Day 132: Cozumel

I had free WiFi while on the beach today, and you know what that means...stream of consciousness photo uploading. I didn't have enough shade to determine the quality of any individual photo over another, so it was just point and click, then upload, all day long. Hopefully they will suffice in lieu of words after a long but perfect day. 

We had a wonderful, truly fantastic sleep on the new linens. These seem as luxurious as what is found in high end hotels, not that I frequent high end hotels, but I've seen photos online. ;-) G observed that we had slept with "one tucked and one untucked" (anyone remember that Seinfeld episode?) and it showed this morning. He had untucked everything and woke to find that top-most cover on the floor and his duvet floating about uncovered. I had left just one bottom corner tucked in and it seemed to make all the difference. 

After stopping by the International Cafe for hot chocolate and decaf coffee to go, we had a quick breakfast in the DaVinci Dining Room (oranges and papaya and an egg white veggie omelet today) and returned to our cabin to gather up things for a simple beach day. The weather did not look promising (still...again...yet), but we overheard a fellow passenger at the next table say she had checked the hourly forecast online and the afternoon would be mostly sunny. Beggars can't be choosers, and we have been lowered to the point of begging lately when it comes to the weather. 

There was already another cruise ship, an Aida cruise line ship, at the Puerto Maya pier when the Emerald Princess arrived.  Aida is a German cruise line, and I always enjoy seeing the hammocks they have on their balconies and also the bikes they have available for passenger use. We walked though the long series of shops on the pier, and then through the shopping area to get to the taxi stand in front of the port. 

I have never bought cigarettes, and don't pay much attention to the packaging of them, but is this how it is at home, too?  Hard to miss this message...

To be fair, we need that on more things. Twinkies, ice cream, La Z Boy chairs. You know, this food, or excessive sitting on your behind will kill you. 

They make on board times very clear at Puerta Maya. I bet they've had countless issues in the past with people missing their ship.

Taxi fares from the Puerta Maya pier

Our plan for today was to go to Paradise Beach, south of where the cruise ship docks on Cozumel. We connected with another couple also going there, and split the $15 taxi fare. Unlike Nachi Cocum (which is even further south). Paradise Beach is not all inclusive. There is a $3pp charge to rent chairs and umbrella and use the beach and pool, and, in return, each person must buy at least $10 of food or beverages. The resort is beautiful, very well maintained and clean. Though the pool does not have a swim up bar, it does feature tanning ledges and is less than 4 feet deep, making it great for families.

We headed right to the beach, and the sand was recently raked and in better shape than the beach at Nachi Cocum. There were plenty of chairs and umbrellas, and some were closer to the music and others further away. We chose chairs further away (I am getting very tired of listening to constant playlists not of my choosing). The water itself was marginal, very rocky and sea grass-y, but at least the wind was kind today and it wasn't too rough. 

Paradise Beach features numerous optional water toys including kayaks and stand up paddleboards for an additional $18pp. These were a huge draw for families.

There were also snorkel trips offered that left from a pier right off the beach.

I didn't take photos of the food and bar menu (I'm sure it's available online) but loved the artwork on the front of the menu. 

Beers were $4.50 and most alcoholic beverage were $8.50, though there were a fewspecials for $5.75. We purchased a beer, a rum punch and nachos and gaucamole and met our $20 commitment.

The day was at first mostly sunny, then it clouded over and rained for about 30 minutes before the sun returned for good. It was actually the best beach weather we've had since three cruises ago when we last went to the Western Caribbean. 

Keeping with tradition, I got another henna tattoo that should last 2-3 weeks. It was still wet here, but dried to be just perfect.

The water temp in the ocean was 78F, and I spent a lot of time playing in the waves. Eventually we left the beach and settled by the pool, where the water temp was a perfect 86F. About 3:30pm, we shared a taxi back to the pier with a family of 6, and, for the first time since it was under construction last year, saw a third ship, the Carnival Elation, at the newly extended pier. There was also at least one ship docked downtown in San Miguel. 

We had just enough time to get cleaned up for the evening and briefly go to Skywalkers to watch sailaway.at 5pm. The Emerald Princess headed southwest until it was midway between Cozumel and mainland Mexico and then turned almost due south. From our port side table at dinner, we had a great view of the familiar southern end of Cozumel. It was Italian night, and I enjoyed a salad and penne arribiata with chicken strips. 

Cruising overnight toward our next port of call at Costa Maya only requires the ship to go about 11 knots per hour

The Most Traveled Passengers cocktail party for this cruise was held at 7pm in the Adagio Lounge (cutoff was 281 Princess days). It was fun to see some familiar faces as the same people tend to cruise at the same time every year. We swung back to the Piazza at 8:45pm to watch a brief juggling performance but skipped the comedian performing in the Princess Theater. We have another early arrival tomorrow and today's beach time was catching up with us.