Thread: Help if you have ever been to Cozumel

I posted this on the Ports of Call board but also placed it here in hopes of more replies. Hope no one minds. Going to be visiting Cozumel in March of 07 on the FOS. We would like to go on the Mayan Ruins of Tulum excursion. My understanding from all I have read is that the only way from Cozumel to the mainland is the ferry to Playa Del Carmen. It does not matter if you do the tour through the cruise line or a private guide you still have to get to the mainland by way of the ferry. I have read many reviews that this ferry ride can be the ride from hell if you are unlucky. The likelyhood of passengers getting seasick is high. The configuration of the ferry results in most people having to set inside where there is little or no view to help prevent illness. That on some trips as many as 1/3 of the passengers have thrown up, and the smell can be overwhelming during the 45 minute ride each way. I would like to get a number of opinions of those that have taken the ferry before I make this reservation on line. The majority of people in my group are susceptable to sea sickness even with the patch, and some are even blessed with the addition of claustophobia. Tell me what you think.

ALL I CAN SAY IS DON'T DO IT! WE DIDN'T DO THAT ONE, BUT WE DID ONE OF THE BUS TOUR RUINS AND IT WAS AWFUL. i AM CLAUSTROPHOBIC, THEY HAD US PACKED IN LIKE SARDINES, NO AIR... NEEDLESS TO SAY...AT LEAST THE RUINS WERE BEAUTIFUL, BUT BRING BUG SPRAY. THE LITTLE FLYING KNAT WERE SO BAD, BUT ME SELLING AVON, I CARRY THE BUG WIPES, SO THEY CAME IN VERY HANDY.

HOPE THIS HELPS
SHERRI

sasysutler, did you do it starting in Cozumel and have to take the ferry across, or did you start on the mainland? If so from Cozumel what did you think of the ferry?

I've been on the ferry from Cozumel to Playa without incident. I don't recall it being very rough and no one was sick. The engine fumes were a bit heavy, but we didn't have any real problem with it at all. We sat inside.

Hope this helps.

kitty

The problem with Cozumel is that the Mexican government regulations require the ship to use the Mexican transportation. Therefore, the tenders ashore are Mexican rather than using ship tenders. Yes, they do pack the tenders; so my guess is that they would do the same if you have to use a ferry.

We returned yesterday from the Freedom, but we did the helmet dive this time. On a previous trip to Cozumel, our ship was at Calica due to rough weather, so we went to Tulum from there rather than Cozumel.

FYI, you might want to check out our website in about three weeks for a very in depth review with pictures of our Freedom of the Seas cruise. Home Page

Did this the end of March. Ferry ride was awful. Lots of people got sick on the way out. They way back wasn't as bad but still rocky. The tour itself was very good. We booked through the Mariner. Bus ride was good, they had a picnic lunch for us after the tour which was much more substantial that I thought it would be.

Thanks MSBookWorm, I think we are starting to lean against the idea of going.

We went to Mexico in April, took the colective to Playa then the water taxi to Coz. It was ok, band on board, I didnt get sick and the ride was ok. They do carry cargo so it is a bit to unload. You can catch a olective (public transportation ) nearby.
The ride to Tulum is quite long.
Check out locogringo.com there is great info there from travellers who love the area. It is absolutely beautiful and we are retuning in January.

I agree about the bug spray, the gnats or whatever the critters were, and some were skeeters, will eat you alive.

we did the ferry crossing and it was rough seas.I had no problem but husband and our friend statioed themselve outside on small back deck(claim spot early-it is small--otherwise it was a good tour