Carnival Valor Ports of Call on Western Caribbean 4-day and 5-day cruises: Cozumel and Progresso

November - December 2021

Carnival Valor from Puerto Maya pier in Cozumel.

We did not go on any excursions at either of these ports, although we did get off the ship in both locations. You can find additional information about Cozumel in my previous posts by clicking on the label at the bottom of this post.

COVID guidelines for disembarking in Mexico: unvaccinated guests are only allowed to disembark on a Carnival "bubble tour." Vaccinated guests may disembark on their own. Masks are required for all when inside and outside. Social distancing is also recommended.

Cozumel: 8:15 AM - 3:30 PM 

Carnival Valor was scheduled to dock at the Puerto Maya cruise terminal the same length of time for both cruises. The first week, we did not leave Cozumel until 4:30 PM. We watched many people returning to the ship during the last hour. At least one person had a roller bag, as if we were possibly waiting for a delayed crew member. It is also possible that a Carnival excursion returned late, since there were quite a few passengers returning in small groups together. When we passed our room steward in the hall that evening, she made brief mention of our stay being extended until 4:30. She did not explain this, and we did not ask her about it. If there was an announcement about our stay being extended, we missed it.

Puerto Maya pier in Cozumel with only one other ship in port.
Top: view from cabin 7220. Bottom: view from serenity spa tubs.

There were only two ships (counting Carnival Valor) in Cozumel when were there on our 4-day cruise on a Saturday. 

Puerto Maya pier in Cozumel with four other ships in port.
Bottom photo taken from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor.

On our 5-day cruise, the ship docked on a Wednesday, and there were five ships in port. Even though we docked in a different location each time, our cabin was still on the best viewing side of the ship.

Sunset from Carnival Valor cabin 7220 leaving Cozumel.

We did not get off the ship the first time we stopped in Cozumel. The second time, we just walked around the shopping area in the port. The only purchase my husband and I made in Cozumel was in the drug store. Our son purchased a marble chess set (not at the drug store! 😊). The chess set was an amazing deal, although I do not really think the drug store prices were much better than on the ship.

Sign in cruise port for the bus ride to town in Progresso.

Progresso: 9:15 AM - 4:30 PM  

This was our first visit to Progresso. There are shops in the cruise port with good prices. After we browsed there, we took the free bus to town to check out the public beach and shops. 

Photos taken from bus ride back to cruise ship.

The bus ride is about 20 minutes. Although there is no charge for the bus ride, there is a tip jar in the bus, and a man boarded the bus to play guitar for tips before we departed on our way back.

The bus drops off at the market in town on the east side of the main road after crossing the waterway. There is quite a bit of shopping in the market, and the beach it just a few blocks away. The prices in the cruise port and in town were good. Many vendors will drop their price if you hesitate about a purchase without even asking. Be prepared for many, many people (almost everyone) to approach and try to get you to make a purchase. 

Beach near bus stop in Progresso, Yucatan.

At the beach, you can sit down by the water on your own, or there are businesses offering free chairs and an umbrella; provided you make a purchase, of course. The water was murky and churned up from the waves. I do not know if this is different on the west side of the roadway, as we did not venture over there. There is a $1 charge to use a restroom in town. At this port, we made purchases in town, and back at the cruise port.

Leaving the cruise port in Progresso, Yucatan. Both photos taken from cabin 7220.

You can find more photos of these ports in the Carnival Valor Facebook album.

Let me know if you have any questions!