Travel Tips for Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages isn't your grandmother’s cruise ship 🚢 but a luxury party ship!

It's an adults-only, award-winning cruise line with included luxuries (tips, wifi, quality food) and the most 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor.

No buffet lines either, instead over 20 eateries, and more than 10 bars and lounges. Plus, private Karaoke rooms, candy stations, a lively casino, quality shows, adult pajama parties, cabaret performances, and soooo much more! 

Book your voyage today! <--- Best deals here

Travel Tips for Sailing on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady 

Dining Reservations

I'm an alpha travel planner who likes to do research before a trip, but this was a last-minute booking for us, and by the time we got our confirmation number and registered within the app almost all the dining reservations were full. We only managed to secure a spot at Test Kitchen and Razzle Dazzle, but nothing else. This had me stressed, however, like at a typical restaurant they welcome walk-ins too. 

So, if you're able to book a time and spot ahead of time, good on you, but don't get too stressed about dining. Typically, show up to the restaurant 30 - 45 minutes before your desired dining time, put your name down and you'll likely get in. 

Or you can head to Sailor Services once on board so they can pop you into anything available, but the line was long by the time we did this that we didn't bother and still could dine at most of the restaurants we wanted to visit. Also, keep checking the app throughout your stay because people cancel and change their plans constantly. 

Our favorite dining outlet outside of the quick-service options in The Galley, which replaces the typical buffet setup was Pink Agave, the modern Mexican restaurant and we got into that being on the waitlist on the first night. 

Book Theater Shows Immediately 

As soon as you get on board, wait to go to your room or up to The Galley to eat, instead head straight down to the Box Office near Sailor Services and reserve your spot for Duel Reality and Ships in the Night. 

They will let you know what show times are available and will book it for you. And while you are in line, open your app and try to book the Supper Club (dinner and a show) one night too. We were able to grab that ourselves, but needed the cast to book the big theater performances and luckily we got tickets for both shows. 

There are other shows that do not require a ticket like the hysterical diva drag show in The Manor, just wait in line and you'll get a seat. Luckily, if you have a conflict, they do this show more than once during the sail.

Secret show tip from my friend Josie: "One thing we did was cool and almost missed out was there’s a random magic type show, I think it’s called the mentalist. It’s held in the afternoon one day…go to it! If you go to that you get a card to attend a secret show later that day in the belly of the ship! Only like 100 people get to do it a trip!"

Carry on Wine 

You are allowed to bring two bottles of wine per cabin in your carry-on luggage to store in your room. We totally took advantage of this option! 

Pack Something Red

Each sailing has a Scarlet Night where everyone wears red, so don't be the party pooper in another color. You can be as dress or casual as you want, just as long as it's red. 

Not sure what to wear? Try these dresses from Amazon (I actually own them all):

• Floral Lace Overlay
• Shapewear Dress 9 in 1 Bodycon Dress (go up a size, it's tight since it works like Spanx)
• Sexy one-shoulder dress
• Flattering jumpsuit 
  
  

Upgrade your Pajamas

On the first night there is an epic pajama party at 10:45 p.m., while it sounds late, we had so much fun dancing that we didn't head back to our cabin till after 2 a.m. I was afraid we might be the only ones in PJs, but no, there were people in robes, onesies, etc. 

Our red silk stripe pajamas below from Amazon were a big hit, but these matching palm tree ones would be too. Go all in and order these ahead of time, you'll thank me later! 

Go on a Grog Walk!

This is a pub-crawl-like experience and can only be booked through the app once you are on board. 

It was sold out each day and time for us and I was so bummed. We went to Sailer Services and they couldn't get us in either. However, after I gave up, my husband looked at the app again and someone must have canceled because two spots opened up and we grabbed them. 

For $50 per person, you get 4 cocktails each, a tour of the ship, VIP seating at lounges during the walk and the chance to meet new friends with fun get to know you games along the way. They even let you stop and change into your PJs for the pajama party portion where you'll reconvene and end the walk. We met a lot of great people, solos and couples during the grog walk who became our vacation friends during the trip. Well worth it. 

