Starz723

Hi Everyone:

 

I just posted on another thread asking if anyone was cruising to Costa Maya to please take a picture from the pier or the ship of the beach area to the right of the pier. I pray that they didnt sell out to the developers. Id rather see it not used than developed like the pier. They would have to rip up the ironshore that had amazing tidal pools.

 

Those of use that had the great opportunity to experience Cha Chi before it was totally destroyed by the hurricane know the magic that it had. It was owned by a family for many generations. It was there WAY BEFORE any cruise ship port was erected. It was an ecological resort. Very austere, but a true nature preserve. The beach was used by turtles to lay their eggs. Joachim was a lovely man. His Ceviche (fish salad) was out of this world and cheap. The soda was cheap I believe he charged $2 for a beer. I am an avid snorkelor and it was really good. Im sure the hurricane ripped up everything, but nature repairs if man doesnt destroy.

 

So if anyone goes to Costa Maya, would you please take a picture from the ship or pier of the right side of the pier. If it is not developed, that means they didnt strongarm him into selling. Im sure his family could have made a few bucks selling to the developers, but Joachim's integrity about nature and the land being in his family for many generations means more to him than selling out and making it another typical Margaritaville type place..UGH. Cha Chi was the real Mexico. It was magic. I know they have developed the area way beyond what it was when the "the hole in the wall gang" was active. All there we could do was go to the commercialized pier or down to Mahahual a sleepy fishing village that had not been developed yet.

 

Please post a picture.. Thank you

 

"Hole in the Wall Gang - Marge"

Waterlemon Cay, St John, is IMO, for the avid snorkelor. Its not a place to go and hang on the beach. I wouldnt suggest it to a novice snorkler either. It can have a strong current, but, if snorkeling is your #1 thing, Waterlemon cay is amazing. One of the best Ive ever been too and Ive been to some really great areas in the Carribean and Atlantic.

 

I liked hanging out at Secret Harbor. It was'nt crowded. It had a restaurant, restrooms and you could call a cab from the front desk of the condo hotel that it is. Not sure what they charge for a day pass. It was $10 when I went a few years ago. Nice snorkeling near the pier and on eithe side of the beach.

Hi All

 

Anyone going to Costa Maya? I am very interested to see what the property looks like at the old Cha Chi resort that is directly to the right of the pier.

 

Please take a picture and post it. Thank you

 

There were quite a few of us lucky ones who were able to go to that beach, which was pristine. As I mentioned previously in this thread, Cha Chi was there way before the cruise lines discovered Costa Maya. The family that owned the ecological resort for many generations kept it uncommercialized. When the cruise lines built the pier, the owners of the land refused to sell to the cruise lines and developer. So the developer put up a concrete wall to keep out the cruise passengers. Many of us figured on a way to get in. Once you were there it was a magical place. It was not commercialized. The food was made fresh on the spot and the drinks were $2.00, I kid you not. The man that owned the resort was more about you having a nice time, and keeping his land natural. He wasnt there to make money. He could have charged a lot more, but he didnt. You felt like you were in a real part of Mexico that existed 100 years ago. The beach was pristine and there were amazing tidal pools with all kinds of fish.

 

The place was totally destroyed when it took a direct hit with a hurricane. The pier was totally destroyed as well, but the developers rebuilt. I can see they also created some new areas. Many of us cruisers that went there were very concerned for the family that owned the property. Many wrote to the owner. He said he was being strong armed by the developers but didnt want to sell. He wanted to keep the land in his family and keep it safe for the turtles that used the beach to nest.

 

I would like to see if the land is still not developed. That would tell me that he didnt sell, but unfortunately, he didnt have the money to rebuild. I cant imagine the stress he had from the corporations/developers that no doubt made his life miserable.

 

Us early cruisers were one of the first to go to Costa Maya when they only had the commercialized pier and the old fishing village of Mahahual, which was very undeveloped about a half mile to the left of the pier. Cha Chi was to the right of the pier. If the developers got a hold of it, they would have destroyed the ironshore and tidal pools and created a commercial area, which would have been a gold mine especially for those short cruise days. All you had to do walk to the end of the pier and you were on a pristine beach with amazing reefs to snorkel. Lots of jungle in the back.

 

A picture to show me what the land looks like. I would be happy if its not developed and the family still owns it.

Avid Snorker here. If you can get over to St. John, Waterlemon Cay is the best. One of the best Ive ever been too. If not, in St Thomas, Secret Harbor has some nice areas with good schools of fish. Coki is, IMO, ok. Not great, not bad.

