BACKGROUND INFO:
Cozumel is an island off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan
Peninsula opposite Playa del Carmen. It
is 30 miles long and 10 miles wide with a population of nearly 89,000 with a
majority living in the town of San Miguel.
Large parts of the island is covered with mangrove forests. It is a flat island based on limestone with
the highest point being just 49 feet above sea level. The economy of Cozumel is based on
tourism. There are 3 cruise ship piers
with daily visits from cruise ships, as well tourists come for scuba diving and
charter fishing. Of course there are
many restaurants, hotels, dive shops, and shops selling jewelry and souvenirs. All food and manufactured supplies are
shipped to the island. There are 3
desalination facilities for fresh water.
Our location today docked at Cozumel. It is 80 degrees again today but the humidity is up to 80% with rain showers all around. We are not getting off the ship again today so the weather does not bother us. We will be sailing again at 1:30 this afternoon and heading to Key West, Florida.
Last Evening
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we had dinner up in Sette Mari. L to R: Jane Van Harlingen, Marcia Rector, Rebecca, Jamie Logan, Dana Logan, me, Jim Bittle, and Pat Bittle. It was a great group with lots of stories from Jamie & Dana, retired Cruise Directors who had worked many years.
We always start with minestrone soup. It was very hot.
Rebecca had the penne pasta with bolognese sauce.
Of course I had this "small" portion of bone in veal parmesan. Chef Megh prepared it exactly as I like it. I had a side of spaghetti but could not eat it. I could not even finish the veal.
There was some desserts on a buffet in addition to the menu specials.
After dinner we went to Zoe's show. Sat in upper balcony so I could leave and I did before the end of her show.
Today
We were scheduled to dock here in Cozumel by 6:00am but was a little late due to the weather.
It has been raining and skies are overcast.
Our ship received clearance from the Mexican authorities at 8am for the tours to proceed ashore. About same time this Royal Caribbean ship was approaching.
At 8:30 I had an appointment at the spa for a massage. I had never had one before today.
Pece, from India, was my masseuse.
This is the massage table. Pece gave me a 50 minute hot salt stone body massage concentrating on the area of my right side lower back where I am having a great deal of pain. And have been for over a year. I have had multiple steroid injections and months of physical therapy when in Durango. After moving to Dallas I have been seeing a chiropractor and recently started physical therapy again. Still having pain. Pece says she could certainly feel the tightness in a muscle that is probably causing the pain as there is a nerve under the muscle. So as the day goes on I am anxious to see if I have less pain. So far it seems better as I just returned from the massage.
I am showered and dressed for the day. This is my t-shirt for today. It's 10:15 and there is a crew emergency drill taking place.
Another big Norwegian ship pulling up to the dock at 10:30. This taken from our balcony so there goes our view again today. It is the Norwegian Pearl which was launched in 2006 and passenger capacity is 2400.
Some photos of San Miguel where we are docked on Cozumel. Another long walk on the pier into town.
Thought I would go take some more photos of the ship this morning for you. The crew drill was about to end.
In fact it just ended and I almost got run over with them heading back inside.
In Coffee Connection this is where you can make coffee yourself 24/7.
There is a barista who makes all kinds of coffee drinks here in Coffee Connection from 6am to 6pm.
This is Club.Com. Certain hours during the day a person is here to help get folks connected to the ship's internet. There are also some computers here to use. I bring my own laptop.
The library
This is Reception (just like front desk at hotels). They handle questions and issues.
This is Destination Desk where you book tours if you did not do it online prior to the cruise. Adriana is manning the desk this morning. We have cruised with her several times. Very nice lady.
This is the Mariner Lounge where we have our pre-dinner cocktail hour.
Mariner Lounge
This is the entrance to Compass Rose, the dining room. It opens at noon for lunch and again at 6:30 for dinner.
Three photos inside Compass Rose.
This is Prime 7, the steakhouse. Reservations required.
Premium wines as you enter Prime 7.
This is kind of a strange piece of art that's in Prime 7.
We went up to La Veranda for lunch. Jane had this loaded up hamburger. The burgers made at the pool grill are the best in the world. I had buffalo chicken wings again today, and of course, Rebecca always has an Atkins Bar for lunch.
Sailing away from Cozumel at 1:30.
At 2pm I went down to the lecture about cargo ships. It was most interesting.
At 3pm we went to the theater a "Reunion Cruise Panel Discussion". On stage were: Davor, retired General Mgr; Jamie, retired Cruise Director; and Captain McNeil, retired Master/Captain. We learned more about them when working and what they are now doing as retirees. After that Jamie had a "Regent trivia" session with 20 trivia questions. We got 13 correct.
Our plan for this evening is to grab a cocktail around 5:30 to take into the theater for the Captain's Farewell and the Krew Kapers show. The KK show is put on my some of our crew with them singing and dancing. There are some very talented crew members. "Elvis will be in the building"!
After the show we will have another cocktail before dinner in Compass Rose. Just the 3 of us tonight for the first time this cruise.
This is tonight's menu. It is usually the last night's menu but they said not on a 7 night cruise.
The production show tonight is "Blazing Boots" which is probably our favorite show. More country western music. At 10:30 after the show is "Liars Club" which is always very funny.
Initially after leaving Cozumel the sea was pretty rough again but now about 4 hours later it is still bumpy but better. I hope the dancers can do the show later tonight.
We will be arriving at noon tomorrow in Key West where we will be clearing with US immigration officials for entry back into the States.
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