Cozumel Port Review — A Day Ashore on Celebrity Xcel
Taking the preview cruise with Celebrity on their brand new ship Xcel from Fort Lauderdale, in a way the destination was secondary (it was all about experiencing the ship over this 4-night cruise), but I was still interested to see a different part of Mexico — Cozumel. Cozumel is an island off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, just across from Playa del Carmen and a short ferry ride from the mainland resort town. It’s surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and known for its coral reefs, relaxed pace, and colourful marine life. Most visitors arrive either by cruise ship, or by flying into nearby Cancún International Airport and connecting via a quick 40-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen, or a domestic flight directly to Cozumel International Airport (CZM).
Arriving in Cozumel
There were various options on the island offered by Celebrity, all at additional cost, including I believe a trip across to the mainland of Mexico to see the ruins at Chichen Itza etc. but for me the only plan was to see the process for disembarking and to check out the downtown area of Cozumel, which I knew to be about an hour’s walk into Centro San Miguel de Cozumel from the main International Cruise Terminal but there also seemed to be another Cruise Terminal (& Shopping Center) nearer downtown at Punta Langosta. There was also the Quinta Roo terminal right in the centre, for the boats across to Playa del Carmen.
Getting Ashore
Although I realised I had arrived without any Mexican Pesos, I changed some dollars at Guest Services on the ship, small notes so that I would be prepared for a taxi fare into town. It was so easy to get off the ship from the Destination Gateway area on deck 2, with a quick scan of my SeaPass. There was a board showing that the return time had to be 7pm for crew, and 7:30pm for passengers to be “all aboard”. Once off, it was a short walk across the dock (remember, watch out and keep behind the painted red lines) and then through the obligatory shopping complex before I could get to the taxi rank. I asked how much into town, and the driver said $10 which seemed fair, and as expected.
Exploring Downtown Cozumel
I hadn’t expected much from Cozumel, but what there was certainly fell short of even low expectations. To be fair the weather wasn’t amazing (still hot, but overcast and a bit blustery) and it was earlyish in the morning so not all shops were open, but overall it felt quite depressing. In the main the shops were either tourist tatt (t-shirts, gifts, toys etc.) or tequila/mezcal, or which really took me by surprise (and what there seemed to be most of) were chemists advertising all sorts of (normally prescription) drugs being sold at discount and without a prescription. They were everywhere, and loads and loads of them. I even, when passing an organised walking tour, heard the guide bestowing this as one of the highlights of Cozumel, albeit he did acknowledge that while the drugs were legitimate and high quality, there would be no assessment of the suitability for you!
There were quite a few jewellery stores too, and some ceramics/masks/artisanal crafts, but all quite touristy and the extent of my purchases in Cozumel was a hot chocolate from one of the two Starbucks I saw, only to use the bathroom and then finding out it was out of order!
I decided to walk back to the ship along the waterfront, which was really easy and took just over an hour, albeit I did stop in a few places and there was one street just beyond the Punta Langosta shopping center which had two lanes of more traditional shops. This was probably the most interesting area of Cozumel, and although the sales pressure from locals was there, it wasn’t extreme as it can be in some places. Going back I did see what looked like a really well done tequila tasting room right on the water - I couldn’t see any signs but I think it was this.
There are obviously a lot of hotels on Cozumel, but none really that I think I would want to come back to - certainly no high end options like Aman, Four Seasons, Six Senses or the quality that there is on the mainland adjacent, like Hotel Esencia, Chablé Maroma, Belmond etc. Towards the main international port there were some larger hotels there and another shopping complex (the Royal Village Shopping Center) but seeming to sell just the same tourist items and essentials that you might need coming off a cruise, and in between there and the downtown area there was a very large hyper/super market too.
Things to Do in Cozumel
When I look up things to do in Cozumel, this is what comes up:
Snorkelling & Diving the Mesoamerican Reef
Relax at a Private Beach Club
Explore Chankanaab Park
Visit San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
Discover Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
Downtown San Miguel de Cozumel
Catamaran or Yacht Charter
Tequila & Chocolate Tastings
Cozumel Pearl Farm
Cozumel Country Club Golf Course
Bonus:
– Day Passes at Top Resorts
– Private Jeep Island Tours
– Luxury Spa Experiences
I’m sure the island looks completely different in glorious sunshine, and there was also a trolley tour I saw going around, albeit the website seems to be a bit odd.
For me, the downtown area was beyond disappointing, and I had no desire to stock up on prescription drugs without a prescription, despite the numerous offers walking around town. The trip had all been about the Celebrity Cruise, and it was great to get full views of the Xcel ship when walking back. Back at the cruise terminal, it was a very simple process — my SeaPass was just checked at the entrance, and then you make your way through the obligatory row of jewellery stores and other shops (and a couple of large bars) before another cursory check at the start of the dock to the ship. Overall this port area felt very run down too, and the highlight was really getting back on board - a quick scan (this time) of my SeaPass and I was given a great welcome back on board by Celebrity staff.
Final Thoughts on Cozumel
All in all, I would completely give Cozumel a miss, I’ve seen it once and nothing really I would want to see again. Like another couple I spoke to on ship, who said they’d been to Cozumel before, they weren’t even planning on getting off the ship and now I can see why.
I’ve already written a first blog about my initial impressions of Celebrity Xcel which you can find here, as well as the itinerary I created for the whole trip. Look out for further posts, and a full cruise review.
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