Just returned from a wonderful week at The Royal Caribbean. We recently purchased a week there so this was our first visit there as owners. Yes, the beach was full of rocks. We knew that going in. Everything else was simply amazing.

Villa – the villas are spacious and well equipped. We are a family of 4 so our kids shared the second bedroom. Having two bathrooms is such a treat when traveling with the kids. The kitchen is well equipped with a coffee maker, toaster, blender and all the dishes/pots & pans you could ever want. The balcony off the living room/master bedroom is huge and we had a gorgeous ocean view. We loved watching the sunrise in the mornings and the cruise ships passing by at night. Housekeeping was great – our room was well maintained and spotless.

Pool – the pools were very clean and a comfortable temperature. The volleyball net was up all the time and got a lot of use. The pool area is a lot of fun – people gather and are very social. Happy Hour was fantastic – every day from 3 – 6 pm! Half price drinks and free chips & salsa. Wonderful. We ordered lunch by the pool every day. The menu was great and it was so convenient. I loved the shrimp wrap.

Restaurants – in addition to ordering lunch by the pool each night, we dined at several restaurants affiliated with the Royal Resorts. Pacos Tacos (at the Islander) was delicious and inexpensive. The service was great and it was a wonderful casual spot to eat on the first night. La Palapa (at the Mayan) was also good. I love the atmosphere of eating in the open air palapa and the food was wonderful. Hacienda Sisal (at the Sands) was exceptional. The margaritas were huge! We had a wonderful meal there and the bus service to the Sands was great. Captains Cove (across from the Mayan) was outstanding. It was a little on the pricey side, but it was really, really good. We even got a visit from Pancho (or was it Willy?) one of the resident crocodiles. We also ate at Tradewinds (at the Caribbean) for breakfast one morning. It was a nice change from eating in the villa every day.

Activities – the welcome party was a lot of fun. We also liked the daily Bingo and my kids loved the ceramic painting. The staff was great at getting people to join in the volleyball games too. My husband and I had a cabana massage on the sundeck - a lot more convenient than heading down to the Sands. It was incredible! I loved listening to the sounds of the ocean. The massage was excellent - plenty of pressure and she worked extra hard on some knots in my shoulders.

Misc – every person we encountered at the Royal Resorts was amazing. They were genuinely helpful with any request, or even with a simple smile and “hola.” We did a couple of excursions (Xcaret and Jungle Tour which I will review separately.) We used USA Transfers/Entertainment Plus for our airport transfers as they were less expensive than Thomas More, and they were first rate.

We are already looking forward to returning next year! Any questions, feel free to PM me.

My boyfriend and I go on vacation every year, this time we picked Cancun and stayed at the Royal Caribbean. I found the room to be wonderful. We had a two bedroom suite, with a full kitchen. I only wish we could of found a couple of friends to bring with us to share this much space. Room was F 519.


We found the staff to be friendly and helpful. The restaurant on site was average. The pool was warm and it was never crowded. There was always plenty of chairs, the only thing is the way the building is designed you have to chase the sun, however you can always go to the beach. The beach...it is very rocky and small. Very hard to get in and swim if that is what you are looking for I really wouldn't pick this place. Also in Dec it was very windy. High waves, red flagged every day.

We used the public bus service most of the time. We didn't find it tourist friendly. We never got the same change back, however it was much cheaper than a taxi.

We went to Walmart when we got there to buy food for the room. Wow...we stood in line for over an hour. Not sure if it is always that way but I can tell you it wasn't a lot of fun. Food is mostly cheap. We bought NY Strip steak which was so tender you didn't need a knife and it was about 2.00 us a piece. Some things are more of course but over all not bad. A lot cheaper than most restaurants. We ate at the Hard Rock and the Rainforest Cafe, both was good. We also ate at the Captain's Cove which was across the street for our resort. That was a little pricey but it was very nice and we didn't leave hungry. The salmon was great. We sat outside on the covered deck with candles..great couples place.

When we got to the airport, we was hit with a lot of people that was trying us to come to there booths. They start by asking you if you have transportation to your hotel. I know this may sound funny but go with them. We knew what we was in for(the whole timeshare or weeks buy, but it was well worth it). We talked with the man and before we knew it, we had 5 tours and gifts that would be free if we showed up. You may not want to get up early on your first day of vacation but we did. The taxi picked us up at we was heading off the tour the Moon Palace. When we got there we had breakfast at the all you can eat buffet. Then we was taken on a tour of the grounds and rooms. This place was WOW.....then of couse they take you in to see if you will buy(they sell week lots a little different then timeshare weeks). Really not a bad deal. Any ways we already own so we said "no". They showed us where to go and pick up our free gifts and make arrangements for our tours. We got a mexican bag with a blanket, booze, hats and shirts. 5 tours including swimming with the dolphins and a day at the Cancun palace which is all-inclusive. We packed a bag and spent the whole day there, all the drinks and food you could want. Great place.

The shopping is well different. If you go to Market 28, which is like a big flea market, picture this...walking down a hall with little stores on both sides of you and people trying to get you to come into their store and then following you around while you are trying to shop. I really wasn't a big fan of this the first day because I really wasn't ready for this but after I knew what I was in for I wasn't to bad. You will find some deal (you never want to pay the price they are asking....and watch them , will be bargain in pacos and then switch to american money so be on your toes). There was a couple of stores where you can shop and not be bothered but you will pay more money for some things, however I found that the mall with the Hard Rock in it, I could of got the blankets 2us dollars cheaper, so the market isn't always your best bet, price out things if you can.

