Kozumel/Costa Maya Disney cruise

[magicfan]

I'm going on a 7 day Disney cruise in 3 weeks (real excited ) to the Western Caribbean. We go to Castaway Cay twice. Also we go to Cozumel and Costa Maya. It's my second cruise (my first was to the eastern Caribbean).

My question is:
For those of you who have been to Kozumel and/or Costa Maya, what are they like? What's the best idea to do those days? What are the best excursions?

Thanks for all your help

 

[mom2of2]

I'm on the double dipper too but not until November. From what I have read on www.disboards.com the Costa Maya excursions are better then the Cozumel ones. Cozumel was hit really hard with the hurricanes last year and is still being worked on.
I'm still deciding my excursions and have to make decisions by mid August. Try going over to the dis cruise boards and ask there since there are a lot of just returned cruisers from the double dips.

 

[magicfan]

Anybody else?

 

[CatLady]

We were on the Western Carribean trip that was the first one back in Grand Cayman, so we didn't see Costa Maya. However, for Cozumel, snorkeling used to be the thing before Wilma. I understand that the area where we went snorkeling was pretty torn up (all of the coral gone) from 36 hours of 130 mph winds, so you would have to take a boat-based excursion rather than snorkel from land. I understand that the beaches are all fixed up again, so that's another option for you.

 

[magicfan]

Thinking bout doing the parasailing, too.

OK, so I spelled Cozumel wrong on the title lol :lol:


Anybody esle have anything to say?

 

[CatLady]

That's actually a good point... if you don't know an area, taking an excursion from the ship rather than going off on your own is a safe way to go. I had visited Cozumel previously, so I felt confortable doing a LOT of research before going off on a snorkeling jaunt of my own with two other people. We spent $28 total, including taxi fares and three drinks when we got out of the water. But it would have been worth it to spend more to go on an excursion if I didn't feel comfortable with the area. That's what we did in Grand Cayman. Peace of mind (and knowing that the ship isn't going to leave you!) are both good things.

 

[mom2of2]

magicfan....if you want to do the parasailing at Castaway Cay may I suggest that you go on the disneycruiseline.com website and book it. The double dipper cruises are very much sought after and you may not get the excursions that you want if you wait till you are onboard

 

[SallyShine]

magicfan....if you want to do the parasailing at Castaway Cay may I suggest that you go on the disneycruiseline.com website and book it. The double dipper cruises are very much sought after and you may not get the excursions that you want if you wait till you are onboard

Does "Double Dipper" refer to two stops at Castaway Cay? I think it's a great idea as that is by far the best part of a Disney Cruise!

 

[mom2of2]

yes, double dip means 2 stops at CC

 

[ilvdisney]

I have been on 4 Disney cruises..... all before the hurricanes. As such, I have no idea what is still around. But.... we swam with the Dolphins in Cozumel which was AMAZING! Also did one of the boat tours to a beach and kayaking excursion in Cozumel. In Grand Caymen I did the tour of the area (Hell, turtle farm, and Sting Ray City). I also tried to do a boat trip on a follow up trip, but the boat broke down, couldn't get out of the dock, and they basically left us on our own!
Hope that helps!

 

[DisneyBunny]

There are some wonderful reviews, and lots of cruising information at www.cruisecritic.com

You can read up on all the things an island has to offer, and chat with fellow ship-mates.

Good luck! :wave:

 

[magicfan]

Wow, thanks for your help.

Yes, we are planning on booking our excursions in the near future (before we get on the ship).

We are also considering doing the Cozumel excursion that's catamaran/snorkeling/beach fun.

I think Costa Maya is one of Disney's "special" port of calls that they don't go to very often. Sounds very cool. Lots of ancient ruins to see.

 

[CatLady]

We are also considering doing the Cozumel excursion that's catamaran/snorkeling/beach fun.

A couple who was sitting at our table for dinners on the ship did that, and they loved it. They were actually worried that it would be too "kid oriented" but were pleased to find that it really wasn't at all.

I think Costa Maya is one of Disney's "special" port of calls that they don't go to very often. Sounds very cool. Lots of ancient ruins to see.

The last time I checked, they were running the Western cruises to Grand Cayman one rotation and Costa Maya the next (one of each available a month). I was interested in the ruins, but we ended up being switched back to Grand Cayman at the last minute, so we went snorkeling instead. No ruins in Grand Cayman, unless you're counting stuff that hurricanes left behind...

 

[magicfan]

OK, here's what I booked:

Cozumel: zip line adventure (45 min. ferry, 1 hr. bus, 2 miles of zip line, 1 mile bike ride, fresh water sinkhole to swim in, bus and ferry back)

Costa Maya: nothing, just hang around the beach area and ship

Castaway Cay:
1) Parasailing
2) Banana Boat
3) 2 day bike rental

 

[ChuckElias]

First of all, as an avid DCL fan, I'm just happy to see a new thread about the cruise. Here are a few comments, for what they're worth.

I would like to do the double dipper cruise and see Costa Maya. I can't complain too much, tho, b/c I'm doing the Mediterranean cruise next year. :sohappy:

As much as I like Castaway Cay, I'm not sure I would say that it's the best thing about the cruise. Certainly not "by far". I love Key West, I love St. John, and I like Grand Cayman. Each of those stops is really wonderful, IMHO.

What to do in Cozumel? I would recommend the snorkel excursions and (if you are licensed) the scuba excursions. I've never scuba'ed there, but I've been told that it's some of the best in the world. My daughter and wife also did the dolphin experience. It was the highlight of my daughter's week. However, if you have concerns about the treatment of animals, you might want to do some research into the industry. My wife and I saw an investigative report about how the dolphins are captured for this sort of thing. It wasn't pretty.

Glad to hear that you reserved the excursions before boarding. Some of them are nearly impossible to get once you're onboard. Have a great time! What's your cabin category? What's your dinner seating? Come on, details!!

 

[magicfan]

I'm in a deluxe family suite, deck 8. Haven't found out the dinner seating yet