Sipping on a tropical Mai Tai cocktail along the way adds to the island vibe, making the experience feel even more like a true getaway. With its refreshing blend of rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur, it’s the perfect drink to enjoy while soaking in the cruise atmosphere.

Shake for Champagne

Shake for Champagne is a novelty in the Virgin Voyages app for all sailors. It is what it says. You open the app, shake your phone, and a server brings you a bottle of Moët for $95. 

We meant to do this, but never got around to it. Instead, we frequented Sip, the champagne lounge on board often for our sparkling kick. 

Book the Splash of Romance Package

Whether you're feeling romantic or not this is a great value. Available for only 90 cabins per voyage, this $200 add-on is a no brainer and well worth it. If you pre-book the Romance Package you'll get:

• Priority Boarding 
• Curated daily cold-pressed juices 
• Two 3-Hour Thermal Spa Passes 
• A Shake for Champagne bottle
• Exclusive Sail Away Hour Sultry bites

I called to get this as it showed sold out on the app, but they let me add it. 

Don't Worry about Plugs

I normally bring my cruise-approved no surge power outlet when I go cruising, but there were several USB plugs in our Sea Terrace cabin already so we didn't need it for a change. One less thing to pack, unless you have a lot of tech that needs charging. 

Tips for Virgin's Beach Club in the Bahamas

Set your alarm and get off the boat early to grab an umbrella chair by the pool. Why not the beach? Because the pool party is where it's at in the afternoon. The pool turns into a dance party with dozens of floats being thrown into the water. You can snag a prime float if you hang by the stage five minutes before the party begins. Don't feel like getting into the water? That's OK, you can watch from your chair. 

Also, you can order an engraved coconut with natural coconut juice (with or without rum) by the pool bars too. This makes for a great photo opp and electrolytes. 

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Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Tips

Did you know that the Margaritaville brand of restaurants and resorts, now has a cruise ship?

The Margaritaville-at-Sea Paradise is the only 3-day and 2-night cruise sailing from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. 

On this floating island vacation, you can relax, unwind, enjoy the entertainment and frozen concoctions, soak up the sun, and cruise for a quick & easy escape!

Keep in mind that this is not a luxury liner and it doesn't claim to be. You get what you pay for and the value for what you pay is really good and cheaper than a staycation at a hotel for 2 nights, plus food, and travel. Even the ferry to the Bahamas is over $200 round trip, and for $599 a couple can take a cruise ship instead with a beautifully renovated room and have way more fun. It's what you make of it, so why not have a great time? Yah, mon! 

Below is what you can expect on board and tips to make your sail more enjoyable!

Travel Tips for Sailing on the Margaritaville Cruise 

Get the Express Boarding Pass & Chill Packages

This is literally your "License to Chill" right from the start of your trip at embarkation. The lines at the Port of Palm Beach were long to check in, however, with our Express add-on we got to not only skip the line outside but go straight inside the customs area to a separate check-in section. This saved us at least an hour and eliminated the stress and annoyance of waiting in line when you just want your vacation to start. The same VIP express experience applies for disembarkation too. 

Now, I'm not big on doing paid upgrades, but this one is worth it. Some of the Chill packages come with WiFi for 2 devices and other fun additions like the JWB Steakhouse dinner for 2, which is my next tip and recommendation. 

My friends also splurged for the Champagne Breakfast and raved about their Huevos Rancheros, pastries, Bloody Mary's and overall experience. We regret not doing this since the breakfast buffet was crowded and basic, similar to a setup at a Spring Hill Suites setup or something similar at a comp hotel breakfast. 

Dine in the JWB Steakhouse

I was really impressed with our meal at the JWB Steakhouse. We had a package for two to dine at the specialty dining restaurant and chose to dine there on our first night onboard. I ordered the Ribeye and my husband had the filet, which both of us enjoyed. 

