Didn't Love Nachi Cocom... May Try Paradise Beach Next

[recogneyes]

7 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I accept tips as a thank you.

I actually booked Paradise with daybed 14 for July this morning. I'm sure I could have waited but I decided to just get some stuff out of the way for our next group of cruises before I got busy over the next few months with work, holidays, and of course booking more cruises as 2025-26 is being released.

Ha..no doubt!  That's great that you have it booked.  If you change your mind before going you can always cancel.  Our cruises over the next year don't stop at Cozumel but we are on Wonder March 2025 which does - I tried booking but it doesn't allow bookings that far out.  May need to try to squeeze one more in before then.

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

Ha..no doubt!  That's great that you have it booked.  If you change your mind before going you can always cancel.  Our cruises over the next year don't stop at Cozumel but we are on Wonder March 2025 which does - I tried booking but it doesn't allow bookings that far out.  May need to try to squeeze one more in before then.

I saw they have a generous cancellation policy... not that I plan to cancel but that's always nice.

Yes, you need to squeeze one more in. More is better!

Our March 2024 cruise is set, going back on a boat/snorkel tour in St. Martin we did before and enjoyed (Captain Bob) and just staying on the ship in St. Thomas or maybe going shopping for a little bit. We're there from 1-8pm which I don't love for excursions.

June is in the works... planning a private tour of Roatan that we were supposed to do in 2019 but Harmony couldn't dock due to high winds . We're also debating a different inexpensive beach club for Cozumel just b/c it's something to try and inexpensive.

July is just going to be Paradise Beach unless we decide to add something.

I start going down a rabbit hole with excursions and begin to lose sight of the fact that we mostly sail for the ship (and love Wonder) so I really don't need to be going out of my way to find ways to spend money to get off of her, lol.

We also have one in March 2025 (I almost asked you for your date until I realized it can't be mine if you'll be in Cozumel) but there's plenty of time for that and my wife is trying to get her best friend from college and her husband to join us.

[Jax]

54 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

Fingers crossed it's not too bad - both times we were there lots of ships were in port...resort was busy but service was still amazing.   They do have a cap of how many they allow.  Have a great time!

Thank you! We are looking forward to it. The resort offers something for everyone.  Our plan is to get there early to book jet skis and other activities before the crowds peak.  We have never stopped at Cozumel so have no idea how getting off the ship will be but we will have our genie escort us off early so we can be one of the first to get to Paradise Beach.   

53 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

So glad that @OCSC Mike pointed this out - way better than how the resort booked daybeds in the past

I know right! 

39 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I actually booked Paradise with daybed 14 for July this morning.

Yay! I will definitely post a review on my upcoming blog on the resort and daybed #14. And 15, 16 and 17 while I am at it.  

[OCSC Mike]

9 minutes ago, Jax said:

We have never stopped at Cozumel so have no idea how getting off the ship will be but we will have our genie escort us off early so we can be one of the first to get to Paradise Beach.

It's not too bad. You just have to make your way through the shops in the port shopping area until you pop out onto the street where they have a queue set up to get taxis. They have lots of signs and it's pretty well organized.

I don't usually know where the heck I'm going but somehow I wound up leading my wife and a couple we met from our FB group to split a taxi with who were also going to Nachi and I got us to the taxi area, lol.

Looking forward to your multiple daybed reports. It looks like you can login to your reservation and edit stuff. So if you tell me 15 or 16 was better maybe we'll switch. Hopefully 14 is the best since that's yours though.

[recogneyes]

20 hours ago, Jax said:

Thank you! We are looking forward to it. The resort offers something for everyone.  Our plan is to get there early to book jet skis and other activities before the crowds peak.  We have never stopped at Cozumel so have no idea how getting off the ship will be but we will have our genie escort us off early so we can be one of the first to get to Paradise Beach.   

I know right! 

Yay! I will definitely post a review on my upcoming blog on the resort and daybed #14. And 15, 16 and 17 while I am at it.  

 

20 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I saw they have a generous cancellation policy... not that I plan to cancel but that's always nice.

