Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[brillohead]

17 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

We are doing that too in September. Heard feat things about it. Hoping it is a good excursion.

I'm not much for an all-inclusive normally, but I love Maya Chan. It's primitive, but functional.  I love having my own private palapa, and the service is unparalleled.  

My fave palapa:



Various hammocks:


 

 

Be warned, the walk to get to the pick-up point is long.  Costa Maya's pier is about five miles long to begin with (maybe a *slight* bit of hyperbole on my part, but just a little bit!), and then you have to go all the way through all the shops to the left to the exit, and all the way back to the right again to get to the inside security gate, and then it's another couple miles to the outside gate and then to the pickup point.  Okay, in reality the total walking from ship to pickup point is about 0.75 miles, but when it's hot and you have bad knees and you just wanna get there already, it FEELS like a lot more than that!

And the taxi ride to/from is on unimproved roads once you're out of the actual town area.  The dirt road rarely seems to get graded, so the potholes have potholes.  It's only five miles to Maya Chan, but they have to go so slow over all the potholes that it takes up to half an hour just to drive there.  Just hang on and consider the drive there to be a free rollercoaster ride! 

Everyone at Maya Chan is SO nice, they keep the drinks coming (try the Cookie Chan... it's a cookies-n-cream drinks garnished with an Oreo cookie, and it's not on their drink menu so you have to ask for it), the food is beyond delish (they bring you a basket of chips, salsa, and guac when you get there, don't be shy asking for seconds!), the dogs and kitties are friendly (Rodas will bark when people arrive, but then he goes to lie down... I think he thinks his job is Town Crier to announce when a new taxi arrives!  And one of the kitties (Shiva) cuddled up and took a nap on my daybed with me!).... it's just a really relaxing day with no pushy vendors wanting to sell you trinkets or braid your hair.   Oh, and if you like a good massage, the folks there will hook you up -- light pressure or deep tissue, whatever you want. 

Drink Menu:

 

Chip basket: 

 

 

 

Lunch:
 

 

 

Shiva, the cuddly kitty:

 

 

 

Lola, Maggie, and Rodas (L-R) lined up for treats from Mommy:

 

Video of the freshly grilled Lunch Buffet:
 

 

 

[TravelGirlinDallas]

1 hour ago, brillohead said:

That week we'll probably do Paradise Beach Club in Cozumel. 

That’s our go-to in Cozumel, too. Still deciding on Costa Maya & Roatan. I’d like to hold a sloth.

[Ozark_Kid]

3 minutes ago, Coralc said:

I really dislike it when they make stuff up. 😒

Me too.  Southwest did that when we got stranded in Miami last year.  I knew that they were canceling the flight because of a pilot shortage.   When I asked why it was canceled the problems., with her head down said, weather and satellite probems.  I answered,  wow, you were able to say that with a straight face!  She whispered,  I hate having to 

[Ozark_Kid]

16 minutes ago, brillohead said:

I'm not much for an all-inclusive normally, but I love Maya Chan. It's primitive, but functional.  I love having my own private palapa, and the service is unparalleled.  

My fave palapa:



Various hammocks:


 

 

Be warned, the walk to get to the pick-up point is long.  Costa Maya's pier is about five miles long to begin with (maybe a *slight* bit of hyperbole on my part, but just a little bit!), and then you have to go all the way through all the shops to the left to the exit, and all the way back to the right again to get to the inside security gate, and then it's another couple miles to the outside gate and then to the pickup point.  Okay, in reality the total walking from ship to pickup point is about 0.75 miles, but when it's hot and you have bad knees and you just wanna get there already, it FEELS like a lot more than that!

And the taxi ride to/from is on unimproved roads once you're out of the actual town area.  The dirt road rarely seems to get graded, so the potholes have potholes.  It's only five miles to Maya Chan, but they have to go so slow over all the potholes that it takes up to half an hour just to drive there.  Just hang on and consider the drive there to be a free rollercoaster ride! 

