Perfect day Mexico!

[RCIfan1912]

I know I heard about this project many times but didn't pay much attention to it or what they were doing but HOLY FREAKING COW! I am just blown away. I'm a sucker, a big time sucker for a lazy river so that has something to do with my excitement. Everything here looks amazing.

I suppose there won't be any cruises from NJ? Too far? Would LOVE to go to Coco Cay and Perfect Day Mexico on the same cruise. 

 

[Royal4]

Huge news! Can't wait!

[PhillyLady]

"Really feel the vibe of México"--HA HA!!

He means, really feel the vibe of an over-the-top amusement park/beach resort trying to be culturally relevant.  

Oh well, it looks like a lot of fun, and the resort should provide a lot of new jobs, hopefully, and help the local economy as well as RC's coffers.    I will keep my fingers crossed that this more isolated part of the country will continue to be safe and secure. 

I was just in Costa Maya last month, and I headed out to the Chacchoben Maya ruins, a small but interesting site.  

It will be interesting to see if this new park brings more cruisers to the area!

[LandstromCruise]

This will increase the value of the western Caribbean cruises. Looks like it will be pretty cool 

[OCSC Mike]

10 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I suppose there won't be any cruises from NJ? Too far?

Yeah, I think the more main purpose is to allow ships that can't reach PDCC as quickly from ports like Galveston (especially this one), Tampa, New Orleans, etc. to be able to run short cruises to PDMX like all the FL shorties that go to PDCC/Nassau (and perhaps charge a premium). I'm sure it will also be included on longer Western itineraries too.

Maybe some of the Westerns I'm used to that go to PDCC and then the usual Mexico/Roatan ports will just head straight to Mexico instead.

If the logistics work, I'd certainly try it... says the boring guy about to go nowhere but PDCC for the foreseeable future, lol.

[Matt]

 

[smokeybandit]

Will the lazy river have bar service mid-laze?

[Matt]

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Will the lazy river have bar service mid-laze?

There are four different bars along the river you can stop at. So, yes?

[RCIfan1912]

Let's give Matt some love because he does an even better explanation of what this is and other projects. All look fan-freaking-tastic!

 

 

 

[smokeybandit]

9 minutes ago, Matt said:

There are four different bars along the river you can stop at. So, yes?

I'm thinking the lazy river version of this, no need to stop!


 

[smokeybandit]

From the just-received email about the lazy river:

 

"And for those looking for more action while relaxing — a hidden stretch of rushing rapids awaits."

 

The email also notes they'll open it up for booking this fall.

[WAAAYTOOO]

I recall reading (somewhere) that you could "hook" your lazy river tube up at any of the floating bars so I guess there IS bar service mid-laze.

[OCSC Mike]

13 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I recall reading (somewhere) that you could "hook" your lazy river tube up at any of the floating bars so I guess there IS bar service mid-laze.

How long before it becomes a river of Coco Loco (or whatever they name it there)?

[twangster]

9 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

How long before it becomes a river of Coco Loco (or whatever they name it there)?

River of pee likely...

Mr. Schneider hinted at a cooler of beer idea they're working on, "We're kicking around this idea where maybe you take a cooler...because being in the longest lazy river in the world, you're in that body of water, if you choose for up to or more than an hour to get around it."

[smokeybandit]

Just now, twangster said:

River of pee likely...

Mr. Schneider hinted at a cooler of beer idea they're working on, "We're kicking around this idea where maybe you take a cooler...because being in the longest lazy river in the world, you're in that body of water, if you choose for up to or more than an hour to get around it."

They need to have water sprayers overhead, except not water, but margaritas.

[loki007]

We love Hideaway beach, can't wait for el Hideaway!!

[mac66]

Did I miss where in Mexico this is going to be?

[smokeybandit]

4 minutes ago, mac66 said:

Did I miss where in Mexico this is going to be?

Costa Maya.

[AshleyDillo]

7 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm thinking the lazy river version of this, no need to stop!

Wouldn't that just be a floating bar? 

 

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

Wouldn't that just be a floating bar? 

 

Floating, but not moving. Now if the bar moves down the river with the passengers, now you're taking!

[Gilley]

21 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I know I heard about this project many times but didn't pay much attention to it or what they were doing but HOLY FREAKING COW! I am just blown away. I'm a sucker, a big time sucker for a lazy river so that has something to do with my excitement. Everything here looks amazing.

I suppose there won't be any cruises from NJ? Too far? Would LOVE to go to Coco Cay and Perfect Day Mexico on the same cruise. 

 

I hear you, I love a lazy River too.  Went to,Puerto Plata on my Symphony cruise a week ago, they had a lazy River (free of charge) but it’s nothing compared to the one that’s going to be in Mexico.  I’m a Philly girl and would love to only cruise out of Bayonne or Baltimore but this is a game changer for me.

[Rackham]

Can't imagine any non-Royal Caribbean Group mainstream cruise line, and even a few of the premiums, wanting to port at Costa Maya once PDM is open and shuffling their guests past this. 

[BR34]

This looks amazing. Sad it is not opening a little earlier since I'm planning to book a June '27 cruise (once they open up) for my daughter's high school graduation. Definitely will be adding this to the top of the list for the next cruise after that!

[twangster]

Carnival bought the pier and port in Skagway and Royal bought Costa Maya.

This seems to a trend in the industry.  

[Sludog]

I only hope that Royal will change the duration of port times in Costa Maya once the new Perfect Day is open. The last few cruises we sailed on from Florida we only had about 6-7 hours in port if you got off a soon as ship was docked. The new port seems like a place you could easy spend all day and early evening. Our Wonder cruise last month gangway opened 7:30am and all aboard was 1:30pm. 

