Latest news with #CostaMaya
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Video: Royal Caribbean ship needs assist from Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas arrived in Costa Maya, Mexico around 7:30 a.m. facing high wind gusts and rough seas. The ships was able to come alongside the inner pier facing easterly but it was very rocky so the captain, suspended the disembarkation process. Winds were about 15-18 kts and seas rough at 4'-6'. "The hope and now reality/success that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (Our portside) and allow a safe disembarkation process to the pier," said Come Cruise With Me's Dennis Post, who is onboard. Wonder of the Seas is a newer Oasis Class Ship with newer technology for maneuvering and stability with a gross tonnage of 228,000 compared to Enchantment of the Seas at 82,000 gross tons. "Wonder is now providing us with significant protection from the elements making the disembarkation procedure safe and underway," according to Post. . Enchantment of the Seas Costa Maya (0:47) Two mega ships Carnival Jubilee from Texas and Wonder from Port Canaveral along with Enchantment of the Seas all docked in Costa Maya on May 21. Those ships brought over 10,000 passengers to the port, which maxes out with three cruise ships. Wonder of the Seas carries 7,900 plus passengers, while Carnival Jubilee has 5,300 plus and Enchantment of the Seas at 2,400, makes it a tight squeeze for the relatively small port more people than Costa Maya can serve well, according to multiple passengers on Enchantment who made the trip. "No I'm not getting off into that mess,' Becky from Tampa shared as she looked at the situation in port. Brandon Green from Lakeland Florida, a passenger of Enchantment of the Seas did manage to make it off the ship. "It was a nightmare getting into the port and once we got in, the shops were overun," he said. Some ports like Nassau and Cozumel are build to handle six ships or more. Costa Maya has docks for three, but it's crowded any time more than one ship is in port. With two mega-ships in port, that's simply more people than the island has capacity to handle. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cruisers share opinions on Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico
Building upon the success of its private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean has big plans for its next Perfect Day destination in Mexico. Billed as a 'game-changing destination for thrill and chill,' Perfect Day Mexico is a more than 200-acre destination adjacent to Mexico's Costa Maya cruise port in Mahahual, Quintana Roo. It's slated to open in fall huge new cruise destination will feature seven locally inspired neighborhoods that promise never-before-seen thrills and record-breaking experiences like the tallest waterslides in the Americas and the first sombrero slide. Perfect Day Mexico will also debut the world's longest lazy river — an hour-long float with float-up bars and an optional crazy section with rapids. Although many "loyal to Royal' cruisers are stoked about Perfect Day Mexico and all the thrills and chills it will offer, others worry about what this and the growing focus on resort-like port experiences means for the future of cruising. Reddit discussions show that some Royal Caribbean passengers are concerned that the cruise line is leaning too much into manufactured travel experiences in cruise ports and away from authentic destinations.'This might be an unpopular opinion but I'm not a fan of the private islands. I'd rather take a cruise to a port with access to cool excursions or the ability to wander off on your own for the day. Going to a private island is too much of a manufactured experience, and if I wanted that, I would just stay at an all-inclusive resort,' Fatty_Boombalattie wrote in a thread discussing Perfect Day Mexico in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit. A number of cruisers agreed with the sentiment. Others noted that it's a valid opinion, even though it's not the popular one among Royal Caribbean cruisers. 'It's unpopular, but it's a 100% valid way to feel. The original purpose of cruising was to experience new places,' brokentr0jan pointed out. 'With that being said, I think Royal is catering to people who want these all-inclusive feeling beach resort experiences and obviously it is working because it has been incredibly popular.'Perfect Day Mexico isn't the only resort-like experience Royal Caribbean has in the works, either. The cruise line is also adding exclusive beach clubs in The Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico, as well as an exclusive island cruise destination in the South Pacific — Lelepa in Vanuatu. 'Honestly, this is the opposite of what I want to see. They are moving towards having every stop be a company-owned spot just like CocoCay,' Joe4mofo added in the thread. 'If this is the direction things are headed, I will end up passing on cruising when it gets there in the future.'To be fair, Royal Caribbean doesn't plan to completely transform these beach destinations entirely into Royal Caribbean-branded resorts and waterparks. Much like Labadee, its exclusive destination on Haiti's lush northern coast, Lelepa will offer a locally inspired experience highlighting the natural beauty of the destination with beaches, nature trails, and water activities. 