Ruby Princess 2023 10-Day Caribbean Guest Cruise Review
Day 8 January 5, 2023 Costa Maya, Mexico
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Day 8 January 5, 2023 Costa Maya, Mexico
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Arrival:
It was a bright and sunny day when we arrived at 7:00am. There were two ships (Norwegian Bliss & MSC Seascape) already docked when we arrived. Before any of the Ruby guests could get off the ship, we were told to wait because another ship (Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas) was pulling up right beside us and the gangways were closed until further notice. It turned out to be a short delay, but that had never happened before!
It was a bright and sunny day when we arrived at 7:00am. There were two ships (Norwegian Bliss & MSC Seascape) already docked when we arrived. Before any of the Ruby guests could get off the ship, we were told to wait because another ship (Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas) was pulling up right beside us and the gangways were closed until further notice. It turned out to be a short delay, but that had never happened before!
Beautiful sunny day
|
Two ships already docked
|
Approaching Costa Maya
|
Costa Maya:
The Mayan civilization has been in this area since around 2000B.C. They cultivated crops and built pyramids for religious ceremonies. The Mayans were also known for their advanced writing, mathematics and astronomy. This civilization lasted until about 800A.D. Today there are two villages located in Costa Maya, Mahahual with a population of 920 and Xcalak with a population of 350. There are ruins of three large Mayan sites located about an hour from Costa Maya that can be explored today. Each was built without tools, horses or even the wheel. Pretty amazing.
Excursions:
The three Mayan ruins are Kohunlich, Chacchoben and Dzibanche. There are excursions to each of these sites, each with its own special experience. They all sound fascinating, so it would be hard to choose which one to visit. There is also a Mayan cultural immersion tour, snorkeling & diving in pristine waters, a glass bottom boat trip, a dolphin encounter or swim adventure and beautiful beaches to enjoy.
The Mayan civilization has been in this area since around 2000B.C. They cultivated crops and built pyramids for religious ceremonies. The Mayans were also known for their advanced writing, mathematics and astronomy. This civilization lasted until about 800A.D. Today there are two villages located in Costa Maya, Mahahual with a population of 920 and Xcalak with a population of 350. There are ruins of three large Mayan sites located about an hour from Costa Maya that can be explored today. Each was built without tools, horses or even the wheel. Pretty amazing.
Excursions:
The three Mayan ruins are Kohunlich, Chacchoben and Dzibanche. There are excursions to each of these sites, each with its own special experience. They all sound fascinating, so it would be hard to choose which one to visit. There is also a Mayan cultural immersion tour, snorkeling & diving in pristine waters, a glass bottom boat trip, a dolphin encounter or swim adventure and beautiful beaches to enjoy.
Approaching Costa Maya
|
Approaching Costa Maya
|
Approaching Costa Maya
|
Approaching Costa Maya
|
Sign at entrance to area
|
Beautiful shoreline
|
My Experience on Shore:
This was my first visit to Costa Maya (village of Mahahual) so I was very interested to see what it offered around the pier. I found it to be a colorful, compact, clean and crowded place to visit. With four ships in port, there was hardly room to move around; however, it was still a very fun place to visit. The dolphin encounter was located right there in the village. An area for flamingos to show off was a highlight for all to see. And four flying men dressed in Mayan attire drew a large crowd. I enjoyed just walking around observing the many activities and interesting shops.
This was my first visit to Costa Maya (village of Mahahual) so I was very interested to see what it offered around the pier. I found it to be a colorful, compact, clean and crowded place to visit. With four ships in port, there was hardly room to move around; however, it was still a very fun place to visit. The dolphin encounter was located right there in the village. An area for flamingos to show off was a highlight for all to see. And four flying men dressed in Mayan attire drew a large crowd. I enjoyed just walking around observing the many activities and interesting shops.
Everything very colorful
|
Interesting areas
|
Flying Mayans
|
Another look at the shoreline
|
Busy lifeguard
|
Everything looks clean and new
|
Colorful buildings
|
Flamingos showing off
|
Some are bashful
|
Evening Dinner and Entertainment:
The menu for the evening dinner was fancier that usual. Our choices were a wild mixed green salad with roasted shrimp and Vol-Au-Vent, le Grand Chef, a pastry puff filled with lobster and shrimp bisque for appetizers, and Beef Wellington Truffle Madeira Demi-glace and Oven baked Vegetable Tart for the main dishes with Tarte Chocolate and Princess Love Boat Dream for desserts. Yummy!
The menu for the evening dinner was fancier that usual. Our choices were a wild mixed green salad with roasted shrimp and Vol-Au-Vent, le Grand Chef, a pastry puff filled with lobster and shrimp bisque for appetizers, and Beef Wellington Truffle Madeira Demi-glace and Oven baked Vegetable Tart for the main dishes with Tarte Chocolate and Princess Love Boat Dream for desserts. Yummy!
Fancy menu
|
Vol-Au-Vent, le Grand chef
|
Wild mixed greens with roasted shrimp
|
Beef Wellington, Truffle Madeira Demi-Glace
|
Oven-baked vegetable tart
|
Chocolate tarte
|
Production in the Princess Theater
|
After dinner, we headed for the Princess Theater for the production show, Stardust, featuring music of the 1950’s and the Princess singers and dancers in elaborate costumes. Standing ovations from the audience!
|