Our cruise director joked repeatedly that when we arrived in Calica, we would think we must be at the rock quarry where Fred Flintstone works. The horrendous noise caused by the grinding of the steering mechanism was again the first impression of the port, but upon looking out the window, I’d have to agree that we could have been on the outskirts of Bedrock. Had the metal cranes been decorated to look like dinosaurs, I would have been convinced. Locals hawked souvenirs at a few tables on the pier, but if anyone walked off the ship and expected to be entertained, they were sorely disappointed.
Xcaret, an ecological theme park, is a short taxi ride away, so Calica turned out to be a great port. Mike and Linda had purchased the Carnival shore excursion in advance this time, paying maybe $15 more than the Xcaret admission price to be whisked over there on an official bus. We paid about $10 for a taxi for the four of us and bought admission on our own, saving us a little money.
When ships dock at other ports like Cozumel, Xcaret is also offered as an excursion, but it is much more convenient from Calica. Snorkeling in the underground caves of the Mayans was what most intrigued us, but there are also some Mayan ruins, a bat cave and other wildlife exhibits, a dolphin encounter area (additional charge), some beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling in a cove next to the dolphin encounter, which allows you to watch the dolphins when taking a break from snorkeling. Xcaret is very well-maintained and professionally run. 
You’d almost think it was run by an Orlando theme park operator. All they need is to have Fred Flintstone welcome the passengers as they disembark the ship......."Yabba dabba do!"