Who has been to Costa Maya lately. Can you still see the old Cha Chi resort to the right of the pier? It was totally destroyed by a hurricane. I was wondering if they ever rebuilt. I hope they didnt sell out to the pier. The owners of the land to the right of the pier that was Cha Chi was a nature preserve type resort. It was totally ecological. The owner told me his family had the land for a long time and they didnt want to sell out so they built a wall so no one could get in. Many of us cruisers went there. We called ourselves the "hold in the wall gang" cause you could only get in through a hole in the fence. Once in, you were in paradise. The drinks and food were dirt cheap. The snorkeling was excellent. The beach was protected for turtles that came ashore to breed.

 

I havent been to Costa Maya since the big hurricane destroyed it. Cha Chi was such a great place..

 

Anyone have any news?

Thanks.

I rented the red cabana.. #14, I think? It was fabulous. All the way down near the end far away from the crowd..Just what I wanted. Try your best to get a cabana, you will love it.

 

I absolutely loved Half Moon Cay. I also went on the Wave Runners..It was such fun.

Im cruising in a few hours!!

My group is gonna try to get the Oasis. Wish us luck. Worst case, we will get a cabana or 2 or 3. One of us is planning on getting to the dock early so he can board early and be first on the excurison line.

Bon Voyage!

My group has decided to rent the Oasis. Yay! Because we are sailing on Carnival, you cannot pre reserve a cabana or the Oasis. One of us will get on the ship early and wait at the excursions desk to reserve.

Ill give you all a trip report when I get back. I cant wait.

Carnival offers a snorkeling excursion. Has anyone gone on this?

Board a boat and it takes you out to a snorkeling spot.

All answers appreciated. I love snorkeling but I havent read a post yet for half Moon about a snorkeling excursion. I really do appreciate the feedback from CC members. If you gone out, let me know how it is..Is it worth the $$.

 

From what I read there is nothing from the beach, but there may be an offshore reef, Im assuming.

Geeez...Princess needs to wake up.

 

Cruising Alaska is not gonna be the same kind of crowd they would get like when they debark out of NYC on the Carribean Princess. Every night the lounge was packed for Wavelength.

 

I hope they come back to any line for that matter that debarks out of NYC. I would book it just because they were on it.

 

There is nothing like a good band that plays great classic rock. Wavelength are very talented musicians.

 

Princess,, Wake up!!!

My party is looking to rent a cabana.

 

So tell me, which one is your favorite and why.. suggest one for me to rent.

 

Thank you for your suggestions.

I hope they come back to Princess. As a musician, I can appreciate a good band. Ive sailed on many cruises but when I sailed on the Carribean Princess and Wavelength was playing, it made that particular cruise stand out as the best!!! They rocked and I loved it. I also loved that I was able to jam with them.

Has anyone done the snorkel excursion??

 

I know from reading the posts that there is nothing to see from the shore. Im wondering if there is an off shore reef that they take you to?

 

Snorkeling is one of my favorite things to do and Ive been to some pretty spectacular reefs. Id really like to hear from others if its worth my time and $$ to take it.

 

Thank you.

are the other name for Irukandji, and present thought is that they do belong to the cubozoans or 'box jellies,' although to the lesser known group.

 

At this time very little is known about their habits, but Irukandji are getting famous from an hour-long program being shown about their researchers. Prominently featured in the show was a segment when the two folks ended up in the hospital in agony.

 

Earlier, I wasn't trying to say that jellyfish can't make you miserable, but a bit of sting and rash compared to a box jelly hit or Irukandji syndrome is nothing.

 

I've been stung by a wide assortment of critters in salt water all the way from Bryozoans that live on seagrass blades (slightly itchy) up through moon jellies on the back of my neck (ow, darn it), to sea nettles (&^%#!!!) to a Man-of-War across the lower thigh (walked on the water getting out while screaming things not usually associated with the walking on water part).

 

Many times after diving over reefs in late summer or fall, we'll come back with a little bit of the itchies when only wearing a skinsuit. Of course, no Florida diver would be complete without one good fire coral hit.

 

There is always the possibility of somone having an allergic reaction to the jellyfish venom. If you are sensitive to other types of venoms (ant, bee, wasp, etc.) please take EXTRA care to avoid encounters.

