Gears

Minutes.  You're docked at both ports, so you should be able to walk off.  And usually, the gang way opens before the posted time and before official announcements are made, so if you go early there definitely won't be much of a wait.

So I did the Navigator 9 day from Miami that visits Curacao, Aurba, and Bonaire.  I have to say, of all the ports of call I've been to, Bonaire was simply incredible.  I cannot give a high enough recommendation to Renee Snorkel Trips.   Renee is a former marine biologist who relocated to Bonaire 25 years ago. Her knowledge is simply second to none.  I certainly won't get into the pro's and con's of booking an excursion through RCI or through places like Shore Excursioneer, but I will tell you what we were looking for.  
 
1.  Something unique
2.  Something not packed full of our other shipmates 
3.  Something affordable 
 
I stumbled upon her website about 2 months prior to sailing.  Her website says she does small groups, and the cost for a two hour trip is 40 dollars, equipment and beverages included.  I'm sold.  
 
When she says small groups, she means it.  It was my sister, my dad, and a couple from the ship from Toronto.   We drove about ½ mile down the street from the ship and just parked on the road and she said that this was our first stop.  I thought it was somewhat strange, but when I tell you that you will encounter more fish than you have ever seen in your life, I'm not exaggerating.  The only fair comparison I can make is that it was like snorkeling in a fully stocked aquarium.  Renee points out all of the different varieties of fish, including several octopus.   The water was calm, and crystal clear.   Renee ventured to say at the first stop we saw between 150-200 different species of fish all at a depth of 4-7 feet. 
 
The second stop is the Bonaire Marine EcoPark which offers the deeper of the two stops, and it allows you to see the vast schools of fish swim through the coral.  This stop is about 5 minutes in the opposite direction of the first stop.  
 
I hate to be 'that guy' that gushes... but out of the 12+ sailings I've done, Renee offered the best excursion I've come across.  To give you an idea of how impressed I was, outside of the 120 dollars it cost for the three of us to go, we tipped her another 120 dollars because of how friendly, and knowledgeable she was as a tour guide.  
 
http://www.reneesnorkeltrips.com

Had lunch at Sabor yesterday and was disappointed. Very limited menu and no tableside guacamole prep. No queso fundido, which is my very favorite dish at Sabor. The manager did offer to try and replicate queso fundido for me if I came back but I don't know if I will do that. It was nice of him to offer though.
 
Can't remember what the price scheme was but I don't recall seeing individual prices on the menu.
 
I truly prefer the full dining room Sabor (on Nav and other ships) to the "cantina" Sabors on the O Class ships.

Totally understanding of PTSD and other challenges. 
 
But...I'm having a hard time seeing a small Yorkshire Terrier being carried through the Promenade and Casino, or a small dog sleeping on a chair in the Schooner Bar while the mid-20s owner has a drink chatting with his travel companions as service dogs.
 
RCL has a service dog policy...but the policy says "Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required." Translation...'feel free to bend and abuse as you see fit'.

Totally understanding of PTSD and other challenges. 
 
But...I'm having a hard time seeing a small Yorkshire Terrier being carried through the Promenade and Casino, or a small dog sleeping on a chair in the Schooner Bar while the mid-20s owner has a drink chatting with his travel companions as service dogs.
 
RCL has a service dog policy...but the policy says "Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required." Translation...'feel free to bend and abuse as you see fit'.

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!