Lame Carnival

I go on a cruise to experience a different locale, and I am forced(yes forced) to go through a tourist trap shopping plaza right off the pier. It is the only entrance. A guy on our trip said this was totally new and wasn't even there a year or two ago, and that Carnival owns it. Not to mention their "Shopping Specialist" they have on board pushing the shopping on Cozumel :rolleyes:

What happened? Were you forced to purchase something? Were you grabbed or detained by people trying to make a sale? Did you ignore the vendors and continue on your way?:rolleyes:

Puerto Maya is the Carnival pier that has always had shops like that.

You simply walk through a little village area to get to the taxis which have plenty of room to wait, load and unload on the other side of the little village.

This pier was destroyed by Wilma in 2005 but it was rebuilt EXACTLY as it has always been.

BTW< if you dock at Punta Langosta (which is NOT owned by Carnival...it is owned by the Cozumel government)....you still have to go up an escalator and walk past a mall to get to the taxis in the back.

Yes, shop keepers will ask you to come into their shops while you walk past....say no thanks...or simply ignore them ...but they are not like Jamaica where they come out and grab you by the arm and pull you into their store.

It is really no big deal.... in fact most developed ports have shops right there at the port and it makes it convenient. Now in Cozumel you don't have to pay a taxi to do into town to shop if you don't want to...you can do it right at the dock.

I go on a cruise to experience a different locale, and I am forced(yes forced) to go through a tourist trap shopping plaza right off the pier. It is the only entrance. A guy on our trip said this was totally new and wasn't even there a year or two ago, and that Carnival owns it. Not to mention their "Shopping Specialist" they have on board pushing the shopping on Cozumel :rolleyes:

I'm glad you enjoyed your first cruise. ;):D

Most Caribbean ports that are frequented by mass-market cruise lines have a similar gauntlet to run. Sometimes the local port authority owns it, sometimes a cruiseline is involved, and sometimes it's just an ad-hoc collection of street vendors.

"Onboard Shopping Specialists".... there is obviously some demand (profit to be had) for them or they wouldn't be found on every mass market cruise line. Why people follow advice from those who have a vested interest in the outcome of their decision I'll never understand, but that applies to a lot more than shopping.

I did enjoy the cruise and I am already thinking of my next one, but this was pretty lame.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise and are considering another. You might try a different line, browse forums regarding the atmosphere of the different lines. Carnival is not regarded as the best at personalized service, but has their positives. Decide what you value most. Bigger ships often means more night time shows and entertainment options, but sheer numbers make for a more herd experience. HAL and Princess are both owned by Carnival, but offer alternative experience. Do you want formal dress nights, scheduled dining times, quiet, casino entertainment, activities geared to a mature crowd or ones that are very children friendly? There is a lot of variety from which to chose.

Generally Cozumel as stated is quite tame and polite compared to other port's experiences. I have never been to Jamaica and it is unlikely I ever will.

Carnival owns the Puerta Maya Pier. The original international pier next door is governmental owned and controlled. The downtown pier Langosta is owned by a private locally based company. The rents paid for space would often rival high end shopping malls anywhere.

Without the port shopping guides, paid advertising and the commissions from sales of tours and purchases, the revenue produced is important to offset the many super discount fares sold to fill the ships today. You need to keep it all in perspective. Many people do better booking tours with independents, both in price and quality of experience. Some ports like Jamaica and Belize for example I'd stick with the cruise line sponsored or not get off the ship. Cozumel, Key West and Alaskan ports in contrast are quite safe to venture outside the ship promotions.

Los Cinco Soles, the oldest and one of the original cruise promoted shops, does offer the widest selection of Mexican goods at fair prices and service, non pressured sales atmosphere. You are under no obligation to shop nor to gamble in the casino. A simple no thanks, ignore or ear plugs and head shaking will get you past the most determined sellers. If you want a real test, try flying into Cancun (big) or Cozumel (smaller) and try exiting the airport through the maze of time share sharks. They even wear uniforms appearing to be governmental tourism officials.

I don't care for formal dinning or the shows on the ship. I didn't go to any of the shows on my cruise, and ate at the general dining all the time except twice when my wife insisted on it.

Welcome to cruising dude. Being pushed to spend your money is part of the gig. Irritating at first but you'll learn to ignore and before you know it you won't even notice anymore.:D

I don't care for formal dinning or the shows on the ship. I didn't go to any of the shows on my cruise, and ate at the general dining all the time except twice when my wife insisted on it.

