E
estracha
Guest
We just got back from a cruise on the Carnival Miracle and one of our stops was Cozumel. We had originally made reservations with a company (not Carnival) but just 2-3 days before leaving they had informed us that our trimaran had mechanical problems. This left us about 2-3 days to find another snorkelling group.
In the end, we decided to try the 'Cozumel Sailing & Snorkel Cruise' with Manta Sports (booked through Cancunvista). Believe it or not, since my return this past Sunday, their website has been updated with accurate information!
On the website, they advertised that we would be going to Palancar & Columbia reefs (of course depending on the weather as well as where the fish were that day). When we arrived at the Aqua Safari Dock (across from McDonalds) the Manta One catamaran was there but the captain was NOT aware that we were even supposed to meet him. We had gotten onto the first tender and made our way to the dock where they told us to meet them very early...luckily we made it early because he wouldnt' have been there 20 minutes later! He was heading over to another hotel to pick up a crew of people.
We had our confirmation papers all printed off and so he knew he then had to take us. But the papers also showed different reefs that they were advertising to take us to. The captain said that they haven't been going to those reefs for a long time now. I felt we were misled.
We had no choice but to just go with the excursion. There were 3 guys on the catamaran preparing for the excursion...cutting pineapple, limes, etc. I noticed they had a couple of dishcloths for wiping things up and I also noticed it on the floor under one of the guys feet, wiping up the floor and then back up onto the counter to wipe things up there!! Needless to say, we didnt' eat the pineapple! Aside from that, the crew did seem nice and did offer drinks, etc.
They then gave us instructions on how to use the mask, snorkel, etc, but it was very quick and then they told us to get to the front of the catamaran and we were going to enter the water. All of sudden they were telling us, "hurry, get in, hurry up". People were needing some extra help with their masks, etc and the crew just weren't really available for that (not enough of them)...they really rushed us into the water on our first stop and there were a few kids that needed some extra help, etc.
Even aside from that, the reef that they stopped at had nearly NOTHING to see! We saw a few fish swimming here and there but nothing much. Then they took us to another reef which was much better. I was surprised that they wasted our time even stopping at the first reef to see nothing. Then they took us to a third stop which was the Sunken Ship, which was somehwhat okay.
All in all, we had a disappointing experience on the Manta One and I would not recommend it to others.
I realize that the hurricane had done damage to the reefs in Cozumel but I also feel that we were misled by this company. I had spoken with them on the phone and they reassured us that we would see alot of things, etc.
I had previously read on this list about companies that bring snorkellers out near the ships to snorkel and that it isn't very good snorkelling. I tried to avoid this and asked the questions and yet even after all of that, I was misled into believing this would not happen.
I thought I would share this experience so that others can have a better snorkelling experience in Cozumel. I have regrets for not going with Eagle Ray Divers....
Lillian
In the end, we decided to try the 'Cozumel Sailing & Snorkel Cruise' with Manta Sports (booked through Cancunvista). Believe it or not, since my return this past Sunday, their website has been updated with accurate information!
On the website, they advertised that we would be going to Palancar & Columbia reefs (of course depending on the weather as well as where the fish were that day). When we arrived at the Aqua Safari Dock (across from McDonalds) the Manta One catamaran was there but the captain was NOT aware that we were even supposed to meet him. We had gotten onto the first tender and made our way to the dock where they told us to meet them very early...luckily we made it early because he wouldnt' have been there 20 minutes later! He was heading over to another hotel to pick up a crew of people.
We had our confirmation papers all printed off and so he knew he then had to take us. But the papers also showed different reefs that they were advertising to take us to. The captain said that they haven't been going to those reefs for a long time now. I felt we were misled.
We had no choice but to just go with the excursion. There were 3 guys on the catamaran preparing for the excursion...cutting pineapple, limes, etc. I noticed they had a couple of dishcloths for wiping things up and I also noticed it on the floor under one of the guys feet, wiping up the floor and then back up onto the counter to wipe things up there!! Needless to say, we didnt' eat the pineapple! Aside from that, the crew did seem nice and did offer drinks, etc.
They then gave us instructions on how to use the mask, snorkel, etc, but it was very quick and then they told us to get to the front of the catamaran and we were going to enter the water. All of sudden they were telling us, "hurry, get in, hurry up". People were needing some extra help with their masks, etc and the crew just weren't really available for that (not enough of them)...they really rushed us into the water on our first stop and there were a few kids that needed some extra help, etc.
Even aside from that, the reef that they stopped at had nearly NOTHING to see! We saw a few fish swimming here and there but nothing much. Then they took us to another reef which was much better. I was surprised that they wasted our time even stopping at the first reef to see nothing. Then they took us to a third stop which was the Sunken Ship, which was somehwhat okay.
All in all, we had a disappointing experience on the Manta One and I would not recommend it to others.
I realize that the hurricane had done damage to the reefs in Cozumel but I also feel that we were misled by this company. I had spoken with them on the phone and they reassured us that we would see alot of things, etc.
I had previously read on this list about companies that bring snorkellers out near the ships to snorkel and that it isn't very good snorkelling. I tried to avoid this and asked the questions and yet even after all of that, I was misled into believing this would not happen.
I thought I would share this experience so that others can have a better snorkelling experience in Cozumel. I have regrets for not going with Eagle Ray Divers....
Lillian