You can make your reservation for either night of your stay in the port, just after the check-in area. Look for the dining table before boarding the ship and do try and request a window seat if you're able. 

If you didn't book a steakhouse package at booking, you can still do so once on the ship and they will charge to your folio.  

Fins Dining Room

If you'd rather not pay the extra $55 for the specialty dining per person upgrade, you won't be disappointed with the main and complimentary dining room - Fins. Our group ate there on the second night and also enjoyed our appetizer, entre and dessert there too. No complaints and the dining room was nicely designed too. 

To dine here there are two seatings at 6:00 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. on each night of the cruise. We had no problem sitting at 6 p.m., but saw a long line for the later seating. We chose the earlier one though so we wouldn't miss the entertainment that night. 

Don't Forget about the Coffee Shop

Regular coffee is provided at no extra charge in the mornings in the Port of Indecision Buffett, but if you're looking for a more Starbucks-like experience there is a Margaritaville Coffee Shop counter where you can order a latte or cappuccino at an extra cost, but it wasn't too expensive. I did this the morning before disembarking. 

Bring Your Own Lanyard

I wore dresses or bathing suits the whole time without pockets and I didn't want to carry a purse, so I was glad I had packed my own lanyard to attach my room key and charge card. 

After receiving our key, I went to the Guest Services area and they kindly punched a hole in mine to attach to my lanyard clip, or you can buy a lanyard with a clear sleeve to slip your key in. My husband was fine putting his in his short pockets. 

Cabins are Spacious & Newly Renovated 

Although it's an older ship (small pools, low ceilings, no balconies) and you'll have some Love Boat episode flashbacks, I was very impressed with how nicely the rooms were redone and how spacious and modern they were with a flat-screen TV and bright furnishings. 

You can view our Ocean View Room Tour in my Instagram highlights here.

It's been a while since I sailed without a balcony room, but honestly, I didn't miss it. The window in our Ocean View cabin was large and with how limited your time is on the ship, we didn't spend much time in our room just to shower and sleep. 

Meanwhile, our friends had an interior room, which had even more space than we did, and they were quite impressed with it too. 

Toiletries 

Shampoo, condition, body wash, and soap are all provided in your bathroom. We also had two robes hanging in our closet, which I took advantage of. For those who love to travel with their signature scent, the enchanting aroma of Delina perfume makes a perfect addition to your toiletries, offering a luxurious and sophisticated fragrance to enhance your evenings onboard.

Plugs and Hairdryers

There are even two USB ports and a USB C port too. A hairdryer is provided specifically for their voltage, so do NOT bring your own because it will blow a fuse. Trust me, I know! 

Boat Drinks are not to be missed

Honestly, how disappointing would it be if a Margaritaville cruise had bad margs? Well, no worries, because the drinks were great, especially their blended concoctions like the infamous margarita, pina colada and painkiller, after all, as Jimmy Buffett sings "it's five-o-clock somewhere."  

I also appreciated that they carried bottles of Josh Cellar wines, which I had with dinner. The by-the-bottle price was reasonable too.

You can purchase before sailing or while on board a drink package of 5 or 10 drinks per person, which includes drinks up to $12. There is another package for higher-end drink options too. We both had a 5-drink package and then charged the extra two drinks we ended up ordering to the room. 

You will need to pick up or purchase your wristband for your drink package once on board the ship in the Euphoria Lounge. Some folks had multiple wristbands - more power to them. 

Explore Your Shore Excursion Options

The cruise line offers several shore excursions for your day in Freeport, Bahamas from swimming with pigs to dolphin encounters or resort day passes. There isn't much to do at the pier except a few stalls for shopping, so you'll either want to stay on board or book a shore excursion. 

But unlike other cruises that I've been on, you can't book your tour ahead of time only once you check-in. If you're a type A planner, this part is a bit frustrating. I didn't like the uncertainty, but two of our friends were able to book the excursion they wanted easily at an all-inclusive resort once they got there. 

