You Dont Have To Spend A Lot Of Money
In this article, Ill explain how to spend a really great day in Costa Maya without buying an expensive shore excursion.
Puerto Costa Maya and the nearby sleepy town of Mahahual was once a rural fishing village. It wasnt until 2002 that this region was transformed into the popular cruise ship destination.
Costa Maya was the first manufactured cruise port in the Caribbean, but the infrastructure didnt last too long. In 2007, Hurricane Dean had a devastating impact in the area. Costa Maya cruise port was closed for a little over a year.
Finally, Costa Maya reopened and the port complex has been growing ever since.
How To Go Mahahual Beach From Costa Maya Cruise Port
Directions from the cruise ship complex to the transportation area has changed over the last few years.
As of November 2022, heres how to get to Mahahual and the beaches on your own.
Walk along the lengthy pier from your ship to the ports colorful entrance. Dont hesitate to hop aboard the tram if its really hot outside. The walk is longer than it looks! 1. After you pass through the entrance, follow the pedestrian path as you enter the bustling cruise recreation and shopping complex. You know youre on the right path as you pass the grand staircase on your right.
Update: This little breezeway path behind the stairs is now closed.
You cant cut through behind the stairs anymore to the taxi and transportation area. Now you have to walk past a zillion shops and snack bars until you come to the beautiful pink flamingoes.
Oasis Of The Seas Specialty Dining And Other For
Oasis of the Seas specialty restaurants range from casual spots for a quick bite to elegant venues offering an exclusive dining experience. There are 11 specialty and for-fee dining options onboard, and the vast majority are well worth the extra charge.
Izumi a la carte for sushi prix fixe for pan-Asian and hibachiMeals: L, D
Izumi on Oasis of the Seas offers thee choices: hibachi, complete with knife-juggling chefs and your food cooked on the grill in front of you pan-Asian, with a variety of dishes to choose from or the sushi bar, where the fish is good quality, and you can order rolls, sashimi, seaweed salad and other favorites like gyoza dumplings.
150 Central Park prix fixeMeals: D
The most upscale specialty restaurant on Oasis of the Seas, 150 Central Park has a six-course dinner menu developed by Michael Schwartz. Wine pairings are available for an extra charge. On a seven-night cruise, the 150 Central Park menu changes twice on oasis of the Seas. The restaurant will substitute a course if you don’t like an ingredient or have dietary restrictions.
Portside BBQ prix fixeMeals: L, D
Starbucks a la carteMeals: Snacks
Royal Caribbean’s at-sea Starbucks outlet note that Starbucks-branded drinks are not included in any drink packages. The Oasis of the Seas Starbucks is located on Deck 5 forward, near the end of the Royal Promenade.
Sugar Beach a la carteMeals: Snacks
Johnny Rockets prix fixe, plus a la carte drinks and shakesMeals: B, L, D
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Whatever Your Fix You Dont Have To Leave It At Home
Whether your favorite thing to start your day off right is a cuppa joe or an early morning jog, or anything else, you can find it aboard Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas. As for those two things, there is a Starbucks aboard the ship, and there are jogging tracks, so you can get your steps in .
Whatever little creature comfort or amenity you need to make your stay great, from WiFi to dining that fits a specialty diet, Royal Caribbean has you covered during an Oasis of the Seas cruise.
Oasis Of The Seas Ship Review
It could be that when the history of cruising is written, it will be divided into two eras: before Oasis of the Seas and after. Thats how revolutionary this ship was when she debuted in late 2009, shattering the ship size record at 225,282 gross tons and carrying 5,400 guests, but also re-imagining the way cruise ships are laid outand even how theyre shaped.
Take a look: Instead of being a long, solid mass with cabins and public rooms on the inside and pools up top, Oasis essentially has two long buildings set atop her hull one to port and one to starboard, with a long, deep canyon between them. Thats a simplification, since the two halves of the superstructure are joined at various points to provide structural strength, but you get the idea.
The reality of it is even more revolutionary than the engineering, because what the split superstructure has allowed Royal Caribbean to do is really open up the inside of the ship to natural light and air in a way no other company has ever done: Theres no more inside cabin versus outside cabin, public room versus outside deck despite Oasiss overwhelmingly huge size, she provides a level of connection with the sea and the outdoors that you usually only get aboard a much smaller ship. And you get more too much more.
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An Oasis Of The Seas Cruise Includes A Stop At Cococay
CocoCay is a big deal for Royal Caribbean. When it premiered, it was met with rave reviews. Its basically a private island where families can have even more fun than they can aboard the ship, with all kinds of activities and adventures created by the same great minds behind Royal Caribbeans best on-board attractions.
Starting in 2020, when Oasis of theSeas sails from New Jersey, families will get to stop at CocoCay duringtheir itinerary, for the Perfect Day at CocoCay experience. There, theyllhave access to a zip line, multiple restaurants, thousands of lounge chairs,helium balloon rides, more slides than any other waterpark in the Caribbean,three coves in the lagoon, the tallest water slide in North America, thelargest wave pool in the Caribbean, an adventure pool with an obstacle course,overwater cabanas, an infinity pool, paddle boarding, jet skis, volleyballgames, soccer, basketball and more.
