HAS ANYONE EVER BEEN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN OR COZUMEL?

[A1A BOUND]

I HAVE BOOKED A CARNIVAL CRUSE FROM MOBILE. IM JUST WONDERING IF THOSE ARE NICE PLACES.

THANKS,
JAMIE

[citcat]

Cozumel is great for diving/snorkeling. I found some great silver jewelry in a little store, bargained them down severely!!! Some most wonderful margaritas at Pancho's Backyard. Didn't have enough time on the cruise to do both Cozumel AND Playa.....Next time, we'll take a boat over from Cozumel and visit there. AFTER having a margarita, of course.

[jollymon345]

I HAVE BOOKED A CARNIVAL CRUSE FROM MOBILE. IM JUST WONDERING IF THOSE ARE NICE PLACES.

THANKS,
JAMIE

If you want to get wasted on tequila than the answer is yes. The only problem with stopping there on a cruise is you won't have a lot of time so you will have to pick what you do wisely. The snorkeling and Scuba Diving is great. You could take the trip to the Mayan Ruins but that will be an all day thing. The night life is great but you will be on the ship ready to leave by the time everything really gets started. You could still go party at a lot of the bars because some of them are parting during the day. It is just that the real party is after dark.

[A1A BOUND]

THANKS YA'LL!!!


HOW ARE THINGS PRICED?

[hikingontuesday]

If you can do it, go diving/snorkeling in the morning. Then change and hit the bars. We went to the Senior Frogs and had a blast. Conga lines with upside down margarita shots... I've got chills. Just remember that you could get in trouble if you throw up on a cop's shoes. Also, leave plenty of time to catch the launch back to the ship.

If you aren't a diver, Chakanaab (not sure how it is spelled) beach is a quick cab ride away and has some nice shore snorleing. BUT if you can go on an excursion. Of all the places I've been diving/snorkeling, Cozumel is the best.

[ptaylor]

I have been on this cruise. We had a GREAT time. The BEST cruise of that kind was Cayman Islands and Cozumel. Snorkeling and diving is great in the Cayman's. Also, they give you lots of tequila or corona on the catamarans. You will enjoy yourself. Have fun!!

[citcat]

From what I can remember, the prices weren't too bad.

[Craiger]

I went back in '85 and had a really good time. It was a cruise stop for me too, so I only had a little less than a day to spend there.

I ended up going to the ruins at Tulum, which was awesome. Despite it being hot enough to fry the skin right off of you i spent sveral hours running around and checking out all the cool old buildings.

Since I was only 15 at the time, it was a wee bit before I hit my drinking years, so I can't comment on the nightlife/bar scene.

[ATLparrothead]

I highly recommend Chakanaab Park (i'm not sure how to spell either), its a beautiful park and has some great snokeling. Carlos and Charlies is a great place for dancing and drinks...we almost missed this ship b/c we were having too much fun!

[12vmanRick]

THANKS YA'LL!!!


HOW ARE THINGS PRICED?

Playa del Carmen is expensive in my opinion. However, Cozumel is not. Kind of strange since they are only separated by a few miles of water. I highly recommend getting over to Isla Mujeres if you can. The snorkling there is awesome! Oh and if you can be sure to visit the Mayan Ruins at Tulum if you wish to check out our adventures in that area go to this web address
http://www.rickandnicole.com/Vacations/ ... coTrip.htm

[hikingontuesday]

I highly recommend Chakanaab Park (i'm not sure how to spell either), its a beautiful park and has some great snokeling. Carlos and Charlies is a great place for dancing and drinks...we almost missed this ship b/c we were having too much fun!

Were we on the same cruise?? I was carried to the launch by a cop (the one I threw up on) and he had to whistle to stop the launch from leaving.

BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR WATCH!!

[phwtb]

Just a little word of advise after living in Cancun... when you go shopping go to the locals market, avoid the tourist areas.. they will all screw you on the price. If you eat out DO NOT eat at the tourist places go to the locals cafe's ... yeah.. the ones that most Americans walk past and think "ohhh myyyy Goodness!" Believe it or not THOSE are MUCH safer to eat at. The tourist ones know you are leaving and don't care if they make you sick, local ones have to have repeat business, but if you do eat at the touristy ones, do not order anything that is eaten raw, like fruit and salad and MAKE SURE you ask for a menu in SPANISH!!! The prices on the Spanish menus are rarely updated. You can usually get away with half the cost of the meal just by using it instead of one in English, same goes with the stores, ask for prices in peso's ... and, finally, remember swimming pools are filled with Mexican water ...

