Cozumel Question

[bleucats]

Has anyone participated in the MEXICAN CUISINE WORKSHOP AND TASTING? Would you do that or the Passion Island? All comments appreciated. Thanks

[mommabean]

Has anyone participated in the MEXICAN CUISINE WORKSHOP AND TASTING? Would you do that or the Passion Island? All comments appreciated. Thanks

This was my favorite all time excursion at any port on any cruise. I haven't been to Passion Island but I'd do the Mexican cuisine again without hesitation even though we'd be cooking the same things. Too much fun! You can read more about it at the Cozumel ports of call forum. The thread might be back a ways but it will definitely be there dated sometime after August since it was talked about for a while.

[wrp96]

I did it last December. Absolutely great excursion. I only signed up for it because it was the only excursion my mom and aunt were interested in. It was so worth it though. Great people, fun cooking, really good drinks, plus you had beach access to swim in the ocean and lay in the sun after you finished cooking and eating.

[songster2]

For our 12/17 Freedom cruise I chose the Cuisine tour because it was the only one we hadn't done that was of interest to me. I was not disappointed. The food was tasty, drinks plentiful, and if we were still hungry (I wasn't), we had access to the buffet. The beach and water were beautiful. Oh, all the prep was done for us and we did not have to clean up! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. :D

[bug18]

I'll give the excursion another thums up. I did it in July and absolutely loved it. We had so much fun.

[dianeandmike2004]

We were on the Freedom in October and signed up for that excursion because it was something different than going to the beach. We had a blast, as did the othe participants. We laughed so much. Luis, the instructor, was fantastic--he was funny and very helpful. We wrote a letter and gave it to the purser's desk about it, too. They were very happy to get a positive response on it, as apparently it is a fairly new activity. Well worth it. The food was great and the beverages were unlimited. After cooking and eating, you have the opportunity to spend time on the beach at Playa Mia.

[ty&bear]

This was my favorite all time excursion at any port on any cruise. I haven't been to Passion Island but I'd do the Mexican cuisine again without hesitation even though we'd be cooking the same things. Too much fun! You can read more about it at the Cozumel ports of call forum. The thread might be back a ways but it will definitely be there dated sometime after August since it was talked about for a while.

 

we will be doing this excursion in March could you tell us what you cooked. we are looking forward to it. the best part will be cooking, eating a few drinks and no clean up works for me. thanks

[mommabean]

we will be doing this excursion in March could you tell us what you cooked. we are looking forward to it. the best part will be cooking, eating a few drinks and no clean up works for me. thanks

 

The Appetizer was Mexican "Sopes". Main course was Fish filet with mango sauce. And dessert was Rice Puddin Tower. The fish will most likely be grouper. If you think you don't like warm water fish, try this and you will change your mind. Of course if you don't want to eat what you cook, you are free to eat all you want at the Mexican buffet that is already set up on Playa Mia.

 

Be careful with the drinks. They aren't afraid to give you more than you ask for. :) I loved not having to clean up, too. That's my kind of cooking.

 

You will love Luis. If Javier is there, you'll love him, too. They are real assets to this excursion. I can't imagine it without them.

[bug18]

Luis was the assistant when I was there in July and Javier was the chef. Soon after that Javier apparantly left and Luis is now the chef. They were both wonderful and I'm happy Luis moved up.

[mommabean]

It was August when I was there and Luis was the chef and Javier was the assistant. Someone recently posted here that that they were in Cozumel in the last couple of months and they were both still there. There is probably someone who fills in for either of them if they aren't able to work for some reason.

[Merion_Mom]

The Appetizer was Mexican "Sopes". Main course was Fish filet with mango sauce. And dessert was Rice Puddin Tower. The fish will most likely be grouper. If you think you don't like warm water fish, try this and you will change your mind. Of course if you don't want to eat what you cook, you are free to eat all you want at the Mexican buffet that is already set up on Playa Mia.

 

Be careful with the drinks. They aren't afraid to give you more than you ask for. :) I loved not having to clean up, too. That's my kind of cooking.