Yes, you need to squeeze one more in. More is better!

Our March 2024 cruise is set, going back on a boat/snorkel tour in St. Martin we did before and enjoyed (Captain Bob) and just staying on the ship in St. Thomas or maybe going shopping for a little bit. We're there from 1-8pm which I don't love for excursions.

June is in the works... planning a private tour of Roatan that we were supposed to do in 2019 but Harmony couldn't dock due to high winds . We're also debating a different inexpensive beach club for Cozumel just b/c it's something to try and inexpensive.

July is just going to be Paradise Beach unless we decide to add something.

I start going down a rabbit hole with excursions and begin to lose sight of the fact that we mostly sail for the ship (and love Wonder) so I really don't need to be going out of my way to find ways to spend money to get off of her, lol.

We also have one in March 2025 (I almost asked you for your date until I realized it can't be mine if you'll be in Cozumel) but there's plenty of time for that and my wife is trying to get her best friend from college and her husband to join us.

We will be getting off the ship as you are boarding - that's our March Break week here.  Sailing with friends and their kids.  Enjoy your planning for your various cruises!!

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, recogneyes said:

We will be getting off the ship as you are boarding - that's our March Break week here.  Sailing with friends and their kids.  Enjoy your planning for your various cruises!!

Same to you!

Probably a good thing Spring Breaks are different from area to area as far as cruises go or else that one week might have crazy prices like some major holidays. We haven't been sailing during Spring Break over the years but I was happy to find that the prices were at least better than the summer when we always sail.

[recogneyes]

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

Same to you!

Probably a good thing Spring Breaks are different from area to area as far as cruises go or else that one week might have crazy prices like some major holidays. We haven't been sailing during Spring Break over the years but I was happy to find that the prices were at least better than the summer when we always sail.

I agree with you on both fronts!  I find as long as we book far out and go with group rates, then the rates are decent.

[OCSC Mike]

11 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

I find as long as we book far out and go with group rates, then the rates are decent.

Yep, switching to this M.O. has basically saved cruising for me.

I used to book fairly last minute for the summer b/c that's when we're free and flexible and have the short drive. As expensive as the summer is, I could usually find pretty good deals. Once I saw prices going crazy, I knew I needed to find a different way and learning about TA group rates was the answer.

[Wilson]

We are going to give Paradise another try since they are offering a RC Blog discount. @Matt during your recent visit did you happen to notice the brands of liquor they were using if you did NOT purchase the top shelf option? We experienced the "gasoline" taste you mentioned in your article at a couple other resorts and ended up going back to beer. TYIA for your response and for working out a discount for your followers.  

[OCSC Mike]

I just e-mailed them about the promo code. I already have a reservation for July but since I could easily just cancel & re-book, I would hope they will just apply it & reduce my balance due. We’ll see what they say.

Thanks for the discount, @Matt.

[Jax]

20 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I just e-mailed them about the promo code. I already have a reservation for July but since I could easily just cancel & re-book, I would hope they will just apply it & reduce my balance due. We’ll see what they say.

Thanks for the discount, @Matt.

I sent them a message too for our reservation later this month.

[tonyfsu21]

13 hours ago, Wilson said:

We are going to give Paradise another try since they are offering a RC Blog discount. @Matt during your recent visit did you happen to notice the brands of liquor they were using if you did NOT purchase the top shelf option? We experienced the "gasoline" taste you mentioned in your article at a couple other resorts and ended up going back to beer. TYIA for your response and for working out a discount for your followers.  

The description “Gasoline taste” is alarming considering the fact that spiking alcohol with chemicals is known to be a thing in Mexico. Where was this? I normally ask for unopened cans of Tecate for that very reason. 

[Wilson]

32 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

The description “Gasoline taste” is alarming considering the fact that spiking alcohol with chemicals is known to be a thing in Mexico. Where was this? I normally ask for unopened cans of Tecate for that very reason. 

