We’re in the home stretch of this quick four-day cruise to Cozumel on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas, and our guest contributor, John Hoiden, is back with another installment of his adventures onboard and ashore. Before I turn things over to John, let’s talk a little about Cozumel.
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea, located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It sits directly across from the popular resort town of Playa del Carmen and is part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Cozumel is known for its beaches, coral reefs, and rich Mayan history, making it a top destination for tourists, especially cruise ship passengers, making it one of the most visited ports in the Caribbean.
Day-by-Day Review Index:
When your cruise ship pulls in, you’re you’re going to be docked at one of three piers: Punta Langosta, the International Pier, and Puerta Maya. Each of these piers has its own quirks and perks, but no matter where you dock, you’re just steps away from all the action.
Punta Langosta is the most centrally located pier, right in the heart of downtown San Miguel. It’s perfect if you’re looking to dive straight into the local culture with shops, restaurants, and bars just a short stroll away. The walkability here is a dream, especially if you’re in the mood to explore on foot.
The International Pier, a little further south, is where you’ll often see the bigger ships. It’s not far from the action either, with a quick taxi ride taking you into town, or you can stretch your legs with a pleasant walk along the waterfront.
Then there’s Puerta Maya, Carnival’s own slice of paradise. This pier is designed with convenience in mind, featuring a shopping village right at the port with everything from local crafts to familiar brands.
Around the port area, you’ll find it easy to get around, whether you’re walking or grabbing a cab. If you’re not heading out on an excursion, there’s plenty to keep you busy. You can shop for souvenirs, sample some authentic Mexican cuisine, or even just kick back at one of the many beachfront bars with a cold drink in hand. For a bit of local flair, check out the nearby Mercado Municipal to get a taste of how the locals live.
But if you’re up for an adventure, Cozumel has some grwat excursions. Snorkeling at Palancar Reef is a must-do for underwater enthusiasts – the coral and marine life are out of this world. For something a bit more laid-back, the Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park offers a mix of relaxation and fun with its beach, lagoon, and even a chance to swim with dolphins. And if history is more your thing, a trip to the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins will take you back in time to explore ancient Mayan culture right on the island.
Cozumel, Mexico Travel Advisory
It’s important to note that the United States State Department has a travel advisory for Quintana Roo in effect. Cruise passengers visiting Cozumel should exercise increased caution due to the potential for criminal activity and violence, which can occur in any location, even in popular tourist areas. It’s important to stay alert, avoid places where illicit activities might be happening, and quickly leave any situation that feels unsafe.
While these incidents are not typically directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have sometimes resulted in innocent bystanders being injured. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in various areas, so maintaining situational awareness is key to staying safe.
With that out of the way, I’ll turn things over to John!
If you caught up with my Day 2 report, you know I had a long night in the casino with an epic Blackjack session that stretched nearly seven hours, keeping me at the table until almost 2 AM. By the time I crawled into bed, it was somewhere between 2:30 and 3 AM.
Despite my best efforts to sleep in, I found myself awake around 7:30 AM, and just as I was trying to drift back off, there was a knock on the door at 8 AM—“Housekeeping!” they called, in a scene straight out of Tommy Boy. Exhausted, I could only muster a “Come back later” before collapsing back into bed.
It’s going to be a very long day.
Eventually, I managed to drag myself out of bed, muster some energy, and get ready for the day. After grabbing a quick breakfast at the Windjammer, I headed down to Deck 1 to disembark and begin my adventure in Cozumel.
Cozumel is one of my favorite stops, and I always look forward to spending time here. I know some people say, “I don’t even get off the ship there anymore because I’ve been there a million times and I’ve done it all,” but that’s not me. I always find something new to enjoy. I feel safe here, and although the locals can be a bit pushy with sales sometimes, they’re incredibly friendly and welcoming. I love the freedom of just exploring without a set plan or booking excursions, and today was no different.
As usual, I made my way to the taxi station, but then I thought, “You know what? I’m gonna walk this.” Probably not the best decision in the middle of August, but I was up for the adventure. For reference, I’ve provided a map of the route I walked, so you can see just how ambitious (or crazy) I was!
I knew I wanted to head to Kusam Brewing. I’ve been there before, and I remember the beers, food, and service being top-notch. It’s a bit off the beaten path, which I appreciate—just a couple of blocks away from the main tourist areas, so it has a more local vibe. I don’t think too many tourists even know it’s there, which makes it a great spot to unwind.
The walk to Kusam, while incredibly hot, was still enjoyable. I came prepared with a bottle of water and made sure to apply some reef-friendly sunscreen. If it had been a bit cooler, I probably would have enjoyed it even more. The path took me along the Gulf, with the sound of waves crashing the entire time. It’s a really relaxing stroll, passing by various restaurants, dive shops, and resorts. If I come back during the winter months, I’d definitely walk it again—otherwise, I’m taking a cab! Speaking of cabs, there’s a handy pricing menu posted right outside the port at the taxi station, so you know exactly what you’ll pay, which is a nice touch.
So anyway, about an hour into my walk, I reached my first stop—a 7-Eleven. My bank has an ATM there, and I wanted to withdraw some Pesos to see if I could get a better deal on things. During my last couple of visits, I noticed that paying in USD often resulted in a higher charge than the actual exchange rate. I figured you probably pay a little extra since they have to cover fees and the hassle of exchanging USD for Pesos. So, I decided to test it out. I took out 3,000 Pesos, which cost me $159.76, with no transaction or ATM fees from my bank. After grabbing a couple of bottles of water, I set off toward my next destination—Kusam Brewing.
