Secret River Cozumel - ready to chicken out!...

[RockyMtnMom]

We are just a week away from our Fantasy cruise, and I am starting to get real nervous about an excursion I booked - the Secret River and Playa Del Carmen. I've been sitting at the computer with my finger above the "cancel" button because I am nervous about the weight limit. I am below the 250lb weight limit, but am quite pear-shaped. I currently wear a size 22 pant and a 1X top. I am not planning to squeeze into a wet suit. I have swim shorts and a long-sleeved swim shirt to wear, but I am concerned about the size of the life jackets and the "tight spaces" I read about in reviews. Based on your experiences with this excursion, should I go ahead or press that cancel button? I don't want to spend my cruise worrying about this (and I will 'cause I'm a born worrier!).

 

[gumbypee]

I know nothing about that excursion, but if you are going to worry the whole time I would cancel. Go with your instinct

 

[Four Swampers]

We are just a week away from our Fantasy cruise, and I am starting to get real nervous about an excursion I booked - the Secret River and Playa Del Carmen. I've been sitting at the computer with my finger above the "cancel" button because I am nervous about the weight limit. I am below the 250lb weight limit, but am quite pear-shaped. I currently wear a size 22 pant and a 1X top. I am not planning to squeeze into a wet suit. I have swim shorts and a long-sleeved swim shirt to wear, but I am concerned about the size of the life jackets and the "tight spaces" I read about in reviews. Based on your experiences with this excursion, should I go ahead or press that cancel button? I don't want to spend my cruise worrying about this (and I will 'cause I'm a born worrier!).

First, we did the Secret River and Playa Del Carmen, and we loved it! It was great! We have done all sorts of cave tours, and this is one of the best. We did the tour from the Disney Fantasy, our daughters were 14 and 12 at the time.

Second, it sounds like you are quite the worrier. While we had a wonderful time and would recommend the trip to anyone, perhaps you are answering your own question. Certainly an excursion should be a net positive in your life; you are paying enough that you should derive more pleasure than negative. At the end of the day, it is up to you to determine whether your worries will outweigh the enjoyment of the tour itself.

If you want to see a few pictures from our excursion, you can go to this facebook page and choose the Disney Cruise Maiden Voyage Fantasy album:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Our-Travels-Outside-of-Toledo/529534883804808?sk=photos_albums

If other members of your group wish to go, certainly it is acceptable for them to do one thing and you to do another. We don't all get the same enjoyment from the same activities.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[WDdaughter]

We did this excursion a few years ago. My husband weighs 270, we had no problems at all. The literature says u have to bring a long sleeve shirt so we ran out and bought one, he never used it and no-one said a word. They had wet suits that fit both of us, relax and enjoy, it's a great excursion

 

[bellebeast15]

Hello, please think again before canceling this excursion. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience! I was probably much more worried than you are now since I cannot swim at all, I even had. A mini breakdown in t

 

[bellebeast15]

Hello, please think again before canceling this excursion. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience! I was probably much more worried than you are now since I cannot swim at all. I even had a mini breakdown in the line waiting to board the ferry to Playa del Carmen! But the guides were awesome and assured me I would be ok. No one no matter their size or ability no one was made to feel awkward or embarrassed. Our guide Gonzo was simply amazing with making me feel comfortable. It is an unforgettable experience that I wish everyone could do at least once! I promise you won't regret it! If you can request Gonzo

 

[hgon76]

That place looks awesome! I didn't even notice that excursion on the list. I was considering Xcaret, but I think we may do this. It says no cameras. Do they take pics of you in the caves to buy?

 

[sambycat]

Did it last January. Opted not to wear the wetsuits, I'm a size 14, I'm sure my hubby was at or above the weight limit then. We had no troubles fitting through or around anything nor did anyone in our group. It was an amazing experience. I feared that we would encounter tight spaces I'd get stuck in but no. I recall maybe ducking under something, and you need sure footing - no grabbing onto the cave walls! But we did great. It was amazing! So reconsider but also do the best thing for you. We found it much easier than we feared.

 

[Four Swampers]

That place looks awesome! I didn't even notice that excursion on the list. I was considering Xcaret, but I think we may do this. It says no cameras. Do they take pics of you in the caves to buy?

You bet they do:

 

[jessa07]

DH was slightly above the weight limit and did just fine in the wetsuits. It's an amazing experience, don't chicken out!

 

[mdinowitz]

We are scheduled to do this next week. Can anybody offer any advice on how to dress/what to pack for the day? Should I have the family wear water shoes or do they supply ones that you have to wear as part of the wetsuit? Also, I had read that you cannot wear sunscreen or deodorant beforehand (for environmental reasons) is this true? Thanks!

 

[jessa07]

We are scheduled to do this next week. Can anybody offer any advice on how to dress/what to pack for the day? Should I have the family wear water shoes or do they supply ones that you have to wear as part of the wetsuit? Also, I had read that you cannot wear sunscreen or deodorant beforehand (for environmental reasons) is this true? Thanks!

Wear your swimsuit (obviously) and bring a change of clothes. I just put my clothes back on over my wet swimsuit...oops! We brought our own water shoes but they do supply them. They will have you rinse off before you get into the river. No sunscreen necessary, you're underground. You will get a locker to keep your belongings in (I was worried about that).

One thing nobody really mentions about this excursion - if you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever you need to combat that. First of all, the long ferry ride to the mainland is very very choppy. Then you get into a big van and are driving for what feels like forever on dirt roads. I swear, our driver went over every single bump on that road! I thought it was a joke when they were handing out Dramamine on the ship before we left. Nope!

 

[Four Swampers]

Yes, you can not put on any lotions, sunblock, etc prior to the trip: they damage the ecosystem of the underground river. Also, that water is the source of drinking water for the region.

It is a good idea to bring some sunblock and put it on after you exit the caves, because you will have an hour of beach time before you board the ferry back to Cozumel.

 

[JohnDS]

This does look like a cool excursion. How much time is required for this? Looking at the DCL site it looks like it's an all day commitment. Does it ever run long? I'd hate to be running to catch the ship at the end of the day.

 

[jessa07]

This does look like a cool excursion. How much time is required for this? Looking at the DCL site it looks like it's an all day commitment. Does it ever run long? I'd hate to be running to catch the ship at the end of the day.

It is definitely an all day thing, but you'll get back to the ship on time. Our ferry back left late and there was no danger of missing the ship, though we were scrambling to get ready for our 5:45 dinner seating.

 

[mdinowitz]

Wear your swimsuit (obviously) and bring a change of clothes. I just put my clothes back on over my wet swimsuit...oops! We brought our own water shoes but they do supply them. They will have you rinse off before you get into the river. No sunscreen necessary, you're underground. You will get a locker to keep your belongings in (I was worried about that).

One thing nobody really mentions about this excursion - if you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever you need to combat that. First of all, the long ferry ride to the mainland is very very choppy. Then you get into a big van and are driving for what feels like forever on dirt roads. I swear, our driver went over every single bump on that road! I thought it was a joke when they were handing out Dramamine on the ship before we left. Nope!

Thanks, and thanks to everyone else who responded. I'll pack dry undies for the kids so they're not uncomfortable on the bus/ferry ride back as well as my daughters sea bands which seem to help her w the motion sickness. I'm so glad to see that the overwhelming response to this excursion is a positive one. I'm looking forward to it more now than I was already. I'm also glad to hear that they will let us wear our own water shoes, borrowing ones that have been used by a bunch of people was giving me the heebie jeebies

 

[wiigirl]

I know nothing about that excursion, but if you are going to worry the whole time I would cancel. Go with your instinct