HMC & Costa Maya

[notyats]

Is HAL still stopping at HMC? What about hurricane damage? Anyone had the western changed to Costa Maya, what did you think of it? Leaving on 10/16 Zuiderdam.

[anngie]

I hope that we will be going to Costa Maya instead of Grand Cayman in December. I am so sorry for the damage there but last 2 times we were there we did not get off the ship. We have been to the butterfly farm, seen the turtles and all the local attractions (Hell). The shopping is very expensive.
The beaches are nice. Progresso or Costa Maya will be fine as an alternative.
I hope HMC will be restored by December.

[OCruisers]

We really loved our port stop in Costa Maya! If you enjoyed the beach and water activities, it's great! Here's what we did:

Review: MAJAHAUL "The Little Fishing Village" OnOurOwn (click here) (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=50841)

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[notyats]

So, I take it that HMC is not a port right now? HAL has still not said where we are going on the 16th cruise even though I have called and asked. I'm a pt travel agent and booked this so I can't even say wait for your ta to find out. Nothing faxed to the agency yet. I would rather go to Montego Bay or Ocho Rios than two Mexico ports. Will just have to wait and see.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Zuiderdam is just starting to make stops at HMC this week. She was suppose to have stopped there last week but didn't. So we won't know anything about HMC until this week's cc'ers get home. Ship is leaving Ft Lauderdale and doesn't go to HMC until next Friday - that's the present schedule.

Costa Maya - this is also the first week for HAL to stop there - I think. Don't know how long HAL will be using this port as a replacement for Grand Cayman. It all depends on how quickly the damages are taken care of.

[bepsf]

Sounds like you had a great time at Costa Maya -

We didn't venture out of the area right by the pier - and were disappointed 'cause it didn't look like there was anything else out there. And the food in the resort wasnt as good as some mexican we get here in SF.:(

Next time, I'll do as you did and venture out some more - thanks for the tips!
;)

[ualtim]

We just arrived home from Ft. Lauderdale after disembarking from the Zuiderdam and had a wonderful (although shortened) cruise. Costa Maya was a new stop for us and we loved it. We are not big shoppers, but there was plenty of shopping to do pier side (similar to the Cozumel pier area that HAL docks at.) The largest attraction for us was the beach area and salt water swimming pool. There was a large salt water swimming pool with a swim up bar that looked really awesome (did not bring our suits, so we can't tell you the temperature.) We found a couple of lounge chairs under a straw umbrella on the beach and just laid back for siesta time. A waiter would come by ever once and a while if you wanted something to drink or see a menu, but they were not pushy at all. A simple no would keep them at bay, and he did not bother us while we were snoozing. There were 3 cruise ships in port the day we were there; Zuiderdam, Rhapsody of the Seas, and Disney Magic and the port did not seem overwhelmed with cruise passengers. The beach lounge chairs were harder to come by as the day progressed, but there always seemed to be some available. As far as shopping goes, there were the 6 or so Diamonds International shops that are in every port, a few shops that are in the Cozumel pier area, and some smaller shops that we had not seen before. There is a Havana Club cigar shop in the pink building that had a good selection if that is your thing. In addition to the brick and morter shops, there were a few large straw roofed market areas where your typical Mexcian Market wears were available (blankets, t-shirts, carved stone work etc.) If you want a bit more privacy, there is a private beach right next to the pier (to the right) that you can access for a small fee. Additionally, HAL offered a "Jungle Beach Break" trip to a remote private beach which included open bar and some free water activities. Motor water activities were available for a small fee there as well. Several fellow passengers went on that excursion and really enjoyed it. Cost was something in the $25-$35 neighborhood, but I can not recall the exact price.

For the short version, we loved it and can not wait to go back again in January (with swim suits this time.)

[anngie]

I just hope that the Westerdam will go to Costa Maya in December. The description of Costa Maya is much,much ,more enticing than going back to Grand Cayman. I have always wondered why so many cruise ships go there since you have to tender in and there is really not that much to do there once you have been a couple of times.

[tommy]

There is some excellent information and tours for Costa Maya at http://costamayacruiseexcursions.com there is a page about the port and the tours are pretty reasonable. It is not Grand Cayman but still looks really nice
Thanks that will help us.It seems the Zuiderdam is switching to Costa Maya on the Oct16th sailing also. TOM

[jst]

hi everyone,
Should you be fortunate enough to go to Costa Maya, you won't be disappointed. We were there on Splendour of the Seas in April and did the tour to Chachoben Mayan Ruins...our guide was tremendous..very knowledgeable and interesting. It was about a four hour tour and well worth it. We also thought the entire area at the port was very well done. Grand Princess was also in port, but it wasn't at all crowded. We are hoping to be lucky enough to go back at some point as we didn't have time to go the the
fishing village...