Cruises are designed to appeal to the masses. The masses like to shop. It's why we still have telemarketers because as much as most people hate them, telemarketing works. I'm glad you apparently found something you liked on the cruise but I'm curious to know what it is...:D

Being out on the boat, the ports, meeting and talking with the different people, staff included.

I am glad you had a good time on your first cruise. We cruise much like you do. We do our own thing - do not go to shows or formal nights etc.

We too like to explore the culture or each port. This is why I research each port in depth and schedule our own experiences. We have experiences some amazing things by doing this. Therefore, on your next cruise, research each port and plan an experience away from the cruise ship.

Being out on the boat, the ports, meeting and talking with the different people, staff included.

Yes, you picked my favorite parts, too! Don't give up on the "formal dining room", especially for breakfast and lunch where you are seated with different people as they arrive. I've met lots of fun folks and heard lots of great cruise stories there!

And, use these boards to find some nice, quiet, off the beaten path spots while in ports, that what I do, too!

I go on a cruise to experience a different locale, and I am forced(yes forced) to go through a tourist trap shopping plaza right off the pier. It is the only entrance. A guy on our trip said this was totally new and wasn't even there a year or two ago, and that Carnival owns it. Not to mention their "Shopping Specialist" they have on board pushing the shopping on Cozumel :rolleyes:

Yeah, it's kind of like Disney World - after every ride you exit into a gift shop!

It isn't just Carnival, nor is it just Cozumel. Just push right through and you'll be in the real port in no time.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise and are considering another. You might try a different line, browse forums regarding the atmosphere of the different lines. Carnival is not regarded as the best at personalized service, but has their positives. Decide what you value most. Bigger ships often means more night time shows and entertainment options, but sheer numbers make for a more herd experience. HAL and Princess are both owned by Carnival, but offer alternative experience. Do you want formal dress nights, scheduled dining times, quiet, casino entertainment, activities geared to a mature crowd or ones that are very children friendly? There is a lot of variety from which to chose.

 

Generally Cozumel as stated is quite tame and polite compared to other port's experiences. I have never been to Jamaica and it is unlikely I ever will.

 

Carnival owns the Puerta Maya Pier. The original international pier next door is governmental owned and controlled. The downtown pier Langosta is owned by a private locally based company. The rents paid for space would often rival high end shopping malls anywhere.

 

Without the port shopping guides, paid advertising and the commissions from sales of tours and purchases, the revenue produced is important to offset the many super discount fares sold to fill the ships today. You need to keep it all in perspective. Many people do better booking tours with independents, both in price and quality of experience. Some ports like Jamaica and Belize for example I'd stick with the cruise line sponsored or not get off the ship. Cozumel, Key West and Alaskan ports in contrast are quite safe to venture outside the ship promotions.

 

Los Cinco Soles, the oldest and one of the original cruise promoted shops, does offer the widest selection of Mexican goods at fair prices and service, non pressured sales atmosphere. You are under no obligation to shop nor to gamble in the casino. A simple no thanks, ignore or ear plugs and head shaking will get you past the most determined sellers. If you want a real test, try flying into Cancun (big) or Cozumel (smaller) and try exiting the airport through the maze of time share sharks. They even wear uniforms appearing to be governmental tourism officials.

LOL! I agree about the time share salespeople. We literally got attacked by the hard sell while walking through the town square in Cozumel last week. Finally had to just walk off. The funny thing was the second time share representative literally called us over after seeing us shake off the first guy.

The funniest thing I saw was a drunken cruiser stading in the middle of the Punta Langosta mall (prbably had a few too many at Carlos and charlies). He was trying to sell the shirt off his back to all the jewelry peddlers on the second level. It was an interestign turn of the tables at the least. Had to chuckle to myself as we walked back to the ship through that scene.

As for the malls. At the Punta Langosta you HAVE to go through basically the entire second level of the mall to find a down escalator on the far end of the horseshoe that will let you go down to the street and get a cab. It was definietely new since 2006 and I thought of cows being herded as we had to walk all the way around and through to get to a cab. But it was just another expected chuckle when we go to Cozumel. They've been in the buisiness of seperating you from your money for many years, so they are always on the cutting edge there, lol.