really enjoyed the ruins and would go back again although it was a very rough ride on the ferry returning to the ship many people were seasick in the 8-10 foot waves and when we docked the gangplank to the pier was moving back and forth so much you had to time your exit to avoid getting your feet caught. I believe this was exceptional weather and would still recommend visiting the ruins and considered this part of the "adventure" of visiting unique places.

 

[ktate82]

We are going on a cruise next Oct to Cozumel and would love to do this! Is this something booked directly through Disney or an outside agent?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are going on a cruise next Oct to Cozumel and would love to do this! Is this something booked directly through Disney or an outside agent?

We booked through DCL. Due to the close timing (the excursion pretty much takes the whole time the ship is in port), that's our comfort zone - booking through the cruise line. Don't know whether it's offered privately or not.

We were the first excursion off the ship, and we got back (on the ferry) just at the all aboard time.

 

[ktate82]

We booked through DCL. Due to the close timing (the excursion pretty much takes the whole time the ship is in port), that's our comfort zone - booking through the cruise line. Don't know whether it's offered privately or not.

We were the first excursion off the ship, and we got back (on the ferry) just at the all aboard time.

On our Cozumel day, we are scheduled to be there from 7:30 to 5:45. Given the time we are there, what time do you think it would be scheduled for? Would we have any extra time?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On our Cozumel day, we are scheduled to be there from 7:30 to 5:45. Given the time we are there, what time do you think it would be scheduled for? Would we have any extra time?

I really have no idea. Our port time there was 8:30-3:45. And it took every minute of it for this excursion. A previous poster said:

I did this in January and we got back at 4.45. Ship all aboard was at 5.

I enjoyed this excursion a lot. The ruins are impressive even though the boat/bus is long. The top deck was open air with a shade cover and I didn't get motion sick on either ferry journey. They do give out tablets at the start of the day.

So, I would think the excursion itself is a little adjustable, depending on how long the ship is in port. Personally, I wouldn't count on any shopping time. There is some shopping at the ruins themselves, some local artisan booths, and a few stores along with the large gift shop there.