Disney Treasure Day 3 - Cozumel, Marvel & Holiday Fun

Day three aboard the Disney Treasure brings us to our first port of call… Cozumel, Mexico! In this vlog, we step off the ship and explore what this popular cruise destination has to offer—from first impressions at the port to everything you need to know before heading ashore.

If you're planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation or stopping in Cozumel on your own sailing, this is a great look at what to expect right when you get off the ship. We’ll show you the port area, share tips, and give you a feel for the experience so you can make the most of your own visit.

Whether you're cruising on the Disney Treasure, the Disney Wish, or any other ship stopping in Cozumel, this is your inside look at one of the Caribbean’s most visited cruise ports.

Day 3 on the Disney Treasure: Cozumel, Mexico

We’re off the ship and officially in Cozumel, Mexico.

Hey everybody, welcome to the channel. I’m Joe, and it’s day three of our cruise aboard the Disney Treasure. Today is our first port day, and we’re finally stepping foot in Cozumel. But instead of just talking about it, let’s actually go experience it.

Before heading off the ship, we took a moment to check out the port from the deck. There were a few other ships docked nearby, including the Oceania Marina, Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas, and a couple of others we couldn’t quite identify. Either way, the port was busy. Time to get moving.

Hey, Rhys… you’re in Mexico now.

What You Need When Getting Off the Ship

Getting off the ship was surprisingly easy. No lines, no chaos. We walked right down the gangway, scanned out, and were through in maybe two minutes. As far as what you need, it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll want either your Key to the World card or your MagicBand if it’s linked to your stateroom. If you’re 18 or over, you’ll also need a valid photo ID.

For kids, they don’t need ID, but you do need proper documentation as an adult. That usually means a passport. If you’re a U.S. resident, a driver’s license may work in certain cases, but for everyone else, it’s passport or nothing. No passport means no getting off the ship, so don’t forget it.

Shopping at Punta Langosta

We started out in Punta Langosta, which is the main port area, and it’s exactly what you’d expect. Shops everywhere. Lucha libre masks, handmade crafts, souvenirs, and, of course, a whole lot of not-so-handmade stuff too.There’s also plenty of branded gear. If you’ve ever wanted a Boston Celtics poncho in Mexico… this is apparently your moment.

We were only a few stores in at this point, but the vibe was already clear. And listen, you can’t come to Mexico and not treat yourself to a Mexican Coke. Unless you don’t drink soda, I guess. Abby tried a Mexican Dr. Pepper and was a big fan. We also grabbed a tres leches cake from Banana & Company, which was incredible. Especially in that heat, anything cold was a win.

From there, we bounced around a few more shops in the plaza. It’s a lot of the same across the board. Clothing, magnets, bracelets, bags, and plenty of little trinkets. You’ll also find a ton of leather shops selling belts, bags, and cowboy hats.

Eventually, we decided to step outside the port and see what else was going on.

Leaving the Port and Lunch at El Mariachi Cantina

Once we got out onto the main street, it honestly didn’t feel all that different. The shops were pretty similar, and so was the experience. There are definitely some more aggressive sellers out here. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s noticeable. At the end of the day, it’s retail. It is what it is. If you’re thinking things completely change once you leave the port, they really don’t. It’s more of a continuation than a contrast.

We ended up grabbing lunch at El Mariachi Cantina, which served up a solid mix of traditional Mexican dishes. Enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, guacamole, seafood, and a kids menu for the picky eaters. They also had a full drink menu, including beers, margaritas, daiquiris, and piña coladas. One small detail I found interesting. They don’t call it Diet Coke here. It’s Coca-Cola Light. We started with complimentary guacamole and chips, which was a hit right away. My mom ordered a massive plate of chicken nachos loaded with toppings and a generous scoop of guac. At one point, the cheese pull situation got completely out of hand. This was officially the vacation of stretchy cheese. I went with the chicken tacos, topped with pico de gallo and black bean sauce. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and everything came together really well. A little squeeze of lime on top, and it was fresh, light, and packed with flavor.

Overall, there was a lot of food on the table, it was reasonably priced, and everything tasted great.

Reflecting on Cozumel

So that was our Cozumel experience.