 

A few $ spent on a lycra skin or very thin wetsuit can save a lot of problems later, from both jellies and sunburn. I've only seen one person with a jellyfish problem on a cruise (a few sea lice around the neck), and HUNDREDS with horrible sunburns.

 

Have a great time wherever you get in the water!

 

Wendy

 

OMG fire coral!!! I think that has been the worst for me. I was at buck island reef off the coast of St Croix. The reef was just below the surface and could be difficult to navigate.. The chop and current just slammed my leg against the fire coral. I am sooo careful not to touch any coral with my fins or body. They are alive and thats how they can die. This was over 25 years ago and Ill never forget it. I am alot more educated now when I snorkel/dive. I just dont put myself in a position where the current and chop can get the best of me. At least I try my best.

 

So far the jellyfish at Rockaway, NY have not invaded the water..YET. This time last year we had a very bad infestation of lion mane jellies. No one could enter the water. So far, so good for this summer.

 

Wetsuits do help alot

My friend just returned from her cruise and was at HMC. She complained that she got alot of mosquitoe bites while at the bar b Q. Has anyone else had this problem.

 

Ill just bring along some Off when Im there.

 

Is the snorkeling any better on the excursion? Do they actually take you to a reef? Anyone know?

 

Is it hard to find shade other than with that clamshell? I need shade.

 

Thanks..

 

I cant wait to go there.. I hear nothing but raves.

Im looking forward to hearing a trip report and all about Wavelength from Bakermania.

I was on the Carribean Princess, B755 Aft Cabin. Its wonderful.

Enjoy your cruise!

Does anyone know if Wavelength will be back on the CB or any ship for that matter.

 

Where are they?

Im anxious to hear more about their theater shows. I wish they did them when I sailed.

 

Bakermainia..We sailed at the same time:D Awww..I wish I met you.

I was on the July 10 sailing and had an aft stateroom. B755.

The vent did not bother me and I loved my aft stateroom.

 

I honestly dont know what people are complaining about.

Ive got some of my photos of Wavelength and myself up on my space.

 

http://www.myspace.com/margeraymond

 

I had such a blast !!!! They were such an excellent band.

Judy

 

I will be posting as soon as my laptop returns from being repaired. Im on my old desktop that freezes up alot so its useless to even try.

 

Ill post back on here when Ive uploaded the photos. It could take a week before I get my laptop back.

 

My friend that was on the cruise with me also has a nice shot of herself and the band. Ill get her memory card and upload that as well. She took some photos of me singing with them too. I had such a good time.

 

If you live in NYC or vicinity you can come and see me with my band. We play out every single weekend.

Yes..I was on the July 10th sailing and you have had to have seen me singing with Wavelength. I had a fan club after that. They even called me up to sing background vocals for them on Hotel California. They are an excellent bunch of musicians and nice guys too.

 

I was the women that got the standing ovation. After that, the band wanted to know who I was and so did alot of other people. I sang You shook me all night long, Enter Sandman and Brown Sugar. I am a professional singer and got to talk at length with some of them about my career. It was so much fun for me to sing rock again. I was a signed rock singer to RCA and have a long history in the music industry.. My current band does all cover music, but nothing heavy, so this was such a treat for me. Ive got some great pics of me singing and leaning against Chris back to back. Ill upload them onto my website & myspace.

 

Make sure to catch these guys at the explorers lounge.

Marge: my husband and I are in B755 in January. If you would like, I will let you know about the room upon our return.

 

Chris from Florida

 

 

Chris! Yes, please let me know. Im concerned about the noise. I live in NYC and I am surrounded by noise, so its not like I live in wonderfully serene quiet area. So, it may or may not bother me. But, because I want to get away from my everyday noise here, Id like to hear about B755

 

Please let me know. My email is: starz723@aol.com

 

I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Marge

Thanks for those great pics..Now I can see where my cabin is. Unfortunately, not a suite, but its aft B755.

 

When I booked the CB a couple of months ago, my TA said there was one aft cabin left on the baja deck and I should take it cause they highly desireable. I was then reluctant because I heard about the dreaded vent and posted a thread about it. Its mostly 50/50 on the noise. It looks great, so Ill keep it. Its just myself and my son who is 15, actually 16 by time we sail. I lost my husband 2 1/2 yrs ago so I think this will be nice for us. I hope Ill have a good time being alone, I know my son will want to mingle with teens his own age.

 

Thanks again.

 

Marge

Sailing the CB, July 10, 2008