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Set Sail for Adventure: Our Unforgettable Caribbean Cruise Experience
01/12/2024
Our journey across America is something truly close to our hearts. It was the first trip we took together as a duo. We met shortly before Mirka left for the USA through the Work and Travel program. At that time, I (Marcel) was working full-time in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Despite the long distance, we stayed in constant touch. We sent each other what felt like a million voice messages every day. That's why I decided that when Mirka's work obligations in the USA ended and she had a month left to travel, I would join her. Along with a few friends she met in America, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure.
The first part of this month-long journey was a cruise starting and ending in Miami. We chose to sail with NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line). This article is dedicated to that cruise – you'll learn about the destinations we visited and the experiences we had.
If you're in Miami and don't have time to plan, here are some tips for trips. Get Your Guide offers a wide range of activities, often at the best prices:
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1. Basic Overview
The cost of a cruise depends on the type of cabin. The cheapest option is an interior cabin, followed by ocean-view cabins, and the most expensive are balcony cabins. We stayed in the cheapest interior cabin with three people. The fact that it didn't have a window didn't bother us at all. We spent very little time in the cabin, so having a window or balcony wasn't necessary. On the other hand, cabins are generally small, so if you're traveling with three or four people, I'd recommend paying extra for a larger room.
All cruises have something in common – the price includes food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, you'll need to pay extra for an alcoholic drink package. As for the food, you definitely won't go hungry. This was the case on every cruise we've been on.
There was a massive dining hall on the ship where meals were served buffet-style. You've probably never seen such a large buffet before. The menu changed daily, and the buffet was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During short breaks when breakfast transitioned to lunch or lunch to dinner, pizza and hamburgers were available. The bars were open all day until late at night.
Overall, the cruise cost us around €800, including the alcoholic drink package. Onboard, there was an additional charge for service and housekeeping, which totaled approximately €100 for the entire trip.
2. The Beginning of the Journey
As I mentioned earlier, I was traveling with people who were part of the Work and Travel program. So, let me start this section with a warning: if you're in this program, you have work visas for the USA. One of the rules of these visas is that you can enter the USA only once. JUST ONCE!!!
Upon arriving at the port, we had to follow a process similar to that at an airport – find the correct terminal and then the right gate/dock. These are usually marked with the names of cruise lines. It wasn't until check-in that my fellow travelers realized what their visas entailed: if they left the USA, they wouldn't be allowed back. Because of this, they weren't permitted to board the ship. Fortunately, I was traveling under the ESTA visa waiver program, so I was fine.
When we found out they couldn't board the ship and wouldn't get a refund either, everyone rushed to fill out the ESTA application and then waited. The official website says applications are processed within 72 hours, which wasn't exactly reassuring five hours before the ship's departure.
At that moment, time seemed to drag on forever. Everyone was constantly refreshing their email inboxes, and I was mentally preparing a speech along the lines of, "See you later, losers, I'm getting on that ship." Since there weren't enough seats in the check-in hall for our group of six, we sat on the floor and passed the time playing cards.
FINALLY! Just 15 minutes before the check-in closed, everyone's phones buzzed. The much-awaited ESTA approvals came through, and our trip could continue.
BUT WAIT!!! Another surprise. The original destinations we were supposed to visit – the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands – had to be changed due to a hurricane. The new route now included Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. After the visa stress, this news barely fazed us.
3. Boarding and First Impressions of the Ship
This chapter is dedicated to everyone who has never been on a cruise before. At first, we were all a bit worried – how would we handle seven days at sea? Would we get seasick? Rest assured, you can put your mind at ease. Cruise ships are so large that you barely feel any movement or waves. The first few moments might feel slightly odd, but you'll quickly get used to it. For any emergencies, there's also a doctor onboard.
As mentioned earlier, we sailed with NCL on the Norwegian Sky. To give you an idea, this ship has 13 decks, 12 of which are accessible to passengers. It is 258 meters long and 32 meters wide, with a weight of over 77,000 tons. When fully booked, it accommodates around 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members.
The majority of the crew were Filipinos. They are incredibly kind people who go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. The luxury we experienced on the ship was unmatched by any hotel we've ever stayed in. Everything was impeccably clean and elegantly styled.
Onboard, you'll find everything you need for happiness – bars, restaurants, pools, hot tubs, a basketball court, and even a casino. Every day was filled with various entertainment options, including dance and music performances, discos, and karaoke.
We spent seven days on the ship, with four of those days being stops at islands in Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. The remaining three days were spent enjoying the amenities on board.
This chapter is dedicated to everyone who has never been on a cruise before. At first, we were all a bit worried – how would we handle seven days at sea? Would we get seasick? Rest assured, you can put your mind at ease. Cruise ships are so large that you barely feel any movement or waves. The first few moments might feel slightly odd, but you’ll quickly get used to it. For any emergencies, there’s also a doctor onboard.
As mentioned earlier, we sailed with NCL on the Norwegian Sky. To give you an idea, this ship has 13 decks, 12 of which are accessible to passengers. It is 258 meters long and 32 meters wide, with a weight of over 77,000 tons. When fully booked, it accommodates around 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members.
The majority of the crew were Filipinos. They are incredibly kind people who go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. The luxury we experienced on the ship was unmatched by any hotel we’ve ever stayed in. Everything was impeccably clean and elegantly styled.
