Lots of selling, some fake ports, but overall good cruise.

That's what I'd like to know?

Yes, cabin selection is SO important.  The wrong cabin location can really ruin a cruise. 

Thanks guys, I guess I should have been more clear on the fake ports and art auctions.

To the gentleman offended by the art auction comment...I hope you're not buying the snake oil. What I meant by the fake art auctions is that they aren't auctions at all. Yes, you can buy real art, at a set price. The whole guise of competition and previews, etc... is all fake. I'm sorry if you feel like it is...has anyone ever seen a second bid? Because I go to auctions all the time, and no one ever wins on the first bid, and there aren't exact "prebid" required prices. So anyway...

Fake ports, what I mean by this is - put Costa Maya into Google Maps. It's not a real geographic location. It will take you to Mahahual. I'm sure before the first cruise ship ever set sail for Grand Cayman, it was already an established location. Mahahual is not...there may be 1,000 residents, and the cruising industry created a port there, where there was nothing.

But again, I could have done more research and realized this before I arrived in that ghost town, but I didn't. My fault completely.

The "shopping experts," partner companies, and art auctions...that appears to be unavoidable and I just have to learn to accept it if I want to enjoy cruising in the future.

I guess you can take this review as more of a review of cruising as a whole, and not directly about this particular cruise, but as a first time cruiser, I have no basis of comparison.

Or, as the telemarketers put it, "Genuine Faux"

Sounds like a real fake to me

Port Canaveral is the water area the ships dock at.

Cape Canaveral is the land area where the space center is at.

According to the conspiracy theorists, Cape Canaveral is a myth.

Is Canaveral a port, or a cape ?   Is it real, or fake ?  

Its not a fake port... It is a cruise center. Amber Cove is the same and so is Turks and Caicos.

OK ... define a fake port.

Is you is .. or is you ain't.

No such thing as a fake port. If the ship puts in there then it is a port. Might not be a good one but a port it be .... aye

We have all learned from our experiences on each cruise. I found that doing some research ahead of booking the cruise, and then joining a forum where I could ask questions, really helped prepare me for the cruise experience. I hope you'll try another cruise to see if you like it any better the next time. If you stick around here, you'll learn a ton from some really nice people who love cruising. 

As this was your first cruise, I'll give you a pass.  What you experienced, is cruising.  DI is all over the Caribbean.  The artwork is not fake, as you ignorantly put it.  If you don't like it, don't buy it.   Maybe you should stick to Sandals, and other all inclusives.

Shame about your opinion of Costa Maya.  Perhaps you need a better tour guide that can fill you in on the local history.  Though the town is rather dumpy, there are always hidden gems and stories to go with them.

Great attitude keep sailing just tighten the strings and book your next cruise with a little more homework on cabin location and ports then you will have yourself to blame if it doesn't work out. But definitely give it another go...... 

Terri, you're absolutely right. I just should have done more research on the ports. This was my first cruise. I wouldn't recommend Costa Maya.

You're also right about cabin location. I didn't realize the importance of it.

I learned a lot of my first cruise.

Carnival has built a lot of the "fake ports". I usually leave the area and walk around town if it appears safe enough. Shopping is usually cheaper this way, and much more of a local flavor.

Fake ports  , ok hey it's a port you have a choice get off the boat or stay on the boat , cabin location sure you had a little to do with that choice , check your deck plan above and below next time. Happy Holidays