Docking in Cozumel and heading out on our own allowed us to move at a relaxed pace, enjoy familiar surroundings, and truly unwind.
If you are sailing on the MSC Seascape and looking for a true adrenaline rush, the Robotron is one of the most exciting attractions onboard.
Located on the aft (back) of the ship in the outdoor deck area, Robotron is hard to miss. It rises dramatically over the ocean and features a massive robotic arm with passenger seats attached. What makes it even more thrilling is that riders are lifted 173 feet above sea level, giving you sweeping open-ocean views while you spin, tilt, and flip high above the deck.
It is not for the faint of heart—but it is definitely unforgettable.
After taking quite a few cruises, I’ve learned that you really don’t have to spend a lot of extra money once you step onboard. In fact, we’ve had cruises where we didn’t spend anything beyond the cruise fare and still had a wonderful time.
That might sound impossible when you see all the specialty restaurants, drink packages, shops, excursions, and other extras available on a cruise ship. But the truth is, so much is already included in your cruise fare.
With a little planning, you can enjoy plenty of good food, drinks, entertainment, activities, and time in port without constantly reaching for your wallet. Here are some of the ways we keep our cruise spending to a minimum.
If you have an upcoming cruise that will be docking in Honduras, you have come to the right place. Roatan is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean, and knowing what to expect before you arrive can help you make the most of your day in port.
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One of the first things you’ll notice when arriving in Cozumel on a cruise is just how busy the cruise port can be. If you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean, there’s a good chance you’ll arrive at Puerta Maya Cruise Terminal, where you can easily spend some time looking around before heading off to explore the island.
Puerta Maya has shops, restaurants, bars, places to grab a drink, and plenty of colorful spots that make it feel like you’ve already stepped into vacation mode. It’s also a convenient place to arrange transportation if you’re heading somewhere else on Cozumel.
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If you’ve never sailed on Harmony of the Seas, one thing becomes obvious pretty quickly—you are not on a small cruise ship.
Harmony of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, and it really does feel more like a floating city than a traditional cruise ship. There are multiple neighborhoods, restaurants, pools, entertainment venues, shops and activities spread throughout the ship.
When I sailed on Harmony of the Seas, I quickly realized that having an idea of what to expect before boarding can make your cruise much easier and more enjoyable.
Here are some things I think are worth knowing before you go.
I really liked the room setup on Harmony of the Seas, but there was one problem: I needed a little privacy at night.
My daughter and grandson like their room completely dark, and they usually go to bed fairly early. I'm just the opposite. I'm a night owl and often have trouble sleeping. I might stay up reading, watching TV, or just relaxing while everyone else is asleep.
I didn't want my late-night activities to disturb them, so I came up with a simple solution: I created my own little sleeping area using the blackout curtain.
It worked surprisingly well. I could stay up as late as I wanted without the light from the TV or my reading lamp bothering them, and they could sleep in their darkened space.
I have just returned from a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, and while there were plenty of things to enjoy about the ship, one place quickly became my favorite: Central Park.
Located on Deck 8 in the heart of the ship, Central Park is a beautiful open-air neighborhood filled with trees, flowers, winding pathways, restaurants, shops, and quiet places to sit. It is designed to resemble the famous Central Park in New York City—and surprisingly, it really does feel like a little garden oasis in the middle of a massive cruise ship.
There are several reasons why I loved spending time there.
I am currently sitting in the port of Costa Maya, Mexico and wanted to share my experience of visiting the port without spending a single penny.
Welcome to the breathtaking Georgetown, Cayman Islands – a jewel in the Caribbean that beckons with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene. If you're fortunate enough to find yourself at the Georgetown cruise port, get ready for a day filled with adventure, relaxation, and the warm hospitality that defines this tropical paradise.
Here are some key things to know about the cruise port in the Cayman Islands:Port Location: The cruise port for cruise ships is located in George Town.
Map of port location HERE
TENDERING : All cruise ships will anchor in the bay in George Town and you will take about tender boat to one of the three terminals. Regardless of the Pier/Terminal used, as you walk out the exit gates, the cruise traveler will be on the main road of Harbor Drive.
If you're visiting Grand Cayman on a cruise and looking for something fun to do without booking an excursion, Eden Rock is a great option. Located in George Town, Eden Rock is known for its crystal-clear Caribbean waters, colorful marine life, and beautiful coral formations.
One of the best things about Eden Rock is its convenient location. It is just a short walk from the cruise port, making it an easy choice for anyone who wants to get off the ship and enjoy some snorkeling without spending the day on an organized tour.
If you have booked a cruise on the Carnival Breeze, you are in for a great time.
I first sailed on the Carnival Breeze and absolutely loved it. Since then, I've had the opportunity to sail on quite a few other ships, including smaller Royal Caribbean ships, Harmony of the Seas, and MSC Seascape.
Sailing on those ships has definitely changed the way I look at cruising. I've experienced larger ships with more activities, different layouts, more dining options, and amenities that weren't available on the Breeze.
