Cruise to Cozumel - advice? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

stevo · 07-31-2006, 09:13 AM

So I've booked a cruise on the Fascination out of Miami, to Key West, then on to Cozumel. I've got three weeks until the cruise, its just going to be my wife and my self. I've never been on a cruise before, well, one of those 5-hour gambling cruises, but not a real cruise. I've never been to mexico before either. Does anyone have any advice for either?

I know I'm going to be spending a decent amount of time in the casino, watching some shows, and drinking. Anything else I should put on my itinerary while I'm on the boat?

And then to mexico, well cozumel. Never been there. I would like to go fishing while I'm there, but I've read that just about all fishing is done well offshore because of the protected reefs around the island. So it would take just about all the shore time to do any fishing, and as much as I'd love to hook up with a marlin, this probably isn't the best time to do it. I think we'll be doing a lot of shopping and some more drinking. I hear diving is great there, what with the reefs and crystal clear water. we may partake in some brief snorkling.

I would try and smuggle a box of cubans back, but now a days the best cigars don't come from cuba anyway. So what should I blow the rest of my money on after I drink most of it and lose it in the casino?

Carno · 07-31-2006, 09:31 AM

If you want to save loads of cash, bring your own liquor. Everything else is free.

Elphaba · 07-31-2006, 09:35 AM

I was on the Facination and you'll have a lot of things to do while on board. Prepare to eat yourself silly, for one. You'll get a daily schedule of activities to choose from. There will also be recommended excursions to Cozumel to give you an idea of things to do. Do a google search now to get some ideas.

I spoiled myself with a message on the last day of the trip. The first day might have been better to get into full vacation mode. Getting on the ship is a real cattle car experience so I recommend immediate destressing. Booze will help.

Enjoy!

stevo · 07-31-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elphaba

I was on the Facination and you'll have a lot of things to do while on board. Prepare to eat yourself silly, for one. You'll get a daily schedule of activities to choose from. There will also be recommended excursions to Cozumel to give you an idea of things to do. Do a google search now to get some ideas.

I spoiled myself with a message on the last day of the trip. The first day might have been better to get into full vacation mode. Getting on the ship is a real cattle car experience so I recommend immediate destressing. Booze will help.

Enjoy!

They say its prohibited to bring liquor on-board, save a bottle of wine or champagne. how strictly is this enforced - that is, how easy would it be to bring along a bottle of scotch? As far as customs goes, how well do they search you and your belongings, or is it just "Do you have anything to declare" and you're on your way? - looking forward to it, basically endulging to no end.

Elphaba · 07-31-2006, 11:52 AM

It's true that you can't bring you own liquor on board, but I believe you are allowed two bottles from Duty Free. I would check with the cruise line to verify. Customs doesn't care that you bring a bottle in, and your baggage isn't searched when you get on the ship.

I wouldn't attempt anything risky coming back through customs. Hubby smuggled a few cigars back and we wore our new watches without declaring them. But coming back into the US is serious business.

Hopefully, you have a passport. It's not necessary to have one yet to enter Mexico, but you'll save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you have it. Otherwise, have good photo ID and an official birth certificate and expect some annoyances.

I hope that's helpful.

stevo · 07-31-2006, 12:09 PM

yes. thank you.

highthief · 08-01-2006, 06:49 AM

Try to drink bottled water not only in Mexico but on board. Virtually every cruise ship is now carrying along some degree of harmful bacteria in the water tanks (e coli, Norwalk, etc).

stevo · 08-01-2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief

Try to drink bottled water not only in Mexico but on board. Virtually every cruise ship is now carrying along some degree of harmful bacteria in the water tanks (e coli, Norwalk, etc).

will do. .

Elphaba · 08-01-2006, 08:23 AM

That's a good point. Near the end of our trip about half the passengers where ill and we wrote it off as a flu bug of some kind. We didn't learn of Norwalk until later.

Derwood · 08-15-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo

will do. .

and remember, ice cubes are made of water too

maleficent · 08-15-2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo

As far as customs goes, how well do they search you and your belongings, or is it just "Do you have anything to declare" and you're on your way? - looking forward to it, basically endulging to no end.

The duty that you'd pay ends up being far far FAR less than the fine that you pay if you get caught... The duty is peanuts..

Derwood · 08-16-2006, 07:12 AM

I've been to Cozumel. Listen VERY carefully to the cruise staff regarding legitimate taxi services at the port. ANYONE with a car will try to drive you places for money.

You get off at a pier and have to walk through a duty-free "mall" to get to the main road, and then grab a cab to the town area. Just keep your cash/cruise card/etc. secure, as locals flock to the pier everytime a ship comes. If you want to shop, it might be a good idea to pony up the dough for a shopping excursion...that way you don't have to worry about finding your own transportation.

stevo · 08-16-2006, 07:59 AM

hmmm. They say we can bring a case of water per person, but I don't know how I'm to keep it cold. I also like my drinks with ice...it is a concern, but at the same time I wonder what the chances are. I'll take a case of water for myself, I hope I can find a way to keep it cold.
-------

I thought I could walk from the pier to the main shopping area? how far is it?
--------

So, with the room service, will I be able to order some as soon as I find my cabin, or do I have to wait until we shove off? What kind of foods can I order to my cabin? Is there a wide variety or just the standard fare?

Not too long now, I'm getting a bit excited.

