Carnival Valor 2018 5-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 4 Part 1 July 3, 2018 Cozumel, Mexico
Scheduled Arrival: 9:00am Scheduled Departure: 6:00pm
Actual Arrival: 9:45am
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Day 4 Part 1 July 3, 2018 Cozumel, Mexico
Scheduled Arrival: 9:00am Scheduled Departure: 6:00pm
Actual Arrival: 9:45am
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Pre-Breakfast Morning Walk Around The Carnival Valor:
Once again, before breakfast I wanted to take a walk around the Carnival Valor. On this particular morning, I woke up before 6:00am to get ready for a walk around the ship. My walk for this morning started at the back of the Promenade Deck (5). I walked throughout most of the ship's public areas on Deck 5. Since today is a port of call day's review, I will not be focusing on my morning walk. Instead, I will include a few pictures of areas I do not feel like I have highlighted enough yet in this review.
Here are some pictures of the ship's One Small Step Dance Club:
Once again, before breakfast I wanted to take a walk around the Carnival Valor. On this particular morning, I woke up before 6:00am to get ready for a walk around the ship. My walk for this morning started at the back of the Promenade Deck (5). I walked throughout most of the ship's public areas on Deck 5. Since today is a port of call day's review, I will not be focusing on my morning walk. Instead, I will include a few pictures of areas I do not feel like I have highlighted enough yet in this review.
Here are some pictures of the ship's One Small Step Dance Club:
One Small Step Dance Club - Dance Floor
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Seating and Small Tables Throughout The Lounge
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Closer View Of A Table With Chars
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This morning was my first time visiting the Carnival Valor's arcade this cruise. The arcade is located close to the back of the Carnival Valor's Promenade (right by the entrance to the One Small Step Dance Club). Please note, the arcade games/machines are not included in the price of the cruise. The price of the arcade games can vary depending on the machine. There are a variety of different arcade game machines in the Carnival Valor's arcade.
Arcade - Variety of Different Machines & Games
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Arcade - Variety of Different Machines & Games
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Arcade - Variety of Different Machines & Games
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Arcade - Variety of Different Machines & Games
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Arcade - Variety of Different Machines & Games
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Arcade - Variety of Different Machines & Games
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While on the Promenade Deck, we walked by the ship's tracker. The tracker showed the Carnival Valor was still a few hours away from Cozumel. I had a feeling we were not going to arrive at Cozumel on-time, but I wasn't too sure because it was still early in the morning and the ship still had several hours until it was supposed to dock.
Ship's Location - En Route To Cozumel
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Promenade Walkway
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Flag Hanging In The Atrium - View From Deck 5
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After walking around the Promenade Deck we headed up to the Lido Deck. The pool was still closed and almost all of the deck chairs were empty at this time of the morning.
Lido Deck Pool Area
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Lido Deck Main Pool
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View From Deck 10
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I did not stay on the Lido Deck long because I wanted to keep moving around the ship for breakfast. I walked up to Deck 10 and worked my way up to Deck 14.
Ship's Waterslide Landing - On Deck 10
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Deck 10 Pool - Right By Waterslide Landing
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Deck Chairs
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Hottub
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View From Deck 14
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Ship's Coin - Located On Deck 14
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Deck 14 - Looking Towards Waterslide Entrance
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Looking Down At Area Closed For Deck Replacement
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Morning's Sunrise
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Breakfast in Rosie's Lido Buffet:
Although today was a port of call day breakfast, I did not expect the buffet to be too busy since our Cozumel arrival was scheduled for 9:00am. Rosie's served continental breakfast from 6:30am - 10:00am and the general breakfast buffet lines were open from 7:00am through 10:30am. The Blue Iguana Cantina served breakfast tacos and burritos from 7:00am - 10:30am too. For cruisers that wanted to eat in the dining room, the Washington Dining Room was having open seating from 7:30am - 9:30am. For late risers, Rosie's was serving a late risers breakfast buffet from 10:00am - 12:00pm. I took some pictures of the breakfast buffet lines to show what types of food were available during my cruise.
NOTE: The daily Fun-Times Activity Newsletter said the buffet lines in Rosie's did not open until 7:30am. However, one main breakfast buffet line and one omelet station line were open at 7:00am.
