Heathie73

Hi there,

I am so undecided on which excursion to book and hope you can help me. We are going to Cozumel next month and I want to book a private excursion through a company recommended to me by my travel agent. My kids are 14, 12 and 9. My options for snorkeling tours are:

1. Private Boat Charter for 2.5 hours. This is the most expensive option and they do not get in the water with us. The positive is that they can take us wherever we want to go, and guide us based on our interests.

2. Palancar and Columbia Reefs. In reading reviews, the Palancar Reefs are very deep and more a dive site than snorkeling. Even though many people say the snorkeling is good, some say it is better as a dive site and I am wondering if we'd see much given we won't be diving down deep or at all. So I worry it'd be a waste even though it seems to be an amazing reef potentially. 4 hours long.

3. A 3-Reef snorkeling by glass bottom boat but does not identify the reefs. It is the cheapest option. It is also only . 2.5 hours long.

4. Double snorkel at The El Cielo and Colombia Reefs, and then hang out at Playa Mia Beach - a 6 hour tour.

These are my options. I am so torn, and don't want to make a wrong decision. I am tempted by the Palancar Reef but don't want to be disappointed if it is too deep. I don't know much about the Colombia Reef. Also, time options . are morning or afternoon.. I want morning but I read afternoon can be a bit choppier - so am I better to book morning or is that not necessarily true about afternoons?

Any insight you have to these I would greatly appreciate.

Thanks so much!

If you are only going to be at the beach club for a couple of hours after snorkeling, the facilities at PB are IMHO much better than the non-AI side of Mr. Sanchos. Good luck with your planning! ;)

Thank you.. at the time I hadnt yet figured out that Sanchos was AI... Now that I have, it doesnt make sense. Let me ask you this.. I am also considering Chankanaab Park since there seems to be a bit to do as well (snorkeling, zip line, sea lions, etc). So between PB and that, do you think one would be better over the other?

I can understand a couple of hours snorkeling at Money Bar and moving on to Sanchos or Paradise Beach for the rest of the day for the kids to use the water toys and pool.

 

I am interested to know why you would want to make a special trip back to Ernesto’s or Casa Del Mar to eat? All three of the above Beach clubs offer good food and drinks.

 

Taxis will be your best form of transport available - prices listed on boards at piers and most major beach bars. Not sure if you have found recent review by Mitsugirly but she has a photo intensive review of day at Money Bar and Paradise in her signature.

A friend just suggested those restaurants to me as someplace to go.. I just want really good mexican food.. If we find it elsewhere, we dont have to go there.. Just trying to maximize our time, and trying to figure it all out. We've never done this on our own before - only done ship excursions before. So trying to figure it out. I dont have to go to one of those restaurants, but it was suggested.

Have you gone yet? We are going and considering this as an option.. my kids are similar ages to yours and wondering what your experience was?

Hi there.. I have been reading through the boards, and coming up with all sorts of ideas and so much helpful information. I am going on RCCL cruise in June and have a long day in Cozumel (7am-6pm). Roughly thinking 9am-4pm to be safe for my liking and allow us time to shop the port as well.

I have 3 kids, 14, 12 and 9.. and all love to snorkel. After reading through the boards, and doing my own research, here is what I have come up with:

Snorkeling at Money Bar

Food at Ernesto's or Casa Del Mar

What else shall I fill the day with? Mr. Sanchos? Anywhere else? I think we will get a taxi to these places. Anything you can recommend to add to this?

Thanks so much!

Regarding Labadee, the contentment of your family may be determined by the age of your kids. The beach we swam at was very nice, lunch is available,and there are some excursions you can purchase while you’re there, I think. ie: zip line, roller coaster, kayaks. I’m not sure about Cozumel and the Mayan ruins, but it is easy to get to nice beaches or Chankanaab Park and other fun things to do, if you so choose. Just don’t go off the beaten path. You should be fine in the tourist areas. Try going to the ports of call boards for both places. There’s tons of info there. Have fun!

Thank you.. my kids are 14, 12 and 9....

What is Chankanaab Park?

You really don't need ANY excursions on Labadee...it's basically an extension of the ship...the private RCI beach. You can swim, sun, eat and play without spending a penny there. If you have your own snorkel gear...hop in the water and snorkel! Not much to see...but go for it!

 

Labadee does have lots of "extra cost" items...and if you want to spend a bundle, you certainly can...but you definitely don't have to in order to have a great beach day!

Thank you.. that is my hope - that if we have nothing planned, we can still have a good day. So if we bring our own snorkel gear - we can do it but wont see much?

I will check out those boards - thank you very much!

Regarding Labadee, the contentment of your family may be determined by the age of your kids.

 

Thank you for your reply.. My kids are 14, 12 and 9... They just want to snorkel... We wanted to do the snorkel safari but it is sold out. So now considering what else to do.

Hi there.

Going on our first RC cruise in June. We are a family of 5, and the excursions that interest us are of course booked up. I am curious how it'd be for us if we book nothing. Never been to Labadee, and we want to get to the beach and snorkel if possible. What is the best way to do this - and is it possible without an excursion? If we just do the beach, how are the waters off the beach?

Likewise, our preferred excursions for Cozumel are also booked. With situations in Mexico, hubby is not comfortable going far from port in Mexico.. any experiences? The mayan ruins are how far from Cozumel? Anyone been to Punta Sur? What do you recommend ??? Thanks for any insight! Interested in snorkeling, and saw the Fury catamaran as well - but reviews were mixed.

Thankfully we booked an excursion already for Jamaica :) !