Onboard, you’ll find everything you need for happiness – bars, restaurants, pools, hot tubs, a basketball court, and even a casino. Every day was filled with various entertainment options, including dance and music performances, discos, and karaoke.
We spent seven days on the ship, with four of those days being stops at islands in Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. The remaining three days were spent enjoying the amenities on board.
4. MEXICO: Costa Maya
Our first stop was on the Mexican coast at Costa Maya. As the name suggests, this area was part of the ancient Mayan civilization, just like other parts of Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. Upon disembarking, we were immediately surrounded by vendors offering various activities and excursions. In the end, one of them convinced us to join. We hopped into a van with a cheerful driver and off we went. Besides our group of six, there were four other tourists with us. Our first stop was at a store where we picked up some beer to make the ride more enjoyable.
We then headed to the Chacchoben area, where the ruins of a Mayan settlement can be found. Our guide accompanied us throughout the tour. At the site, we admired several large pyramids. We stopped by a chicozapote tree and picked a few leaves. The sap from this tree was used to make the original chewing gum and was also utilized in medicine for mild numbing. After chewing the leaves, we continued on with numb smiles. Did you know that the Mayans were also known for human sacrifices?
Our guide picked me and Ľudo (another member of our group) to show us two methods of sacrifice. The first method was the classic one – simply beheading. The second method was more interesting. He described how they removed the human heart through the back while it was still beating. MASSACRE!
After returning from the excursion, we took a quick detour to the beach, which was enclosed by a net due to sharks. The swimming area was small, and there were a lot of seaweeds floating in the water. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed this stop.
5. Mexico: Cozumel
Right at the port, we were greeted by Mexicans with their traditional dance "Danza de los Voladores" (also known as "Dance of the Flyers"). This traditional Mexican dance originates from the indigenous peoples of Mexico, particularly from the Totonac cultures who lived in the area of present-day Veracruz. The ritual is performed on a tall pole, which can be up to 30 meters high. During the dance, four "flyers" are suspended at the top of the pole using ropes, and they slowly unwind the ropes around the pole as they gradually descend towards the ground in spiral movements, creating the impression of "flying." The fifth person, who remains at the top of the pole, plays a drum and a whistle, accompanying the ritual with music. Danza de los Voladores has a deep spiritual significance – it was originally performed as a plea for rain and a good harvest. Today, this dance is also performed at tourist locations such as Cozumel, Cancún, or Playa del Carmen, where tourists can admire it.
As in all ports, we were surrounded by vendors offering various activities. However, we decided that instead of engaging in activities, we would rather soak in the Mexican atmosphere. The main and only larger town on the island is San Miguel de Cozumel, which we decided to explore. We tasted traditional Mexican tacos, drank the popular Mexican beer Corona, which is always served with lime. We also visited a church and walked through the streets of this exotic, bustling town.
The island also has Mayan ruins, but they are smaller and less well-preserved than those in Costa Maya, so we decided that we didn't need to see them.
6. Belize: Harvest Caye
Our second stop was Harvest Caye, an island under the jurisdiction of Belize. This island is privately owned by Norwegian Cruise Line. It boasts beautiful white sand beaches and a shoreline scattered with seashells – we collected two sizeable piles. The island also features a zipline, which is a popular attraction.
The island's private ownership comes with both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, there aren't as many tourists, and you're not swarmed by vendors offering activities as soon as you disembark. On the downside, there aren't many activities available. The island has only a few shops and restaurants, and aside from the beach and the zipline, there isn't much else to do.
After two hours, we packed up and headed back to the ship.
7. Honduras: Roatán
Honduras is a tropical country located in northern Central America. As usual, after disembarking, we were immediately surrounded by countless offers for activities. A cruise can be a bit exhausting, and after days of nonstop partying and an all-inclusive alcohol package, we were feeling quite drained. So instead of planning our own adventure, we decided to join an organized tour.
We hopped into a taxi and headed to our first stop: a coffee roastery and chocolate factory. Honduras is one of the largest coffee producers in the world, and this roastery offered coffee that had won the title of "Best Coffee in the World" in 2020. How could we not buy some? 😄 We also sampled various chocolates mixed with coffee, chili, and many other interesting flavors.
Our next stop was a local zoo. It was small and would probably not meet the standards of animal rights organizations, but for us, it was an incredibly exotic experience. A guide accompanied us and even allowed us into some of the enclosures. That's how we found ourselves inside a monkey aviary!
These monkeys were absolutely adorable, but they definitely had sticky fingers. This rule probably applies everywhere in the world: if you're around monkeys, keep an eye on your belongings. We also found ourselves in an aviary filled with various species of parrots. One of the highlights was meeting a toucan. This stunning bird amazed us with its enormous colorful beak, which seemed to reflect all the colors of the rainbow.
The highlight of the day, however, was hugging a sloth. The guide handed us a sloth, and it slowly wrapped its arms around us. Holding a sloth is like holding a tiny baby – it was unbelievably calm and adorable. From that moment on, the sloth became my favorite animal.
8. CONCLUSION
A cruise is a very intense experience, but it's not for everyone. If you're looking for a relaxing vacation, I'd probably recommend choosing a tourist resort instead.
On the other hand, if you're someone who loves to party, dance, enjoy a drink, and explore multiple destinations in a short amount of time, then a cruise is definitely something you should try.
Specifically, a cruise in America is quite a cost-effective option. You get to visit beautiful places while living in luxury. If you wanted comparable dining and accommodation in America, you'd likely end up paying more.