Day Seventy Five - March 21

Arrival time in Cozumel was 07:00 with departure at 18:00.

Cozumel is an island located across from the Yucatan Peninsula. Its population is roughly 100,000 with tourism the main industry. The island is also famous for its reef below the water which attracts many divers to the area. In order to protect the reef and its sealife below, the Mexican govenment has preserved it by forming the 'Cozumel Reef National Marine Park'.

Our cruise docked at the downtown pier away from the other three big ships in for the day.

Those ships included RCCL Adventure of the Seas which we saw in Costa Maya, RCCL Brilliance of the Seas (full capacity of 2,543 passengers is on a five day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa) and Carnival's Mardi Gras (full capacity of 6,630 passengers and is on an eight day cruise out of Port Canaveral). The Carnival even has a roller coaster on the top deck. No thank you!!

Again we were required to walk the long pier to get to the shops and taxis. A small mall including souvenirs, jewelry and restaurants awaited us. Luckily, we are both past this shopping stage.

For our last day, Janice and I decided on a quiet beach with a long shoreline. Looking at the information provided by destination services we chose Playa San Francisco Beach Club which stated a family friendly beach club. That should have been an indication for us.

Well one out of two was not bad. The shoreline was long but seaweed made its presence in most areas.

Each beach club required an entrance fee that allowed you access to the facilities, a lounge chair and an umbrella. They are all squeased together so quiet left the building. With all the cruise ships in port these beach clubs were very crowded. On one side of us there was sixteen (by my count) or seventeen (Janice's count) people. A mother, her four daughters and the grand children. On the other side of us was a mother celebrating her birthday with her teenage son who was very embarassed as she was pretty drunk and hitting up all the mexican vendors. So we had free entertainment!!

Well we did end up staying three hours before returning to the ship to listen to our second Mariachi band on this cruise. One of the dancers had Janice on the dance floor with her. I have the photos.

We hosted our third cocktail party in our stateroom this evening with our friends Keith, Ilona, Diana, Ron and Heddie. Heddie was travelling by herself and will be leaving in Miami to return to Manitoba. Janice and I will visit her when we go to Winnipeg in the summer. She was a lovely lady whom we will miss.

The cocktail of the Day was a Rob Roy - Scotch and Sweet Vermouth

Tomorrow is a Sea Day as the distance to Miami from Cozumel is 525 nautical miles.