By Matthew Williams
Carnival Fantasy
The flagship Carnival Fantasy sails from
New Orleans to the island of Cozumel off the coast of
Mexico and back in four days. While it is a short cruise, the beautiful destination and excellent shore excursions offer a variety of opportunities for cruisers of any age. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities and bars to relax the day away while onshore.
Wows and Woes
An old Mayan ruin on the southern tip of Cozumel
The island is largely uninhabited with only one city which makes it ideal for a variety of shore excursions. From scuba and snorkeling to driving ATVs or dune buggies or even Mexican cooking classes, the Carnival Fantasy has a shore excursion for everyone.
The Fantasy has stopped docking in downtown Cozumel and use their own dock at the Punta Maya pier. While there are a number of shopping opportunities available near the pier, you will need to take a bus to experience downtown Cozumel where many of the best stores and restaurants are.
Insider Tips
A Cozumel Street Performer
To experience some lively bar/restaurant entertainment, stop by one of the local Carlos and Charlie's or Senor Frogs where the patrons are as entertaining as the staff. Also, go on your shore excursions early in the day but leave time to shop in the afternoon. You will be surprised to see how quickly the local vendors mark down their wares in the afternoon as it comes time for the ships to pull away.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
A view from atop the Cozumel lighthouse
The scenery around Cozumel is absolutely breathtaking and I was able to take it all in from the top of the Cozumel lighthouse in the Punta Sur ecological park. Climbing the 133 steps was not the most fun part of the trip, but the view from the top made it worth while.
Bottom Line
The Cozumel Lighthouse
Cozumel has a variety of things to do. But be glad you are only staying for one day because you can easily experience the entire island in that span.
About the Author:
Matthew Williams has his Bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and also holds his Master's degree in Secondary Education. While concurrently working on two more Master's degrees, he teachers advanced biology at the high school level full time. His major passion is music and he has played numerous instruments over the past 20 years, including piano, guitar, bass
