kate1970

Sailing Mediterranean on the Spirit, 12 nts. We are able to choose a package for free (free if you don't include the service charge) so we are thinking of the UBP. But the couple we are going with is doing the dining package which gives them free dining in specialty restaurants every night of the cruise. If we want to purchase the dining package separately but only for 4 nights, can we choose the nights we use it or will it be used for the first 4 specialty dining nights consecutively? Reason I'm asking is that if we buy 4 nights, we would want to use it for Cagneys or Teppanyaki only and just pay for the other two if we happen to get there.

I totally agree with Pat. We were at Maya Chan 3 weeks ago. They limit the number of guests and treat you like family. The road there has many potholes but that is the only negative. The food was delicious with the best guacamole I've ever tasted. The bartender will make sure you are pleased. They are there totally to make you feel pampered and relaxed. This will be my only excursion when I am in Costa Maya.

We were at Maya Chan the first week of January on our port stop. It is about 15 minutes from port whereas Tropicante is very close to port. I haven't been to Tropicante myself but did overhear a few people on the ship who weren't too happy about it - but I don't know the details. I can tell you that, despite bad weather and not being able to snorkel due to the previous night's storm, we still loved Maya Chan. We took our two teenagers and even though they can't drink - it was still money well spent. If you need to stay connected they also offer free wi-fi. Food was great, drinks were too. My husband kayaked, my daughter floated in the tube. They have hammocks, adirondack chairs and private palapas with a bed. It is a very cozy and private beach area. When deciding where to book our beach day, the other one I liked was Nohoch Kay. I would like to try that one if we go back but will be nervous not to return to Maya Chan.

The good thing is - if you have never been there you won't have anything to compare Tropicante too and you will probably enjoy it all the same.

Oh - and they fixed the road. Not many potholes!

Have fun!

We sail in a few days and booked two rooms across from each other with an adult in each room and a teenager in each room because of the policy.

This is our first cruise. Can someone explain why you need to get extra keys? Don't they give each person in a room a key for that room? I am not understanding the need to go to guest services for extra keys?

Thanks in advance.

Thank you to everyone who responded. I went on the Hertz website to do a mock reservation with a drop off at the port location. Unfortunately, they don't accept drop offs. Tinkmom, maybe if you try going on their site you can see if they offer what you are looking for.

I'm going to give them a call for more info and if it is different than above, I'll post.

Does anyone know if you can drop off your rental car at the Tampa Port and which rental agencies allow this? I've gone through a lot of other threads so if I missed it and am repeating, I apologize.

Great thread!

We'll be there in January with our two teenage daughters (17 &14) on our first cruise. They are both good swimmers - I'm the weakest of the four of us. This is our first time in this part of the Caribbean and our kids first time snorkelling.

Can you tell me if these spots that are shown in the pictures above are spots that you just walk in from shore and swim to?

Also, how deep is the water in the kidney and beyond the first wall? Just wondering if we (or I) should be wearing lifejackets or not. I know I wouldn't be able to dive down but does anyone wear a life preserver when they snorkel in these areas or would that just be stupid.

We are there from 9-6 - is this enough time to do a zip line and then come here to snorkel too?