 

You will love Luis. If Javier is there, you'll love him, too. They are real assets to this excursion. I can't imagine it without them.

Your description just moved this excursion up to the top of my list for next January. :D

[mommabean]

Your description just moved this excursion up to the top of my list for next January. :D

 

And yes, Carol, I am convinced you would love it. So, do it! You won't be sorry. :)

[MercedMike]

we will be doing this excursion in March could you tell us what you cooked. we are looking forward to it. the best part will be cooking, eating a few drinks and no clean up works for me. thanks

 

This is a great trip!:D

 

Check out our page

Western Caribbean Cruise

for our review and lots of pictures of the class and the food!!

[Seaside2358]

Next time for me in Coz I'm doing this too. Sounds great and no negative reviews...

[mommabean]

Here is the recipe they gave us. The only problem is that there are no instructions as to how to make it. And it's not easy to remember what to do since they keep on feeding us tequila as we cook.

 

http://bellsouthpwp.net/G/e/Georgean/MexicanCuisine.jpg

[emdia43]

This is not intended to discourage anyone,as I plan to do this cooking excursion too but just be aware that it is done under a canopy,not indoors,so if heat is a problem...

The last time we were there it was in the 90's and I don't think I could have done it. :)

[mommabean]

I did it in August and it was very hot but the ventilation was good. There was also a large fan keeping the breeze blowing. Of course I live in S. FL so I'm used to the heat. This is a good point for the hot summer months. Although there was talk of making a permanent indoor facility for this along with AC. I'm not sure it would be quite so "cool" indoors though. Being right out there under the large canopy was part of the fun.

[Merion_Mom]

This is a great trip!:D

 

Check out our page

Western Caribbean Cruise

for our review and lots of pictures of the class and the food!!

Mike, that's a great website. Thank you for sharing it with us. It DID give me a great sense of the cooking class!

 

I have to add that I got a REAL JOLT at that last picture of you and Renee in your cabin on board the Grand Princess. They apparently furnish all of the Grand Class ships the same way, and it looks exactly like our cabin on the Crown Princess. I was on the cruise that tilted, and this is the first time I've seen a picture of the cabin since then, and I had a VERY VISCERAL reaction to seeing it again!

[Merion_Mom]

Here is the recipe they gave us. The only problem is that there are no instructions as to how to make it. And it's not easy to remember what to do since they keep on feeding us tequila as we cook.

 

http://bellsouthpwp.net/G/e/Georgean/MexicanCuisine.jpg

What if I don't drink tequila?????? :eek: :confused: :)

[mommabean]

What if I don't drink tequila?????? :eek: :confused: :)

 

OK, OK! It's whatever you want really. But if all you want are shots of Tequila...then it's yours. :) And they have tequila that goes down much smoother there than it does here in most cases. :D

 

If you like that mexican beer...what's it called?...then they bring it. If you want a plain old coke, it's yours.

 

They make it fun and you never even notice when someone has exchanged your getting low drink with a fresh new full one.

[mommabean]

Great photos, Mike. And I saw Luis. He looks just as happy with you two as he did with us. I think he loves that job. But that sure wasn't Javier in the other photo. What was his name?

[Peter Cabot]

Boy, you guys totally sold me on this one! We're in Cozumel on 2/15 aboard Legend of the Seas, and this excursion really intrigued me. I got a couple Rick Bayless cookbooks for Christmas, and my wife will kill me if I don't stop cooking Mexican food!

 

Will we have time to do a little beach and some shopping after the class? Cozumel really is our shopping port for this cruise.

 

Thanks again for all the info!

[almitra]

This does sound intriguing.....I wonder if they allow kids to do this?

[wrp96]

What if I don't drink tequila?????? :eek: :confused: :)

 

WHAT!?!!

 

Don't worry there's other alcohol available (oh, and bottled water and cokes too).

[wrp96]

This does sound intriguing.....I wonder if they allow kids to do this?

 

The minimum age for the excursion is 18. Also, they have a very limited number of slots and it tends to fill up fast!!