Video: Royal Caribbean ship needs assist from Wonder of the Seas
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.
.
Enchantment of the Seas Costa Maya (0:47)
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.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.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
, or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
New Oceanfront Dining Concept Embodies Turks & Caicos As Hot Dining Destination
Turks and Caicos is a trendy spot to enjoy gorgeous blue waters and incredible beaches. But aside from appreciating the marine life and natural beauty, this island has increasingly become a hot culinary destination. Wymara Resort + Villas has long been one of the most popular destinations in Turks and Caicos, with an award-winning dining program to match – but with their newly introduced Land + Sea oceanfront restaurant concept within the intimate Wymara Villas + Beach Club, they have kicked things up a notch. Chef Andrew Mirosch, Director of Culinary and Executive Chef, of Wymara Resort + Villas. The resort's two previously existing restaurants, Blue Water Bistro and Indigo, both currently top Tripadvisor's list of Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Turks and Caicos, so this new spot had some big shoes to fill. 'At Wymara, we've always believed that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect people to a place and its culture," said Chef Andrew Mirosch, Director of Culinary and Executive Chef of Wymara Resort + Villas in an email interview. "While our main resort on Grace Bay is already home to two of the island's top-rated restaurants (Indigo and Blue Water Bistro), we felt there was still something special to be created at our Wymara Villas + Beach Club location," said Mirosch, who saw Land + Sea as an opportunity to bring that philosophy to life in a setting unlike any other, right along the water's edge at Sunset Cove Beach. Mirosch wanted to bring the spirit of the villas to life through food, atmosphere, and an authentic connection to the sea. "The vision was to create a dining destination that feels as rooted in its surroundings as the ingredients we serve. It's inspired by this breathtaking location and shaped by our passion for fresh, responsibly sourced cuisine, showcasing everything from pristine, line-caught seafood and island-grown produce to premium cuts from New Zealand, Australia, and beyond," said Mirosch. Every element of the Land + Sea experience, from the open-air design to the plate presentation, is designed to reflect the natural beauty and rhythm of island life. "We've created a place where guests can truly slow down and engage all of their senses. Whether it's a long, leisurely lunch overlooking the water or an alfresco dinner under the stars, we want every moment to feel transportive," said Mirosch. "Land + Sea isn't just a restaurant; it's the culmination of everything we love about Turks & Caicos: bold flavors, extraordinary ingredients, warm island hospitality, and a setting that invites you to pause, savor, and stay awhile," said Mirosch. Land + Sea at Wymara Resort + Villas Land + Sea is the only standalone restaurant at Wymara Villas + Beach Club, which is located just seven minutes drive from the main Wymara Resort on Grace Bay. "It was designed as a destination in its own right, anchored by the beauty of Sunset Cove Beach and the distinctive personality of the villas," said Mirosch. The menu at Land + Sea offers dishes not found at the other Wymara dining concepts. "To start, we welcome guests with a complimentary bite: housemade pork belly maple-chipotle sausage served with our house chili sauce, alongside freshly baked bread with chilled smoked brisket butter, beef jus, and hummus. It's unexpected, indulgent, and sets the tone for what's to come," said Mirosch, who has also introduced expanded raw bar offerings, including seafood towers and spins on traditional oysters, and completely new cocktail and zero-proof offerings specific to this concept.' "We blend the vibrant flavors of the Turks and Caicos Islands with techniques and ingredients inspired by my Australian roots," said Mirosch, who is a strong advocate for working with local farmers and fishermen. "We prioritize regionally grown produce and line-caught, net-free seafood to ensure every dish reflects our dedication to sustainability and the freshest seasonal ingredients. All of our fish is fresh, never frozen, and our steaks are aged in-house for 5 to 12 weeks to deliver the best possible flavor," said Mirosch. Premium beef from Australia and New Zealand is a hallmark of the