Over all we had a great time and was very happy with our week in the sun. If you have any questions that I might be able to help with please feel free to ask and if I know, you will know. Hope you find this helpful.


R.Hennessey
Marshfield, Maine

The rooms in this place are incredible! We had a full villa and it was spacious and clean. The pools are heated (also heated at the Islander, but NOT at the Mayan) Of the three resorts the Caribbean has the largest kids pool, but none had any slides or play areas in the pool. There are several daily activities for the kids, some are free, some are not. There are several restaurants on site as well as a mini grocery store. The store prices are average and they are quite well stocked. The other on site retail stores however are very over priced!
There is a tour desk at the lobby (owned by the resort). Taxis are always available and there is a bus stop at the resort entrance. I would suggest using the bus as they are frequent and cheap.
You get a "personal Concierge" who will try their best to get you to a business meeting (time share presentation) but are not overbearing and will help you with tours etc. The only warning I have is the beach. It is very small, rocky and windy. There was only one day that the water was calm enough to go in. And there is no snorkeling.

No internet in the room, 2008, no business office, computers in
grocery store, all two of them....have to go to lobby, or get lucky on deck to use computer... Beach is gone, like after hurricane Wilma, dangerous. We
came after Wilma hit, things have been rebuilt, for the most
part. We watched them bring the sand to the beach, but now
it's gone again. Looks really bad, no one goes swimming
because of the huge rocks, I suppose.
Kitchen few pots and pans all old, dishwasher doesn't clean dishes,
firg so loud the 17 in, or is it14?? tv has to be turned up. I cook, difficult here.
Staff a lot to be desired, actually rude.....not here to buy so got
the impressing we weren't wanted, no problemo, won't come
back. Had the same experience at the Royal Mayan several
years ago, terrible, stayed at the Sands, the next time, it was great, then, don't know
about now, do know the Mexican show isn't as good as it
was at the Salis restaurant... The dance floor now holds tables, ahy, greed, and the show isn't
anyways as good and seems shorter. Food was cold,
tasted warmed over, sweets, forget it, no ice cream., other
"stuff" not good. $49.99 per person,kinda high for cold food.
This Royal Carribean won't see us again. I don't like to put a resort down,
they need the business, but people need to know the
facts about a resort, not the "fluff." It is not cheap to
come here any more. As one desk clerk said, I AM
WORKING, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO HELP YOU. I told
him, AND MY WORKING PAID FOR YOU TO WORK...oh, well. I read the email about
nothing going on here, it is dead, to the bone. Don't expect
anything, be glad you get a towel. What comes to mind, humm, cheap hotel in the states.
I hope this helps someone to make an informed decision.
We stayed a week at the Presidential suite at the Moon Palace, then came here, and NO, that doesn't have anything to do with my opinion of here. Moon Palace is without a doubt as close as one can get to heaven on Earth. We travel and see lots of
places, God has blessed us with the fruits of our labors,
we have known good and bad resorts.
I won't be back. Cancun, yes, Royal Carribbean, NO. Cancun is a
beautiful place to visit, if one looks for the "flavor" you
can find it.. Walmart/Sam's Club are a bus ride away as
are the Mexican grocery stores. take the bus there and
a taxi back, or come back on the bus, hauling groceries
on the bus isn't easy, however.
. Fabric stores are full of beautiful, cheap
material,
If you're looking for wide material, you can find it downtown.
Easy stores to get to via bus, Sold by the meter, you have
to have them cut it and they then give it to a person in a cube, you
go "fetch" it from her, after you pay for it, interesting, little
to no English spoken there, but sewing is an international
language, so no problem, hold your arms our and say,
"this much," they cut it! Bring a suit case in a suit case so
you'll have a way to
to haul your treasures home with you.
Well, I was not going to write anything, but you've heard
the one about the straw that broke the camels back, when
I read the other email, it was the truth, this place is in
trouble if someone doesn't pay attention, it will go the
way of so many companies that look for profit over
service. Greed doesn't work, nothing cheap ain't
cheap at no price.....and sticking it to people, offering
nothing, that isn't the way to bring people back, besides, people are on vacation and deserve special treatment. They
don't "expect" anything but helpful information and kindess
in times of need goes a long ways. If
a resort isn't willing to make everyone feel "wanted" and
welcome, why open the doors? If a staff member is rude to a person on vacation, they should be fired on the spot. If a person isn't here
to buy a timeshare, don't treat them like they don't matter, they
may sell one for you if you make them feel special???
They won't survive long doing that. We come to Cancun
often, know it almost like a book, be glad to help
anyway I can. We cook, so can't help with the restaurants, can
tell you about the ones at Moon Palace!! My favorite place.
We love Cancun and the people. I'm so sorry the writer had
a bad experience, it should have been a trip to remember. I
do hope they try again but somewhere else here next time.]There are lovely places to stay, Merida is not as
much a tourist town as Cancun, by bus, was $40 round
trip from Cancun, go check it out, stay a day,, spend
a night, ride that bus, be there in a few hours, sleep on the way, , how was it the bus driver put it,
38 Mexicanos and two greengos!! So funny, people on the
bus are so friendly and Merida is a beautiful, perfect
example of what you think of Mexico. Far cheaper than
Cancun to stay and visit,
Take care.
Dixie143