which dock in cozumel does royal use?

[luckyinpa]

google tells me there are 3 docks. i assume international but i dont want to assume.

 

also any opinions on renting a car, where to, or just renting out a driver for the day. not doing any all day beach stuff, prefer to explore ruins or other tourist spots

[GTO-Girl]

Usually International but it depends on how many ships are in port…

[luckyinpa]

so then in theory i can pick a close car rental place and it not be close

[c-leg5]

Older, smaller ships may dock at Langosta if more than two Royal/Celebrity ships in but most Royal ships are at International.

 

We always use ToursPlaza but if you know where you want to go you can negotiate an hourly rate at taxi dispatch. Charge listed on a board, usually 3 hour minimum. We never self-drive especially on a cruise ship day.

Edited September 5, 2023 by c-leg5

[neverbeenhere]

There are pier schedules available if you search the interweb.  They are never a guarantee. 

[firefly333]

17 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

google tells me there are 3 docks. i assume international but i dont want to assume.

 

also any opinions on renting a car, where to, or just renting out a driver for the day. not doing any all day beach stuff, prefer to explore ruins or other tourist spots

Cozumel is a island so any ruins you have to cross water, on a ferry, etc. 

 

Havent seen it lately but used to see set up issues, tapping a bumper etc.

 

I wouldnt drive where I had to cross water. The only way I'd do ruins would be on a rcl excursion. Too far from cozumel. There is a reason most of these excursions to ruins are all day, to get there and back. Progresso is the closest to ruins. Maybe costa maya, not cozumel on your own. Have you been there before?

[c-leg5]

18 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Cozumel is a island so any ruins you have to cross water, on a ferry, etc. 

 

Havent seen it lately but used to see set up issues, tapping a bumper etc.

 

I wouldnt drive where I had to cross water. The only way I'd do ruins would be on a rcl excursion. Too far from cozumel. There is a reason most of these excursions to ruins are all day, to get there and back. Progresso is the closest to ruins. Maybe costa maya, not cozumel on your own. Have you been there before?

Cozumel does have ruins but agree not as spectacular as the mainland. 
 

Take water and bug spray. Not a must-do on a first time visit to Cozumel but an enjoyable walk through the jungle for a change of pace away from crowded beach clubs to see some nature.

 

There are lots of interesting things to see away from the beach.

Edited September 6, 2023 by c-leg5

[Merion_Mom]

21 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Cozumel is a island so any ruins you have to cross water, on a ferry, etc. 

 

Havent seen it lately but used to see set up issues, tapping a bumper etc.

 

I wouldnt drive where I had to cross water. The only way I'd do ruins would be on a rcl excursion. Too far from cozumel. There is a reason most of these excursions to ruins are all day, to get there and back. Progresso is the closest to ruins. Maybe costa maya, not cozumel on your own. Have you been there before?

 

There are  most certainly Mayan archaological sites on Cozumel.

 

The Cozumel Mayan Ruins Sites That Are Worth Visiting – Cozumel Info (cozinfo.com)

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

There are  most certainly Mayan archaological sites on Cozumel.

 

The Cozumel Mayan Ruins Sites That Are Worth Visiting – Cozumel Info (cozinfo.com)

Ok I've seen some, but seemed like replicas of real ruins. I thought I saw some miniatures.  I've also been to chichen itza and it's very far. Top of that list. 

 

Whatever i saw that was close wasnt worth it. .. just my opinion but I woukdnt rent a car to see ruins from cozumel.  Maybe I'm just not into ruins. This just isnt the stop where I'd go to ruins. You rarely hear of car rentals from this port I've been to over 50 to 75 times. Mopeds. Yes. Maybe I'm just getting old but i wouldnt from anything I've seen without crossing to mainland mexico.

 

 

[ONECRUISER]

I've used all 3 docks in less the 10 months just on Royal. Happens at times, as said depending on how many Ships that day and Brand

[luckyinpa]

58 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Older, smaller ships may dock at Langosta if more than two Royal/Celebrity ships in but most Royal ships are at International.