RIU in Aruba and spring break central, Mr. Sancho's. ALL the liquor bottles at RIU had the same generic white label with black letters. "Tequila", "Vodka", "Whiskey" with no branding. It was horrible. Was not concerned with "spiking". I think it was VERY cheap low quality liquor and I refuse to consume it. Now if I was still 21... LOL

[OCSC Mike]

15 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I just e-mailed them about the promo code. I already have a reservation for July but since I could easily just cancel & re-book, I would hope they will just apply it & reduce my balance due. We’ll see what they say.

Just got an e-mail back and they have updated my balance due. They even took 10% off the daybed. Great customer service via e-mail so far.

Hope you had the same experience, @Jax.

[Jax]

25 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Hope you had the same experience, @Jax.

I contacted them via Facebook messenger and they are applying the discount as well. I have to agree that so far their communication and customer service has been excellent.  Not sure if I mentioned this already but our itinerary changed after I had booked with Paradise Beach and with a simple email both our reservations (passes and daybed) were changed and confirmed back in less than 24 hours.  Plus I was talking to our genie yesterday and he had very good things to say about his experience there.  I am cautiously optimistic. 

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, Jax said:

I contacted them via Facebook messenger and they are applying the discount as well. I have to agree that so far their communication and customer service has been excellent.  Not sure if I mentioned this already but our itinerary changed after I had booked with Paradise Beach and with a simple email both our reservations (passes and daybed) were changed and confirmed back in less than 24 hours.  Plus I was talking to our genie yesterday and he had very good things to say about his experience there.  I am cautiously optimistic. 

Sounds great on all counts. Looking forward to your review.

[Jax]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Sounds great on all counts. Looking forward to your review.

I initially forgot to provide them with both my reservation numbers and within 7 minutes they had applied the promo code to both the passes and daybed and emailed me confirmation.  Impressive. 

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, Jax said:

I initially forgot to provide them with both my reservation numbers and within 7 minutes they had applied the promo code to both the passes and daybed and emailed me confirmation.  Impressive. 

Very impressive. They impressed me from the start with the quick explanation for how to see the daybed views since I failed to read the instructions.

We're actually going on the same western itinerary in both June and July. All this positivity plus the discount (I know, it's only $20 for the 2 of us but I'm a sucker for a deal) is making me consider booking it for the other one, lol.

I have to keep reminding myself how much we we enjoy staying on the ship. We mostly look to do one long excursion plus CocoCay on a typical 7-night cruise and we have a long private tour scheduled for Roatan in June since we've never been there.

Maybe your review will sway me. I know the menu is large but since you have a large party, if you could arrange for people to order one of everything and a healthy sampling of the many drinks... that would be great!

[Jax]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

. I know the menu is large but since you have a large party, if you could arrange for people to order one of everything and a healthy sampling of the many drinks... that would be great!

I am on it! Haha 

[Maggie M]

After reading these reviews - I was going to try and cancel our reservation at Mr. Sanchos and book with Paradise but there are no daybeds available for the date that we'll be there (February - so bummed!! I'm sure Mr. Sanchos will be fine - we're traveling with our almost 4 year old so he should have a blast no matter which beach club we're at. The swim-up bar will be nice too!

[OCSC Mike]

@Jax

Paradise Beach shenanigans! I was checking my reservation & it looks like they added a few daybeds. There’s now a #22 at the end & my #14 is now in between that one & #15.

Not a huge deal but we spent time choosing to be on the end for a reason. I may politely complain a little via e-mail.

[Jax]

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Not a huge deal but we spent time choosing to be on the end for a reason. I may politely complain a little via e-mail.

I don’t blame you for being a bit annoyed. If you still prefer to be at the end I would email them and see if they can switch your daybed to #22. And don’t forget to use the RCBLOG promo code for 10% off.  I honestly don’t know how #22 will affect the traffic flow from the pool area to the beach but I am sure it’ll all be fine.  

[OCSC Mike]

10 minutes ago, Jax said:

I don’t blame you for being a bit annoyed. If you still prefer to be at the end I would email them and see if they can switch your daybed to #22. And don’t forget to use the RCBLOG promo code for 10% off.  I honestly don’t know how #22 will affect the traffic flow from the pool area to the beach but I am sure it’ll all be fine.  

