This port is nothing but a gated tourist trap. The gated port area is extremely small. You can venture outside the gates into the city, but you must understand that the area outside the gates is not protected by guards, and you venture out at your own peril. 


Belize City

This is another man-made "port" that is another very small gated area. There is no nearby city, and this area was built exclusively to be a stop for cruise ships. We gave a one point higher rating than Belize City only because the shop vendors were friendlier. Be prepared to spend more on drinks and trinkets than what they can be purchased for elsewhere in Mexico. 


Costa Maya

The first time we visited Cozumel, we docked in the downtown area and were very charmed by the cleanliness of the port, and the friendliness of the people. In fact, the Mexican Navy personnel posed for pictures with us, and they even let kids climb on board their ship. In the three years that have passed since our first visit, we have found that the area has greatly expanded in size bringing with it some of the more unpleasant aspects of other port of calls. For one thing, the ships now dock three miles from the actual downtown, forcing tourists to pay a cab fare to go back and forth to do shopping. Prices have gone up, and the increased size of the area and volumes of tourists seems to have made the locals a bit more brusque and pushy. You can still find beer and Mexican foods cheap if you are willing to venture into the less traveled areas. We visited Paradise Beach this trip. Nice beach area, but be prepared to pay a $15 dollar cab fee each way, a cover charge to use the beach amenities, and higher prices for drinks and food than elsewhere in Cozumel. 


Cozumel

Interior stateroom, high deck:

Comfortable bed. Nice couch area to sit and watch tv. Bathroom larger than on other ships. Closet, shelving, and drawer space adequate.

The size of the ship, we found, pushed the limits of the ability for the staff to maintain cleanliness and good service.we found that the hours for use limited and the lines were long with disorganized staff.

Independence of the Seas Review

Not the best value for your money

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Interior Stateroom

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