Beagle's Party on the Mardi!!! (Review w/Pics)

[Beagleluv6107]

On 12/22/2021 at 3:49 PM, cruisin*tigger said:

fyi, they have a few canned selections of beer in the ice bin at the pizza place.  We discovered this by chance after all the bars closed and still wanted to use our Cheers package lol. 

 

Hey Cruisin*tigger,

I am so glad you mentioned that. We did see beers sitting in the bin like where you would expect ice cream. 🙂 I totally forgot about that! 

[Beagleluv6107]

Day 5 – Costa Maya

 

 

I was up and out the door for an Absolute and OJ by 7:30 this day. The hives on my face from the day before were back and they were angry. I’m sure the last thing I needed was a drink, but I was itchy and P*ssed. Apparently, I was so mad, I never took a wake-up pic from the balcony.

 

While I was sitting at the Red frog, I checked my phone and the HUB app said that my table was ready for breakfast. I had no idea we were meeting for breakfast so that was super helpful information. I headed to the Palm restaurant to meet everyone.

 

Here’s the bad part, DH went to find me, and we just missed each other in the hallway. This is where I should talk about my cheapness on the internet package. At first, I wasn’t going to buy anything. After the first day, we decided to buy the value plan. I had to pay for the whole cruise even though I didn’t buy it right away. Grrrrr

DH and I swapped the WiFi back and forth. This meant that we relied on the HUB App Chat to communicate… only DH never had his phone "on" and never checked the App. Unlike text messages that pop up on your phone, the HUB App does not alert you to a new message. After this breakfast mishap, we tried to use better communication because the Chat part of the App wasn’t going to work for us. Eventually, I found our table and DH found me.

 

I had the broccoli and cheddar scramble and DH had eggs benedict.

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

A few pics getting off the ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t research things to do in Costa Maya because I saw there was a swim up pool bar. I just assumed this group of mine would happily sit there all day. But they fooled me and wanted to hop in a taxi and take a little tour around the area. There were only 6 on this trip as 1 gal in the group decided to go tour the Mayan Ruins. She booked through Carnival the day before and said she really enjoyed the tour.

 

When we got off the ship, it was a complete maze around the area. We could not find the taxi’s and at this point, I was itchy and aggravated. After wandering around for a long time and asking for directions twice, we finally found the taxi spot. It was at this point I decided to go on the tour with the group, but I was going to the medical center once I got back on board to see about these hives.

 

Our driver was Hugo and 6 of us piled in his “5-seater”. He was a great guy and we asked lots of questions. He said there are 1000 people living in that area and no real crime to speak of. There isn’t much to Costa Maya. Here are a few pics of the Mardi Gras and the Pride off in the distance. Some taken by my phone and some by the camera.

 

Big Difference, Huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

A few more pics from our tour 

 

 

 

A few pics my friend took from the Mayan Ruins Tour

 

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Hugo took us to a little general store, and we picked up some essentials.

 

 

 

 

 

I think this is just what I needed to feel better!!!!

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

 

After that we toured a little more and he took us to a spot on the beach for lunch. I think most of us had the fish tacos. They weren’t much… just a little seasoned fish with a bland shell and nothing else. Lunch and a few beers for 6 people came out to $83

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every minute and a half someone was trying to sell us something. A little boy came over to me and gave me this flower and said “free” and ran off. I called him back and gave him a few bucks. He was too irresistible.

 

 

There was a shower and sink outside of the port-o-pot. What do you think of the conch shell faucets???

 

 

I think I spot a ship out there...

 

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

By the time we got back to port, I was feeling much better. There was a shop that sold Benadryl, but I decided I would wait until after my trip to the medical center before I buy anything. I left the group at the shops. I walked back to the ship on my own and took a few pics.

 

 

 

 

Then I dropped my stuff off at the cabin.

 

 

I tried calling the medical center in case they said stay away. I had hives not Covid, but I really didn’t want to go there unless they told me it was ok. No one answered my call and that should have been my first clue. I walked there and saw the sign they were closed until 5:30.

 

I met everyone up on the Lido and they all said I looked much better. Maybe it was the cheap beer in Costa May but I felt better too!! I decided that I would just buy Benadryl on the ship and take 1 at bedtime and hope for the best. We were docked by the Pride and just towered over her.

