Do you know much about the Wyndham property, El Cid La Ceiba? We are planning anniversary trip for memorial day weekend and are looking for caribbean/mexican destination through our timeshare. Thanks! BTW...we can also trade into RCI, but obviously would be more beneficial to stick with our home properties, if possible.

Bethmac, Are you asking about two different properties -- The Wyndham and El Cid -- or is El Cid La Ceiba now owned by Wyndham?

El Cid is literally right at the cruise ship pier. Its a noisy, hustle bustle end of town and the water isn't very nice because of the cruise ships coming and going. The view is almost always blocked completely by huge ships. It would not be my choice for an anniversary.

The new Wyndham resort on the far south end of the island is a huge AI, only a few years old and quite lovely. It would absolutely be my choice over El Cid. No comparison.

RCI could get you into:

The Coral Princess in the near north end. An older property that has been refurbished after the hurricane. Its on a great snorkeling reef, quite charming, wonderful staff. Its our home base every February.

The Cozumel Palace which used to be the Plaza las Glorias. Its a big property right in town that has also be refurbished lately. Easy to walk everywhere especially good restaurants in town. I wouldn't want the AI here.

Melia - north end. I nice bigger property in a good location.

Park Royal -- yuk! A timeshare nightmare full of rowdy partiers.

May be other RCI properties that I'm unaware of. Does this help?

Hi T.C.
Would you please send me your list as well.
Thanks a bunch.
Donna ([email protected])

We are headed to Cozumel at the end of May for 8 days. Would love to have your list!
Thanks so much, Andrea ([email protected]).

No problem "style". Its on its way.

We've been to Cozumel a few times. My first trip was back in the early 80s and my last trip was 10 years ago - can't believe it's been that long. We think we're going back in November and I'm expecting a lot of changes. Could you send me your list? Thanks, Susan ([email protected]).

Its out to you, Susan.

Wow, great.

Not sure if TC's list is appropriate, we're only in Coz from noon until 7 on a cruise (smaller ship, looks like we might be the only one that day.)

We spent another day there on a cruise and it was very disappointing. We took a self-drive 4x4 tour with a group around one end of the island, into the middle to see the ruins, a brief snorkel and a beach lunch. The whole thing had a horrible package feel, very frenetic, and we were underwhelmed. Disappointed by all the litter on the beach as well, and the snorkelling was lousy.

I'm wondering if we should just get off the ship and wander around and chill a bit, have a couple of beers and people-watch and perhaps go to the market. Looking at "My Cozumel" it sounds viable to do this on foot from the ship.

None of the ship's excursions look promising to me, despite their all being included in the cruise price.

There *is* a speedboat and beach trip from Barracuda Beach that might be fun. Or a simple snorkel trip apparently to somewhere close to the pier where you can walk into the water via steps. Is there any decent onshore snorkelling left in Cozumel these days?

Bottom line is that I would like to come away from the island with a good feeling about it, instead of an bad feeling.

Any advice is welcome. There are three of us, my husband and I are in our 60's and our friend is in his 40's. He's up for anything, we're up for most things.

Cozumel is what it is. If you do cruise ship organized activities, they will feel contrived - because they are. Since you are already disappointed with the island, you probably won't change your mind in the few hours you spend there this time. I'm certain that the speed boat trip won't endear you to the island. You won't even see the island. Do keep in mind that all that litter on the beaches is dumped there by the cruise ships. The people of the island clean those beaches by hand every week. The cruise ships continue to dump and pay huge fines for doing so. Unfortunately the fines cost them less than the price of dispossing of their trash in a proper way. The moral price doesn't seem to factor in for the shipping companies.

What would you like to do while on Cozumel? If you are just going to wander and chill from your ship, do try to go all the way into town. You mention walking from the pier, but that is a long hike from town if you are at the southern pier. Do you know where your ship docks? You mention disappointing snorkeling. Where have you snorkeled before -- what other islands for comparison? How long ago where you last on Cozumel? Where did you snorkel that time -- shallow (close to shore) reefs or the deeper (farther out) reefs? I'll try to help if you give me a little more information about yourself.

