A Tough Entry But Good Times
February 20. 2026
Cozumel, Mexico
We LOVE Cozumel.
Morning
We all got up by 7AM and we went up to the Windjammer for breakfast and we were already parked in Cozumel at the International Terminal. The boys decided to eat in the Windjammer but it was a little too crowded for my liking so the girls went to Park Cafe in Central Park where the vibe was much less hectic and the food was just as good.
Hello Friday... And hello Mexico!
Breakfast with my girl on a cruise ship... doesn't get much better!
We grabbed some coffee, water bottles and Powerade from Cafe Promenade and then got off the ship shortly after 8AM. We made our way through the terminal and got a taxi to Sunset Beach just 5 minutes away. TIP- The taxis have standard and consistent fares to locations all over the island and are reasonably priced. This taxi ride was only $8 ($10 with tip) for all 4 of us.
We love Cozumel and the International Terminal is our favorite!
We had pre-purchased a snorkeling shore excursion from Shore Excursion Group, through our Travel Agent at Cruises Only. This was a 1 hour shore snorkel with all the gear included and then time on your own at Sunset Beach. We paid $35/ per person for a total of $140 for all four of us. The kids have never snorkeled and we were slightly worried how Luke would do but at this price we decided to give it a try.
Once we arrived at Sunset Beach we got checked in, put on a lot of sunscreen and then made our way to the snorkel entrance. Just as we were trying to enter via the rocky shoreline, the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas was arriving at the International Terminal and passing right by our beach. This meant the waves were very choppy. We wanted to wait but our guide said we would have to get in or may not be able to get in for a while due to the waves. Chris was the first to try and get in and it was a struggle to say the least. We all had our life vests on but not our flippers and as Chris was entering the water the waves pulled his swim trucks down. Thank goodness for the life vest having a strap between your legs or he would have LOST his swim trunks. The Mexican guide and helpers were helping him get up and laughing saying "Blanco, Blanco". The poor guy survived but it was a very rough start. But now we have memories and can laugh about it for years to come!
Sunset Beach, Bar and Restaurant between the International and Punta Langosta Cruise Terminals.
The Harmony of the Seas... We were SO CLOSE!
We are ready for our Snorkeling Excursion!
The Independence of the Seas coming into Cozumel.
Been there, done that... Check it out- Indy Cruise 2024
Luke also had a rough start as he was just not comfortable with breathing through his mouth. The mask fit him well but he just could not get the hang of it at first. He was panicking for about 10 minutes and I tried to calm him down but then the guide came back over and helped him and he finally got the hang of it. The rest is history as he LOVED every minute of it; we all did.
We were able to see a ship wreck, a statue of Jacque Cousteau and countless fish. We swam around and snorkeled for about an hour before heading back to shore. Our guide was phenomenal and we all loved this tour so much. It was WELL WORTH the $35 and I would highly recommend.
20 minutes into the excursion, he was LOVING it! We had to drag him back to shore!
The kids really enjoyed this excursion!
Check out this incredible excursion! Best overall VALUE in Cozumel!
After the tour, we opted to get a massage right on the beach while the kids played in the sand and enjoyed fresh Nachos from the restaurant and bar. The massage was $45 for 40 minutes and was very aesthetic. Even with the tip and massages for both Chris and I, we only spent $115 after our snorkel tour. Overall this excursion cost $275 with the food, tips and taxis included; which is honestly a very cheap excursion in Cozumel for a family of four!
This was $90 well spent... It was glorious!
Luke enjoyed the nachos and lounge chairs as well!
It will be an excursion and outing we will surely not forget!
Sunset Beach entrance... They loved the swings while waiting for our taxi!
It's been real... Until next time!
We opted to take a taxi back to the International Terminal but we should have walked as it was not too hot and very close to Sunset Beach. Once in the terminal, the boys got back on the ship and Natalie and I did some more shopping. Natalie decided to get shimmer "braids" in her hair and we got some T-shirts to commemorate our trip.
Still making memories... one Uber (or Mexican Taxi) at a time!
POV- In the cruise capital of the World!
Afternoon
We were all four back on the ship around 1PM and enjoying the empty Solarium hot tubs. We all took showers and then ate a lunch. The boys went to the Windjammer and Natalie and I went back to Park Cafe for Make Your Own Salads and it was delicious.
A view of the Main Pool around 2:30PM.
This is always a great idea to come back to the ship early to enjoy a fairly "empty" ship!
The World's Largest Cruise Ship- The Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas.
She had to skip Costa Maya (Costa Maybe) and then had to make a medical stop in Cozumel.
She is literally MASSIVE but so impressive!