Everyone at Maya Chan is SO nice, they keep the drinks coming (try the Cookie Chan... it's a cookies-n-cream drinks garnished with an Oreo cookie, and it's not on their drink menu so you have to ask for it), the food is beyond delish (they bring you a basket of chips, salsa, and guac when you get there, don't be shy asking for seconds!), the dogs and kitties are friendly (Rodas will bark when people arrive, but then he goes to lie down... I think he thinks his job is Town Crier to announce when a new taxi arrives!  And one of the kitties (Shiva) cuddled up and took a nap on my daybed with me!).... it's just a really relaxing day with no pushy vendors wanting to sell you trinkets or braid your hair.   Oh, and if you like a good massage, the folks there will hook you up -- light pressure or deep tissue, whatever you want. 

Drink Menu:

 

Chip basket: 

 

 

 

Lunch:
 

 

 

Shiva, the cuddly kitty:

 

 

 

Lola, Maggie, and Rodas (L-R) lined up for treats from Mommy:

 

Video of the freshly grilled Lunch Buffet:
 

 

I need to do some research on this place.  My only concern is I am allergic to cats so it could get my asthma kicked up.

 

You do a good job presenting.  Do you ever do live reviews? 

Edited August 28, 2022 by Ozark_Kid

[brillohead]

21 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

That’s our go-to in Cozumel, too. Still deciding on Costa Maya & Roatan. I’d like to hold a sloth.

I can highly recommend Daniel Johnson's Monkey and Sloth Hangout in Roatan.    I've done the animals plus snorkeling there twice.  

I swear, Sid the Sloth will actually POSE for pictures while you're holding him!  

 

[brillohead]

10 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I need to do some research on this place.  My only concern is I am allergic to cats so it could get my asthma kicked up.

 

Normally the cats are just lounging around on a bar stool someplace.  This was the only time I've seen one out and about walking among the palapas (and I did invite her to join me).  Same with the dogs -- other than Rodas getting up to bark when a new taxi of people arrives, they usually just lie in holes they've dug in the sand to stay cool.  

There's also usually a nice breeze coming in off the water, so there's always fresh air.  

As you can see, it's a dog's life!

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

You do a good job presenting.  Do you ever do live reviews? 

 

I never have, although someone in one of my roll call threads seemed to think I have!  LOL  

I don't really do anything noteworthy on my cruises... I don't drink a bunch of exotic drinks (unless Diet Coke or a virgin Peach Daiquiri is considered exotic), and I rarely go to specialty dining even with my BOGO offer, and I don't do the zipline or rock wall or Flowrider or slides, and I only go to about half of the shows (I never miss the ice skating show, though... the jumps they can do on such a small sheet of ice, amazing!). 

I'm afraid it would be the boringest live thread ever... "here I am reading my Kindle... now I'm in the hot tub.... now I'm in the pool.... now I'm in the MDR" -- who would want to read that thread?  LOL

 

[Ozark_Kid]

15 minutes ago, brillohead said:

 

Normally the cats are just lounging around on a bar stool someplace.  This was the only time I've seen one out and about walking among the palapas (and I did invite her to join me).  Same with the dogs -- other than Rodas getting up to bark when a new taxi of people arrives, they usually just lie in holes they've dug in the sand to stay cool.  

There's also usually a nice breeze coming in off the water, so there's always fresh air.  

As you can see, it's a dog's life!

 

 

 

 

I never have, although someone in one of my roll call threads seemed to think I have!  LOL  

I don't really do anything noteworthy on my cruises... I don't drink a bunch of exotic drinks (unless Diet Coke or a virgin Peach Daiquiri is considered exotic), and I rarely go to specialty dining even with my BOGO offer, and I don't do the zipline or rock wall or Flowrider or slides, and I only go to about half of the shows (I never miss the ice skating show, though... the jumps they can do on such a small sheet of ice, amazing!). 

