Is it worth taking the beach excursion or should I stay on the ship?

[filbo132]

I'll be going solo on MSC this April and I am still stuck between deciding to stay on the ship or if it's actually worth going with the cruises beach excursion which this is the description. All I want to do is relax:

 

"A sure way to fully enjoy your beach day at Costa Maya is by visiting the Private Beach Club. Located about 40 minutes from the pier. You will find yourself immersed between beautiful palm trees and crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea. The staff will make sure you enjoy your day. This tour includes an open bar and Mexican buffet. Throughout, enjoy the white sandy beach of Costa Maya. Enjoy the bridge that will take you to a snorkeling area and a fun zip line. This is a truly tour for everyone. Lots of family fun and some relaxing areas that will make your day at Mahahual unforgettable. As you arrive, the hosts will give you a quick orientation of the areas and facilities available for you."

 

I know people will suggest me to go with some other tour company, but if I were to go on a beach excursion, I would still want to book with the ship just for security reasons and to have a piece of mind. But are the beaches like the one described for the excursion worth going to?

[must2cruz]

We always get off of the ship even if it is to just walk around the port. I understand wanting the security of a tour booked through your cruise company. When our kids were young we did it for that very reason. Plus the ship will wait for you if you book through them and the return trip runs late. My opinion is to go for it and have a stress free relaxing fun day. Happy cruising.

Edited February 11, 2018 by must2cruz

[c-leg5]

I cannot comment on that Beach as I have never been but I would assume at that distance it is Uvero Beach, if you want to read up further.

 

I can understand the comfort of booking a ship sponsored tour when traveling single. That said there have been ambushes and accidents on ship sponsored tours in various ports just as with independent tours. Maya Chan would have been my suggestion for a relaxing day but “beaches” themselves are not great around Costa Maya. Maybe reach out to your roll call to see if you can join up travel?

 

I was in Costa Maya a couple of weeks ago and will return in another couple of weeks after not having visited for at least 4 years. The port itself although man-made and expensive for food and drinks, has been quite tastefully renovated with added attractions of bird aviary, dolphins and snorkeling, chocolate factory and tastings. There is a free pool and loungers and of course shops! I could quite easily see passing a couple of hours there as a diversion from the ship without leaving the compound. Try searching for Mitsugirly and take a look at her recent photo intensive review of the port in her signature.

[filbo132]

What I meant by safety, I meant more like lowering my risk of missing out on my boat, more than anything else.

[o-state girl]

We were in Costa Maya a couple of weeks ago. If you want to escape the port for a little while, you can take a $3 tram from the port into the town of Mahahual. We reserved chairs ahead of time at the Tropicante (no charge, just order a little food or a couple of drinks). There was an employee waiting for us at the tram stop to show us to the beach (maybe 100 yards away) and our chairs, and they escorted us back to the main road and got us a taxi back to port. The taxi is $2 per person and less than a 10 minute ride. I would not be concerned at all with missing the ship by doing this....unless you get so relaxed on the beach that you fall asleep;p

[sid_9169]

Costa Maya is about the easiest port to get back and forth to the beach quickly and easily... From the Malecon, you can literally see the cruise ships in the short distance. You could go from sitting in your beach chair and hail a cab, and back to the port in a cab in less than 10 minutes...

[Bkchero]

If you are concerned about missing the ship then I would at least suggest getting off the ship and going to the pool inside the port. We did not but in walking past it it was big and looked nice.