We wanted something more adventurous though and booked through Trip Advisor for a day of Kayaking and more. It was more expensive ($160 each) than the Margaritaville shore excursions, but this island experience was amazing and made our entire trip!! Instead of being with a big group, it was just four of us, so it felt like we were getting a private tour. We were picked up at the pier in a lovely SUV, then took a boat ride out to the kayaks on Sweetings Cay, spent time on a private beach, went to a Turtle Park and had lunch too. The water was so clear we saw sharks, stingrays, sea stars, and more without goggles even. We still had time to get back on board and do some shopping too. 

Catch the nightly live entertainment show

There is a 7:45 and a 9:45 nightly show in the theater. One night it's the fun Margaritaville musical and the other night is a comedian/magician. We enjoyed both a lot. The theater itself is adorable too with tables and comfy chairs by the stage making it more cabaret-style. 

On the first night we went to the late showing since we were enjoying the piano bar out in front of the theater first, and the second night after a busy day in the Bahamas we went to the earlier show time. 

Pre-Sale Spa Credit

Save 10% on Spa and Salon services when you purchase before you board. If you plan on pampering yourself with a spa treatment during your sail, you might want to take advantage of the $90 Pre-Sale Credit worth $100. I did, and my credit was applied to my Swedish Massage service, which was excellent. 

You can book your spa time and treatment before boarding at the Spa area kiosk as well. I chose a late afternoon appointment on the second day after our shore excursion, which was perfect. 

BOGO for Cops, Teachers & First Responders

Active and retired military, first responders, law enforcement officers and educators sail free on Margaritaville-at-Sea, they just have to pay for the second guest, taxes, gratuities, and port fees. If this applies to you claim your cruise offer here.

Thus, you'll spot a lot of cops and teachers gone wild ;) Other friends who went on a previous sailing said the teachers were hooking up with the cops, not that I can blame them, lol.

Travel with Friends 

Since it's such a short trip, there isn't time to make friends, which is why I'm thankful we traveled with two other couples making a fun group of six. The best part of being with a group is that you can eat together, and take in a show, but still do your own thing too - dancing, casino, etc. 

But Leave the Kids at Home 

Granted this is just my personal parenting recommendation, so take it with a lost shaker of salt ;)

While there were a couple of kids on board (maybe like 20 total), the activities are geared toward adults. And frankly, many of the guests are there to party. You'll see bachelorette parties, girlfriend trips, and singles looking to mingle, etc. This is why I'm glad we were there for a couples' getaway and that my boys stayed behind. 

The ship does have a kids camp though, but it looked small and boring and there is an hourly charge per child that would add up costing you. And as I said before, the pools were tiny with no lifeguards. Plus, the women that were by the pool were scantily clad and everyone is drinking it up, so again I'm very glad I didn't have to worry about what my kids would see or having to entertain them too. 

Oh, and we could hear the bass of the music in our cabin until midnight, which was when we were heading to bed so that was fine, but again not for little ones. 

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Tips for Sailing on Princess Cruises with Kids

While Princess Cruises may not especially be geared with kids in mind like a Disney Cruise, it's still a great option for families and less overwhelming than Royal Caribbean's massive ships too. 

We've been on four Princess trips so far with my twin boys since they were five years old. The ships they've sailed on include the Royal, Sky, and Caribbean Princess ships doing 5 to 14-day sailings. 

Below is what you can expect traveling with kids and toddlers and some tips for a great Princess Cruises vacation for everyone.

Princess Kids Camp - "Camp Discovery" 

Explorers ages 3 to 12 will make friends and learn at Camp Discovery™, while teens 13 to 17 have their own space to socialize at The Beach House. 

Don't worry though, the ages get broken up further with kids ages 3-7 in the "Tree House" with age-appropriate toys and activities. 

We would put my twins in the kids camp in the evenings, so we could have an adult dinner out. One night they had a PJ and Pizza Party, which they loved. So, plan to pack pajamas that your child is comfortable wearing out of the cabin too. 

