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Sometimes life lessons come when you least expect them. Mine came while snorkeling in Cozumel, Mexico as part of a cruise excursion. Snorkeling may be easy for some, but not for me.
If you told me I would do such a thing a few years ago, I would have been very skeptical. While I can swim, I’m not a fan of beaches, or ocean water. I resist putting my face and head under water. I tend to do worst case scenarios, too. (As in shark, or Barracuda.)
While I’m not exactly working on a bucket list, I am plucking up my courage to overcome some of my reticence about things not in my comfort level.
After looking over the list of available excursions while our cruise ship docked in Cozumel, it was more my choice, than my husband’s. The description explained that we would be on a glass bottomed boat. I figured that if I really had misgivings about snorkeling, that I could still see sea life while on the boat. It turned out that we could also see fish while walking along the pier from the ship.
Booking the Cruise was “Rewarding” in more ways than one
My husband is a member of the Choice Hotels Choice Privileges Rewards Program. He had received an email with a cruise promotion through Cruises for Choice Privileges. For his birthday we decided to book a cruise on Carnival as the price was competitive, plus we would receive rewards. We will definitely use the rewards on our hotel stays. Plus we would receive other rewards with our credit card. Seemed a double win.
How we found the snorkeling excursion
Once we booked the cruise, we also received notices about excursions that we could book through Choice Privileges, rather than through the cruise lines. After mulling over the choices and prices, we chose a combo “adventure” in Cozumel: Reef Snorkel and Beach Break, which included a boat ride, snorkeling, refreshments on the boat, and time at a beach resort after the boat ride. According to the description we could enjoy a fresh-water pool, showers, beach lounge chairs and ambient music after snorkeling. All this was about half of the price of a different snorkeling excursion offered through the cruise line. Although we left the “safety net” of booking through Carnival, we thought if it didn’t work out, we wouldn’t lose much.
Making the Snorkeling Excursion Connection
As our excursion was in the afternoon and we docked in Cozumel in the morning, we had plenty of time to do some exploring and locate where we needed to be for the snorkeling. Printed tickets and directions in hand, we took our time walking through the port area and resisting the calls from the salespeople trying to get us into their shops.
We missed a turn, but someone at the visitors center booth near the pier got us on track. We also checked to make sure our watches were in sync with local time. Someone had told us that Cozumel was an hour ahead, but that wasn’t the case when we were there.
Per the directions, it was a 10 – 15 minute walk from the pier, once we knew where we were going. It turned out that, due to it’s height, we could see the hotel/resort, El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel due North and left, pretty much the whole way. Along the way we got a taste of Cozumel traffic, which was brisk, with lots of scooters, taxis and tour vans, and the occasional horse and carriage rides.
We reached the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel in about 10 minutes and found where to check in, which was out front. Everyone was very friendly and we felt comfortable. As it was still before noon, and the excursion wasn’t until 2:30, we decided to wander. We walked back along the other side of the street, which was lined with restaurants and shops with more sales people vying for our attention.
A Snorkeling we will go
We ambled back to El Cid La Ceiba when it was close to time for our boat ride. We were warmly greeted and given arm bands which gave us free access to the resort’s amenities once the snorkeling and boat ride was over. While we were told to put on sun block, we were cautioned to use it sparingly and only on our head and arms, as it can affect the coral they have been trying to protect. We were glad that we had some cash with us as they collect a $5 per person pier and Marine Park fee and it has to be in cash. (I had forgotten about that and it was a bit buried in the instructions.)
In the description of the snorkeling excursion, the literature said they tried to keep to under 75% capacity for best enjoyment. Well, it turned out that there was only one other couple going. Feeling almost like we had a private charter, we set off. We were offered drinks as we made our way to our first stop. A woman named Mari and a gentleman we called “Bro” equipped us with flotation vests, masks, snorkles, and flippers. If ever I wore flippers, it may have been when I was a kid. I decided to just go with the flow. We went to the end of the boat. Mari said, just hold onto your mask and step off, and so I did.
Wow! After the cool and cold waters of New England, the warm water was a surprise. And a happy one. The salt water is so much easier to float on. After blowing the water out of my snorkel after bobbing to the surface and getting the hang of breathing through my mouth, I put my head in the water and started floating among the gentle waves. Bro was in the water nearby with a life preserver to assist and guide us.
Maybe because there weren’t many of us, fish appeared and kept swimming by. Small, and medium, colorful and some not so colorful. Slowly moving along the surface, I could see to the bottom which had a variety of plants and coral with fish gliding in and around them. And there were so many different fish to see. Just when I thought I was starting to just see repeats, I’d see yet another different one. And different plants, too.
All of a sudden Bro got very excited. Slowly and majestically, three rays, he called eagle rays, appeared making their way across the bottom of the ocean beneath us. Magic!
It was also neat to see the other people submersed in the water. The sunlight shining through the beautiful blue water and their swim suits and flippers lent color to the scene. It’s one thing to see a photo or video, but to actually live it! Awesome!
We gradually returned to the boat and Mari offered us drinks: water, iced tea or Coke while the boat moved to another area. This time I had no hesitation at all stepping off of the boat. I was more relaxed while floating and slowly moving among the waves to see even more fish and plant life. After a while, Bro said we are going to swim over to a deeper part. I followed him and saw how the bottom changed and dropped off quite a bit. More to see. Suddenly Bro was excited again, as an eagle ray glided below. Another excursions boat, loaded with passengers had come by and he was calling out to their excursion leaders about the eagle ray. As he was doing that, I looked around and noticed that I was the only passenger from our boat in the water, so they missed out.
Before we headed back to the dock, the crew offered to wash the salt water off, and drinks were handed around. They had Corona beer in smaller bottles. Kind of cute.
