Cruise to Cozumel (and back)

Aboard the Carnival Ecstasy!

The Road Show went on a working vacation in October. As part of a new venture, a friend and I put together a group cruise with a twist. We booked cabins on the Carnival Ecstasy sailing from Galveston and brought along a Maya archeologist/anthropologist to help us learn about the ancient Maya civilization.

While on board the ship, our expert, Dr. Jennifer Mathews, (Associate Professor of Anthropology at Trinity University, San Antonio) provided us with an overview of the Maya civilization. We arranged for a private meeting room (the Chinatown Lounge) and screen and projector set-up. Everyone enjoyed the presentation and looked forward to the day in Cozumel.

Our port day came on Saturday, and we were met by our Yaxkin tour guide Miguel and driver Antonio. (We booked this tour through the Cozumel Insider website and were very happy with the service and prices!)

Our group had a beautiful 30 passenger bus, and we were off to the Maya ruins at San Gervasio. Miguel and Dr. Mathews led us around the partially restored site with several small temples and buildings. The site is believed to have been a pilgrimage stop, with buildings dedicated to the goddess Ix Chel.

After the ruins, Miguel took us on a tour of Cozumel’s eastern shore, with stops at the rocky beaches, the Tequila Factory and the tiny town of El Cedral. We ate lunch on the waterfront in downtown Cozumel, at the Tikky Tok restaurant. Good regional food.

Some people had time to shop at the Puerta Maya Pier where the Carnival ships dock.

On the last sea day, we again convened in the Chinatown Lounge for Dr. Mathews’ second presentation on her book, “Chicle: The Chewing Gum of the Americas from the Ancient Maya to William Wrigley.” We all enjoyed learning the history of the chicleros and the story of the Wrigley family fortune, not to mention tasting the samples of natural chicle gum by the Glee Gum company.

Acting as escort to a tour group has been fun! It certainly kept me busy! I did take about 15 minutes to sit on a deck chair and contemplate the ocean, I was able to get a great massage at the spa, and even had time for the slot machine tournament. but after each fun activity for myself it was back to making sure things were going well for the group. Of course, any time you can look out your window at calm seas, beautiful clouds, and have room service, life is pretty good!

My new Merrell shoes.

Will definitely do this again! Thanks to everyone who helped the dream become a reality! You know who you are!

If you want to read another account of this trip, go to my friend’s blog: Sanchez Travels.