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Before dinner we took a walk to the shops to look for Benadryl. Um… what shops. I will say there is not much to any “shop” on this ship. Unless you’re looking for a watch or perfume. They sold a few toiletries in the alcohol store by Guys Pig & Anchor but the closest thing they had was Advil Sinus. I gave up.

 

For dinner, I had a salad with ranch, Barramundi, and the Bitter and Blanc. DH had the OX tongue and I think... Seafood Pasta

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hung out at the Fortune Teller Bar until it was time for Deal or No Deal at the Center Stage Area. You can play along from your seat if you buy a card for $25. All the girls played. I only played one card. I enjoyed playing but I must agree with other reviews that I’ve read. The background noise from everything going on makes it very hard to hear and concentrate. I love the view and I love the idea of this Center Stage area, but it wasn’t my favorite venue location.

 

 

 

 We made our way to the theater for late night comedy.

 

 

 

I did not catch either comics name. I know I laughed several times, but the rest of the squad sat very quiet. There was a bathroom issue this night. When you come out of the theater there are bathrooms marked for either sex. You swipe your hand in front of the door, step in, and wait for the door to close. Once it’s closed, you need to then swipe to lock the door. Nobody, and I mean nobody, could figure this out. I ended up explaining the situation to everyone while I was waiting for my friend.

 

Of course, we ended the night with pizza.

 

 

Once I was back in the room, I found some antihistamine tablets that you put under your tongue. I bought it over the summer and never tried it. The hives were almost gone. I did not want to wake up and see that they came back so I gave the tablets a try.

 

Up Next – Mahogany Bay!!

[stellarose]

glad the hives are gone. we are packing a medicine bag for each room. 

 

loved the pride.  can't wait to see MG.

 

thx for the review.  

[sid_9169]

I'm reliving the cruise right now, while having a few drinks here at home... I wish that I could be back on board for real...

[TrqoisWtrs]

17 hours ago, Beagleluv6107 said:

They sold a few toiletries in the alcohol store by Guys Pig & Anchor but the closest thing they had was Advil Sinus.

Hope your antihistamines worked.  And I don't know if this is live or not(?) but I remember seeing travel sized stuff in the store where they were selling I think it was fancy bath gels and stuff.

[jinpasco]

For those going in the future to Costa Maya may I suggest taking a taxi ( yes, they are hard to find as it is a bit of a maze at the port) and go to the Malecon to the Krazy Lobster. We found this by mistake sort of when we were tired of the ship's shops at the port and went for a " walk " and ended up there. Taxis are cheap, walking was not smart. We met Mauricio and what a great guy. Massages there are 20.00 for an hour. Good food, drinks, free kayaks and hammocks or chairs. It was so inviting. We have been back there 8 times now. I will say the traveling vendors can be a nuisance but a quick , no gracias, and they go. But, more will follow quickly. Tell Mauricio if it becomes too much. Yes, they are trying to make a living but it's your vacation too. If you do go, please tell them Jay sent you ! You can gather info on Trip Advisor or FB. Hope someone who  reads this gives it a try . The " little guys" appreciate your business.

[darleean]

On 12/23/2021 at 8:59 PM, sid_9169 said:

I'm reliving the cruise right now, while having a few drinks here at home... I wish that I could be back on board for real...

I leave to get on again on Sunday!  Come on down!  It’s worth doing again!  I’m excited all over again - I’m drooling for another Shaq Chicken sandwich! 

[darleean]

I’m so loving the review as you did/saw things I didn’t when I was on! 

[Beagleluv6107]

On 12/23/2021 at 8:59 PM, sid_9169 said:

I'm reliving the cruise right now, while having a few drinks here at home... I wish that I could be back on board for real...

 

You and I both Sid!!!! 😊

[Beagleluv6107]

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I've tried to log on a few times yesterday but couldn't get in. Ok ... where was I???  Oh that's right heading to Honduras! 

 

Day 6 – Mahogany Bay

 

 

I woke up feeling pretty darn good and no hives!!! It was 7:30 but my phone said 6:30.

 

 

 

 

 

A few of the same pics but from my phone instead of the camera.  

 

 

 

 

I dashed up to the Red Frog to grab an absolute and grapefruit juice. I looked around and saw it was towel animal day.