I'm afraid it would be the boringest live thread ever... "here I am reading my Kindle... now I'm in the hot tub.... now I'm in the pool.... now I'm in the MDR" -- who would want to read that thread?  LOL

 

I think you would do great.  It looks like you got the pics down and it looks like you visit cool places instead of just walking around the port.  Maybe you can try one when we get together and I can throw some stuff on too.  It's fun sharing the pics and shore fun.  The people on this thread are very supportive.   It can take some time but to me enjoyable.  

Before the free drinks with D my goto drink was water.  Since the start up I haven't been on the zipline, the wall or the flowrider although I need to get back to the flowrider.  Think about it.

[ReneeFLL]

16 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Frozen drinks all give me brain freeze... it hurts!

That’s because you drink them to fast. 😆🍹

 

16 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

 

Haha🤣  I have gotten much better with packing.   Only 3 pairs this time, dressy sandals, water shoes and my easy spirit slip on sneakers.   Got new cloudsteppers from Macy's the other day.

I bought the same shoes from DSW about a month ago, except mine are the blue ones with the white anchors.

 

8 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I'm going to do Ducks tonight.  I think I will just put my initials DA on the bottom.  Not much room to write something cute on them.

Mike made this one. He didn’t have any yellow stuff so he tried it out in black. Told him he needs to get some yellow so we can hide those also.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by ReneeFLL

[Coralc]

13 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Mike made this one. He didn’t have any yellow stuff so he tried it out in black. Told him he needs to get some yellow so we can hide those also.

 

 

 

3-D Printer? 

[brillohead]

1 hour ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I think you would do great.  It looks like you got the pics down and it looks like you visit cool places instead of just walking around the port.  Maybe you can try one when we get together and I can throw some stuff on too.  It's fun sharing the pics and shore fun.  The people on this thread are very supportive.   It can take some time but to me enjoyable.  

Before the free drinks with D my goto drink was water.  Since the start up I haven't been on the zipline, the wall or the flowrider although I need to get back to the flowrider.  Think about it.

It would be neat to do a "joint live thread"... kinda like a corny joke about a rabbi and a priest walk into a bar:  Ozark_Kid and brillohead walk onto a ship. 😄

[brillohead]

22 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

That’s because you drink them to fast. 😆🍹

 

I bought the same shoes from DSW about a month ago, except mine are the blue ones with the white anchors.

 

Mike made this one. He didn’t have any yellow stuff so he tried it out in black. Told him he needs to get some yellow so we can hide those also.

 

 

Something tells me that this rubber ducky isn't going to float very well!  LOL

[ReneeFLL]

5 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Bob, thanks for the article.  Yes, opioid addiction is a major concern. However, this is the 2nd time around taking an opioid, 1st in 2016.  I never got addicted then and I'm not addicted now.  In total I would be taking it for approx.3 weeks, maybe 2x a week.  I've learned to deal with the pain knowing it's temporary or at least I hope it is.  

Oh my, that brings back wonderful memories.  Must have been the Feast of San Gennaro.  When we lived in NY we would go almost every year.  Oh, the food!!  Below is a photo I googled:

 

Holy moly! That’s a lot of people. Looks like fun, except it doesn’t seem like it would be easy to walk around. 

 

30 minutes ago, Coralc said:

 

3-D Printer? 

Yes, he likes playing with it.

[molly361]

4 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

We can.  1/22.  I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice.  😆 I thought about surprising you but some things are just to hard to hide.  

Not much going on on our 1/22 cruise page.

Hopefully she will be easier to find then some people are 🤣

[ReneeFLL]

24 minutes ago, brillohead said:

Something tells me that this rubber ducky isn't going to float very well!  LOL

I should try it in the bath tub (or not), but I think you’re right. Probably straight down to the bottom. 🤣

[brillohead]

7 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Hopefully she will be easier to find then some people are 🤣

Both @John&LaLa and @Ourusualbeach can confirm that, as my screen name suggests, my hair really does resemble a rusted out blob of steel wool.... which makes me kinda hard to miss!

