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K

Keather

Guest
Hello,
I'm new to this and have questions. My husband and I are looking to book a romantic cruise aboard the Freedom or the Liberty at the beginning of October for our 10th anniversary. What I am wondering is if anyone can suggest a good company to book through who may be able to cut us some slack and let us pay a deposit and the remainder over the summer.
Another question would be, we want to sail the Western Caribbean because he just HAS to go to Tulum but then I want a chance to swim with the dolphins. From what I can tell the only place to do both is out of Cozumel. I thought I saw somewhere that I many be able to swim with the dolphins in Jamaica. Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks for any help. I'm sure you'll be hearing alot out of me.
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
I have a great agent. If that is what you are looking for, send me a PM (Private Message). There are also at least two good agents that regularly post on this board. That said, almost any agent or cruise line rep will allow you to make monthly payments. However, for a cruise in the beginning of October, full payment would be due around the middle of July. Anyone allowing you to make payments after that time would have to front the money them self and trust you to make the payments.

I also suggest you think carefully about visiting Tulum from Cozumel. Yes it is possible. However, you are going to lose a lot of time traveling between Tulum and Cozumel. One of the mainland ports, such as Costa Maya, might be a better port to visit Tulum from. However, Costa Maya is currently rebuilding because of damage caused by last year's hurricane. Another good place to visit Tulum from is Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Another thing to consider is, if you are looking for a romantic cruise, please understand that the Freedom of the Seas, while a wonderful ship (I was just on it in June 2007) is LARGE! Something about half its size might be more romantic. That said, you can read my review of the Freedom of the Seas by clicking on the link below (it is fairly long - about 13 type written pages) ...

http://www.cruise-addicts.com/reviews/readreview.php?id=225
 
M

Mbandy

Guest
Ahoy Matey and =welcome to Cruise @ddicts.

The cruise line requires a deposit of $250 per person for a seven night cruise. Final payment is due 70 days prior to the sailing date. Most agencies only require what the cruise line requires and any good agency will allow you to pay as you choose. I once had a client who booked almost a year in advance. She would call me around the first of every month to pay a little more until she was paid in full.
 
S

spoheating

Guest
I am very vocal about visiting Tulum from Cozumel. I LOVED Tulum. Everyone should see it. Just NOT from Cozumel. First you get to one of the safest, cleanest, most interesting ports in the Caribbean (have you looked at the variety of activities available) and you are going to leave it? You will exit your ship, then board a power ferry to cross to the mainland. This holds about 200 people and the ride lasts about 50 minutes. About 125 of those people are inside with no open windows (surf n spray). It has no stabilizers. That 30 gallon trash can full of mops you passed as you boarded was not for looks. We weren't on that high a seas day and people were throwing up in their seats--up above decks in the open air. I don't want to think about the people "below". Then you got to Playa and march several blocks to the waiting buses (and you are making time, let me tell you, no looking around). Then a busride of about 45 minutes with a 30 minute stop for bathroom/gift shop that is totally unnecessary. You get to Tulum--more hiking in, including a wait in line for a ticket since this is a national park (you have prepaid with your tour but still have to wait your turn). You get a guided tour (45 min.) and time on your own to explore (the beach there is amazing) and reverse the process. Your entire day in Cozumel will be taken up by this, and 65% of your time will have been spent on transportation. The ferry terminal sells very small packages of Dramamine for $8 and you will pay it and say thank you before doing that crossing again. Also if the surf is too treacherous they may not make a return crossing. Yes, you booked through your cruiseline and they will get you to your ship, eventually, but is this how you really thought your day would end? I am dying to see Tulum again. Beautiful and fascinating. But I will do it when I am on the mainland.

Dolphin Swim: Book this in Cozumel. Book directly with Discovery Cove and take a cab. It is not far from any of the ship's piers. Cabs are plentiful and not that expensive. Spring for the Royal (most expensive) Swim (unless you think you are going to do this again). The ship's groups are 24+ people. We had 8 in our group and got to do so much with the Dolphins the kids began to wonder when it would end. The ship's groups did 1 or 2 things with the dolphins, their experience being divided so many ways. And our video is mostly just of our party of 4, not 20+ strangers. Also Chankanaab has snorkeling from shore, a beach, a nature/history trail, concession, and being able to leave when you are done has its advantages. We booked in the morning and still shopped and bummed around the town some in the afternoon. Booking in the morning also got us there ahead of several ship's groups, and may have enhanced our time with the Dolphins as well. We booked through Shoretrips.com but know others who booked directly. Experience of a lifetime.

Have no experience with the Dolphin swims and encounters in Jamaica. Table mates did this and tossed around phrases like "rip-off" I was not encouraged, but again have no first hand experience. After our experience in Cozumel I can't imagine it being better.
 