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We all met up at the Palm for a nice sit-down breakfast. I knew I was in a good mood when I ordered 2 breakfasts.  I had the Masala Dosa and the corned beef hash. I had no idea what I was ordering but, this stew like stuff was spicy and amazing. It sounded and looked gross, but it was tasty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got back to the room by 9:18 and the place was looking good. Ganda was doing an amazing job.

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We had no plan for the day other than go to the beach. We were off the ship by 10 and eventually made our way to the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We had some laughs getting in that water. On the 3^rd step you are over your head but then about 10 feet later it gets high enough to stand. The water was a little cool and murky but we had fun! Eventually we got thirsty and split a few buckets. A bucket of 6 Dos Equis was $36

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way back we were all going to take the lift, but the sign said $18. Three of us decided to do it and it was only 9 bucks for the 1-way ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

\

 

[Beagleluv6107]

By the time we got back on board it was 3:20 and we were starved.

 

 

 

Everyone ate and I thought the gang might want to skip going to dinner because they were so full … but we all managed to make it to the MDR.

 

Here’s a random balcony pic.

 

Here we are at dinner saying goodbye to Mahogany Bay.

 

I had French onion soup and the rice and shrimp.

 

 

 

 

 DH had alligator fritters and lasagna.

 

 

 

One friend had the vegetarian pie, so I snapped a pic.

[Beagleluv6107]

 After dinner, we went to the Fortune Teller bar. One friend got this gold martini.

 

 

 

Around 9, just us girls headed off to the Love and Marriage show at the theater.

We were so glad we did. That is always hilarious.

 

 

We met the boys back at the Pig & Anchor to watch the Backyard Band. As a restaurant that location is fine but, as a place to watch a band…not so much.  The acoustics were terrible, and I could hear so much background noise. The lead singer fought through it. The band is so good that we weren’t leaving.

 

The Backyard Band

Pedro – Lead singer and guitar

Gustavo – Keyboard

Jillian – Bass

Bronx Ron – Drums

 

 

One of the couples from the Love and Marriage show came in and sat right next to our group. We shouted out their names and gave them some applause. 

 

I could not believe what happened next but a few of our group ordered food. Ugh! I didn't take a picture of the food but, I did of this beer sampler. I didn't taste any but it looked interesting.

 

[Beagleluv6107]

The girls were tired and went back to their cabins. I went to see what the 80’s Glow Party was all about. It was so much fun. It was windy on the Lido, but everyone was dancing and having a good time. There was a girl that stood out. She had braids down to her knees and she came out doing flips and danced better than anyone. I tried to snap a pic of her on the screen but, all these pics turned out pretty bad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the time I had made my way back to the boys, the Band was about to play their last song. Purple Rain – OHHHH it was another “brought the house down” moment!! 

 

After all that dancing, I did work up and tiny appetite and it was midnight, so I forced DH to the pizza line. This night he was aggravated and did not want any… but he forced 1 slice! teehee

 

 

Up Next – A Sea Day!

[Beagleluv6107]

Day 7 – Sea Day!

 

 

I was up at 7:15am and off to the Lido by 7:45. Today was absolute and OJ. I stumbled upon another hard copy of the Fun Times.

 

 

 

 

 

I went back to the room to grab DH and took a quick balcony pic.

 

 

I wanted to go to Sea Day Brunch but 2 of the gang went to the gym (Bless Their Hearts), and DH wanted a burrito. I waited until the last second in case I could talk someone into brunch and when I had no takers, I settled for Huevos Rancheros and Arepas.

 

 

I'm guessing we had some rain at some point. Someone came along and squeegeed this all away. 

[Beagleluv6107]

After breakfast, DH decided to try out the slides. He said it was terribly windy. I only saw a few kids on the whole cruise. It felt weird to have this place to ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He's in here somewhere but all I see is feet. LOL

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

The only thing we had on our agenda today was to go on Bolt and have sushi.

 

We met the girls sunning at the infinity pool. That view is so amazing. I cannot get enough of it and could have just stayed there all day. The wind is blocked so it’s great. On either side you will get blown off the ship but right there … it is perfect.

 

 

 

I went back to the cabin to change and saw that our room was all cleaned up.