It will definitely be fine, I just don't like spending time picking out something and putting down a deposit over 8 months in advance and then getting something slightly different. It's more about the principal. We'll see what they say.

#22 is taken btw or I would have just switched. You can login to your reservation and do stuff like that yourself. They actually have a really nice website.

EDIT: Looking at the diagram some more, I'm not sure I'd want #22. It's sort of behind the restaurant even if it's angled facing the ocean.

[Jax]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

#22 is taken btw or I would have just switched. You can login to your reservation and do stuff like that yourself. They actually have a really nice website.

Darn! Thats too bad. I am an early planner as well so I would be annoyed also.  

 

5 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

, I just don't like spending time picking out something and putting down a deposit over 8 months in advance and then getting something slightly different. It's more about the principal. We'll see what they say.

agree. 

[OCSC Mike]

20 hours ago, Jax said:

Darn! Thats too bad. I am an early planner as well so I would be annoyed also.  

They wrote me back this morning and offered to switch me to #22... the catch is that they don't actually have those new daybeds installed yet (that's why they aren't available on the website).

I told the woman that I'm not switching without seeing the view and asked a few follow up questions. She got back to me in like 5 minutes and said the new beds should be there in the next 2 weeks and she would send me a photo with the view from #22 as soon as they are installed so I can decide which one I want.

They really do seem to have excellent customer service. It was never a huge deal; I just wanted to politely complain a bit. I can't really fault them for placing a new revenue-generating daybed in an empty space that won't impact mine in any significant way. I think they're handling it well.

Now I get to debate which one I want once I have the new picture... is it weird that I'm kind of looking forward to that? Planning is part of the fun, especially when it's something simple like this, right?

[Jax]

44 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

They wrote me back this morning and offered to switch me to #22... the catch is that they don't actually have those new daybeds installed yet (that's why they aren't available on the website).

I told the woman that I'm not switching without seeing the view and asked a few follow up questions. She got back to me in like 5 minutes and said the new beds should be there in the next 2 weeks and she would send me a photo with the view from #22 as soon as they are installed so I can decide which one I want.

They really do seem to have excellent customer service. It was never a huge deal; I just wanted to politely complain a bit. I can't really fault them for placing a new revenue-generating daybed in an empty space that won't impact mine in any significant way. I think they're handling it well.

Now I get to debate which one I want once I have the new picture... is it weird that I'm kind of looking forward to that? Planning is part of the fun, especially when it's something simple like this, right?

So glad they got back to you so quickly with this possibility. I agree that their customer service is excellent. I’ll be curious to see the picture because the area where #22 is planned for, use to be a path that guests used to get from the pool area by daybed #6 to the beach area and there was an outdoor shower in that general area.  I can’t wait to see how they reconfigured the space. And yes, planning is fun! I feel invested in this outcome so keep me posted!  

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, Jax said:

I’ll be curious to see the picture because the area where #22 is planned for, use to be a path that guests used to get from the pool area by daybed #6 to the beach area and there was an outdoor shower in that general area.

Glad you brought that up. If I can't tell from the pic (which usually just points at the ocean), I'll ask if there's still a walking path there. That could be a reason to stick with #14... kinda like not picking #16 b/c of the foot traffic to/from the pool and taco truck.

8 minutes ago, Jax said:

I feel invested in this outcome so keep me posted!

Will do.

[Matt]

On 12/1/2023 at 8:13 PM, Wilson said:

We are going to give Paradise another try since they are offering a RC Blog discount. @Matt during your recent visit did you happen to notice the brands of liquor they were using if you did NOT purchase the top shelf option? We experienced the "gasoline" taste you mentioned in your article at a couple other resorts and ended up going back to beer. TYIA for your response and for working out a discount for your followers.  

I'm so late on responding to this, but I'd expect well liquor if you don't go for the upgrade options.  I apologize I don't have specifics, but if you want more than beer, I'd go for the top shelf option.