K

Keather

Guest
Wow! Never thought of any of that. I had heard the ride can be rough but I just figured we are regular boaters and did not think much of it. Oh boy, now I've got to break this to my hubby.
Does anyone know of any ruins around Cozumel that we could go to to appease him? I feel really bad as this is the one thing he really wanted to do. Help!!!!
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
[quote Keather]Wow! Never thought of any of that. I had heard the ride can be rough but I just figured we are regular boaters and did not think much of it. Oh boy, now I've got to break this to my hubby.
Does anyone know of any ruins around Cozumel that we could go to to appease him? I feel really bad as this is the one thing he really wanted to do. Help!!!![/quote]Nothing as good as Tulum, but here is some information on ruins on Cozumel ...

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Cozumelruins

http://www.cozumelbedandbreakfast.net/mayanruins.htm

http://www.travelgolf.com/sights.htm

and some that are not on Cozumel ...

http://cozumel-mexico-vacation.com/Mayan-Ruins.htm

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Mainlandruins?From=Webcam
 
N

Natalia

Guest
I also did the trip to Tulum from Cozumel, been a few years ago now. I have a very strong stomach, never get sea sick... fortunately, I was ok on that ferry ride. But just about EVERYONE else got sick, including my husband and our travel companions. Yep, as we boarded, they were passing out barf-bags (sorry) and there was a trash can at the end of each row of seats (not for general garbage either). Once you get sea sick, the rest of your day is kinda crummy. Many of them remained sick through the long bus ride to the ruins. Then they had to walk in the heat to tour the site (in Novemeber, it was still hot). I dont mean to discourage or scare you, just saying... dont take that ferry ride lightly, thinking that since you are regular boaters, you wont have a problem. If I were to go again, even I would take meds just to be safe. So if you choose to go ahead with it, take some sea sickness medicine a few hours before and you should be fine. That aside, the ruins are great but... yeah, its a lot of time spent on transportation. You wont have much time at all left over to see Cozumel and its really a great port. Where else are you visiting? I thought the Chocchoben Ruins from Costa Maya were great too, but your ship may not stop there. There is a (much) smaller ruins site on the island of Cozumel (San Gervasio) that we visited another time. I thought it was nice, even after seeing more impressive sites. Its not much, but a nice walk through the park and some history. You can walk it yourself or hire a guide. We did the Dolphin thing another time, the less expensive one because we had some older ladies in our group who really didnt want to SWIM with them. Eh, it was fun to do once, but not super high on my list of experiences. I hear the more expensive one is much more memorable. So if you go with the Dolphins, spend a little more $ and do the better excursion.

There's so much to do in Cozumel, picking just one thing is hard, especially when its something that takes a big part of the day. I have other ideas and suggestions that Im happy to share from experience, just send me a PM. I have photos too. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your cruise!
 
S

spoheating

Guest
I had mentally blocked the barf bag distribution from my mind. Ugh. I can still hear people retching.

Tell your husband that he won't get enough time to enjoy his precious ruins. That's how we felt: really, really worth seeing, and not something you should rush through. (and the beach was fabulous! We could have spent the day there).
 
K

Keather

Guest
Thank you so much! All's I need to hear is what sounds like someone retching and i'm off and retching myself. I have yet to break the news to him but I think if I break it to him easily and show him what you kind folks have said, he will give in and do the dolphin swim with me. I just feel so bad because it was the one thing he wanted to do and he does not ask for much. Any other cool guy suggestions for this trip that he might enjoy? I'm thinking the zipline in Jamaica sounds so cool. We'll keep looking.
Thank you all so much for the heads up on this. I physically could not have handled it. Maybe he will choose to go it alone and send me to play with my dolphins. That might be a compromise. Do you think that is a safe thing?
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
If you are going to the Western Caribbean on either the Freedom of the Seas or the Liberty of the Seas, you will stop at Labadee, which is Royal Caribbean's private beach. Royal Caribbean has a zip line there ...











I also have some photos of the dolphin swim in Cozumel from August 2004 (before the hurricane destroyed everything) ...



Her name is Eva (not the kid - the dolphin).











If your husband does go to Tulum, I would recommend that he only do so as part of a ship sponsored tour. This is not a safety issue, but rather a timing issue. He is going to be a long way from the ship, and if something happens to delay things, and he is on a ship sponsored tour, the ship will wait for him. If he is not on a ship sponsored tour, then he might end up flying home. This would kind of put a damper to the end of a nice romantic week. The downside of a ship sponsored tour is that it costs more. But given the distance being traveled from the ship, I would view the additional cost as insurance.
 
K

Keather

Guest
Well, after seeing the pictures of the dolphins, thats what i'm doing. I dont know what he will do. My guess is he will not feel comfortable leaving me on my own but who knows. Maybe I can find some kind of compromise for both of us. He is really an easy going guy but then I'm going to feel guilty no matter what. I will find a way to make it up to him if that is the case.
Thanks for all the pics. They are so cool! I love seeing everyones pics! Make me so excited!
 