menu. What makes dining at Wymara so special is the variety, according to Mirosch, as well as attention to detail and overall sense of place. "Guests can enjoy something completely different at each restaurant without ever getting bored," said Mirosch, who promised though for fans of the resort's other dining concepts, they carry over certain guest favorites with a new twist. For example: "If you enjoy Indigo's housemade, hormone-free Steamed Chicken and Scallion Dumplings with sesame chili plum sauce, you'll want to try Land + Sea's version, made with ginger and served with a Vietnamese nuoc cham dipping sauce. You'll also find a version of our White Seafood Chowder at both restaurants, each with its own personality.' The hot and cold seafood tower at Land + Sea. Some signature dish highlights at Land + Sea include the Hot & Cold Seafood Tower, which includes oysters, steamed blue crabs, snow crab claws, steamed ship, tuna ceviche, fried grouper and coconut tiger prawns, as well as panko-crusted calamari, mussels in white wine and garlic (served with Chef Andrew's own cocktail & tartare sauce, and seasonal fruits.). Other signature dishes include the Char-Grilled Blackened Grouper with shrimp and pineapple fried rice, grilled asparagus, and lemon caper butter and the 14 oz 'Ocean' New Zealand Black Angus New York Cut Striploin marinated in pineapple juice, soy, garlic and ginger (featuring an ultra premium cut of Black Angus beef grown on marine grasses in southern island of New Zealand – not too shabby for a relaxing dinner on the beach!).
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-holland-america-oosterdam-NRTHNLIGHTCRUISE0625-a34a2370246d4ac594ae3b9dfdc15ce3.jpg&w=3840&q=100)

Travel + Leisure
3 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
Holland America Has 3 New 14-day Voyages to the Arctic—With Stops at Quaint Fishing Villages, Waterfalls, and High Odds for Northern Lights
If you've always dreamed of seeing the northern lights in the Arctic from a cruise ship, get ready for three new options to make that a reality. Holland America is launching three new arctic journeys that span 14 days and allow cruisers to spot the northern lights, with ship-wide aurora alerts that let everyone know when the lights are visible. The cruises leave from Rotterdam, Netherlands, with one offering the option to depart a day earlier from Dover, England. The initial cruise departs from Rotterdam, and cruisers can take time before departure to explore the historical city with its idiosyncratic modern architecture and impressive art museums. After two days at sea, the cruise ship will stop in Ålesund, a quaint fishing village in western Norway. Known for its colorful, ornate buildings and stunning fjords, this stop will have opportunities for both cultural exploration and hiking. Tours organized by the cruise ship are available. The ship continues on to Trondheim, Norway, with its easy-to-explore city center and sites that include Nidaros Cathedral and the Trondelag Open-Air Folk Museum. After this stop, the ship will cross over into the Arctic Circle, where the many hours of winter darkness are most conducive to spotting the northern lights. The next stop is Tromso, Norway, the 'Gateway to the Arctic,' followed by two days at Alta on the Alta Fjord in the north of Norway. This is one of the best places to spot the aurora, and there will be shuttles and taxis to take visitors into town to experience the culture of this arctic village. As the trip comes into the home stretch, travelers will go to Leknes on the Norwegian Lofoten archipelago, which serves as a gateway to a series of sheltered fishing hamlets with traditional houses. Next are the waterfalls and natural wonders of Åndalsnes, followed by a stop in Bergen, Norway's second largest city. Then, the cruise detours to Lerwick on the Shetland Islands in the United Kingdom to explore its Norse heritage, before spending a day at sea en route back to Rotterdam. Later cruises also stop at Kristiansund, a charming town on the Norwegian coast. The three itineraries depart in autumn 2027. Fares start at €2,599 (about $3,000) for the voyage from Oct. 3 to Oct. 17, 2027. The second trip, which spans Oct. 16 to Oct. 30, 2027, starts at €2,499 ($2,884), while the option with an earlier departure day in Dover starts at €2,719 ($3,138). The final cruise from Nov. 6 to Nov. 20, 2027, starts at €2,349 ($2,711). All cruises can be booked at


Washington Post
5 hours ago
- Washington Post
Why you should quit your suitcase and embrace a duffel bag
What it's like to be on the 9-month cruise around the world January 12, 2024