Back at the resort there were restrooms conveniently located as we left the dock and walked towards the resort. The El Cid resort was right on the water and had a white sandy beach. There were plenty of lounge chairs with palm trees and thatched umbrellas for shade scattered among them. We could swim in the ocean or the pool, or make use of the hot tub. Some people were jumping off the dock.
We eventually found our way to a table with an umbrella poolside that was also overlooking the ocean. It was near their open air bar and restaurant. We took advantage of the Happy Hour specials and tried some of the frozen tropical drinks, which were 2 for $5. Not a whole lot of alcohol but tasty and fine for the price. We enjoyed the view and the warm breezes and the relaxing atmosphere. It was a little overcast and there were a few raindrops here and there, but not enough to make us move under cover.
Things to know about the snorkeling part of the excursion:
Why choose this excursion with Safe Snorkeling Cozumel:
- Cruise along Cozumel’s coastline aboard a glass bottom boat
- Ideal for first-time visitors with limited time – about 2 hours and not far from most cruise ships
- Snorkel at underwater reefs with a guide; snorkeling equipment included
- Beautiful and clear waters
- Interesting vegetation along the bottom with the Minecraft wireframes for reef restoration
- Beer, soft drinks, and bottled water included
- Glass bottomed boat allows those who don’t go in the water to enjoy the sea life
- Choose from multiple departure times to easily fit this tour into your schedule
- Departs from a well-maintained shore side hotel with convenient restrooms near the dock
- The meeting point is walking distance for most of the Cruise ship passengers (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and others)
- You can take a pedal car or horse and carriage or taxi for a quick tour of nearby sights before going to the meeting point to avoid walking in the heat.
- Because the meeting point is relatively close to where the cruise ships dock, you don’t lose a lot of your shore time getting there.
- Most travelers can participate (Minimum age 5 to be on boat. Ages 8 to 65 can snorkel.)
Important details:
- Confirmation at time of booking
- Maximum age to participate is 65.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Guests with asthma, diabetes and/or epilepsy will be unable to snorkel.
- This tour is not suitable for people with difficulties being in enclosed spaces.
- A minimum of 2 adults per booking
- Arrive 30 minutes before the departure time
- Recommended items: shoes that can get wet, biodegradable sunscreen, bathing suit under clothes, extra t-shirt to protect yourself while swimming, towel and dry changing clothes
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- $5 USD cash fee per passenger for the pier and Marine Park fees
- Near public transportation
- If you are coming from mainland or your cruise ship will dock in downtown (NCL, Disney, MSC and others), you may need to use a taxi
- This experience requires good weather. If poor weather, you can select a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
What we didn’t know:
What wasn’t clear from the description was that where we were to check in for the snorkeling excursion was also where we would be spending the beach resort part of the excursion. We might have planned our day a little differently. Also, we hadn’t noticed the maximum age. No one asked our ages, but you don’t want to be disappointed.
According to some reviews we found when we returned home was that you can buy an all day pass at El Cid La Ceiba for around $22 per person. The pass includes a meal credit in the restaurant and snorkeling gear in addition to using the beachfront facilities, pool, and hot tub. You can use the credit to have the bar staff deliver your drinks to you as you enjoy the beach and lounge chairs.
Cozumel uses flat rates, based on the number of people for taxi rides from the piers to points of interest. If we had known a little more about where some of the local attractions were we might have taken a pedal taxi or horse and carriage ride or taxi there and then to El Cid La Ceiba for our snorkeling excursion.
It’s important to carry cash, especially small bills. The restaurants and bars prefer cash, and you need it to pay for the $5 pier and Marine Park fee. We had forgotten about that fee. Luckily we had enough cash to pay it, with a bit left over for a tip for the boat crew. Some of the smaller vendors may not take cash. It’s also safer than using a credit card.
Puerta Maya, where our cruise ship docked, has its own small beach with complimentary beach chairs under palm trees.
What we learned about booking excursions:
Do more research. We were stuck on thinking of booking either through Carnival or the Choice Rewards program instead of casting a wider net. The couple on the snorkeling boat said that they booked it through Expedia.
When you do book, then research where you are going. Then, you will know more about the place that you are going, what you might need, and what to expect. You may find details that will add to your experience and reduce any anxiety or regrets.
What I learned from snorkeling:
Don’t think too much. (about jumping into strange waters.) They are warm, buoyant and will lift you up.
Follow simple directions.
Put on or gather the simple tools needed: flippers and mask. (Or, for example, computer and software)
Hold onto the mask. (Your inner self.)
Step off the boat. (Start your project.)
Relax and bob/float to the surface. (Clear your mind of fears.)
Blow out the sea water/impediments out of your snorkel. (Ignore small distractions.)
Put your head in the water and start to breath naturally. (Proceed with your project. You can go back and make corrections later.)
Relax and float naturally. (Relax and go with your flow. Let your instincts lead you to new discoveries.)
Look around slowly and carefully appreciating small details and not just looking for big “wow’s. (Keep going with sometimes less fun tasks that will still create satisfaction along the way to achieving a goal. Like all the mundane steps it took to get man on the moon. They had to be done.)
Let things flow or swim to you. (Wait, relax and let ideas come to you without struggling or flailing.)
When one area has been explored, move to the next and give yourself time to absorb and appreciate details. (Moving too quickly, or expecting quick results can make for missing the best moments.)
Patience and different vantage point can bring an “aha” moment. (Not giving up and trying another approach can bring unexpected rewards.)
Photos or videos are no replacement for the actual experience. (Get out of your comfort zone and try new things.)
Now, mind you, there are many things that I still never, ever want to do, like skydiving, or eating things like cockroaches or other such exotic foods. Snorkeling has definitely changed my viewpoint about trying new experiences.
