Cruise question from a 1st time cruiser

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Hairtech

Guest
My sister and I are cruising on carnival ecstasy on Oct.30. We are booked in category 6A. Do you think it would be worth us getting a balcony room? Also, if we were going to rent a jeep in Mexico, should we rent in Cozumel or Playa del carmen? We wanted to drive around and do our own thing without a big group any suggestions? We are also going to Progreso.
 
M

Mbandy

Guest
HUGE difference in price. I don't know what you paid but today a 6A is going for $399 per person and a cat 11 is going for $899. My opinion? No way a category 11 is worth the difference on a Fantasy class ship. The cat 11 balconies are very small and some even have obstructed views. You're better off spending the extra $$ on your shore excursions. For the $$ you'd save you could rent a Jeep in BOTH ports. We never rent jeeps or other transportation in port so I'll defer to someone who has on the second part of the question.

=funsign on Ecstasy and =welcome to Cruise @ddicts :thumb
 
H

Hairtech

Guest
Thanks for the info. Do u think maybe we should not rent a vehicle sinces it is just 2 girls and stay around the towns, she is not into snorkeling or swimming with the dolphins. She likes to lat out and sightsee.
 
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cruzin sisters

Guest
Hi there- My sister and I also are cruise addicts-We always book an inside room--- that way we can go twice a year, rather than once. We are never in there any way we are always out and about- shopping, exploring and eating!We always book thru Carnival just because of safety sake-Even if it costs alittle more- We let Carnival take care of us. On shore we explore (near the port) on our own. But you will have a glorious experience!! Cruising really changed my life, I think of it everyday-The sights,sounds, aromas, and i really can't put into words how absolutely wonderful it is. I will never,ever be the same person I was before.And I bet you won't be eathier!!!!!!!!!!
 
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serene56

Guest
if your ship is going to Cozumel-- you will need to ferry over to Play Del Carmen if you want to rent a car from there.

Just take a taxi downtown and go from there. nice beaches and shops are only a taxi away.

If renting a car== ya want to avoid the downtown area at all costs.
 
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NewCruzer

Guest
The Calica port near Playa del Carmen is near only a working, industrial gravel pit. However, taxis are plentiful, and there is an Executive Car Rental booth onsite. Playa del Carmen is 5 or so miles north.
We rented a car there, shopped PdC, then drove south to beach at the Omni in Puerto Aventuras (free day pass in '04 if you spent $20 at the facility), toured the marina area there; then visited Akumal, farther south, with its very pretty marina and beach rental villas.
On Cozumel, if you plan to the see the windward (east) side of the island, renting a vehicle is probably most economical. However, if you plan to just find a beach and spend the day there, taxis aren't expensive.
 
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cruiseagain

Guest
Hi,
My husband and I will also be on this cruise Oct 30th. This is our 5th cruise. We have been to both Progresso and Cozemul in the past. We booked an oceanview room. We have never rented vehicles on any of our cruises. In Progresso you can shop without renting transportation to get around and you can lay out on the beach. The transportation into Progresso is provided free by Carnival. For a couple of dollars you can board a double decker bus in town and get a short tour of Progresso. It will show you where everything is and it is all within walking distance once you are in town. Any shore excursions we have always booked through Carnival just for safety and refund reasons. I have spoken to many fellow travelers who book independantly and they seem happy with what they book. I think it is a personal preference. The first time we booked the trip to Merida. I would not do that again. We couldn't shop or eat without the street sellers harassing us. They would not take no thank you for an answer. The last two times we just walked around Progresso and had lunch and shopped and enjoyed the beach. It was much more enjoyable. We snorkled in Cozemel the first time and the last two times again we had a nice lunch and shopped. Hope you enjoy your first cruise and maybe we will meet on the ship.
Regards,
Petrece
 
N

nimbex

Guest
because of your balcony ? I'm making an assumption that this is your first cruise. For THIS ship my opinion is No... not worth the $$. On the larger vessles you can find quite a bargin to upgrage with a few days on the net, or give your agent time to search... but it seems you're booked, I'd personally stay with what you have and spend the $$ elsewhere... especially since you seem the active type and are possibly looking to just have a relaxing vacay in the room. If you an on the go person, you'll only change, shower and sleep in your room..

Now cozumel is crazy driving in the city, avoid it if it's your first rental in the caribbean, the other roads are more spaced out with vehicles and it's less intense.

If you decde to rent a jeep, I'd search the net like crazy to have a loose itinerary planned with a map to pre determine a few things to see, know in advance how long it will take driving time, add 15 minutes plus for traffic. Also consider where parking is allowed if youre doing a beach for a bit.. you might have 20 minutes added with parking and walking each way... 10 minutes for shopping....

this all does add up and cuts in to your time which is CRUTIAL in a do it your selfer excursion. plus you have to arrive at a rental place, fill out forms, inspect the car... please check that the spare is not flat (long story), then returning can be another 20 plus minutes assuming there is no line. everything works at a very slow pace, 3 coustomers could be an hour wait.

I'm all for a do it your self, but we planned extensively and cautiously prior and still hit scary snags along the way... will do it again... but if it's the first cruise, the extra money spent while you're learning the ropes is money saved from facing really expensive complications.\

to rent a car, I'd catch a taxi on the port to playa del carmen and rent there. If you search the net you can pre book this through avis or what not. Don't be surprised if they don't have any clue you were comming, they should have a rental available and YES, sped to $18 for insurance and NO, do not pay any officer if in trouble to "make it go away". as they might suggest.

also know that if your just doing the beach and shopping, a taxi and good internet searching for a beach is the best way.

I hope this helps
carol
 
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JimandJerry

Guest
1st time cruiser, please be aware that if you are doing excursions on your own, YOU ARE on your OWN. The ship will not wait for you and you will be responsible to get to the next port or home. I'm not saying don't ever venture out on your own, but please excercise a lot of caution. Know the Cruise lines Port Agent's phone number and address. Leave yourself plenty of time for unforseen delays, etc. Always make sure your watch if you carry one is on the ships time and definately know when the ship is scheduled to leave.
 
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Don M

Guest
Ditto about paying the insurance. Your current U.S. insurance will most likely NOT be valid in Mexico.

Also, I'd advise against renting a vehicle on your first cruise for reasons already mentioned above. You'll have plenty to do and will be pretty amazed at how fast the time will go. Think about renting an open air jeep type vehicle in Cozumel on your next cruise, but I'd be cautious about two females doing so on the mainland.

Have a great time and be safe!
 
T

truecruiser

Guest
[quote Hairtech]My sister and I are cruising on carnival ecstasy on Oct.30. We are booked in category 6A. Do you think it would be worth us getting a balcony room? [/quote]

Is a 6A interior? I'd go for an oceanview at least, but then again, i spend time in my cabin (i have 3 kids). if all you'll do is sleep and shower in there, then an interior is fine. My mother always goes with an interior b/c she's hardly ever in the cabin. We always go with a balcony, suite or oceanview. No balcony staterooms on fantasy class. Only ltd # of suites (cat 12s) and mini-suites (cat 11s), both cats have balconies. Next time they dry dock, they should add them! That's what I say. Sure, it'll cost them $, but they'll get it back ten-fold.
 
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