Although today was a port of call day breakfast, I did not expect the buffet to be too busy since our Cozumel arrival was scheduled for 9:00am. Rosie's served continental breakfast from 6:30am - 10:00am and the general breakfast buffet lines were open from 7:00am through 10:30am. The Blue Iguana Cantina served breakfast tacos and burritos from 7:00am - 10:30am too. For cruisers that wanted to eat in the dining room, the Washington Dining Room was having open seating from 7:30am - 9:30am. For late risers, Rosie's was serving a late risers breakfast buffet from 10:00am - 12:00pm. I took some pictures of the breakfast buffet lines to show what types of food were available during my cruise.
NOTE: The daily Fun-Times Activity Newsletter said the buffet lines in Rosie's did not open until 7:30am. However, one main breakfast buffet line and one omelet station line were open at 7:00am.
Lido Buffet Breakfast Buffet
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Lido Buffet Breakfast Buffet
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Lido Buffet Breakfast Buffet
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Lido Buffet Breakfast Buffet
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Lido Buffet Breakfast Buffet
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Lido Buffet Breakfast Buffet
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Arrival & Docking In Cozumel, Mexico:
On our first sea day, after the medical evacuation, we were told we would dock at Punta Langosta instead of Puerta Maya. However, the night before our Cozumel arrival the ship was given clearance to dock at Puerta Maya. This was exciting news because I like Puerta Maya. This pier is affiliated with Carnival Corporation and typically Carnival ships will dock here. Today the Carnival Miracle and Carnival Dream were docked at Puerta Maya. I have cruised on both of these ships in the past. In 2013 I cruised on the Carnival Miracle to Alaska and in 2014 cruised on the Carnival Dream to the Bahamas. In 2019, the Carnival Dream will be replacing the Carnival Valor in Galveston as the 4 & 5 night cruise ship. Seeing both of these ships brought back great memories of past cruises. The Carnival Fantasy was docked at Punta Langosta which is near Downtown Cozumel. Due to the Carnival Valor's itinerary change, the Carnival Fantasy received a change in pier assignment because Puerta Maya can only have three cruise ships docked.
Our scheduled arrival time was 9:00am. However, the Carnival Valor was not in the process of docking until 9:45am. Guests did not get to go ashore until around 10:00am. An announcement about this delay was made, but no reason for the delay was given. Although we were delayed, I still enjoyed watching the Carnival Valor arrive in Cozumel. Here are some pictures of our Cozumel arrival:
On our first sea day, after the medical evacuation, we were told we would dock at Punta Langosta instead of Puerta Maya. However, the night before our Cozumel arrival the ship was given clearance to dock at Puerta Maya. This was exciting news because I like Puerta Maya. This pier is affiliated with Carnival Corporation and typically Carnival ships will dock here. Today the Carnival Miracle and Carnival Dream were docked at Puerta Maya. I have cruised on both of these ships in the past. In 2013 I cruised on the Carnival Miracle to Alaska and in 2014 cruised on the Carnival Dream to the Bahamas. In 2019, the Carnival Dream will be replacing the Carnival Valor in Galveston as the 4 & 5 night cruise ship. Seeing both of these ships brought back great memories of past cruises. The Carnival Fantasy was docked at Punta Langosta which is near Downtown Cozumel. Due to the Carnival Valor's itinerary change, the Carnival Fantasy received a change in pier assignment because Puerta Maya can only have three cruise ships docked.
