Carnival Breeze Review Day 3 Part 1

Carnival Breeze 2021 4-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 3 Part 1   December 4, 2021 Cozumel, Mexico
Scheduled Arrival: 8:30am Scheduled Departure:   4:30pm
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Morning Walk Around The Carnival Breeze:
Once again, I woke up early before breakfast in order to have some time to walk around the ship before eating breakfast. I set my alarm for 5:45am and was out of my stateroom between 6:00 and 6:15am. Since breakfast was going to start a little earlier due to this being a port of call morning, I wanted to make sure I was done walking around in time to get to the buffet when it opened. I started my morning walk on the Lido Deck (Deck 10). The outside areas were empty as most guests were still sleeping or not yet out of their stateroom for the day.

Seating Outside The Blue Iguana Cantina

Carnival Breeze Lido Main Pool and Deck Chairs

Lido Deck Main Pool Area

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Carnival Breeze Lido Main Pool and Seaside Theater

Lido Main Pool & Seaside Theater

Lido Pool - Not Yet Open For The Day

Looking Up Towards The WaterWorks

The sun was beginning to rise as I walked around outside. I headed up to Decks 11 and 12 to get to a better place to try to get some pictures. On one side of the ship I was able to see the Mexico mainland in the distance. Cozumel was not yet able to be seen on the other side of the ship, but within an hour would be very visible.

Sunrise

Deck 11 - Seating Under A Covered Area & Color Changing Furniture

Mainland Mexico & Cancun Area In The Distance

Deck 12 - Looking Towards Back Of The Ship

Deck 12 - Jogging Track

Sunrise

Ropes Course & Sunrise In Background

Mini Golf Course

Mini Golf Putts & Balls

After walking around a little while on Deck 12, I walked up to Deck 15 to get some pictures of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat. I got a few on the first day of the cruise, but wanted to get a few more to include in this review. The Serenity Adults Only Retreat is for guests that are 21 and older only. The Serenity Adults Only Retreat consists of several deck chairs, clam shell chairs, hot-tub, and a bar area. Here are some pictures from Deck 15 and of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat:

View From Deck 15

Serenity Adults Only Retreat

I walked from Deck 15 down to Deck 5 to take a quick walk around the ship's interior spaces. I walked through the Deck 5 level of the atrium before heading back to the back of Deck 5. The atrium was quiet (as well as the whole deck as it was still early). The Fun Shops in the atrium were closed until the evening as the shops do not open while the ship is in port.

Atrium - View From Deck 5

Looking Down At The Atrium Lobby

Cherry On Top - Not Yet Open For The Day

The Ocean Plaza was empty and the Plaza Cafe had not yet opened for the day. Crew members were cleaning the Ocean Plaza windows and I was able to see cleaning was being done to the ship's outside decks. The crew members on the Carnival Breeze worked hard each day to keep the ship's interior and exterior clean.

Ocean Plaza Dancefloor & Stage

Plaza Cafe at the Ocean Plaza (Deck 5)

Promenade Walkway & Bonsai Sushi

As I continued to walk towards the back of Deck 5, I saw the Liquid Nightclub was open and empty. The Liquid Nightclub was used during the day by the art gallery and at night was the ship's nightclub. The middle of the Liquid Nightclub had a large dancefloor and the sides of the nightclub had seating. A bar counter was in one of the corners. Below are some pictures of the Liquid Nightclub:

Entrance to the Liquid Nightclub

DJ Station in the Liquid Nightclub

Bar Area In The Liquid Nightclub

Dance Floor In The Liquid Nightclub

Dance Floor in the Liquid Nightclub

When I reached the back of Deck 5 I walked through the Piano Bar 88. Here are some piano bar pictures:

Piano Bar 88 - Looking Towards The Promenade Walkway

Piano and Surrounding Bar Counter

Up Close View Of The Piano Performance Area & Seating

By the time I reached the very back of Deck 5, I had some some time to walk around before heading up to the back of Deck 10 for breakfast. I went back to the front of Deck 5 and then walked down to Deck 3. I stepped into the Ovation Theater as well as walked through the ship's atrium. A Gingerbread Christmas village had been constructed overnight and was displayed in the atrium lobby.