Our last Caribbean cruise sailed out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since we had never cruised from there before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
As it turned out, sailing from San Juan was a wonderful experience.
There is something especially exciting about beginning a Caribbean cruise surrounded by the colorful streets, historic forts, and tropical atmosphere of Puerto Rico. Unlike cruising from a mainland port, San Juan already feels like part of the vacation before you ever step foot on the ship.
While every cruise port has changed over the years, one of the things I loved most about sailing from San Juan was how easy it was to combine a cruise with time exploring Old San Juan.
In Part 1 of our St Lucia adventure, I shared our visit to Sugar Beach, the famous Pitons, the Sulphur Springs mud baths, and Toraille Waterfall.
But our Cosol Tours excursion included so much more than the major attractions. Along the way, we tasted local foods, visited banana plantations, saw incredible island scenery, and learned more about life in St Lucia.
This is what made the tour so special — it wasn't just about seeing beautiful places. It gave us a glimpse into the culture and everyday life of the island.
After visiting several Caribbean islands, each with its own personality and charm, I can honestly say that St Lucia quickly became one of my favorites.
There is something truly special about this island. Maybe it is the dramatic Piton Mountains rising from the sea, the lush rainforest covering the hillsides, the colorful towns along the coast, or the way the island combines adventure, beauty, and Caribbean culture. Whatever the reason, St Lucia left a lasting impression on me.
We stayed in Old San Juan before our cruise, and I’m so glad we did. Instead of staying near the airport and only seeing the city for a few hours, staying right in the historic district gave us time to wander the streets and enjoy Old San Juan at our own pace.
If you're cruising from San Juan and have the opportunity to arrive a day or two early, I highly recommend staying in Old San Juan rather than near the airport.
Yes, you'll need transportation from the airport when you arrive, but once you're settled into Old San Juan, so much of what you'll want to see is within walking distance.
We were even able to leave our luggage at our hotel while we explored. When it was time to head to the ship, we collected our bags, dropped them off, and still had time to enjoy more of the city before sailing.
We stayed at the Casablanca Hotel in Old San Juan, which I wrote about separately.
One of my favorite things about Old San Juan was simply walking.
You don't necessarily need a detailed itinerary here. Some of the best moments come from turning down a side street, discovering a colorful building, finding a little courtyard, or stopping somewhere that catches your attention.
One place that's hard to miss while exploring Old San Juan is Castillo San Cristóbal.
The massive Spanish fortification was built to help protect San Juan from attacks by land, and its stone walls and sentry boxes are some of the most recognizable sights in the city.
We didn't have enough time to tour the inside during this visit, which is something I would change if I returned.
Even without going inside, the fort is impressive, and the surrounding area provides some beautiful views and photo opportunities.
This is one of those destinations where I think you miss part of the experience if you rush from attraction to attraction.
Look at the balconies. Notice the doors. Wander through the plazas. Stop for something cold to drink. And definitely allow yourself time to take photos.
Old San Juan is incredibly photogenic, but it also has an atmosphere that's difficult to capture in pictures.
During our walk, we came across an incredibly long line for Señor Paleta, known for its frozen pops.
When you see a line that long, you know you've found a popular spot!
We also stopped by Barrachina, a restaurant that has long claimed to be the birthplace of the piña colada.
According to Barrachina, bartender Ramón Portas Mingot created its version of the famous drink there in 1963.
Whether you're interested in the piña colada story or simply want to see another piece of Old San Juan, the restaurant's courtyard is worth a look.
I especially liked the courtyard. Places like this are part of what makes walking through Old San Juan so much fun—you never quite know what you'll find behind the next doorway.
Another interesting stop is Parque de las Palomas, commonly called Pigeon Park.
The little park has large shade trees and beautiful views toward San Juan Bay, but its most memorable residents are definitely the pigeons.
There are holes built into the old wall where the pigeons gather and nest.
And yes, with that many pigeons comes exactly what you're imagining.
There is pigeon poo everywhere.
If birds aren't your thing, this probably won't be your favorite stop in Old San Juan. But it is certainly memorable!
Looking back at our visit, I think some of my favorite photographs came from places that weren't necessarily major attractions.
That's one reason I recommend spending at least a little unplanned time in Old San Juan.
You can make a list of the places you don't want to miss, but leave room in your day to simply wander.
Language: Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico. Spanish is widely spoken, although we found it easy to communicate in English in tourist areas.
Currency: Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar.
Getting Around: Old San Juan is very walkable, which is one of the reasons I recommend staying there if you're visiting before a cruise. Wear comfortable shoes—the historic streets and hills can make walking more tiring than you might expect.
Weather: It was hot and humid during our visit in early May. I wish I had carried a bottle of water with me while we explored.
Planning Tip: Before a trip, I like to look at the area on Google Maps and Street View. I locate our hotel and the major attractions we want to visit so the surroundings already look somewhat familiar when we arrive. This has saved us a lot of time trying to figure out entrances and directions once we're there.
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| Walk from the ship to the port area |
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