ABOARD THE SAFARI ENDEAVOUR—I had mixed feelings when the skyline of La Paz came into view this morning. It meant that our cruise in the isolated reaches of the Sea of Cortez was over, and we had one more day and night on board. It’s so easy to become attached to members of the crew—a wonderful group of talented and caring young people—and to new friends from far-flung places that we’d probably never see again. And our …
ABOARD THE SAFARI ENDEAVOUR—The plan for today was to anchor off Los Islotes (tiny islands off the tip of Isla Partida) and spend the morning with the California sea lion colony living there. The crew had told us the dark brown males can weigh up to 600 pounds, and do a lot of posturing–baring their teeth and looking threatening. The lighter-colored females, weighing about 200 pounds, feed at night and would be sleeping when we approached the …
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest travel and leisure company, officially opened an all-new, highly anticipated expansion of its operations in Cozumel, Mexico, adding a third berth to the company’s pier at Puerta Maya, the most popular cruise destination in the Caribbean. With an investment of more than $20 million, the all-new “arm” was added to the company’s existing pier to allow three ships to be moored at the terminal at the …
To cap a year of 50th anniversary activities, Princess Cruises, which celebrates the five decade mark in 2015, has created a special Mexico itinerary departing on December 3, 2015 – exactly 50 years to the day that the line’s original ship, Princess Patricia, set sail on the company’s very first cruise in 1965. Offered on the intimate Pacific Princess, next year’s unique sailing is the same length as the company’s first cruise – 14 days – and …
COZUMEL – The Mayans came from outer space. Or the Mayans were visited by aliens who shared extraterrestrial intelligence to create an advanced civilization on earth. “Some people believe that,” says guide Alex Cab. “But neither one of those things is true.” Nor is it true that Mayans no longer exist. “I’m a Mayan,” Alex says. “You can’t say that the Mayans are all dead because I’m still here. I am of mixed blood but I am …
Tulum, the walled city built by the Maya on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast around 1200 A.D., has become so popular it now contains two barriers. The first is the old stone wall enclosing the city on three sides. According to archaeologists, these were constructed not for defensive purposes but to prevent the masses from entering the sacred confines where religious and magical ceremonies were held. Tulum recently added another barrier, this one of rope, to keep the masses …
I have some friends who just got back from a Carnival cruise: round trip from Los Angeles (7 Day Mexican Riviera). They had never been on a cruise before, so I wanted to get their impressions of the voyage, taken on the Splendor, with their two children, aged 9 and 16. Here’s what they had to say about the offerings on board: My girlfriend’s report on the cabin: “Surprisingly, it was more spacious than I expected. It …
DAY 4 — I am lying slathered in local honey on a mattress that’s been placed on a six-foot piece of local carved wood. The ancient Mayans, I learned, believed that this honey from the stingless Melipona bees only found here in the Yucatan Peninsula had many medicinal properties. In fact, the honey used in the treatment is bought from local Mayans. Here at the Fairmont Mayakoba’s (www.fairmont.com/mayakoba) beautiful 21st century spa—located in the heart of a …
DAY ONE — I’m wishing I was on the hammock on one of the two balconies in our suite, overlooking the turquoise blue pool and the ocean, palm trees swaying, birds chirping. But it isn’t so bad working either in our suite at the 88-room Ceiba del Mar Beach and Spa resort, (www.ceibadelmar.com), a scant 20 minute cab ride from the Cancun airport and about a 20 minute walk into the tiny town of Puerto Morelos. Yes …
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