Cozumel Details

This tropical island just 12 miles off Mexico’s coast is 29 miles long and about 8 miles wide. The Mayans considered Cozumel a sacred shrine and referred to it as the "Island of Swallows." Cortez arrived here in 1519, and in the 17th century, pirates used Cozumel for refuge. Black coral, a rare and beautiful product of the reefs, was thought to be extinct until Jacques Cousteau discovered it here about 25 years ago. Cozumel has great beaches, dining and shopping, but diving is the primary attraction. The island is surrounded by sparkling water and beautiful white, palm-lined beaches. Cozumel is the Caribbean’s most spectacular underwater attraction and one of the world’s great dive destinations.

The ship will anchor offshore, and we will be ferried to and from the island of Cozumel. We haven't yet picked an itinerary for our time here, but we have several options:

  • Chichen Itza by Bus (11 hours) - Take a once-in-a-lifetime excursion deep into the heart of Mexico to the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. Depart early in the morning. As you drive across the Yucatán peninsula, a knowledgeable guide will review the history of Mexico, introduce you to Mayan culture and tell you what you can expect to see and experience at the ruins. Chichén Itzá was the most important city in the Yucatan peninsula from the 11th to the 13th century. Once there, you can stay with the guide or explore on your own. Enjoy a box lunch and complimentary beer and sodas. Take about two and a half hours to tour the sacrificial well, climb the temple of Kulkulcán and gaze into the observatory where Mayan priests accurately calculated celestial events. You can stand in the center of the largest ball court in Meso America, a place where a winning team captain lost his head. Then you will return to Playa del Carmen and take a ferry back to Cozumel and the ship.
  • Mayan Ruins Of Tulum (7 hours) - The ruins of Tulum lie just 80 miles south of Cancún, a monument to Mayan culture consisting of about 60 ancient structures. On your way there, a knowledgeable guide will brief you on the sights you will see. Enjoy a box lunch, complimentary beer and soft drinks and extensive guided tour of this ancient civilization, its spectacular ruins rising majestically from the rocky cliffs on the Yucatán coast. Take advantage of the incredible scenery to snap a few photos. Then you will return to Playa del Carmen and take a ferry back to Cozumel and the ship. If you wish, you will have limited time to explore Cozumel before returning to the ship.
  • Mayan Ruins of Tulum / Xel-Ha (8½ hours) - About 80 miles south of Cancún, Tulum rises majestically from the top of a craggy cliff overlooking the Caribbean. These ruins are a remarkably well preserved ancient Mayan settlement of about 60 structures, the only walled Mayan settlement on Mexico's coast. A knowledgeable guide will lead you through the walled city built circa 1450, explaining the history of the grand temples, palaces and altars that were once the center of this advanced civilization. Next you will travel to Xel-Ha lagoon, one of the largest natural aquariums in the world. Here you will be able to explore a labyrinth of waterways and paths meandering through the tropical jungle. Swim, float or even snorkel along a cool river flowing through the mangroves. This unique park has snorkel gear and float rentals, changing facilities, lockers and a variety of gift shops.
  • Cozumel Island & Beach Tour (4 hours) - Begin your tour in the tiny town of San Miguel, where you will visit San Gervasio, A recently excavated Mayan ruin that was a holy place of pilgrimage for Mayan women worshipping the goddess of fertility. Wind along the coastal road around the east side of the island for an incomparable view of the wind-and sea-swept coast. As you return to the west side of the island, you will stop at one of Cozumel's pristine white sand beaches. Enjoy the sun and sand, and sip on a complimentary beverage.
  • Cozumel Island Folklore Show (3½ hours for ruins & show, 2 hours for show only) - Cozumel, one of Mexico's largest islands, is full of scintillating surprises. Drive through the small town of San Miguel and stop at the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio. This recently excavated, ten-acre site was an important pilgrimage center for Mayan women. Here they would spend a week worshipping and praying to Ixchel, goddess of fertility, for a normal births and a healthy babies. Next, you will stop at a local night club for a vivid song-and-dance journey into native Mexico. Enjoy a complimentary refreshment while colorfully-costumed dancers perform exotic and romantic steps illustrating the cultural beauty and diversity of the country. Enjoy the traditional sounds of the Mariachi music and the harmonious sound of the marimba (xylophone).
  • Dolphin Discovery (2½ hours) - This tour combines opportunity to spend some time snorkeling in famous Chankanaab National Marine park highlighted by a unique dolphin encounter experience. You will be greeted at the pier by staff and guided to the shuttle bus, which will transport you to the Dolphin Discovery Facility at Chankanaab Snorkeling Park. First, you will be guided to the dolphinarium for a short seminar presented by a qualified trainer which includes an educational video and hydrophonic sound that lets you hear the dolphins talking underwater. Next, you will be led in a small group to the interaction platforms and submerged so that you are right next to the dolphins. While on the platform and under trainer's supervision you will see close up the beauty and grace of these amazing animals. You will be able to touch the dolphin and watch spectacular behavior and abilities. Trainers will try to give every participant some memorable photo opportunities such as the Dolphin Kiss or a video of the whole experience. After the encounter you will have plenty of time to enjoy some snorkeling along the shoreline reef at Chankanaab Marine Park or if you prefer stroll along a botanical trail with Mayan cultural exhibits, a shipwreck museum, the inland lagoon, visit the souvenir shop or restaurant.