There is usually a pirate-themed night for the kiddos, and although they will provide further accessories like the buccaneer hat eye patches, and balloons, but I was still glad I also packed their pirate t-shirts for the occasion. 

Kids cannot leave without an assigned adult picking them up along with providing a personal code you set when you register them on the first day. 

Meanwhile, "The Lodge" room is for kids 8-12 and has a video game center featuring a large collection of Nintendo Switch and PS4 games, Skee ball machines, air hockey, and more. They still have theme nights, crafts, and competitions. 

Register Your Kids Before Boarding

Register your kids for Camp Discovery ahead of time in the Cruise Personalizer website. Also, on the first day, there is an open house where you can tour the kids area facilities and register, which you won't want to miss.

Even after you register them ahead of time, on the first day of the sail there is a Camp Open House that you need to attend to check them in the first time. Don't miss this because it's also your chance to check out this kids area, because after that you're regulated to staying at the door. It's during the open house you'll set your pin and meet the counselors. 

Kids Dining Options

Princess Cruises offers Gerber® baby food and pureed fresh fruits and veggies so you can indulge in award-winning dining, knowing your loved ones are taken care of. Simply order in the Cruise Personalizer online. 

However, the first time I went with my little ones this service wasn't offered and we were always able to find fresh fruit, cereal, kid dishes and soup on board for our toddlers. 

The new medallion ships offer room service from your phone with a kids menu. I ordered PB&J, Pizza and Grilled Cheese several nights when my boys were still hungry even after the buffet. No additional fee for the kids menu items.

Also, if your kids would like to join you in the dining room for a fancy family experience, they also offer crayons and a kid's menu there. 

Now, my boys' favorite part - FREE ICE CREAM!! There are soft-serve ice cream machines at the "Swirls" station up by the pool. My boys helped themselves every day! It got to the point where the lady there knew them by name and would try to guess which twin which, lol. 

The Reef Family Splash Zone

A kids splash zone was recently completed on the Caribbean Princess called the Reef Family Splash Zone. The interactive splash pad features a giant whale that shoots water out of its spout. There are also slides, large outdoor games (Jenga and Connect Four). There are also shaded canopies and lounge chairs for parents to relax while kids play. 

Sky and Royal did not have this area, unfortunately, but of course, there are still pools. 

Princess' Key Kids Camp and Playground  

If your cruise includes a stop on Princess' own island, you'll be pleased to learn there is a playground on the sand that kids can be checked into as well. It's essentially an extension of their camp onboard. 

I actually wasn't planning on signing them up for it, but once we played on the beach together they were bored and were eyeing the playground area, so we ended up registering them for an hour in there after all. 

Bunk Bed Cabin Setup

My family of four has stayed in a balcony room and a mini-suite. 

In our regular balcony room, they had a pull-down bunk from the ceiling that the steward put down each night. The boys wanted to take turns going up there. 

While the benefit of booking a mini-suite is that it comes with s a separate area for the kids to sleep. Including a privacy curtain separating where the adult bed is, so you can stay up a little later. Plus, mini-suites have a bathtub, which is great for younger tots. They also have their own flatscreen TV on their side with on-demand kids movies to stream. Thankfully, during the day they put the top bunk and ladder away and returned it to the couch setup for all of us to use. 

Easy to Keep Track of Your Kids 

Once you set sail, the Princess app allows you to track your fellow cruise mates, which is especially helpful for your kids. They do not need a device either, their medallion, which is your key to your room too comes with a built-in tracker. 

Even if you left your phone in your room, you can simply tap your medallion to any of the screens near the elevators to access the current itinerary of events as well as where everyone is. My kids would use this often to meet up with us too. During our adult dinners, I'd look to make sure they were still in the kid's camp and it would put me at ease. So helpful! 