[sgmn]

On 8/25/2022 at 8:41 PM, dani negreanu said:

An excellent whirlwind vacation … A very good time is had by all.

 

Entertaining the grandsons in the kiddie pool.

 

 

 

A Cypriotic evening with traditional dances. Of course I joined in, and one of the dancers decided to dance with me…

 

 

 

 

IMG_0679.MOV 38.49 MB · 23 downloads

Great hip action Dani!, very light on your feet. Glad you've had a good time. Holidays always go so quickly. 

 

[aussielozzie18]

4 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

We have looked at the digs several times before. We used to walk by there from the Shangri La on our way to the roof top pub above the Glenmore Hotel. Last time was in 2018. So can anyone go to the rooftop of the YHA? We never went into the hostel so we didn’t know about the rooftop. We will be there in a little over 2 months.

I didn’t go up to the rooftop.  I would assume you would need to be a guest to access.  

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, brillohead said:

It would be neat to do a "joint live thread"... kinda like a corny joke about a rabbi and a priest walk into a bar:  Ozark_Kid and brillohead walk onto a ship. 😄

And only ones walking out at the end of the week 

[h20skibum]

On 8/26/2022 at 6:40 PM, Luckynana said:

Thank you so much, Mark.  How are you and Susan doing?  Praying that all is going well for your daughter.🙏

We are doing okay.   Thanks for asking.   After getting through all the additional testing last week, and getting things coordinated between the five hospitals involved with the tests, she is scheduled to start treatments tomorrow. 
 

Given the long wait times on hold, and the difficulty in getting tests scheduled, you would thinK that Royal was handling their phone lines.

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

 

 

Good evening, it’s been a glorious day in Sydney today.  Too nice a day be in inside, so we headed to Lisgar Gardens,a terraced garden in the Northern suburbs of Sydney run by the local Council & volunteers and known for its Camellias, if offers a 6km loop track through the bush with lots of stairs before you reach the lower level of the gardens. In a few weeks time it will be more colourful but plenty of visitors were oohing & aahing over the many camellias today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by aussielozzie18

[h20skibum]

20 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Up in Boston today for the Feast of St. Anthony in the Italian North End. Between food and drinks, by the end of the day I might feel the same as when I'm on a cruise. 

 

This city is always fun to visit. Maybe some pictures later for those who have never had the chance to visit this awesome city.

 

 

Yes, please post some photos.  We had planned to explore the city before and after our October cruise, but that is one we had to cancel. 
 

edit to add:  I see the problem with playing catch up is that the photos are already posted as you scroll through the pages. Thanks. 

Edited August 28, 2022 by h20skibum

[aussielozzie18]

Plenty of birdsong in the bush, no birds sighted until we headed back to our car.  Passed this letterbox painted with a Kookaburra and native flowers and this lorikeet and hidden mate who were enjoying feeding on

the bottlebrushes that are just starting to flower in Sydney.

 

 

 

 

[grapau27]

12 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

We are doing okay.   Thanks for asking.   After getting through all the additional testing last week, and getting things coordinated between the five hospitals involved with the tests, she is scheduled to start treatments tomorrow. 
 

Given the long wait times on hold, and the difficulty in getting tests scheduled, you would thinK that Royal was handling their phone lines.

 

 

Sending your daughter our prayers and best wishes for the start of her treatments tomorrow.

[grapau27]

11 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

 

 

Good evening, it’s been a glorious day in Sydney today.  Too nice a day be in inside, so we headed to Lisgar Gardens,a terraced garden in the Northern suburbs of Sydney run by the local Council & volunteers and known for its Camellias, if offers a 6km loop track through the bush with lots of stairs before you reach the lower level of the gardens. In a few weeks time it will be more colourful but plenty of visitors were oohing & aahing over the many camellias today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely gardens.

[aussielozzie18]

Tonight, DS who is in Vancouver went to a soccer game at BC Place - Vancouver White Caps vs Nashville SC.