 

We always use ToursPlaza but if you know where you want to go you can negotiate an hourly rate at taxi dispatch. Charge listed on a board, usually 3 hour minimum. We never self-drive especially on a cruise ship day.

 

i read many good reviews of toursplaza so was considering that. 139 for 3 hours and i assume double for 6. my gf was in cozumel over a decade ago and rented a car and drove the circle but ive just read things on trip advisor and elsewhere about situations that may be rare. but do i wanna risk them while renting a car. having to worry if im paying the right amount for gas or a cop wanting some green.

 

this will be my 1st time there and i really havent done a lot of research but i have 7 more weeks to do so. going on liberty for the 1st time too! i admit it would be weird not driving but the appeal or not worrying seems to be worth something. id feel weird though if i went to a site and spent 1 hour there while he just stood there at the car but i guess they get paid for that.

[c-leg5]

30 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Ok I've seen some, but seemed like replicas of real ruins. I thought I saw some miniatures.  I've also been to chichen itza and it's very far. Top of that list. 

 

Whatever i saw that was close wasnt worth it. .. just my opinion but I woukdnt rent a car to see ruins from cozumel.  Maybe I'm just not into ruins. This just isnt the stop where I'd go to ruins. You rarely hear of car rentals from this port I've been to over 50 to 75 times. Mopeds. Yes. Maybe I'm just getting old but i wouldnt from anything I've seen without crossing to mainland mexico.

 

 

Even the locals don’t recommend tourists rent mopeds (except those trying to rent them obviously!).

 

There are replica ruins but there are also the ruins as stated in above article plus various random locations around the island. Not spectacular but historically significant and worthwhile for someone looking for something different to do. As I said above, also allows an enjoyable quiet walk away from the crowds. Some sites are still being added for public viewing. The museum is an excellent place to start if you want some culture but don’t want to leave town.
 

I wouldn’t rent a car either but lots of people do. I would get a private driver either prearranged or at the port. Nothing better than a trip to the east side for a drink and snack, and photo opportunities away from the AI tourist beaches, so long as it isn’t sargassum season.

 

Personally, I wouldn’t visit the mainland ruins from Cozumel because the travel time involved doesn’t allow time to to do the ruins justice and I don’t want to spend my day traveling. I would save that for a mainland land vacation but i realize not everyone has that opportunity.

[luckyinpa]

ive been on a bus in bermuda while a moped was basically on our windshield. no way would i ever do a moped..anywhere!

 

so if i ask him for a lunch spot i guess i shouldnt worry about it but id always feel that someone is waiting for me..or he's starving to death. i never hired a driver. nor would i do well being rich with a limo!

[c-leg5]

17 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

 

i read many good reviews of toursplaza so was considering that. 139 for 3 hours and i assume double for 6. my gf was in cozumel over a decade ago and rented a car and drove the circle but ive just read things on trip advisor and elsewhere about situations that may be rare. but do i wanna risk them while renting a car. having to worry if im paying the right amount for gas or a cop wanting some green.

 

this will be my 1st time there and i really havent done a lot of research but i have 7 more weeks to do so. going on liberty for the 1st time too! i admit it would be weird not driving but the appeal or not worrying seems to be worth something. id feel weird though if i went to a site and spent 1 hour there while he just stood there at the car but i guess they get paid for that.

The drivers have no problem waiting at tourist locations. Many places have designated areas where they hang out. We have used ToursPlaza multiple times with different size parties and ages over the last 10-15 years. As I said if you know where you want to visit and don’t need advice you can hire at the port for less money. We often invite them to have lunch with us to chat about local way of life, sometimes they do, sometimes decline because again, depending on the location, they hang out together and get included lunch, or bonus for bringing visitors. 
 

My first two visits to Cozumel many years ago I really disliked Cozumel because, like many, we stayed on the main drag in town bombarded by vendors. I heard about ToursPlaza, which were a new company, and allowed them to show me areas away from the main tourist street. Over the years we have had numerous land visits staying in the neighborhoods as well as cruise ship days and often include a ride round with Gerry. If you let them know what you are interested in they will make suggestions.