Ovation Theater - Deck 3 Level

Carnival Breeze Gingerbread Christmas Village

Christmas Village Made of Gingerbread in The Atrium Lobby

Atrium Lobby

Breakfast in the Lido Marketplace:
Since today was a port of call day the Lido Marketplace's scheduled breakfast time was a little earlier. I got some french toast, bacon, and potatoes from the main buffet line. Bacon was available on today's buffet since Carnival is doing alternating days of serving bacon. A crew member served the bacon and if a guest wanted more bacon it could be requested.
The continental breakfast buffet line was open from 6:00am until 10:30am. The Blue Iguana Cantina and main Lido breakfast buffet lines were open from 7:00am until 10:30am. The late risers buffet line was open from 10:30am until 12:00pm. For guests that did not want to eat in the buffet, the Blush Dining Room was open for Breakfast Open Seating from 7:30am until 9:30am. Another option available was the a continental breakfast that was served in the Ocean Plaza from 7:30am - 9:30am.

Here are some pictures of the Lido Marketplace main buffet line and some of the pastries available on the Continental Breakfast buffet line:

Main Lido Buffet Breakfast Line

Continental Breakfast Buffet Line Pastries

Arrival In Cozumel:
After breakfast I realized we were getting very close to Cozumel because I could see land from the side of the ship. I watched our Cozumel arrival from Deck 9 at the very front of the ship. As we approached Cozumel, the ship was moving very slow. The weather was very nice and the water was very calm. At this time of the morning, the clouds were scattered and the sun was shining brightly!
As we got closer to Cozumel I was able to see the Adventure of the Seas already docked. The Adventure of the Seas was docked at the International Pier and was going to travel back to Galveston to end its current cruise. The ship sails 4 and 5 night cruises from Galveston as well.
Today the Carnival Breeze was scheduled to dock at the Puerta Maya cruise complex. The Puerta Maya cruise complex is where most Carnival ships dock in Cozumel and has the ability to have three ships docked at once. Luckily we were the only cruise ship scheduled to dock at Puerta Maya for the day! This meant the Carnival Breeze's guests could enjoy the Puerta Maya cruise complex without having to deal with the crowding that typically happens when multiple ships are docked. Below are some pictures as we approached Cozumel and docked:

Cozumel In The Distance

View From Deck 9 - Cozumel In Distance

View From The Front As We Slowly Approached Cozumel

Pilot in Cozumel Approaching Carnival Breeze

Pilot Boat Approaching Carnival Breeze

Adventure of the Seas

Pilot Boat & View As We Approached Docking

View Of The Pier As We Docked

Looking Down At Puerta Maya Pier & The Complex

View As We Docked

When we got very close to docking I saw an ambulance coming down the pier. The paramedics waited until the ship docked and then they boarded the ship with a stretcher. I hope whoever the guest is that needed medical attention is doing better and recovering.

Ambulance Coming in Cozumel to Carnival Breeze

Ambulance Driving Down The Pier To Meet The Ship

Shops on the Pier -View From The Ship

Looking At The Shoreline In The Distance

Looking Towards The Pier & Buildings At Puerta Maya

Ship is docked alongside the pier!

View From The Front After We Docked

Lanai Outside Tables With Umbrellas

After watching the ship's arrival in Cozumel on the front of Deck 9, I was thirsty and wanted to get some water before getting ready to ashore. I went down to the Ocean Plaza on Deck 5 which was serving continental breakfast. Since a food line was open here, there was water and juice available. I got some water and then and sat outside under the covered part of the Lanai. During this time of sitting outside, an announcement was made by our cruise director, Erin, that guests were able to now get off the ship. A reminder was made about what time guests were required to get back on.
After drinking my cup of water, I took a quick walk around the Lanai and then headed back down to Deck 1 to get ready to go ashore. Here are some pictures I took while waking on the Lanai on Deck 5:

Carnival Breeze Red Frog Pub Outside Seating Area

Red Frog Pub Outside Seating Area on the Lanai

Deck 5 Lanai

View of the Adventure of the Seas & Cozumel From Deck 5

View From Deck 5 - Other Guests Walking Down The Pier

View Of Cozumel From Deck 5

Going Ashore To Cozumel:
We got off the ship approximately 45 minutes after the ship let guests off. When the ship first docked around 8:30am a long line formed along the stairwells because many guests were in a hurry to go on shore excursions. Around 9:15am, there was still a line to get off the ship but it was not as long as earlier in the morning. If you do not have to hurry to get off the ship I recommend waiting at least 45-60 minutes after people start getting off to avoid waiting. This will allow you to have a calmer morning without the hassle of waiting in line.
From the front elevator/stairwell area, we headed down to Deck 0. Normally Deck 0 is for crew members only, with the exception of guests that visit the ship's medical center. On Deck 0 a crew member was passing out shopping maps and coupons. We followed the crew member's instructions to get to the gangway. At the gangway there was a small but quick moving line and security scanned our Sail & Sign cards before we got off the ship. Masks were required in order to get off the ship. Further, signage indicated masks were required indoors and outdoors in Cozumel, but I saw many people not wearing a mask outside. The ship's photographers were taking pictures on the gangway, but we declined. Here are some pictures I took after initially getting off the ship:

Side View Of The Ship's Front From The Pier

Side View Of The Ship's Middle & Back From The Pier

Looking Up At The Ship's Many Balconies

Carnival Breeze Puerta Maya Pier Cozumel

View Of The Shoreline From The Pier As I Walked

The walk along the pier was nice. I enjoyed looking at the blue water and turning around to take pictures of the Carnival Breeze. After walking down the pier, it was time to enter the dreaded shopping building. On Puerta Maya's pier, the last part of the pier before getting to touch land is a long shop that all cruisers must walk through. Each cruise I strongly dislike this part of the pier and try to get through this area as quickly as possible. This shopping building sells a variety of different perfumes, jewelry, snacks, and souvenirs.
At the end of the pier, an agricultural inspection checkpoint was setup. People with bags, purses, or any type of item that could hold food were sent by local officials into an inspection line. Food sniffing dogs were present and each person had to set their bag on the floor. When food was found local officials confiscated it. I do not recommend attempting to bring food off the ship because you will very likely get caught!
TIP: Do not attempt to bring food off the ship. The food sniffing dogs did a good job and were catching people.

Puerta Maya Pier Pancho's Backyard Restaurant

Walking by Pancho's Backyard & Shops

Walking By Shops at Puerta Maya Pier

Nativity Scene at Puerta Maya Pier

The area around Puerta Maya was decorated for Christmas. A large Christmas tree & fake presents was setup as well as a nativity scene. I remember these Christmas decorations were up last time I was here in January 2020 so it almost felt like time hadn't passed.

Zoomed in View Of The Nativity Scene

Looking Towards Some Shops at Puerta Maya Pier

My plan for the morning was to leave Puerta Maya and cross the street to where more shops are located. As I walked towards the street within Puerta Maya I passed by the taxi pick-up area. Several taxis were waiting to take guests to various places on the island. Prices were based on the destination.

Hand Wash Station Outside

Area For Guests To Board or Get Off Taxis

Fountain

At the exit to Puerta Maya, a crossing guard was working directing traffic and pedestrians in order to allow cruisers to safely cross the street. When I got to the crossing I had to wait a few minutes, but the crossing guard stopped traffic once a few people were waiting to cross. Here are some pictures I took while outside of Puerta Maya:

Driveway Filled With Taxis At Puerta Maya

View Of The Street

View of the Street as I Crossed

Looking Back At Puerta Maya From Across The Street

Shopping Area

Large Cozumel Letters

Walking Along The Street Towards 7-Eleven

While walking around I came across a 7-Eleven. I went inside and bought a Coca-Cola to drink for some caffeine. It was made with real sugar and was very tasty! I have visited this 7-Eleven the past several cruises and it was become a Cozumel tradition to stop by 7-Eleven to buy a glass bottled Coca-Cola. The prices inside were in pesos and after asking how much in US dollars, it cost a $1.00. I took my glass bottled coke and found a place to sit at the Royal Village Shopping Center which is located close to the 7-Eleven. There was a mix of shops that were open and closed at this shopping center. Here are some pictures taken around the Royal Village Shopping Center:

Royal Village Shopping Center

Walking Right Outside The Royal Village Shopping Center

Royal Village Shopping Center

View From Across The Street

Alley of Shops & Small Pyramid (Great For Pictures)

Small Pyramid & Cozumel Letters At End of Alley

Shops

Walking Along The Street Back to Puerta Maya

After walking around outside Puerta Maya, I was ready to start making my way back to the ship. At the entrance of Puerta Maya an employee was standing offering hand sanitizer to guests re-entering the complex. Once I was back inside Puerta Maya I started looking for the Mayan Fiesta Rum Cake Co. to buy some rum cakes. That was going to be my last stop before getting back on the ship because I didn't want to carry the rum cakes for too long. Here are some pictures as I walked around Puerta Maya:

Re-Entering Puerta Maya

Puerta Maya - Door Had An Old Picture of Fantasy Class Ships

Shops at Puerta Maya

Sign Welcoming Carnival Breeze Passengers

Shops at Puerta Maya

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Carnival Breeze Fun Fact #4:
The Carnival Breeze's atrium starts on Deck 2 and goes up to Deck 12. There are 4 glass elevators that go up and down the atrium. The glass elevators are an enjoyable ride, especially if you want to look down at the atrium as the elevator moves.

Next Part Now Posted: Day 3 Part 2's Review
Day 3 Part 2 includes more Cozumel pictures, lunch, dinner, and some pictures around the ship.
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