If you want to see MEXICO Playa is wonderful! If you want to party your a$$ off, stay on the island... they both offer EXCELLENT diving and snorkeling. And, just FYI, the American Consulants Office is in Cancun at Plaza de Caracol (spelled wrong but spelled the way it's pronounced), ask for Barbara.

Have a wonderful time!!!!!

[Love and Luck]

Carlos and Charlies is fun no matter what time of day... be sure to check it out! We also went to Playa del Sol (don't purchase the "cruise package" on the ship... too expensive). It's short ride from port and it's a pretty good time.... food, drinks, and water sports.

[A1A BOUND]

Just a little word of advise after living in Cancun... when you go shopping go to the locals market, avoid the tourist areas.. they will all screw you on the price. If you eat out DO NOT eat at the tourist places go to the locals cafe's ... yeah.. the ones that most Americans walk past and think "ohhh myyyy Goodness!" Believe it or not THOSE are MUCH safer to eat at. The tourist ones know you are leaving and don't care if they make you sick, local ones have to have repeat business, but if you do eat at the touristy ones, do not order anything that is eaten raw, like fruit and salad and MAKE SURE you ask for a menu in SPANISH!!! The prices on the Spanish menus are rarely updated. You can usually get away with half the cost of the meal just by using it instead of one in English, same goes with the stores, ask for prices in peso's ... and, finally, remember swimming pools are filled with Mexican water ...

If you want to see MEXICO Playa is wonderful! If you want to party your a$$ off, stay on the island... they both offer EXCELLENT diving and snorkeling. And, just FYI, the American Consulants Office is in Cancun at Plaza de Caracol (spelled wrong but spelled the way it's pronounced), ask for Barbara.

Have a wonderful time!!!!!

THANKS FOR THE ADVISE.

HOW DID YOU LIKE LIVING THERE?

[winoUknow]

I stopped in Cozumel on a Princess cruise just for the day, but it was a GREAT day to say the least. You should get away from the town. Maybe stop there for a drink on your way back on the ship if you have time. The island has too much to offer in the way of beaches and snorkeling/diving to be at a bar like Carlos and Charlies. Go to Cancun for that.

I had reserved a jeep for the day before we left for the cruise. When we arrived we walked over to the jeep place, signed the paper work then headed south on the island road, stopped at some great little beach bars that dot the road along the way. Snorkeled at a nice little beach called Dzul Ha, but make sure you go there right away before the cruise excursions come in. Make sure you stop at Mezcalito's for their "super shrimp". It was unbelievably good.

I wouldn't spend one day on Cozumel any other way. You could rent scooters too but a jeep will be more stable after a few margaritas.

[phwtb]

THANKS FOR THE ADVISE.

HOW DID YOU LIKE LIVING THERE?

I LOVED it!!!! I started in Mexico City and loved it there too... ~~sighing~~ ohhh to know then what I know now...

[Gardner McKay, Jr.]

Carlos & Charlies rocks! New improved location. Ya gotta have fun!

As always, G.M., Jr.

[Gardner McKay, Jr.]

Carlos & Charlies rocks! New improved location. Ya gotta have fun!

As always, G.M., Jr.

[Bob Roberts]

I'm going next month on a cruise to Cozumel. I want to do the whole snorkel thing. What are my options, and which ones are best. My ship does have some excursions that cost money. I may have some extra time before returning to the boat, what are some great places to see in a limited amount of time?

[phwtb]

I'm going next month on a cruise to Cozumel. I want to do the whole snorkel thing. What are my options, and which ones are best. My ship does have some excursions that cost money. I may have some extra time before returning to the boat, what are some great places to see in a limited amount of time?

I would stick to the ones that the ship has to offer for 2 main reasons... one safety. The cruise lines already know what to expect and how their customers will be treated and secondly, the time frame. If you have a limited amount of time it is better to be with the ones that are aware of the time frame and can meet the deadlines without question. Mexico, especially the coastal tourist areas have the attitude of laid back and relaxing... and that in a nutshell will and does throw off the timelines a great deal. If you ever make it to Cancun and want to go snorkeling or diving call Barbara at the Consulate Office. He partner owns one of the VERY BEST dive businesses down there. I would recommend them without hesitation...