Go on a Duck Hunt

Have you heard of Cruise Ducks? It's a fun activity that many cruisers do, even adults who hide rubber ducks around the ship to be found. You then can choose to keep or rehide them. So, if you see someone looking through a planter, they aren't odd, they are duck hunters! 

Sometimes people will attach a tag to the rubber duckie with instructions on how to share a photo or with the ship's name, etc. 

Since one of our cruise itineraries had several at-sea days, we packed our own ducks to hide. I purchased a package of 20 pirate ducks on Amazon along with pre-made cards to fill out and attach with my boys' names on them. We had a blast hiding them throughout the ship and my boys got to practice their handwriting by filling out the cards too. 

Decorate your Door

While more popular on Disney Cruise Line, passengers still decorate their doors on Princess Cruises too. The doors are magnetic so bring some fun magnets. You can even order a custom Princess family magnet like we did. 

Along with displaying the different crafts and kids club art that we made while on board, we had a dry-erase board magnet up and someone even wrote on it that they liked our decorations :) 

Another advantage to decorating your door is that it makes it easy for kids to spot their room down the long hallways. 

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What to do in Cozumel Without a Shore Excursion

This was my second time cruising to Cozumel. The first time was with Princess Cruises and most recently with Royal Caribbean. The first time I booked an excursion through the ship and went to the ruins, but this time my friend and I decided to explore on our own.

About Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel is Mexico's largest island, nestled just 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean sea. It's mostly undeveloped but is a popular cruise ship port of call and for all-inclusive resorts Mexico due to its famed scuba diving and beaches.

It's pretty safe! The drug-related crime in Mexico that makes the headlines is concentrated near the borders. Violent crime in Cozumel is rare. It also helps that it's not attached to the actual continent.


TIP: There isn't any need to exchange USD for Pesos as merchants will take cash or card. So, we only used credit cards and USD dollars, which they would convert for us with a calculator for us to see. This way we didn't get stuck with foreign money or coins when we went home.

Things to do in Cozumel, Mexico Without a Cruise Shore Excursion Booked:

Exit the Port Gates 

Once you walk down the large pier, you'll see Bubba Gumps, Senor Frogs, Duty-Free shopping, jewelry stores and a large marketplace of wares. This is definitely fun to explore, but if you want better deals you need to leave this area. Even Hard Rock Cafe is outside the exit gates, past the taxi lines.

Note:  We are two young-ish women and we felt perfectly safe leaving the port area in the afternoon just the two of us. Neither of us speaks Spanish either.

Walk to Mayan Plaza 

Once you exit the gates turn right two blocks, cross the street on your left and you'll see an outdoor restaurant serving $1 cerveza (beer) and lots of fruity drinks. On the other side of this restaurant is the start of the colorful plaza filled with souvenir shops selling blankets, ceramics, silver, replica bags and much more. There is also another tequila store at the end.

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Pose in front of the other Rainbow Cozumel Sign

Besides the brightly colored walls in the Mayan Plaza, which had me in Instagram heaven, the best part is seeing actual Mayan ruins in the back and posing in front of the rainbow COZUMEL sign in front of the building. There is a similar sign by the port as you can see in my top post image, but this one is less visited and offers the additional historic significance.

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Enjoy a Fish Spa Pedicure

Also in the same plaza, you will see what looks like a bunch of aquarium tanks with chairs above them. This is a fish spa. It's popular in Europe, but not allowed in the States. Basically, you sit in the chair, the staff cleans your feet and then you plunge your bare feet into the tank full of little small fish called Garra rufa or "doctor fish" because they eat away dead skin found on people's feet, leaving newer skin exposed.

Sounds weird? It is, but it's also fun and better than any scrub I have ever used. I tried the experience in Barcelona and in Prague before and I know some have argued the cleanliness of this practice since it's not regulated, but whatever. Each time my feet have never felt so baby smooth after and the only side effects suffered was being tickled by the fish as they feasted on my calluses and dead skin. It doesn't hurt, it just feels like the fish are swimming and rubbing up against your feet. 15 minutes for $30 USD.