Now that definitely sounds like a perfect day. More details about the private island can be found here.
Where Is Costa Maya Mexico
When your cruise is going to Costa Maya, most people wonder, where is it and whats there to do when I get there? Actually, a lot of people havent even heard of Costa Maya, Mexico. Or theyve heard the name but have no clue what to do there.
Situated along the turquoise-colored Caribbean Sea, Puerto Costa Maya and its nearby towns rest between the sea and the deep jungle.
Geographically speaking, Costa Maya, Mexico is located on the Yucatan peninsula, near the southern border of Quintana Roo, one of 32 Mexican states.
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What’s Free Onboard Oasis And What’s Not
Most of the better dining venues on the ship have per-person surcharges, including Giovanni’s , Sabor , Izumi , 150 Central Park and the steakhouse Chops . The main dining rooms and Windjammer Marketplace are included in the cruise fare, as are the Park Cafe, Boardwalk Bar and Wipe Out Cafe. In terms of onboard activities, there’s no additional cost to use the zipline, carousel and rock-climbing walls, or attend shows at the ice skating rink, the Comedy Club, the AquaTheater or Opal Theater .
Who Sails Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian appeals to vacationers who want a big-resort experience at sea with lots of options for dining and entertainment. In that, its similar to Royal Caribbean — perhaps its closest competitor.
But unlike Royal Caribbean, Norwegian hasnt retained any of the trappings of old-style cruising. There are no formal nights, as youll still find on Royal Caribbean ships, or dress codes. Norwegian has also thoroughly done away with the concept of big main restaurants with fixed seating.
Because of that, Norwegian is popular with people who are seeking flexibility — freedom to eat when they want, with whom they want and dressed however they want, for sure, but also more freedom in general to just set their own schedule day and night.
Norwegian cruises are very unstructured vacations, and thats by design.
Like Royal Caribbean ships, Norwegian vessels have an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions — everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to the only go-kart tracks on the ocean. That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Families are a big part of Norwegians business.
But its not just families that flock to Norwegian. The lines ships are designed to offer a little something for everyone, and thus they appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers . They also draw customers from a wide range of the income spectrum.
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Is It Easy To Find My Way Around Will I Get Lost
Oasis of the Seas is divided into distinct neighborhoods, which makes navigating the ship easier than it might seem. Most activities for families are concentrated in the kids club area, on the Boardwalk or near the pools. Adults will prefer the two-deck Solarium or the quiet, leafy Central Park. If you do get lost, maps are available at all elevator docks, with touch-screen Wayfinders also in prominent locations.
Oasis Of The Seas Bars And Lounges
Bars are hopping on Oasis of the Seas, and the ship does a brisk business in drink packages.
Bar highlights include:
Blaze : Blaze serves as the ship’s club and comedy venue, which focuses on hip-hop and modern dance music, and it’s frequently packed with people prepped to par-tay.
Jazz on 4 : This jazz club is a must for live music fans. Despite a prominent position in the ship’s Entertainment Zone, the club is usually not crowded, and it’s a nice place to listen to music without feeling too overwhelmed.
Diamond Club : The lounge for those “loyal to Royal” is a two-story area on Deck 11 that comes with a view of the Boardwalk. Members can come in for complimentary daily snacks and drinks from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Spotlight Karaoke : Release your inner rock star at this fun bar for karaoke. Choose the main stage if youre brave or book a private room. Other musical events, like Name that Tune and other musical trivia, are also held here.
Boleros : Live Latin music and a location in the heart of the ship mean that this club feels energetic, crowded and fun. Since Oasis draws many international passengers who love to dance, be prepared to be impressed by fancy footwork.
Rising Tide Bar : Sure, it’s a gimmick, but who cares? It’s fun. Patrons board this hydraulic space on Deck 5 in the busy Royal Promenade to drink and socialize as the platform slowly rises to Deck 8’s Central Park and back down again. Do it once for the novelty.
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Fitness And Gym On Oasis Of The Seas
The gym on Oasis of the Seas is cavernous and has been updated with the latest Life Fitness equipment, including row after row of ellipticals, treadmills and bikes , as well as a couple of steppers and rowers. The space has windows and lockers and features a variety of weight machines, free weights, exercise balls, foam rollers and yoga mats.
Complimentary fitness classes include stretch, total body conditioning and abs indoor cycling classes cost extra, as does yoga on the helipad.
The jogging track on Deck 5 is covered. Inspirational messages urge walkers and runners to keep going. Once around the track is two-thirds of a kilometer go 2.4 laps to make a mile. However, the ship is so large that just walking from place to place will ensure most pedometer users meet their step goals.
The New Top Deck Experience Is Top
Now, on the ships Top Deck, you can find amazing entertainment for those who want to sit by the pool, play in the water, just get some sun or have some high thrills. Theres The Ultimate Abyss slide, 10 stories of fright and fun, as this fun slide is the tallest slide at sea, with twists and turns and thrills galore.