S

spoheating

Guest
The dolphin swim can be booked through Shoretrips.com or directly through Discovery Cove's website. It is an easy cab ride from the ship and not costly. LOTS of cabs waiting for your return trip. We booked early, very shortly after we docked. We had such a small group. The group from the ship came trouping in--about 24 people in a group. We had 8. We also did not have to immediately return after the obligatory giftshop time. We stayed at Chankanaab's nice beach. There is concession there, snorkeling, lounge chairs, coin operated lockers, a mayan history self guided walk (a nice jungle area with some ruin replicas). We booked the Royal Swim and had so much contact with the animals that we were actually beginning to wonder when it would end, and the pictures (water-proof camera--buy at home and bring, very expensive on ship). Remember if you do this that ship's time may not be central time, which is the time you will be booking on Cozumel. If the ship gets in port at 10 a.m. that is 9 a.m. In Cozumel. (which may also have contributed to our small, relaxed group, resorters on Cozumel were just starting their day, and not all ships were in port yet). The ship will keep the time zone of the city of departure throughout (hint: Miami is Eastern time).
 
K

Keather

Guest
Wow! You folks are a fountain of information! Thank you! I broke the news to the hubby last night and he got pretty bummed. I told him I had no problem with him going to Tulum by himself and I could go swim with the dolphins. I firmly believe he could handle the ride, he has got to have the strongest stomach of anyone I know. He's only been stomach sick twice in 17 yrs that I've known him. I think its the military in him.
I do however wonder, if I go and do this dolphin swim alone, does the company take pics and do video? Thats another thing I think that will hold him back because he knows this is a life long dream of mine and I really think he would want to see the look on my face as I experience this. I know, sounds hokey but he really loves me and wants what I want. Of course, thats what started all of this, because I feel the same.
 
S

spoheating

Guest
They take a few pics, really similar to the "kiss" picture a previous poster put out, and picture of the dolphin pushing and/or swimming with you. We bought our video and loved it. Also you can get shots of the dolphins up close alone and doing tricks (obviously). People later told us to try and bargain if you want more than one photo (we bought 3--we were so concerned the water camera wouldn't be clear or some such). We did not bargain, paid the price, and treasure the pics. The video was great as our group was so small. I think we were at 9 a.m. island time (10:00 Miami/ship's time).
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
[quote Keather]I do however wonder, if I go and do this dolphin swim alone, does the company take pics and do video? Thats another thing I think that will hold him back because he knows this is a life long dream of mine and I really think he would want to see the look on my face as I experience this. I know, sounds hokey but he really loves me and wants what I want. Of course, thats what started all of this, because I feel the same.[/quote]Take a look at the kiss photo. See the trainer (the guy with the whistle)? He is looking up at his guy with the camera. I forget how many photos I bought. I also bought the video.


By the way, I have no clue who that girl is. I just used her for my model.

Again, I was there in August 2004, before the hurricane wiped everything out. I also did a seal swim (was an extra $59 then). I don't know if they have it up and running again. The seal swim is not a ship tour and it was not advertised. They mentioned it and I took advantage of it ...





By the way, I'll only be here one more day. I leave on a cruise for two weeks on Saturday. But I can check back in in March, when I get home.
 
B

BruinSteve

Guest
Okay...
We did a Western on the Liberty of the Seas (sister of the Freedom of the Seas) last June/July...Yes, the ship is large--but we loved it!!!

We visited Labadee, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Cozumel...

We visited Tulum from Cozumel on a ship's excursion...We didn't seem to have any problem whatsoever doing that...Had a great time...The boat over and back was easy...Tulum was quite interesting...

We did do a second cruise immediately following on Carnival Liberty (HATED that overcrowded barge)...but that one stopped in Costa Maya...and from there we visited the Kahunlich ruins--which were also incredible...(And we had been to Chitchenitza on a earlier trip--and those might just be the best of the bunch)...

Face it, if you are into archaeology and ancient history, you don't want to visit the Yucatan and not see these sites...There are lots of places to swim with Dolphins or go shopping or hit the beach...but these are a one of a kind...

I have cruised all over the world and if there is a specific site I want to visit and my ship docks somewhere near there, I'm going...
I'm siding with the OP's husband here...Visit Tulum...

BTW, you can "swim with dolphins" all over the place--even Miami!!!:

http://www.dolphinworld.org/

So, you could always just book a flight in the day BEFORE the cruise, go swim with the dolphins, then visit Tulum while in Cozumel...
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
[quote BruinSteve]Okay...
We did a Western on the Liberty of the Seas (sister of the Freedom of the Seas) last June/July...Yes, the ship is large--but we loved it!!!

We visited Labadee, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Cozumel...

We visited Tulum from Cozumel on a ship's excursion...We didn't seem to have any problem whatsoever doing that...Had a great time...The boat over and back was easy...Tulum was quite interesting...

We did do a second cruise immediately following on Carnival Liberty (HATED that overcrowded barge)...[/quote]
Sounds like you had too much Liberty. :)D
 
S

spoheating

Guest
Its really not so much about the sea-sickness on the ferry ride. You spend over four hours on transportation for a 6 hour excursion. It is just not a good way to see these sites if you are actually excited about them like this gals husband (and mine) is.
 
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