Today’s port stop was Costa Maya, where we had a tour booked to the Mayan Chacchoben Ruins. As usual, the day began with a hot tub soak followed by breakfast (this is now our standard cruise morning ritual).
Our tour was scheduled for 9am, but first we had to navigate the maze of port shops. Clearly inspired by airport duty‑free layouts, they made sure we walked past every store before we could exit. We had booked the deluxe tour, which meant a smaller group, and it turned out the group was just us. Perfect, but means you need to be proactive at asking questions as there aren’t other tourists there asking all the time.
Our guide David was incredibly passionate and deeply knowledgeable about both the ruins and the Mayan people. Hearing how spirituality shaped their entire civilisation was fascinating, and he brought everything to life in such an easy way to understand.
Before we knew it, the tour was over and we were back onboard for lunch and naturally more hot tub time. We headed to the top‑deck grill where I convinced the staff to transform a lobster roll into a steak roll, while Tim went for the ribeye.
We meandered around the ship for a while, had a little nap and some drinks. Dinner was delicious, and afterward we were escorted to the bumper cars. Meri, our butler, walked us straight to the front of the line – much to the visible annoyance of the other passengers. These bumper cars were aggressive and I’m pretty sure we became moving targets.
The highlight of the night was the Cinesonic production, a high‑energy show where iconic movie moments come alive through a mix of live music, cinematic visuals, and bold performances. From action sequences to emotional music, it was spectacular.
We wrapped up the evening with a last‑minute decision to see the Marrage Match show. Three couples: newlyweds, a mid‑range couple, and a long‑married pair — answered personal questions about each other, and it was absolutely hilarious.
By the time it ended it was 10:30pm, well past our usual bedtime. After such a big day we were more than ready for some rest.