First Carnival Cruise to Mexico: What should I expect?

[S-Man]

So I'm going on my first ever cruise in a few months with a bunch of friends. We're going to Mexico on the Carnival Cruise line. Specifically Cozumel and Progreso.

I want to bring some of my photo gear because I want nice photos, but I don't want to bring stuff that's too expensive. I'd like to take the 5D but I don't want to risk it getting stolen/damaged/lost. Same goes for the 40D. I'm thinking I may just take the XTi, and maybe buy a Tamron 17-50 for the trip. But then the issue comes up of where I'm going to dump the CF Cards after a day of shooting. I was thinking of taking my laptop but again, I don't trust the security of the cabins on a cruise ship.

What would I be safe taking along? How secure are cruise ship cabins?

I'm also taking my waterproof Panasonic P&S for underwater stuff and snapshots/video.

Any insight you can offer is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance :)

[Steelsun]

I've been on several Carnival cruises to those ports, and have always taken my gear (20d/40d and various lenses). cabins are as secure as a hotel room, and actually better since access to the ship is controlled. They have a room safe, but all I ever kept in it was my cash and passport.

In Cozumel I did the "Amazing Race" event, with a small backpack with camera gear - great fun (but limit what you carry - it gets heavy after running a few blocks).
In Progresso we did the Mayan Ruins tour and I brought a full pack of gear - awesome!
(carry small American dollar bills in Progresso/Ruins - you can get stuff from the roadside and blanket vendors at the ruins for about 10% of what the "official" tourist traps charge).

[S-Man]

Awesome! Great information Brian! I'm also wanting to go on the Chichen Itza Maya tour. Did you book yours through Carnival or a local tour guide? On the Carnival website it says it's a 7-hour tour, so it'll be all day. I don't mind, I definitely have to see this in person. It's just a shame they don't let you walk/climb/touch the ruins anymore. How recent did you visit, and how safe is it there?
I keep hearing bad things about Mexico with the cartels and such.

[Steelsun]

We did the cruise in Feb 2009.
We did it through Carnival - more trustworthy and the local guides/company are used to dealing with the time constraints of the cruise lines.
It is a 5-7 hour round trip on a bus. Take extra water/sodas and a snack if you can (we grabbed apples and oranges from the breakfast buffet).
At Chichen Itza we felt completely safe. There were armed police and plenty of people to not feel isolated.

In Cozumel we went FAR off the beaten tourist routes and still felt OK. The main thing there is that Cozumel is on an island and isolated from the mainland and caters to the tourist trade, so they police it quite well.

I am a security consultant by trade, so am very aware of the dangers of Mexico. I've refused jobs recently in Juarez, Monterry & Mexico City, but would not hesitate to go back to Cozumel (and in fact may go back in less than 2 months, on a cruise again, if plans work out).
Progresso the town is a little more "rough" so more caution is needed if going into town, but if you are doing Chichen Itza you won't have time to go into Progresso (although the bus drives through the edge - get a window seat and snap away).

[KrisLos]

Book the Progresso trip through the cruise line!! Since all of the excursions are a bus ride away, Carnival will take care of any issues if you are late getting back. We have gone to Cozumel twice and went on an excursion booked through Carnival once and then just took a cab to and from the market the 2nd time.

We did the the Blue Water SeaTrek Helmet Diving & Snorkel excursion and if the water is clear, then you will get some great underwater shots!!

Main thing is to enjoy!! There will be tons of opportunities for some gorgeous sunset shots!!

[jkderby]

Mexicans??

[S-Man]

I expect Mexicans when I drive down the road. I'm sure I'll probably see plenty of Gringos in Mexico, however

[Jake]

We went on that cruise this year(well, last year) and I took lots of gear.
I left my gear in the room when we were out and about on the ship without issue. We were in the penthouse suite though, not sure how they treat the lower decks….lol!
And because….

[ChrisTX]

Be sure and give a report after your trip. I'll be on Royal Caribbean in March going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. I already have Nachi Cocom reservations in Cozumel, but not sure about the other two places yet.

[KrisLos]

ChrisTX, you MUST swim with the stingrays at the Grand Cayman Island!! It is an awesome experience!!

[S-Man]

Great post Jake! Yeah, I'll definitely post an update. It's 80 days away as of now! I'm thinking in Cozumel I'll spend the day sightseeing and part of the day hangin out on the beach.
Looks like I might take the 5D after all. Too bad I'm selling my 24-105, it would be great for something like this haha.

Here's another question: If none of my friends want to go with me to Chichen Itza, would I be OK going solo? (Lame, I know, but I have to see this)

[KrisLos]

You could go by yourself, just book it through he ship! You will end up napping on the bus trip back to the ship. You meet other people and end up hanging out with hem on the ship, so it will be likely you would be on the excursion with someone you might have talked to!!

[rab3rd]

Less than 200 dollars a year can get you about 15k's worth of no deductable any damage/loss/theft world wide insurance on you camera equipment. I bought a policy before my trip to costa rica last year. Great piece of mind and I took everything I wanted to without fear of total loss. Something to think about if you are really worried.

[brewercm]

Sweet to know about the trip. We had actually paid for the same trip a few years ago and ended up not being able to go due to work problems. Hoping to take it again in the next year or so. Those pictures only make me want to go sooner.

[jeffro20]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Awesome! Great information Brian! I'm also wanting to go on the Chichen Itza Maya tour. Did you book yours through Carnival or a local tour guide? On the Carnival website it says it's a 7-hour tour, so it'll be all day. I don't mind, I definitely have to see this in person. It's just a shame they don't let you walk/climb/touch the ruins anymore. How recent did you visit, and how safe is it there?
I keep hearing bad things about Mexico with the cartels and such.

This past summer while in Playa del Carmen I was also disappointed to hear that Chichen Itza Maya could no longer be climbed on. We canceled due to that fact and booked a tour to Coba instead. Very impressive site and you are able to climb the tall temple there. Loved it. Just google Coba. The temple there is 12 stories tall with a wonderful view of the jungle.