Trying to make a dream vaction come true. My cruise will be taking me to Costa Maya and what I see in the CCL magazine has a couple of events listed, but when I look at the dollar signs for them I haven't had a rich uncle die yet.
A little housekeeping first - you need to use BB Code for the cruise clock. HTML code will not work. BB Code is one of the three code choices you are offered when you set the clock up.
When is your cruise? As you may know, Costa Maya was obliterated by Hurricane Dean last year and has been closed ever since. The official date to reopen is this coming September although rumor has it they are a well ahead of schedule and may be ready by July.
Hi TruTrojan, welcome to Cruise-Chat. If you're looking for an inexpensive way to spend the day, the beach is a great option. You can also stroll through the shops without having to spend a dime if you don't want to. What excursions were you interested in? There may be a less expensive alternative. Best wishes and once again, welcome aboard!
I wonder if Costa Maya's reopening will change the itinerary for the ships currently calling on Progreso. I am specifically wondering about the Fantasy for October.
Next Cruise: Carnival Fantasy 10-27-08
03/08 Carnival Fantasy 10-07 Carnival Holiday 03-07 Carnival Holiday 11-06 Carnival Triumph 03-06 CaribbeanPrincess 01-04 Carnival Victory 09-03 Carnival Destiny 05-03 Carnival Imagination 11-02 Carnival Imagination 01-02 RCCL Rhapsody of Seas 02-01 RCCL Sovereign of Seas 02-00 RCCL Empress of Seas 01-99 RCCL Sovereign of Seas 01-98 RCCL Majesty of Seas
As you know, many itineraries were moved to Progreso after Costa Maya got slammed. I don't know what the Fantasy route was prior to the storm, but I think it did include Costa Maya.
Not sure, but I don't think Progreso was even a port option before Costa Maya got slammed. If all the ships change back to Costa Maya, the people of Progreso are going to be p&*^%$! Oh well!
The port of Costa Maya announced today that it is reopening in July. The port has been closed since it was hit hard by Hurricane Dean in July 2007. Just about all of the cruise lines that used to stop there have made a commitment to start using Costa Maya again once it reopens. Two berths will be available when the port opens in July, with a third berth opening in November. The new berths will be able to accommodate even the Genesis-class ships that Royal Caribbean is building.
I was VERY unimpressed with Costa Maya. Alot of people said to go to Majahual. WE did and I thought the beach was dirty and the little make believe town their was filled with pushy people trying to sell junk. They will start at an outragious price, and by the time you walk away, they'll offer it to you for a couple of bucks! Would NEVER want to go back. Kinda like Santo Tomas de Castillo. It was ok ONCE.
Although I am thrilled to hear the place is ahead of schedule in the rebuilding, I don't care for Costa Maya that much. The fake town is over-priced and a zoo if even two ships are in port. We were last there with 3 ships docked. Forget trying to get a seat for lunch. It was even a challenge to find a cold beer. When I did it was not cheap. I don't know if any changes in the layout will be made in the rebuilding, but personally I don't plan to return. Some may like it but it was not my cup of tequila.
But I am happy that this revenue source will be back in full swing because it is so important to the local economy,
We did a beach day through the ship--4-5 hours. It took about 30 minutes or more to get there, seems to me we waited around some to get the bus as well. The beach was not all that nice, nice bar though and only a couple venders of local merchandise who did not approach you but were there if you wanted them. Then wait around at your appointed time for the buses to come back, probably 30 more minutes in lines and then transportation. I really didn't feel a need to go back there either. I'll take Cozumel or even Ocho any day over that.
Laurie RCCL Nordic Empress 1993 RCCL Nordic Prince 1994 RCCL Explorer 2003, 2005 RCCL Navigator, 2004, 2007 RCCL Mariner 2006 RCCL Liberty 2008
I agree with Dave ... if I go again, we will go to a restaurant for a margarita and eat - then back to the ship ... We toured the ruins the first time and don't need to do so again ...
Originally posted by TruTrojan: HOLY COW!!! Thank you everyone who took the time to give the heads up. I sure appreciate it.
After reading the postings...I've changed boats and iteneraries...
Thank you All again.
If you do get to Costa Maya here is my suggestion. Right off the pier take a left and you will find some hammocks on the shore line. They are partially protected from the sun. Lay down in one and wait for a waitress from the nearby pub to come by. She will probably not know english but knows "beer" and has a menu you can point at. Buy a beer and tip big. She will come by frequently. The pub nearby had a band that played Beatles the day I was there and they were great. It was a very good 3 hours for me, My wife went into town. I had the better deal.
Posts: 499 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: November 13, 2006