Then theres the new The Perfect Storm not one, not two, but three waterslides, named Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell. And then theres the new, reimagined, Caribbean pool deck, with a kids aqua park, poolside bar, live music, hammocks, casitas, in-pool loungers and more. Youll think youre at a classy resort in the Caribbean, rather than on a cruise ship!
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Norwegian Cruise Line Loyalty Program
Norwegian has a point-based frequent cruiser program, Latitudes Rewards, that has seven tiers, ranging from Bronze to Ambassador .
Members earn points for every night they sail on one of the lines ships. They get an additional point for every night they stay in a concierge room, a suite or a room in The Haven. They also get an additional point for every night booked through a Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer.
Hitting the first tier, Bronze, takes one cruise. Reaching the second tier, Silver , would take at the most three cruises if youre doing seven-night trips.
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Lower tiers dont bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits. Youll get things like priority check-in and discounted spa treatments performed while ships are in port. But higher levels of the program start to be enticing.
Platinum brings free dinners at two extra-charge restaurants, a discount on an internet package, behind-the-scenes ship tours and concierge service.
The top Ambassador level brings a truly wonderful perk: a one-time complimentary seven-night cruise in a balcony cabin. You can pick almost any sailing except trips around Christmas and the new year.
A passenger staying in suites and booking through Latitudes Rewards Insider Offers could get to the Platinum level with just four seven-night cruises.
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Royal Caribbean Oasis Of The Seas
- Vitality Spa and Fitness Center*
- Vitality Spa and Fitness Center*
- Boardwalk Dog House – Fast Food
- Johnny Rockets – Fast Food*
- Wipe Out Bar – Flowrider Bar*
- Trellis Bar – Garden Bar*
- Globe and Atlas Pub – Gastropub*
- Cups & Scoops – Ice Cream*
- Rising Tide Bar – Novelty Bar*
- Rising Tide Bar – Novelty Bar*
- Sorrentos – Pizza
Oasis is a beautiful ship. Royal is known for a higher class cuisine and cleanliness. The service we had was above par. The specialty restaurants went above and beyond for our 3 and 11 year old. Coco cay was everything it was advertised at. The food was plentiful on the island as well as everywhere on the ship. The included restaurants were very accommodating also for our family.
Boat is great. They have a rock and roll show each night the woman is awesome and opens then Joe Pesci comes on and sings and it just sucks. They guy was washed up 20 years ago. Go until she stops. He opens with Bill Joel or Elton John and is horrible. He should stick to the keyboards and guitar.
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The Shows Are Really Stellar This Season
Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas boasts some spectacular shows this season. If you like to catch a few performances while youre cruising, then youre in luck going into 2020 if you take an Oasis of the Seas cruise.
For example, catch everyones favorite Broadway classic Cats ahead of seeing the new, live-action remake in movie theaters. The musical is one of the most beloved of all time, so even if youre not familiar with the story, then give it a try. You might be surprised at all the fun you have.
If your family is more into the latest Frozen movie than Cats, then you might find that your family also likes the cruise lines ice show, Frozen in Time. The enchanting, dazzling performance, filled with choreography and music, follows several favorite Hans Christian Andersen fairytales.
Oasis Of The Seas Is In Good Family
Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas has not one, not two, but seven godmothers. Who needed that much love? The seven godmothers are meant to represent one of each of the seven neighborhoods aboard the ship.
Godmothers include Gloria Estefan, Michelle Kwan, Dara Torres, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Shawn Johnson, Jane Seymour and Daisy Fuentes. The ship was named and launched, along with help of the godmothers, during a charity sailing for Make-A-Wish.
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Free Dining On Oasis Of The Seas
Main Dining Room Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
The Oasis of the Seas sprawling main dining room spans three decks. Dinners are served as three courses. Menu items range from French to American to Italian. Meat-lovers can also indulge in premium cuts from the Chops steakhouse or a lobster tail for a charge. Desserts range from sweets and fruit to ice cream and sorbets.
All restaurants are fairly noisy, with friendly wait staff who frequently parade and sing.
Coastal Kitchen Meals: B, L, D
Coastal Kitchen is the Oasis of the Seas dedicated restaurant for suite passengers. It is spectacular, with several-story windows providing incredible views. Breakfast is similar to the main dining rooms, while lunch items are a bit lighter. Two Mediterranean-inspired menus are available for dinner, which is by reservation only.
Windjammer Marketplace Meals: B, L, D
The Oasis of the Seas buffet is perhaps the one place onboard where you really feel that you’re sailing with 6,000 people. At breakfast and lunch on sea days, the area is hectic, with lines at popular stations and very few places to sit. It’s much more manageable when the ship is in port.
Breakfast has typical options, as well as selections for international travelers and an entire gluten-free station. Lunch has cold selections burgers, fries and hot entrees and a selection of cakes and desserts. Windjammer becomes calmer at dinner, with a range of American and some international entrees.
Park Café Meals: B, L, D