Our scheduled arrival time was 9:00am. However, the Carnival Valor was not in the process of docking until 9:45am. Guests did not get to go ashore until around 10:00am. An announcement about this delay was made, but no reason for the delay was given. Although we were delayed, I still enjoyed watching the Carnival Valor arrive in Cozumel. Here are some pictures of our Cozumel arrival:
Approaching Cozumel - Buildings In The Distance
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Approaching Cozumel - Buildings In The Distance
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Carnival Miracle & Carnival Dream In The Distance
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Carnival Fantasy At Punta Langosta
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Pilot Boat
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Pilot Boat Alongside The Carnival Valor
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View From The Ship's Front As We Got Closer To Docking
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Carnival Miracle & Carnival Dream At Puerta Maya
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Carnival Dream
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Carnival Miracle's Aft
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Getting Closer To The Pier
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Almost Docked
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View Of Puerta Maya & The Pier
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Looking Down At The Shops & Bars
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Pier Workers Getting Ready To Tie The Ship Up
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Cozumel
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Carnival Miracle
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View From Our Balcony - Nobody On The Pier Yet
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Deck 0 - Roped Off Crew Only Area
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Crew Stairwell - Leads To Deck A
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Elevator Area
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Getting Off The Ship To Go To Cozumel:
Around 10:15am, we decided to get off the ship. Before we were docked an announcement regarding the location of the gangways and how to get to the gangway was made. Essentially, it was the same announcement as Progreso day. Cruisers were told not to take the elevators to Deck 0. Instead, stairwells were supposed to be used. One elevator was being operated by a crew member to help those who cannot take stairs down to Deck 0. Yesterday, we tried using the mid-ship gangway to get off, but no crew member was around to direct us. On this day we tried again and a crew member was standing on Deck 1 to direct people down a crew only stairwell to Deck 0. The line was long and took about 10 minutes to get off the ship. Most people were patient, but some people became tired of waiting in line. After going down a crew stairwell from Deck 1 to Deck 0, we waited in line to have our Sail & Sign cards scanned by security. There were some people that did not have their Sail & Sign card ready and this made the line take longer. However, the main cause of the slow line to get off was the ship's photographers on the gangway. When our turn came to get a photo we declined and moved on.
After getting off, it was time to walk down the pier. I enjoyed taking some pictures of the ship as I walked into Cozumel:
Around 10:15am, we decided to get off the ship. Before we were docked an announcement regarding the location of the gangways and how to get to the gangway was made. Essentially, it was the same announcement as Progreso day. Cruisers were told not to take the elevators to Deck 0. Instead, stairwells were supposed to be used. One elevator was being operated by a crew member to help those who cannot take stairs down to Deck 0. Yesterday, we tried using the mid-ship gangway to get off, but no crew member was around to direct us. On this day we tried again and a crew member was standing on Deck 1 to direct people down a crew only stairwell to Deck 0. The line was long and took about 10 minutes to get off the ship. Most people were patient, but some people became tired of waiting in line. After going down a crew stairwell from Deck 1 to Deck 0, we waited in line to have our Sail & Sign cards scanned by security. There were some people that did not have their Sail & Sign card ready and this made the line take longer. However, the main cause of the slow line to get off was the ship's photographers on the gangway. When our turn came to get a photo we declined and moved on.
After getting off, it was time to walk down the pier. I enjoyed taking some pictures of the ship as I walked into Cozumel:
Signage At The Gangway
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Signage At The Gangway
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View From The Gangway - Looking Towards The Back Of The Ship
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View From The Gangway - Looking Towards The Front Of The Ship
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Ship's Side
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In Between The Carnival Miracle & Carnival Valor
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Carnival Valor
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Carnival Valor - Front Of The Ship
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View Of Cozumel From The Pier
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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. I strongly dislike this part of Puerta Maya! This shopping building sells a variety of different perfumes, jewelry, snacks, and souvenirs. Since there were three ships docked in Cozumel, the debarking cruisers from all three ships had to walk through the narrow aisles of the shops. The building was crowded and it was annoying hearing locals try to sell us things. One man tried to go around the shops (through the crew's outdoor walkway) and he was forcefully told to get back inside by pier security. After weaving our way between people, we reached the end. Thankfully part of the building was closed for construction, which meant we were allowed to exit the building and walk outside on the remainder of the pier.
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.
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.
Entrance Into The Pier's Shop
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Fat Tuesday - Located By The Water
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Table Umbrellas & Ships In Distance
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Since the Carnival Dream and Carnival Miracle were docked with us, Puerta Maya was extremely crowded. Right after exiting the pier, there was a huge crowd of cruisers waiting for their shore excursion. Although it was crowded with people standing around, most of this area was organized with signage. After getting away from the shore excursion meeting area, the crowds were much less. First we walked towards a small beach area located at Puerta Maya. I enjoy this area because it allows for great pictures of the ships.
Shoreline - View From An Area With Patio Umbrella Tables
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Walking By One Of The Bars
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Shops At Puerta Maya
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Shops
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Shops
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View Of The Ships From Puerta Maya's Beach
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View Of The Shops On the Pier & Ships
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View From The Beach
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Walking Along A Path - Looking Towards The Beach
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Lots of Palm Trees - Shops Are Behind The Trees
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Driveway Where Taxis Pick Up
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Taxis Parked
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Taxi Ride to Downtown Cozumel & Punta Langosta:
We wanted to take a taxi ride to Downtown Cozumel, which is where another cruise terminal complex named Punta Langosta is located. When I first cruised on the Carnival Ecstasy in 2007 our cruise docked at Punta Langosta because Puerta Maya was still being rebuilt from a devastating hurricane. Although Puerta Maya reopened in late 2008, we still take a taxi to the Downtown Cozumel area in order to see more of the island. Our taxi ride took about 10 minutes and cost $16.00 each way. Before getting on a taxi, we had to wait at Puerta Maya for a taxi to drive up. Local officials were directing people to taxis. Thankfully, the line moved quickly.