Derwood · 08-16-2006, 08:50 AM

Yes, I think you can walk to the shopping area, there is just no guarantee that locals will leave you alone.

I believe room service is available as soon as you board. Otherwise there is a buffet up on the pool deck with you standard burger/fry/salad/fruit type of fare.

stevo · 08-18-2006, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the advice, all. I'm going to be leaving tonight to SoFla. let you know how it goes when i return...

07-31-2006, 09:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
stevo Rail Baron Location: Tallyfla	Cruise to Cozumel - advice? So I've booked a cruise on the Fascination out of Miami, to Key West, then on to Cozumel. I've got three weeks until the cruise, its just going to be my wife and my self. I've never been on a cruise before, well, one of those 5-hour gambling cruises, but not a real cruise. I've never been to mexico before either. Does anyone have any advice for either? I know I'm going to be spending a decent amount of time in the casino, watching some shows, and drinking. Anything else I should put on my itinerary while I'm on the boat? And then to mexico, well cozumel. Never been there. I would like to go fishing while I'm there, but I've read that just about all fishing is done well offshore because of the protected reefs around the island. So it would take just about all the shore time to do any fishing, and as much as I'd love to hook up with a marlin, this probably isn't the best time to do it. I think we'll be doing a lot of shopping and some more drinking. I hear diving is great there, what with the reefs and crystal clear water. we may partake in some brief snorkling. I would try and smuggle a box of cubans back, but now a days the best cigars don't come from cuba anyway. So what should I blow the rest of my money on after I drink most of it and lose it in the casino? __________________ "If I am such a genius why am I drunk, lost in the desert, with a bullet in my ass?" -Otto Mannkusser

07-31-2006, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Carno Junkie	If you want to save loads of cash, bring your own liquor. Everything else is free. __________________ http://how-to-spell-ridiculous.com/

07-31-2006, 12:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
stevo Rail Baron Location: Tallyfla	yes. thank you. __________________ "If I am such a genius why am I drunk, lost in the desert, with a bullet in my ass?" -Otto Mannkusser

08-01-2006, 06:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	Try to drink bottled water not only in Mexico but on board. Virtually every cruise ship is now carrying along some degree of harmful bacteria in the water tanks (e coli, Norwalk, etc). __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

08-16-2006, 07:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
Derwood Who You Crappin? Location: Everywhere and Nowhere	I've been to Cozumel. Listen VERY carefully to the cruise staff regarding legitimate taxi services at the port. ANYONE with a car will try to drive you places for money. You get off at a pier and have to walk through a duty-free "mall" to get to the main road, and then grab a cab to the town area. Just keep your cash/cruise card/etc. secure, as locals flock to the pier everytime a ship comes. If you want to shop, it might be a good idea to pony up the dough for a shopping excursion...that way you don't have to worry about finding your own transportation. __________________ "You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

07-31-2006, 09:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	I was on the Facination and you'll have a lot of things to do while on board. Prepare to eat yourself silly, for one. You'll get a daily schedule of activities to choose from. There will also be recommended excursions to Cozumel to give you an idea of things to do. Do a google search now to get some ideas. I spoiled myself with a message on the last day of the trip. The first day might have been better to get into full vacation mode. Getting on the ship is a real cattle car experience so I recommend immediate destressing. Booze will help. Enjoy!

07-31-2006, 11:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	It's true that you can't bring you own liquor on board, but I believe you are allowed two bottles from Duty Free. I would check with the cruise line to verify. Customs doesn't care that you bring a bottle in, and your baggage isn't searched when you get on the ship. I wouldn't attempt anything risky coming back through customs. Hubby smuggled a few cigars back and we wore our new watches without declaring them. But coming back into the US is serious business. Hopefully, you have a passport. It's not necessary to have one yet to enter Mexico, but you'll save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you have it. Otherwise, have good photo ID and an official birth certificate and expect some annoyances. I hope that's helpful.

08-01-2006, 08:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	That's a good point. Near the end of our trip about half the passengers where ill and we wrote it off as a flu bug of some kind. We didn't learn of Norwalk until later.

08-16-2006, 07:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
stevo Rail Baron Location: Tallyfla	hmmm. They say we can bring a case of water per person, but I don't know how I'm to keep it cold. I also like my drinks with ice...it is a concern, but at the same time I wonder what the chances are. I'll take a case of water for myself, I hope I can find a way to keep it cold. ------- I thought I could walk from the pier to the main shopping area? how far is it? -------- So, with the room service, will I be able to order some as soon as I find my cabin, or do I have to wait until we shove off? What kind of foods can I order to my cabin? Is there a wide variety or just the standard fare? Not too long now, I'm getting a bit excited. __________________ "If I am such a genius why am I drunk, lost in the desert, with a bullet in my ass?" -Otto Mannkusser

08-16-2006, 08:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
Derwood Who You Crappin? Location: Everywhere and Nowhere	Yes, I think you can walk to the shopping area, there is just no guarantee that locals will leave you alone. I believe room service is available as soon as you board. Otherwise there is a buffet up on the pool deck with you standard burger/fry/salad/fruit type of fare. __________________ "You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

08-18-2006, 07:37 AM	#15 (permalink)
stevo Rail Baron Location: Tallyfla	Thanks for the advice, all. I'm going to be leaving tonight to SoFla. let you know how it goes when i return... __________________ "If I am such a genius why am I drunk, lost in the desert, with a bullet in my ass?" -Otto Mannkusser