  • Ocean View Explorer (1½ hours) - The Mermaid will take you to the awesome underwater world of Cozumel, where you can see a great variety of colorful fish and magnificent coral formations. You will be able to admire these wonders in a comfortable air-conditioned 48-seat sub-see viewer. You will visit beautiful underwater reefs, an airplane wreck and other underwater points of interest.
  • Beach Party and Fiesta Boat (4 hours) - Join the excitement aboard the famous triple decker party boat, the most popular mexican party cruise. Enjoy complimentary tropical fruit punch or sodas along with live music that will soothe your senses and lift your spirits. Welcome the tantalizing breezes and warm glow of the sun as the fiesta takes you on a naturally exotic Caribbean voyage to Playa Sol, the most popular beach club in Cozumel. Playa sol invites you to embark on a magical journey in search of the ancient Mayan treasures that have made their home beneath the Caribbean's dephts, enjoy endless views of the famous Mayan remains of ancient murals, figures of famous gods and even aged sunken boats that live among nature's friendly colorful tropical fish. Also enjoy Playa Sol's other popular attractions that include a small tropical zoo with cozumel's native creatures, beautiful beaches, water skiing, jet skiing, the banana boat ride, diving, para sailing, volleyball and horseback riding. The fiesta party ends with a festive party scene, rum punch, margaritas, popular Mexican dances and entertaining games all the way back to the ship.
  • Mayan Frontier Horseback Riding (3½ hours) - Ride horseback through the tropical jungles of Cozumel and discover hidden surprises deep in their midst. You will pass a small, traditional Mayan town, complete with Mayan cemetery, coves and a cenote (water well). Observe the ruins and learn about the ecology of the region. Stop for an enjoyable visit at Cozumeleno Ranch, with its traditional main house and it's church, as well as paddocks and farmyards stocked with many animals. Enjoy a cold beer or soft drink at the cantina.
  • Island Adventure Party Cruise (4 hours) - Party with your shipmates on a private island beach. Begin with a short drive along Cozumel’s scenic coast. Enjoy island music and complimentary soft drinks along the way. Once you arrive, you can snorkel, play volleyball or just laze on a floating beach mat. Floats, soft drinks, local varieties of beer and margaritas are complimentary. You will return to the pier with plenty of time to enjoy Cozumel and its fabled shopping.
  • Passion Island Day Tour (5 hours) - Pass through historic San Miguel on your way to Isla Pasion, a picture-perfect island of white sandy beaches surrounded by turquoise waters. Your guide will tell you all about its history. You will have the opportunity to admire the lush, tropical greenery as well as some of the native animal life. At Bahia Ciega, you will board a catamaran or a canoe for your trip to Isla Pasion. Spend the rest of your day relaxing on a floating mat or in a hammock. You may choose to play a game of volleyball on the beach. The tour includes a delicious tropical buffet and an open bar with soda, beer, margaritas, rum punch, cuba libre and other domestic drinks.
  • Tropical Safari Jeep Tour (4 hours) - Discover the mysteries of the Mayan and Spanish cultures that shaped this island paradise. The excitement begins at the pier, as you board your very own Jeep. Drive through the town of San Miguel and continue to the east side of the island where endless stretches of white sandy beaches and breathtaking views of the Caribbean await. You will stop briefly at the La Palma ruins for an introduction to the mystical Mayan culture. Journey on to Xpalbarco Beach where you will have 1 1/2 hours to enjoy the Mexican sun and sand. Play volleyball, swim, walk along the breaking waves or just relax under the shade of an umbrella. A special lunch will be cooked and served on the beach. As you resume your drive back to the pier, you will smell the salty tropical breeze and feel the warm glow of the sun. Drink in the scenic views of the Caribbean - they are magnificent along this stretch of beach.
  • Cozumel Dive In / Dzul-Ha Snorkeling Tour (3 hours) - A short taxi ride down the coast will bring you to the uniquely-designed Dzul-Ha snorkeling center. A large wooden deck and ladders provide easy access to the water. The surrounding reef is shallow and an open window to the marine life below. Your Dive In instructors will take you on a guided tour and show you the incredible world under the sea. After the tour, enjoy refreshments and a freshwater rinse. You will return to the pier with plenty of time to explore the rest of Cozumel.
  • Cozumel Dive In / Columbia Reef Tour (3 hours) - See the reef that has made Cozumel the Caribbean’s premier dive destination. Cruise out to Palancar Reef, the second largest reef in the world, on a dive boat. Here you will drift over massive coral heads rising up from the sea floor. Swim among the towering coral columns, tunnels and canyons. You’ll see a wide variety of colorful fish including huge rainbow parrotfish that make the reef their home. Black and red coral, huge elephant ear sponges and barrel sponges can be found along the bottom. On the return trip, enjoy a soft drink and your offshore view of Cozumel’s beautiful, secluded beaches.
  • Cozumel Dive In / Palancar Reef Scuba Tour (3 hours) - Certified scuba divers will love the incredible Palancar Reef system, which is one of the largest reefs in the world. Your professional local operator will take you by boat out for a two-tank dive on this famous reef. Beautiful coral and sponge formations make up this reef. The local inhabitants include hundreds of fish from small tropical to huge grouper and parrotfish. It is not unusual to see stingrays and turtles on this scuba tour. Note: You will get back to the ship in plenty of time to shop or explore the rest of Cozumel.

Of course, we might also just do some exploring on our own.
If you've been to Cozumel and have suggestions for us, please share them!