Here are some pictures taken from the taxi ride:
We wanted to take a taxi ride to Downtown Cozumel, which is where another cruise terminal complex named Punta Langosta is located. When I first cruised on the Carnival Ecstasy in 2007 our cruise docked at Punta Langosta because Puerta Maya was still being rebuilt from a devastating hurricane. Although Puerta Maya reopened in late 2008, we still take a taxi to the Downtown Cozumel area in order to see more of the island. Our taxi ride took about 10 minutes and cost $16.00 each way. Before getting on a taxi, we had to wait at Puerta Maya for a taxi to drive up. Local officials were directing people to taxis. Thankfully, the line moved quickly.
Here are some pictures taken from the taxi ride:
View As We Waited To Turn Out Of Puerta Maya
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Ship's Funnels In The Background
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In Taxi - Passing By a Hotel
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In Taxi - View Some Shops Along The Street
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In Taxi- Passing By A Vehicle & Motorcycles
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In Taxi - Passing More Parked Motorcycles
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In Taxi - Passing By A Building
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In Taxi - Approaching Punta Langosta
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Some Outdoor Shops
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Arrival In Downtown Cozumel:
Our taxi ride passed by quickly. The taxi driver dropped us off a few blocks from the Punta Langosta cruise complex. Since we were dropped off a few blocks past where we wanted to be we went ahead and looked around some of the shops located in the downtown area. The shop employees were very pushy and tried hard to get us to come into their shop. For most, we declined because we were not interesting in buying anything. We just wanted to walk down the street and look at the nice blue water. The Carnival Fantasy was docked at Punta Langosta and we had a great view of the ship from the street.
Our taxi ride passed by quickly. The taxi driver dropped us off a few blocks from the Punta Langosta cruise complex. Since we were dropped off a few blocks past where we wanted to be we went ahead and looked around some of the shops located in the downtown area. The shop employees were very pushy and tried hard to get us to come into their shop. For most, we declined because we were not interesting in buying anything. We just wanted to walk down the street and look at the nice blue water. The Carnival Fantasy was docked at Punta Langosta and we had a great view of the ship from the street.
View As We Walked Along The Downtown Streets
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Inside A Shop
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Carnival Fantasy Docked At Punta Langosta's Pier
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View Of The Street & Water In The Background
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Carnival Fantasy
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Horse & Carriage
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Walking Along Area Of Streetside Shops
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Looking Down A Street - A Pizza Hut Was Along This Street
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Building - I Do Not Know What It Is
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Entering The Punta Langosta Cruise Shopping Complex:
After looking at some stores located along the street, we walked into the Punta Langosta shops. Most of this area is covered and some of the stores had air conditioning. Punta Langosta's shopping complex is 2 stories. Some of the stores are the same as what Puerta Maya has, but I think this complex had more shops in total. We began by walking on the first floor of the shopping complex.
After looking at some stores located along the street, we walked into the Punta Langosta shops. Most of this area is covered and some of the stores had air conditioning. Punta Langosta's shopping complex is 2 stories. Some of the stores are the same as what Puerta Maya has, but I think this complex had more shops in total. We began by walking on the first floor of the shopping complex.
Approaching Punta Langosta's Cruise Shopping Complex
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Entering The Punta Langosta Area
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Punta Langosta
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Punta Langosta Letters
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Many Shops On The Lower Level
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Diamonds International At Punta Langosta
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My walk around Punta Langosta will continue in Day 4 Part 2's cruise review!
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NEXT: Check Out Day 4 Part 2's Review!
Day 4 Part 2 will begin with my walk around Punta Langosta, a quick visit to a rum cake store, pictures back at Puerta Maya, lunch, dinner, and more! I hope everyone is enjoying the review so far! Click Here To View Day 4 Part 2's Cruise Review Click Here To Return To The Review's Main Page |