Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas arrived in Costa Maya, Mexico around 7:30 a.m. facing high wind gusts and rough seas. The ships was able to come alongside the inner pier facing easterly but it was very rocky so the captain, suspended the disembarkation process.
Winds were about 15-18 kts and seas rough at 4’-6’.
“The hope and now reality/success that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (Our portside) and allow a safe disembarkation process to the pier,” said Come Cruise With Me's Dennis Post, who is onboard.
Wonder of the Seas is a newer Oasis Class Ship with newer technology for maneuvering and stability with a gross tonnage of 228,000 compared to Enchantment of the Seas at 82,000 gross tons.
“Wonder is now providing us with significant protection from the elements making the disembarkation procedure safe and underway,” according to Post.
Ships overrun Costa Maya port
Two mega ships Carnival Jubilee from Texas and Wonder from Port Canaveral along with Enchantment of the Seas all docked in Costa Maya on May 21. Those ships brought over 10,000 passengers to the port, which maxes out with three cruise ships.
Wonder of the Seas carries 7,900 plus passengers, while Carnival Jubilee has 5,300 plus and Enchantment of the Seas at 2,400, makes it a tight squeeze for the relatively small port area.
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That's more people than Costa Maya can serve well, according to multiple passengers on Enchantment who made the trip.
“No I’m not getting off into that mess,” Becky from Tampa shared as she looked at the situation in port.
Brandon Green from Lakeland Florida, a passenger of Enchantment of the Seas did manage to make it off the ship.
“It was a nightmare getting into the port and once we got in, the shops were overun,” he said.
Some ports like Nassau and Cozumel are build to handle six ships or more. Costa Maya has docks for three, but it's crowded any time more than one ship is in port.
With two mega-ships in port, that's simply more people than the island has capacity to handle.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