 

Hassles of renting a car on a cruise ship day are just not worth it to us. We also like the option to have a drink.

[c-leg5]

2 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

I've used all 3 docks in less the 10 months just on Royal. Happens at times, as said depending on how many Ships that day and Brand

Interesting to know.

 

I have seen Carnival at International but never seen Royal at Puerta Maya. Was it a rescheduled docking, or did that ship dock there regularly?

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

Even the locals don’t recommend tourists rent mopeds (except those trying to rent them obviously!).

 

There are replica ruins but there are also the ruins as stated in above article plus various random locations around the island. Not spectacular but historically significant and worthwhile for someone looking for something different to do. As I said above, also allows an enjoyable quiet walk away from the crowds. Some sites are still being added for public viewing. The museum is an excellent place to start if you want some culture but don’t want to leave town.
 

I wouldn’t rent a car either but lots of people do. I would get a private driver either prearranged or at the port. Nothing better than a trip to the east side for a drink and snack, and photo opportunities away from the AI tourist beaches, so long as it isn’t sargassum season.

 

Personally, I wouldn’t visit the mainland ruins from Cozumel because the travel time involved doesn’t allow time to to do the ruins justice and I don’t want to spend my day traveling. I would save that for a mainland land vacation but i realize not everyone has that opportunity.

I wouldnt rent one either. I saw a girl get on one and immediately drive it into someone. Nothing like having a accident in a foreign country. 

 

I have enjoyed some tours to see where the teachers live and local areas and the bsckside where the beach is.

 

Once I even had a dentist appt downtown. I had a accessed tooth and they do free dental care, though they didnt find which tooth it was either. It was a specialist, quite expensive here in the states to see a specialist. Worth a try there. I thought it was funny at the time the tv there was playing MTV music. 

 

I took a taxi. I wouldn't have considered renting a vehicle to drive myself. Not worth the risk. Out of Galveston almost every cruise goes there. 

[Merion_Mom]

3 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

 

 

so if i ask him for a lunch spot i guess i shouldnt worry about it but id always feel that someone is waiting for me..or he's starving to death. i never hired a driver. nor would i do well being rich with a limo!

 

Pancho's Backyard

[firefly333]

I thought it was very interesting they provide houses in a certain area for teachers. About $40k at the time we were told. Highly discounted and in a certain area. The way the town is laid out. Guide said they house their homeless, not out on the street.

Edited September 6, 2023 by firefly333

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I wouldnt rent one either. I saw a girl get on one and immediately drive it into someone. Nothing like having a accident in a foreign country. 

 

I have enjoyed some tours to see where the teachers live and local areas and the bsckside where the beach is.

 

Once I even had a dentist appt downtown. I had a accessed tooth and they do free dental care, though they didnt find which tooth it was either. It was a specialist, quite expensive here in the states to see a specialist. Worth a try there. I thought it was funny at the time the tv there was playing MTV music. 

 

I took a taxi. I wouldn't have considered renting a vehicle to drive myself. Not worth the risk. Out of Galveston almost every cruise goes there. 

 

+1 A family member had a tooth extracted while on a cruise.

 

Lots of expats have dental work done there.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

 

+1 A family member had a tooth extracted while on a cruise.

 

Lots of expats have dental work done there.

I did call ahead and made a appointment for the afternoon my cruise was arriving. I didn't walk in blind or as a emergency. I had a appointment. He did help but couldnt find which tooth either but he did say my dentist was on the wrong track. I was getting terrible ear aches and then taking a antibiotic and he said if you are getting a ear ache it's a top tooth not a bottom tooth but I needed to come in when the infection was going to track it down.

 

I called the type of dental specialist from here in dallas long distance and made the appointment. I would have needed more than the 1 visit and stay there for the problem I had. But yes they took me and gave me free dental. No charge. I was going there like 8 times a year. So in cozumel a lot. I'm ready to move to florida and not always go to cozumel.