Free Tequila Tastings

Within walking distance of the pier, you will see several shops offering free tastings. Our favorite with over sixty different flavors is Chile Tequila. The storefront is inside the covered bazaar area. Coco and Peanut Butter Tequila were surprisingly delicious. The staff was very friendly and they took credit card too.

I've been told no matter where you buy tequila though to watch them wrap your purchase so they don't do a bait and switch with the cheaper stuff. We didn't have this problem, but we heard other locations doing this scam.

If you can still stand ... you could go to several of these spots, but for all the samples you drink you are expected to at least buy a bottle or travel size portion to take back home. Once you board the ship they will confiscate any liquor purchased, but it will be returned to you on your last day.

Dive into the Underwater Oxygen Bar

Clear Lounge is the world's 1st underwater oxygen bar! Near Carnival Cruise's port of call — Puerta Maya. Guests can enter this underwater lounge and breathe enriched, scented oxygen while shooting bubble guns, playing Jenga, writing messages to each other and guests on the outside, and having their photo taken in our underwater photo booth– complete with a unique digital wall background and entertaining props. The fun lasts approximately 30 minutes including a short briefing. No diving experience necessary! If you can walk and breathe and are 8+ then you can participate. Be prepared for lots of people stopping to watch and take your photo too.

Chocolate Factory Tour 

Follow the signs to the taxi terminal and hail a ten-minute ride to Kaokao Factory from the pier. Make your own Mayan Chocolate from scratch! Discover the bean to bar chocolate making process inside this little great chocolate factory in Cozumel. All along the tour you will try the different flavors of the Cacao during its process (Rosted cacao beans, cacao paste and our product line) and the Mayan drink made with the original ingredients.

Each intimate 90-minute tour starts on the hour (09:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.) and costs $25 US dollars per person. Since they are a small factory, space is limited, which is why they request online reservations with pre-payment. Regardless if you have a tour booked, you can still visit their Factory Store for chocolate souvenirs.

Get a Baloon Hat at Senior Frogs

Cheesy, a tourist trap, whatever you want to call it, it's fun. We sat at the bar and drank a very large daiquiri in a souvenir cup, and enjoyed watching the different ways the staff entertained everyone like by balancing beer on their heads. They also played a name that theme song game and I answered the very first song, which was Sex and the City lol. I thought I was just going to get bragging rights, but instead, they had me come up on the stage and take a free shot too.

We requested one of the balloon hats for each of us and we weren't the only ones walking back on board with these silly hats. It's free, just tip the balloon maker.

It's not cheap, but groups of all ages seem to congregate here and it's a fun time.

Find Your Own Last Minute Tour

The minute you get off the pier you will be bombarded by "Free Information" booths and people with flyers offering tours to beaches, snorkeling and to different hotels on the island. These are typically cheaper than the cruise offerings, but of course not protected by or affiliated with the cruise. This can be a risk, but in Panama and Cancun, we did one of these without incident.

In the Dominican Republic, we simply went up to one of the taxi drivers and asked how much for 5 five hours exclusively and he then took us to different Rum, Chocolate, Cigar and beach spots privately for only $100 and with four of us in the van. For cigar enthusiasts, this can be a great opportunity to explore local tobacco selections or even bring along luxurious Renegade cigars to enjoy a premium smoke while taking in the scenery.

Ride Over to San Francisco Beach

Playa San Francisco is known for its clear, calm waters featuring boat & jet ski rentals and seaside cafes & pubs.

Beaches on the eastern side of the island are rocky, and the water is often rough, but they’re beautiful and feel much more undiscovered than others on the island. Northern coast beaches, north of San Miguel, tend to be popular with families with kids, since the water is calm and shallow. Limestone “iron shore” beaches are top spots to go snorkeling -- just make sure to wear water shoes.

All of the beaches on Cozumel are public, but that doesn’t mean they’re free. Technically, the use of the actual beach is free, but many impose cover charges that apply toward your bar or beach club food tab.

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