Ryndam cruisers who missed Key West -- timing & itin questions

[CowPrincess]

If you were on the Ryndam and Cozumel was subbed for Key West, at what time did you get to Cozumel, and how long was the stop in Cozumel? And was your itinerary

Tampa
Sea Day (instead of KW)
Cozumel
next port

OR was it
Tampa
Cozumel (instead of KW)
Sea day
next port

thanks in advance!

[StartrainDD]

Tampa
Sea Day
Cozumel

On the Nov 6 sailing, we were in Cozumel "All day," 8 - 4:30 or so. We really enjoyed Cozumel.

[CowPrincess]

Thank you :) What did you do in Cozumel?

[StartrainDD]

Thank you :) What did you do in Cozumel?

Princess, we had the good fortune to meet a couple at the CC meet and greet who had just been in Cozumel 2 months prior. We actually became good friends and am seeing them at the end of January!

They said - come with us, you'll have a great time. We went to the Chankanaab Marine Park. It's a WONDERFUL park complete with a dolphin encounter, great beach with "chairside" service, and decent snorkeling. We spend the whole day there - no one pestering us to buy trinkets on the beach either.

We also had a "Free" dolphin show around noon. It was the closest we ever got to dolphins, literally 6 feet away. If you attend the show you can sign up for the dolphin encounter or "Swim with" at a discount. We didn't do that, but this may be the least costly way to ever do that if you're so inclined.

While it's a "National park," it's really designed for tourists. It's a $15 - $20 cab/van ride from the pier, and another $15/person admittance - but worth it, and still cheaper than almost any ship sponsored excursion.

Have a super time on your cruise - I have a full review of our Ryndam cruise on the CC site. http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=59853

[CowPrincess]

Thanks again! That sounds perfect. I'm going to print off the page for the park and take it with us -- though from the sounds of another post in another "Ryndam misses KW" thread, we WILL be going to KW. Either is fine with me :D

[alcpa1]

The Nov. 29th Ryndam cruise not only skipped Key West it also lost an engine and left Costa Maya at 1:30.
We got several different explanations from Capt. Smits and other officers about the Key West issue.
I hope they have fixed the ship enough to put out the stabilizers and ensure a smoother sail for you. My gut instinct is that the ship will hobble along until dry dock. It sure needs it.

[mudscraper]

Tampa
Sea Day
Cozumel

On the Nov 6 sailing, we were in Cozumel "All day," 8 - 4:30 or so. We really enjoyed Cozumel.
Do you mean Dec.6?


Rich

[StartrainDD]

Do you mean Dec.6?


Rich

Sorry, we flew down on Nov 6 so that was in my mind. Sailing of Nov 8. Skipped KW due to Hurricane Ida but docked next day in Cozumel all day.

[chellebabe]

We were really happy to find this out when we got to Embarkation.
We were going to play it by ear at Key West and just walk around but instead we grabbed a taxi and found the coolest beach resort 13 mls south of the port at Cozumel. It was called playa San Fransisco.
You have your own beach attendant. Ours was "Pocho". No obligations to pay for anything but they know you will feast on there food and use the beach and chairs w/umbrellas. It's beautiful. It also has a pool with swim-up bar looking over the beach. It was our second favorite activity on the cruise.