Costa Maya, Mexico

Today we dock early in Costa Maya - 7 am! When Bernie returns with coffees we sit on the balcony and enjoy the arrival.

Sadly it is pouring rain but I believe it will pass. The usual Caribbean shower I say. But we hear people complaining how they can't cancel their excursion because of the rain. Really! I don't think Princess has control over the weather. Plus it will pass and a little rain will hurt no one.

We head ashore with Larry and Amy. We haven't been to Costa Maya in a very very long time. Way before they were hit with the hurricane in 2007 that destroyed the port.

The whole port area is huge and is similar to many of the port destination beach areas - similar to Grand Turk, Mahogany Bay, and even Amber Cove (from what I hear). 

We are docked with a Carnival ship and this port really can't handle two ships in my opinion. 

Our first goal is to leave the port area and head to the town of Mahahual. 

Note most of these pictures were taken when we got off way before the second ship docked and before it got crazy busy.

Took us some time to exit the port area. Note I saw lots of washrooms, shops, bars, restaurants, tour companies. You could easily spend your entire time here but it will be busy. Oh they also had some lockers for rent too.

But we are wanting to head out to the town. Just before you leave the port area there is a table set up (see above pic) where they sell shuttle tickets to the town of Mahahual for $3 US per person one way. The shuttle is similar to those you see in St. Thomas - open bench seating in the back of a truck.

However if you leave the port building compound - just outside is a taxi stand (they are not allowed to pick up people in the compound but can drop you off inside). The taxis to town are $10 US total - as we took at a taxi back. Note the shuttle only operates going to town, not sure why but that is the way it is. Taxis to come back were plentiful and fast and cheap.

We walked along the street to the furthest beach bar/restaurant and checked it out. We could enjoy the lounge chairs and beach as long as we ate/drink at the restaurant. No problem. 

We secure four chairs under some palapas as it looks like it could rain again. Order some drinks and enjoy the scenery.

This place also had an all inclusive package but I can't recall how much it was and really there are so many places along the beach that offer this type of thing I would not personally pre reserve. Just show up and check things out and then choose.

After a few hours here and dodging rain showers we attempted to grab some food in the restaurant area. But because of the rain it was packed so we opted to just leave and walk the boardwalk.

It is very nice, busy and people will try and get your business - massage! Beer! Drinks! Food! Beach! Trinkets! you name it.

We all agree to just head back to the ship and walk off the boardwalk to the street and easily grab a taxi back (again only $10).

Tonight is the Most Travelled Cocktail Party. This voyage it is a cocktail party as opposed to a luncheon. Just not enough days in the cruise to squeeze it in. 

We really enjoy the cocktail party as the officers get the chance to mingle with everyone and we can order whatever we want from the bar. Not to mention the food is amazing. 

This time there were food stations (we had only seen them walking around with food at other cocktail parties). This is amazing. There is a cold station with sushi, and other cold items. Then a hot station. Then a dessert station. Very impressive.

We arrived and posed with Captain Street and again with Leanne, his wife. She saved us a seat and Gail (Ron's wife), Kelly (Deputy Cruise Director), Dylan (Senior Doctor) joined us. 

It was great to relax in this casual atmosphere and get to know everyone even better.

There was so much food that we did not need to go to dinner.

In fact right after the cocktail party I tell Bernie that I could really use some hot water and take a Neo Citron and hit the hay to try and get over this cold. So that is what we do. We are asleep by 2130. But it was a fun day.

More Sea Days as we Cross the Atlantic

Today I heard the funniest thing at breakfast.  It is day 3 of 6 sea days of the crossing.  I heard a man complain "too many sea days - he should go faster".  I smile and think to myself "did you not know it was six days? Do you really expect the Captain to put the pedal (or joy stick) to the metal and boot it across... oh people would be sick then."

I am really enjoying the buffet themes.  We have had Korean Pho, German, Asian, Indian, Brazilian and still lots of other options if you are not into the theme.

Also great movies are being shown - in fact there are so many great movies I know I will get off and still have wished I could of watched others.

There are so many Platinum and Elites that there are FIVE parties - yup!  They will do the parties over two nights with three one night and two another night.  

There is so much to do that I can't do most of it. But really if you are bored it is because you are too picky.

There are still quite a few contractors on board. They are tying up loose ends. We see them working hard all over the ship.  The work is not invasive and does not intrude in any of the public areas that I have noticed.

The mid ship stairs have officially opened. They opened a few days ago but just getting around to mentioning it. No ceremony, no ribbon cutting just an announcement.  With all the hoopla that so many people made about the fact this ship had no mid ship staircase for public use you would think that they would be in high use. Nope! I use them as much as I can, in fact the night they opened I made a point of climbing them from five to 16 just because I could.

They are lovely and I am glad they are there.

Today is the Most Travelled Luncheon at noon in Sabatinis. It always surprises me how many people we recognize. Cruising truly is a small world.

As we enter we are greeted by Barbara the Captain Circle Host. Then we pose for a picture with Captain Street and we insist that Leanne (his wife) join us. It has been nice getting to know her this voyage.

Today we are sat with four other people at the Hotel General Manager's Table - Michael Prasse. There is a single man from Colorado, a couple from Georgia and a single woman from Florida. 

This woman did not shut up (oh that is not very Canadian of me) but she just did not stop talking. She kept interrupting others. She complained a lot too. Now you may have issues that you may need resolving but this is day 10 of the cruise and it is the Most Travelled Luncheon and not the place to complain about your cabin steward or the food.

But it was a great lunch and we did enjoy getting to know the other people at our table. We purposely asked question directly to other people at the table when this woman was talking so we could change the subject and involve others. She eventually go the hint.

What really shocked me is after a few minutes at the table the woman in question looked at us and said "now how did you two end up at this table". Really! I bit my tongue (see more Canadian of me) and said "just like you did". 

But truly it was a lovely lunch. We love sitting with Michael and he is such a gracious host. He is so good with people, he somehow can turn someone who is complaining into someone who is happy.

The menu was 

Chilled Blue Crab Margarita (Avocado and Mango infused with Tequila, Lime topped with Micro Leaf Salad, Crisp Lotus Chip)

or

Turkish Orange and Grapefruit Carpaccio Salad (Mascarpone Flavored with Honey and Chopped Pistachio Nuts, Drizzled with Clove Syrup)

Entre

Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna "Nicoise Style" (Warm Grilled Salad of Tomatoes, Green Beans, Olives, Red Onions, Fennel and Egg, Dressed with Lemon and Segesta Olive Oil Emulsion, Aged Balsamic)

or

Herb and Pepper Crusted Beef Fillet (Truffle and Morel Ragout Garlic Potato Gratin with Baby Vegetable, Melange Infused with Burgundy and Madeira Jus)

or

Caramelized Red Onion and Goat Cheese Tart (Dressed Mesculan Salad with Yellow Pepper Salsa

Dessert

Trio of Chocolate (Chocolate Mousse, Brownie Parfait, and Chocolate Caramel Shortbread)