'Why does Lelepa look the best? Probably because it looks more authentic, relaxed and less of a theme park! Take me there please,' ArissP added in the Reddit Perfect Day Mexico is heavy on attractions like CocoCay, Royal Caribbean is partnering with the local community to infuse authenticity into the destination and celebrate Mexican culture throughout. The brightly colored Costa Maya getaway spot will offer regionally inspired dining, showcase local artisans, and employ local workers. Royal Caribbean is collaborating with Mexico's state of Quintana Roo to develop the destination sustainably and is investing in local infrastructure projects as well. The Costa Maya cruise port will remain open — and open to all cruise lines — during all phases of the Perfect Day project and beyond. Royal Caribbean is building a new cruise port welcome center to familiarize passengers from all cruise lines with landmark attractions in the Mahahual area and provide transportation throughout the region. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Royal Caribbean unveils 'perfect beach day' resort for cruise passengers - with world's longest lazy river and tallest water slide in America
One of the world's leading cruise brands has announced it will offer passengers the 'perfect beach day' in Mexico by creating its biggest-ever land resort - and it'll be home to an almighty waterpark, six swim-up bars and the world's largest tequila bottle. Royal Caribbean announced this week that the colourful 230 acre resort in Mexico, which passengers sailing on Western Caribbean itineraries can check into for the day, is set to open in September 2027. Cruise brands are increasingly creating private port resorts - Disney Cruise has two island resorts exclusively for passenger use and Royal Caribbean already has CocoCay in the Bahamas. However, Royal Caribbean, which has 28 liners, says Perfect Day Mexico in the port of Costa Maya will be 'bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date'. Particularly family-friendly, the resort promises those disembarking their cruise for a day the tallest water park tower in the Americas, alongside the world's longest lazy river, while is dotted with 'float-up bars' along it. Passengers can buy day passes to access the Royal Beach Club, which has 12 places to dine, all inspired by local Mexican cuisine, plus 24 bars, souvenir shops, art installations and Mariachi performances. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean said: 'We're bringing our demonstrated history of unparalleled service and revolutionary innovation – everything our vacationers know and love – into our collection of destinations that offer more locally inspired perfect days and beachfront getaways.' He added: 'Perfect Day Mexico is bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date. 'This destination will be the ultimate vacation for families, and we cannot wait to welcome adventurers from around the world to Mexico for an experience only Royal Caribbean can provide.' Younger guests will love the Bubble Up experience at the Splashwater Bay water park, which is a giant water inflatable filled with water jets. Passengers sailing out of US destinations: Galveston, New Orleans and all Florida homeports, will be able to book the day passes later this year. This week, a cruise guest shared on Reddit a 'marvellous' hack for getting off liners without having to queue. The passenger 'OhiobornCAraised' says: 'Wife and I have cruised several times. However, up until today, we have always had our luggage taken off the ship by cruise staff.' They then explain that on their most recent cruise they were instead able to pack everything they needed 'into two large suitcases and two backpacks'. The holidaymaker reveals that they then managed to be 'off the ship by 8am', adding 'getting through immigration and the cruise terminal was so smooth! 'No long lines, no big crowds to work through. It was marvellous. 10/10 experience and hope to be able to do it more in the future.' Usually cruise passengers leave their luggage outside their cabin door and staff pick it up and drop it off at the cruise terminal. Holidaymakers then collect their luggage once they've been through the disembarkation process. However, the process can be fairly slow with passengers often having to join queues to collect their belongings. Several cruise passengers agreed that carrying their own luggage had allowed them to disembark much more quickly. 'NoShameMallPretzels' writes: 'Our family rule is you have to be able to carry your own bags, so we do this almost every cruise. It's amazing.' And another guest says that carrying their own luggage makes disembarkation day much 'easier'. However, not everyone is a fan of the hack with one person warning there's a major catch to the 'marvellous' plan. 'Rainyhawk' warns: 'We did that once and couldn't get onto an elevator. They were always packed and it was too much luggage to carry down several flights of stairs. Took forever.' But one passenger has shared another hack to avoid the last day elevator queue. They explain: 'Either carry [luggage] down to the floor to exit, or take an elevator up to the top as it's easy to get elevators going up and then ride from the top down.'
