Thread: Mahogany Bay - Report

This was our first time docking in Mahogany Bay ... all previous had been at Coxen Hole ... so we were anxious to see what it was like for ourselves.

Very nice port area -- Disney clean. As you leave the ship, there's an area where most of the shops are located and also a Fat Tuesday's (two Fat Tuesday's in the total port complex). We walked through but didn't shop around there.

The other section is where the beach is located. It's about a 10/15 minute walk along a wide boardwalk with benches every so often for those who get tired to take a rest. The other option was the chair lift. We took the chair lift and enjoyed the bird-eye view.

Great beach area! Lots of chairs (n/c) both in the sun and shade. The sand was soft and the water blue. Another very large Fat Tuesday's is there as well and where we spent most of our day overlooking the beach and chatting with others. Fun day for us!

The downside of going to Mahogany Bay is not seeing the REAL Roatan where there's much poverty.

We haven't been to Mahogany Bay, but I've heard that unlike Coxen Hole, there are no outside excursion vendors allowed. Any information on that?

That's the one thing I enjoyed about Coxen Hole is that there are many vendors there to provide independent excursions that are much better, cheaper, and less crowded than those offered by the cruise line.

Pete

Pete .... From what I saw and others told me ... it's possible but they don't make it easy. You have to get completely out of the big port complex and a bit of a walk to the taxis and independents for them to pick you up. Don't know for sure since we didn't do that.

Yep, that's typical Carnival. They want to keep you near the ship because the either own or control everything so they can make more money.

Pete, we were actually on a Princess ship ... but, you're right, Princess is owned by CCL.

That's what I meant. Carnival Corp. likes to make sure everyone on any of their companies (Princess, Holland, etc.) stay within their defined area so they can make more money. They did this in Roatan, Cozumel, Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, etc.

But not picking just on them, RCCL is now doing the same thing in Falmouth, Jamaica. Had to build a new pier for the Oasis-class ships, so they've got their little area as well.

Pete, where has this been done in Cozumel?

Mahogany is a beautiful port yes, but you're exactly right LuLu.
Most of the Carnival visitors don't leave the port of Mahogany. The goal for the owners, was to keep all the business in the dock, and they were successful in doing so. Unfortunately, the local businesses, like restaurants, real estate, etc, rely on cruisers business heavily. It's a beautiful little island, so we hope to see more people leave the port and venture out and about to see the rest of the island. There is lots to see and do, and the "island style" cuisine is pretty darn good too! Did I mention the ice cold Salva Vida? how refreshing on a hot tropical day
Happy Sailing!