[Sludog]

3 hours ago, Rackham said:

Can't imagine any non-Royal Caribbean Group mainstream cruise line, and even a few of the premiums, wanting to port at Costa Maya once PDM is open and shuffling their guests past this. 

I was thinking the same thing. Imagine the poor souls walking down that long gangway and seeing that beautiful resort like area they cant enjoy. I think Paradise Island Nassau will be even worse because it could be seen from land too and that place will have a total party vibe. What better free advertising for Royal to show what you get with sailing with us. 

[tonyfsu21]

15 hours ago, mac66 said:

Did I miss where in Mexico this is going to be?

Costa Maya which is basically a dumper of a stop. This amusement park will at least make the port a destination. Maybe not everyone’s idea of a destination but certainly a better payoff for that long walk down the pier. Also, I picture the lazy river as anything but lazy. It’s going to be a traffic jam of rafts (some towing beer coolers) all banging into each other and bottle necking at the bars. Despite my negativity, the Tonyfsu21’s will be there! 

[wordell1]

This is very exciting for all of us Galveston cruisers.  I'm most excited about the adult only area - I wish they would add a lazy river there so that it would be truly relaxing.

[Rackham]

10 hours ago, twangster said:

Carnival bought the pier and port in Skagway and Royal bought Costa Maya.

This seems to a trend in the industry.  

Apparently Carnival is a minority partner in the Skagway port project with Survey Point being the primary. Basically, it sounds like Carnival was concerned someone else would buy a stake, who doesn't have any large ship experience, and wanted to make sure the port would be ready for whatever they want to send there.

https://akcruise.org/new-owners-already-at-work-in-skagway/

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2018/06/carnival-corp-acquires-port-railroad-and-retail-operations-in-alaska/

[bobroo]

Some random and sobering thoughts of PDM having some time to mull it over:

 

--This is AWSOME! and will be very successful. I can see Royal doing several more; especially another near Tampico on the gulf side.

--The better location for future Perfect Days will be on the Pacific side, because what a better way to enhance those San Diego/ Los Angeles sailings, no????

--What the hell happens to the existing water slides in Costa Maya and that $1M renovation?

--Now that Royal owns the port, I'm guessing all the vendor leases will expire in time. I am certain Royals preferred vendors like Effy are going to get enlarged primo locations. I hope they send those 7 aggressive facial salons back to Israel. But please Royal, keep Corso! The best kept secret of in-port Mexican stores.

--Posters here are looking forward to drinking the day away at PDM, but I think they are forgetting just how hot and steamy it is in Costa Maya. Hot and steamy like: it's too damn hot to drink alcohol. The sun is too intense.

--PDM is huge, Royal is obviously planning on having four boats docked there a day. Maybe they even more if they tender 'em in???

--I think Royal is going to have nomenclature problems with what a Perfect Day, a beach club, or a destination is. In time, they will regret calling Costa Maya Perfect Day Mexico because there will be other similar locations in Mexico, leading to customer confusion. OTOH, Royal has done the exact correct thing in reclassifying Lelepa. Good job team!

--That jaguar does not need fire blasting out of his head!!! It is hotter than hell in Costa Maya and nobody is going to be in the mood for fire.

--The sun is intense here, this whole theme park needs to be under a misting tent. Please Royal, design in lots of shaded areas and seating areas to rest.

-- @PhillyLady comment above is absolutely spot on! The sombrero and tequila bottle couldn't be more culturally tone deaf and out of place.

--Who would have thought "lifeguard" would be the grand slam winning career choice of the near future? PDM is going to need a lot of them.

--Do the right thing Royal and release the dolphins. Keep the bird sanctuary.

 

 

[GatorCruiser]

On 5/15/2025 at 9:08 AM, smokeybandit said:

I'm thinking the lazy river version of this, no need to stop!


 

I just hope no one craps themselves in the lazy  river like marathoners sometimes do! 

[AshleyDillo]

15 hours ago, Sludog said:

I only hope that Royal will change the duration of port times in Costa Maya once the new Perfect Day is open. The last few cruises we sailed on from Florida we only had about 6-7 hours in port if you got off a soon as ship was docked. The new port seems like a place you could easy spend all day and early evening. Our Wonder cruise last month gangway opened 7:30am and all aboard was 1:30pm. 

Maybe they won't need to make it as short of a day when they don't need to haul it over to the Bahamas to hit CocoCay like those runs from Florida usually do.

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, GatorCruiser said:

I just hope no one craps themselves in the lazy  river like marathoners sometimes do! 

[barjpoe]

What would be the fee/cost to go to PDM?

[Southern Dan]

With this announcement it looks like I’ll be doing a Western Caribbean sailing for my January 2028 cruise.

[Gilley]

23 minutes ago, barjpoe said:

What would be the fee/cost to go to PDM?

A lot.

[smokeybandit]

PDM is going to be like PDC. Free areas and pay areas.

[tonyfsu21]

4 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

I just hope no one craps themselves in the lazy  river like marathoners sometimes do! 

Oh, you can bet the ranch on some floating poopie shutting down the operation on a frequent basis. 

[JimnKathy]

Perfect Day Mexico is a game-changer for Galveston cruisers.

[skywalk640]

Looks awesome! Glad they're making it a lot bigger than PDCC because I'm sure there's going to be days with 4 RC ships in port. Imagine having 1 icon, 2 Oasis and a Freedom/Voyager class ship at the same port...