TC,
You obviously know the area well. I am about to spend a week on Cozumel with my wife and 2 teenage boys. We are already booked at El Cid (I saw your less than high praise above), but we are where we'll be. I would love to receive your list and any other suggestions you have for us. Thanks
[email protected]

Good afternoon TC,

I just saw that you have a great list of things to do in Cozumel! We are going there in a week, and we will have the time to explore since we are staying 2 weeks there!
I would love to get your list of things to do!!!
My email is [email protected]
Thanks a lot!!!
Cheers
Thierry

Your emails are on the way, Thierry. Please send an email to me when you return with your findings and reviews on the trip. Enjoy!

Hi TC..we are planning a trip to Cozumel and would love your list!! I don't know anything about Cozumel and any suggestions would be so helpful!

My email is [email protected]

Thank you so much for your help!!
Pam

I have sent 2 emails Pam. Enjoy and please report back after your visit. I ask this of all the people who I've sent my list to. I always want to know what they found while on the island or if any of my info needs an update between visits. So far <u>not one single person</u> from the above list has contacted me after their travels. Oh well.

"What would you like to do while on Cozumel? If you are just going to wander and chill from your ship, do try to go all the way into town. You mention walking from the pier, but that is a long hike from town if you are at the southern pier. Do you know where your ship docks? You mention disappointing snorkeling. Where have you snorkeled before -- what other islands for comparison? How long ago where you last on Cozumel? Where did you snorkel that time -- shallow (close to shore) reefs or the deeper (farther out) reefs? I'll try to help if you give me a little more information about yourself."

Thanks TC, I know that being on a cruise ship is no way to see a place. I'm sorry to hear that all the garbage comes from cruise ships, what a world!

We were there for the day in 2007. I can't remember specifically where we snorkelled but had the idea it was the south end of the island, we went around one end, and then stopped at the ruins in the middle then back to town.

I have snorkelled in French Polynesia most, Harbour Island in Bahamas, and St. John USVI.

I don't know where we're docked. So far according to Cruisereport.com we're the only ship in port (small ship, SS Voyager, 700 pax). I don't remember it being that far to town, but do remember the long pier.

Thanks, I will definitely report back after our cruise in December!

WWanderer, Oh my....snorkeling in Cozumel is not going to be anything like FP. As much as I love the island, I've been to FP and there really is no comparison. The Pacific corals and fish are amazing and the reefs near Cozumel will appear so very ho-hum by comparison. The shallow reefs around CZM were greatly damaged in the hurricane a few years ago and are in the recovery stage now. Doing nicely, but its not FP.....and never will be.

I can't imagine your ship being the only one in port in December. That would be rare, but then I'm not on the island in December, so anything is possible.

Wandering into town to chill would be a good idea. If you dock further out, just take a taxi. They are plentiful and cheap. You could have lunch either outside on the square at Casa Denis -- the waiters are fun and the food is good - to watch the foot traffic. Or lunch at a tiny little place called Camillo's just off the square. Its not much for atmosphere, but the fish tacos are outstanding. All the locals eat there. Shop in some of the better places like Cinco Sole, Mi Casa, Silver Emporium or the shell shop (right next to Mi Casa) for some pretties. Have a taxi take you back South along the beach to The Money Bar to chill. Its a good location with a bit of easy snorkeling right out front. I imagine you'll be back on board for dinner.

Oh yes, we'll be on board for dinner. Voyager has great food usually. As for other ships, I was surprised to; I know CruiseReport.com doesn't cover all the cruise lines, but covers all the major ones I can think of. Who knows, maybe it's inaccurate or incomplete. December 12th.

Maybe people are just too busy in December to fill very many cruise ships. Your advantage. Enjoy.

Hey TC, we would love to see your list and compare ot with ours. We have been going to Cozumel twice a year for the last 10 years and still enjoy every single visit. We have always rented houses there, drove around like the locals on mopeds, done lots of diving, and just had an all around great time. We have been seriously craving the Candela Fish from La Candela or the Veracruz Fish at La Perlita...or El Moros, and you can no never go wrong with some gelato from Sorissi! That list of cravings goes on and on! Anyway, we would love to see your list to compare and see if maybe we have missed something...by the way, have you tried the new empanada place just outside the square, across from Kinta? Unbelievable banana and chocolate empenadas...among others!

Sorry, forgot to add our email address...it is [email protected]. Thanks again.