Chris napped most of the afternoon while the kids played table tennis and enjoyed more of the Ultimate Abyss and I laid out in the Solarium. The kids and I also took a trip on the Rising Tides Bar so Natalie could enjoy the trip! We all met up at the Attic on Deck 4 for Friends Trivia and I WON! I got a Royal Caribbean highlighter!
The Rising Tides Bar is such a fun experience!
It's always one of my favorite activities on board!
We opted to go to the Boardwalk for more people watching and were able to get some hot dogs from the Dog House and some cotton candy. TIP- The Dog House offers traditional hot dogs and Bratwurst as well. The times vary from day to day but are included in your fare and are really good. The cotton candy was $3.95 but made fresh and the kids loved it.
YOLO- spend the $4 and get the cotton candy!
We watched sail away from the aft of the outside Promenade Deck and were able to see a beautiful sail away and sun set before dinner. Since we were in Cozumel, we hoped to see some pier runners but all of our passengers were responsible and were already on the ship. The Harmony of the Seas set sail back to Galveston shortly after 5PM.
We love a good sail away from Cozumel and this one did not disappoint!
A view of Sunset Beach and our snorkeling area. We actually went within 10 feet or so of the roped off area in this photo!
Goodbye Cozumel... All four of us will be back in July!
Chris and I in just a few weeks... And then again in June!
A view of the MSC Seascape... This was a sign.
We try to see all ships in port and guess which one we will be on next. We saw the Seascape when we sailed out of Miami on our Indy 2024 Cruise and jokingly said we would be on her when she sails from Galveston. I guess it may not have been a "joke".
This... This is why I sail. This view and the peace it provides is awe inspiring!
Evening
We went to Boleros for US State Trivia and came in 3rd thanks to Luke and his crazy random knowledge. We also tried the Family Karaoke in On Air but it was too loud for us so we opted to go get ready for Formal Night #2. We had told our steward on day 1 we wanted evening service for our room but it seemed he was always in our room when we wanted to shower or change. I really miss the twice daily room cleaning but our steward was amazing!
Once ready for dinner we went to the Royal Promenade for pictures and so did all of the other 6K passengers it seemed. We did not notice all the people on the first Formal Night but this seemed like people were everywhere. The kids were over it before we even got to take our pictures. I tried to explain that I used to make Chris go to every single booth on our first few cruises. But you live... and you learn. Now I just make sure I take a good picture to use my Emerald discount for a free picture.
My "not so little" guy and I were enjoying the evening trivia!
Picture Time in the Royal Promenade!
My FREE picture (digital download) with my Emerald C&A Rewards!
We made our way to the MDR for dinner and the lines were very long and the staff was running late from the first seating. We finally got seated after waiting for 15 minutes but the service was still really good. Once seated, we were in and out of the MDR within 1 hour and 20 minutes which is still remarkably fast for a cruise ship. In our recent experience, Royal Caribbean has the overall best (quick) MDR service.
We are ready for dinner in the Silk Dining Room!
They are all smiles tonight!
Night #6- Formal Night
The Royal Night Menu
The Onion Tartlet
Kellie- 4.5, Natalie-4 and Chris-4.5
The Lobster (only allowed ONE)
We all enjoyed this very much and gave it a 5.0!
The Cheese Tortellini
We all also enjoyed this very much! 4.5 or 5 from all!
Strawberry Shortcake
Kellie 4.5 and Natalie 5.0
After dinner Natalie and I did a little shopping in the Royal Promenade and then met the boys in Dazzles on Deck 8 for the High Seas Horns Big Band hour. This was one of my favorite things on our Allure of the Seas 2023 cruise and this was just as good if not better. We arrived a little late so we had to stand but that didn't matter. I swear, I am going to play my saxophone on a cruise ship before I die... What a life!
Natalie Grace loves Formal Night on a cruise ship and getting dressed up!
But time needs to stop... She is growing up SO FAST!
The High Seas Horns were INCREDIBLE!
Me and my mini-me were loving the live music!
Another Bar Crawl video- Although, not my best, we still LOVE Dazzles!
You've gotta check it out!
Chris and I ended the night in Studio B at "The Quest", the adult scavenger hunt. This time it was not near as risqué as usually and maybe a bit "boring". TIP- This is a great fun event for adults but it can be a little naughty. Some of our best memories are from The Serenade of the Seas 2015 when Chris was a chosen player and our 2nd Liberty of the Seas 2019 when we played with our friends Julie and Nate!
After The Quest, we grabbed some late night pizza and then called it a night right around midnight. The kids had already gone to bed as they were worn out from our day in Cozumel!
A day in Cozumel NEVER disappoints!
It was a great day in our "Cruise Home Away from Home" and we cannot wait to come back (in a few weeks, actually). Stay tuned for our last Sea Day aboard the Harmony of the Seas.
Up Next... Sea Day #3.
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- March 2019
The Norwegian Breakaway- November 2018
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- 2018
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