A quick side note—I wish I’d spent more time browsing in the 7-Eleven. Some of the snacks and food items looked pretty interesting, definitely a lot of stuff you don’t see in the States. Next time, I’ll have to explore a bit more and maybe try a few local treats!
I decided to cut up a side street to avoid the crowds and shops and made my way to Kusam, arriving just in time for lunch. They had four beers on tap: a Tropical Brown, a Mexican Lager, a Hazy Pale Ale, and a Double IPA.
Last time, I went with the guac, but this time, I wanted to try something different, so I opted for the beer cheese, which is made with their Lager. To go along with it, I also ordered the three steak tacos—perfect for a midday meal.
Let’s start with the beers. As always, they were absolutely delicious. I have to give Kusam Brewing a lot of credit—they’re a relatively new spot, having opened in 2021, but they’ve already nailed it. I know the owner mentioned online recently that he’s still perfecting his craft, studying, and experimenting, and I’d say he’s definitely on the right track! All four beers I tried were crisp and refreshing, with the Hazy Pale Ale and Double IPA standing out for their bold, full flavors. I’d give the beers a solid 5 stars.
Now, onto the chips and beer cheese. Their homemade chips are hands down some of the best I’ve ever had—crispy, light, and perfectly seasoned. The beer cheese was really good, though I think I might have enjoyed the guac a bit more last time. But honestly, I wasn’t as hungry as I thought I was, so that could have influenced my preference. The chips also came with three different sauces: Tomato, Chipotle, and Habanero Pineapple. I have to say, the Habanero Pineapple was my favorite—it had just the right kick with a sweet twist that made it really stand out.
Next up were the tacos—really good; the steak was nice and tender, and the flavors were spot on.
After all that walking in the heat, I was mainly focused on staying hydrated. Thankfully, those two giant bottles of water I picked up from 7-Eleven earlier really came in handy. Despite the hiccup, Kusam Brewing remains a favorite spot of mine in Cozumel.
I asked my server if he preferred pesos or cash, and he said it didn’t really matter. My total came to 580 Pesos, which is roughly $30. Considering that the last time I was here, just two beers and guac cost me $32 USD, I definitely think you get a better deal using Pesos. It’s a small difference, but it adds up, especially when you’re dining out or shopping.
After finishing up, I started making my way back to the ship. I passed by a few taxis, but I figured I’d head to the Mega Mart, where I’ve caught cabs before. Just my luck—no cabs were there when I arrived. The sidewalk was blocked off, so I had to cross the street, and just then, a taxi pulled up. The driver greeted me with a friendly, “Amigo! You look like you could use a ride, my friend.” Why yes, yes I do! I asked how much it would be to get back to the International Port, and he quoted me $10—the standard price. Perfect! I definitely lucked out on this one.
Back at the port area, I did some shopping but didn’t end up buying anything. Eventually, I decided it was time to head back to my room for a small nap. After a bit of rest and rehydrating with lots of water and Powerade, I finally started to feel like myself again. I even made my way to the Windjammer for a quick bite to eat—my appetite had returned, and I was ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
Dinner at the Windjammer Café was pretty decent tonight. I got there right as they opened, so everything was fresh and piping hot—a definite plus. The Windjammer is the ship’s main buffet and offers a wide variety of dishes, catering to just about every craving you might have.
They’ve got a huge salad bar with all the fixings, from crisp greens to a variety of toppings and dressings, so I made myself a big, satisfying salad to start. After that, I headed over to the international section where I picked up some fried rice and sweet and sour chicken. The Asian-inspired dishes really hit the spot tonight, with the rice being perfectly cooked and the chicken tender with just the right amount of tangy sauce. The Windjammer always has a bit of everything—pastas, carving stations, fresh fruits, and an array of desserts—so it’s easy to find something you’ll enjoy.
After dinner, I started heading back to my room when I noticed that the Magic show was about to start. Matt Disero was performing, and I recognized his name from Penn and Teller’s Fool Us. They also announced that he had just performed at the Magic Castle last week, which was pretty impressive.
The last magic show I saw on the Independence of the Seas featured a guy from Fool Us who was, frankly, pretty terrible. But I remembered Matt Disero from his performance on Penn and Teller, and I recalled enjoying his act, so I was excited to see him live. He didn’t disappoint—his show was a great mix of improv, crowd interaction, and magic, all wrapped up with a good dose of comedy.
He brought people up on stage, made jokes at their expense, and then hit them with impressive magic tricks that left everyone laughing and amazed. Unlike some comedian magicians who can come off as hacky, Matt was sharp, witty, and genuinely funny. His ability to blend humor with sleight of hand kept the audience engaged and entertained from start to finish. If you ever get the chance to see Matt Disero, I highly recommend it!
After the show, I decided to check my points from all that time spent at the Blackjack table. The casino had just opened and was already packed, so I found a machine to check my account. To my surprise, I only earned about 130 points from nearly seven hours of play! I was shocked because I had earned more than that playing for just an hour on Independence of the Seas. I have no idea how they calculate table game points, but it was a bit disappointing.
With the casino so busy, I decided not to play tonight. Instead, I’ll come back in the morning when it’s quieter. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty drained after only four hours of sleep and walking around in the Mexican heat all day. Getting older sure isn’t easy!
Time to call it an early night and get some much-needed rest and relaxation before my final sea day tomorrow, leading up to our return to Tampa on Monday morning.