Xel-Ha and Xcaret in Cozumel

[Ravenne]

If you've done either of these excursions, will you please tell me more about them? What did you like and/or dislike? Any tips and hints?

We're considering these locations and excursions, but my biggest concern is time. The itinerary states that docking time is 8:30am with an all aboard time of 3:45pm giving just a bit over 7 hours of shore time. DCL's website says these excursions lasts 7-7.5 hours. Is that really enough time to do the excursion and return to the ship in time? I can only assume the answer is yes, otherwise DCL wouldn't have it available. Do you have the option of leaving either Xel-Ha and/or Xcaret early, and are there options to leave early via the tour operator (like shuttles that might run at certain intervals throughout the day) or do you have to stay until the tour guide/operator says it's time to go? I know it's been said that DCL will do right by you if your DCL booked excursion is running late, but I really don't want to end up testing that.

 

[SleepyDeb]

Disney will hold the ship if a Disney excursion is late.

 

[tinkerone]

we stayed at the Xcaret resort, which is part of the xcaret park and I can tell you it is amazing. tons to do and not enough time to do it. its pretty big.
I would go back for sure. now, having said that, I would never take the ferry over to the main land as I get very sea sick and it is usually a rough ride. be prepared for that.

 

[mom4fun]

This is why many people will only take Disney excursions. They will NEVER leave without you. We loved xcaret on our western cruise. Yes, it is not enough time but every hour of it is awesome. Make sure you bring or take motion sickness meds for the boat ride especially for children.

 

[Ravenne]

The ferry ride is that bumpy, huh? Like speed boat bumpy? We're not usually prone to motion sickness and we've done ferries in the Bahamas with no problem, but if it's anything like the motion jarring of watching the Blair Witch Project, then yeah, I might feel like losing my lunch.

 

[KitkatMahn]

i've done Xcaret before and loved it. it was many years ago but we had a great time. I would recommend it

 

[canadiandisneymommy]

I've done both. Both are great options. You can't go wrong with either. They are similar in a lot of ways.

 

[Ravenne]

Did you all make it back to the ship with plenty of time to spare, or did it feel rushed?

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

Just did xcaret last week with three kids (4 1/2 -9). My kids and I tend to get sea sick in small boats so I was very nervous. I got sea bands for all of us and I took half a Bonnie tablet but the ferry was not bad-- I think the Bonnie made me a little loopy though. The kids were fine without medication except one had a little "headache" briefly on the ride there. Kids loved it though youngest wanted to get out of the lazy river --about halfway through-- took us an hour as we were towing three kids. You can get out at various points but we chose to get through the end. Plenty of photo ops along the way and we saw sleeping bats in one of the caves that you swim through on the Rio Maya course (there are 3 options and you probably only have time to do one of them). We did a different course when we were there in 2004 without kids. The tour guide was awesome and directed us to lunch and expedited lunch so we had time to snorkel, play on the beach, see the sea turtles, sharks and aquarium. We missed the aviary and Jaguars. There is only one bus trip back-- we were told to meet at 2:45 at the park entrance and made it back on the fantasy by 3:45ish. I think all aboard time was 4:30 that day. I would highly recommend it!!

 

[tinkerone]

Just did xcaret last week with three kids (4 1/2 -9). My kids and I tend to get sea sick in small boats so I was very nervous. I got sea bands for all of us and I took half a Bonnie tablet but the ferry was not bad-- I think the Bonnie made me a little loopy though. The kids were fine without medication except one had a little "headache" briefly on the ride there. Kids loved it though youngest wanted to get out of the lazy river --about halfway through-- took us an hour as we were towing three kids. You can get out at various points but we chose to get through the end. Plenty of photo ops along the way and we saw sleeping bats in one of the caves that you swim through on the Rio Maya course (there are 3 options and you probably only have time to do one of them). We did a different course when we were there in 2004 without kids. The tour guide was awesome and directed us to lunch and expedited lunch so we had time to snorkel, play on the beach, see the sea turtles, sharks and aquarium. We missed the aviary and Jaguars. There is only one bus trip back-- we were told to meet at 2:45 at the park entrance and made it back on the fantasy by 3:45ish. I think all aboard time was 4:30 that day. I would highly recommend it!!

how did you find it time wise? did you feel you could do enough of the park to justify it? with only being a 7.5 hour trip and taking away the ferry time to and from, then take away the bus time, how much time did you actually have at the park?
tia

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

Oh. You are supposed
To use biodegradable sunscreen there to protect the coral reefs. You can buy there or purchase ahead of time-- I got mine from Amazon- badger brand. It does not last as long as regular sunscreen so reapply frequently. There is plenty of shade so sunburn was not an issue there for us. There are Mosquitos in the inland areas so if u tend to be a magnet for them like me, use insect repellent. You can use credit cards and U.S. Dollars there so no need for currency exchange. If u have fins
And room in your suitcase, they help with getting through the swim but u can rent them there too-- the swim vests are mandatory and included. Bring a waterproof camera if you have one. I forgot to take mine out of the backpack before DH locked the pack up. You can scan your wristband at the photo points throughout the park and purchase your photos at the giftshop on the way out. Prices are similar to Disney for those photos.

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

I think we were there for at least 4-5 hours? we were pooped by the end and kids and I fell asleep on the ferry ride back to Cozumel. This was the one excursion DH really wanted to do and we felt it was worth it but that is somewhat subjective. We overheard others on our bus talking about it and they all loved it too. We also did only 4 hours at Universal the day before the cruise- some would say that that was not worth it but to me (huge Harry Potter fan) it was worth it

 

[DisneyDreams16]

Thanks for the info, we sail in 3 weeks.