Carnival Ships Plan Longer Stays at the Port of Cozumel

Now you can try to do it all. Called “Cozumel Plus” itineraries, Carnival Cruise Line ships now stay in the port of Cozumel long enough to accommodate up to eight-hour shore excursions to the mainland of Mexico.

Yes, Cozumel is an island off the west coast of Mexico. Cruise passengers take a short ferry ride over to Playa del Carmen to connect with their selected tours on the mainland.

This extra time means that shore excursions can go further into Mexico and guests can stay longer at some of Mexico’s most ancient sites and immersive experiences.

More Time in Cozumel – Time to Visit Chichen Itza

More than 750 cruise itineraries participate in the extended stays in Cozumel and can be found on at Carnival.com.  By the way, when searching for these new voyages, you’ll need to click on the “Caribbean” not Mexico button. Cozumel is on the Caribbean Sea-side of Mexico.

“Cozumel Plus” cruises enable guests to choose new excursions and experiences including a seasonal excursion swim with enormous whale sharks in open water, snorkel in the clear waters of Xel-Ha – an all-natural water park with lagoons, caves and an aquatic zip line.

Seventeen Carnival ships are participating in the new Cozumel Plus program on 4- to 7-day cruises from ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

This is especially good news for shoppers and foodies, both of whom sometimes felt (I know I did) as though there wasn’t enough time to take a shore excursion, shop and go for a fabulous Mexican lunch ashore. Let alone explore a bit of white sand beach or snorkel time.

You could sign up for a Carnival shore excursion in the morning or afternoon and still have time for at least two other activities, like Emily’s Cozumel Food Tour or learn to prepare Mexican food at Josephina’s Kitchen.

Cruise ships that call on Cozumel, dock at Carnival’s port facility Puerta Maya, convenient to beaches and downtown San Miguel via a short taxi ride. Puerta Maya has plenty of shops plus a few restaurants and bars which makes it a great place to wind down before boarding your ship at the end of the day.