We were heading back to the ship, which was just sitting right there in the distance, and it gave us a chance to reflect a bit. The biggest thing? The shop experience is pretty consistent everywhere. Whether you’re in the port or just outside of it, you’re going to get people trying to bring you into their stores. It wasn’t overwhelming, but there were definitely a lot of them. We also ran into a funny little “not quite a scam” situation. Outside the restaurant, someone approached us claiming they were a waiter from our ship on their day off and started recommending places to go. We saw multiple people using the same line. It’s not malicious, just… creative marketing. That said, it was still a nice experience overall. It was especially great bringing the kids and letting them step foot in Mexico for the first time.

Honestly, if it had just been Carrie and me, we might not have even gotten off the ship this time. But this visit changed things a bit. It felt more positive compared to our last trip. Last time, it felt very aggressive. This time, still a bit, but much more manageable. We did some shopping, found a small spot for lunch, and had some really good food. Shrimp tacos, guacamole with a surprisingly intense habanero sauce, and red enchiladas that were packed with flavor. I also had a margarita that felt like it was about 90% tequila, so… that was an experience.

All in all, Cozumel definitely improved in our books this time around.

Back on the Ship: A Quiet Reset

We headed back to the ship a little early, and once again, getting through security was quick and easy. One of the most underrated cruise tips? If you don’t have much planned in port, come back early and enjoy the ship while it’s quiet. It’s almost eerie how empty it gets. I stopped by the Wonderland Cinema, one of two theaters onboard, along with the Neverland Cinema. They show movies throughout the day, including some that are still in theatres.

The spaces themselves are beautifully themed. Wonderland leans into Alice in Wonderland, with details like a Cheshire Cat that appears and disappears, while Neverland pulls from Peter Pan.

We took a bit of time to wander the ship before heading to dinner.

Dinner at Worlds of Marvel: Quantum Encounter

Dinner that night was at Worlds of Marvel, the superhero-themed restaurant on board. Night one features Avengers: Quantum Encounter, an interactive show where things go sideways during a tech expo, and guests help save the day. The menu is stacked, with appetizers like marinated shrimp, bao buns, and mushrooms, plus soups, salads, and a solid bread service. For mains, you’ve got everything from schnitzel and tuna to pasta and beef tenderloin, along with lighter options.

The bread and dip were great, and yes, you can still get butter if you want to keep things classic. Abby started with the shrimp and gave it a 7 out of 10. Rhys went with breaded cod, fries, mac and cheese, and vegetables, which he loved. Carrie had the pork belly bao buns and mushrooms. The pork was sweet, flavorful, and a standout, while the mushrooms were good but a little salty.

For mains, Abby had the golden mystic pasta with scallops and gave it an 8 out of 10. Carrie went with the grilled tuna, which had good flavor but leaned a bit dry. I tried a creamy pasta with ricotta, fontina, and tomato, which was lighter than expected and really well done.

Dessert brought things home strong. Carrie loved the flourless chocolate beetroot cake, Abby gave the sticky date pudding a 7, and I went all in on the Pym donut sundae.

And yes, Rhys made sure to properly review his ice cream.

The show itself? Classic Disney cruise energy. Fun, interactive, a little chaotic in the best way.

Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Party

After dinner, we headed up to the main deck for Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party, which is exclusive to the Very Merrytime cruises. It’s very much a castle-style show with a holiday twist. It’s cheesy, it’s corny, and honestly, that’s part of the charm. These shows have a way of tapping into that childhood nostalgia. Great performances, original music, and a lineup of characters that just works.

If you can’t get into something like this… you might be a little unwhimsical.

Broadway Stars Series

We kept the night going at the Walt Disney Theatre with another installment of the Broadway Stars series, featuring Lisa DeGuzman and Krysta Rodriguez. This time, the setlist was entirely Disney songs. The performance was excellent, no question. But if I had to choose, I think I preferred the previous night’s show. It had a more intimate feel, and with Disney music, you naturally come in with specific songs you’re hoping to hear.

That said, it was still incredibly well done.

Ending the Night

To wrap things up, Carrie and I joined a game of Majority Rules, where you try to guess what the most people in the room will answer.

But the real highlight? One last unexpected moment.

My daughter and I grabbed some late-night pizza, headed up to the main deck, and watched The Muppet Christmas Carol together. It ended up being one of those simple, perfect moments. Just the two of us, relaxing, watching a movie, and enjoying the night.

Final Thoughts on Day Three

And that wraps up day three aboard the Disney Treasure.

Tomorrow, we’re heading to Georgetown, Grand Cayman, and there’s a lot more to come.

If you’ve made it this far, let me know. What’s your favorite cruise port?

And as always… whatever you do, make it magical. ✨