Cruising the Caribbean
This is going to be a lengthy post and will be broken up by days.
Prices are only estimates in the post due to this trip being in multiple currencies.
Majestic Waters Ahead
December 12-19, 2021
Stephen and I were reluctant to go on an international trip with Covid restrictions across the world. There were many options we wanted to do but a cruise was the easiest option that did not include international travel restrictions and covid tests at random times. A cruise was the best option and seemed like a laid-back trip after the last two crazy years of living in a pandemic. Finding the right cruise takes time but once you have chosen where you want to go then it gets easier to plan the trip. We chose a cruise that was eight days long and sailed to ports in the Caribbean. We chose destinations based on prices, ships, and then destinations. On our eight-day cruise, we finalized destinations to the Bahamas, Cozumel, Honduras, and Costa Maya.
Arriving to our Cruise
We departed Denver and flew to Miami where our cruise ship was ported. A tip for cruising when you are flying in is to always fly in the day before because if your flight is delayed your ship will not wait for you. Luckily Miami is a great place to stay the night before leaving on a cruise, there is plenty to see and do.
If you have read any of my other blogs then you already know that we love to seek out and stay at a MOXY hotel for their fun and unique hotels. Miami was no different. The rooms are always small but we only need a bed and bathroom so the space does not bother us. MOXY Miami had the perfect Miami vibe with its rooftop pool and bar lit in neon lights overlooking the city and Miami South Beach. Inside it had a large bar that took up the lobby with excellent outdoor seating covered in palm trees. Our hotel was in the heart of everything we needed and made it easy to walk to dinner.
Just a few blocks from our hotel we found a well-lit alley of restaurants and bars that all had their own ethnicity. We opted for an Italian restaurant called Hosteria Romana. This small alley restaurant made you feel like you were sitting patio side in Italy; from waiters running table to table, people laughing together at their tables, and of course Italian music and napkin twirling. The food was mouthwatering and fresh. Proscuitto was cut straight from the leg and pasta made in a giant cheese wheel, it was all fantastic.
After dinner we strolled Ocean Dr to watch the nightlife and see all of the colorful neon lights on the hotels, each one different from the next.
Cruise Day
The next morning we had a few hours to shed before boarding our cruise at 2:00 pm. Under the Mango Tree was a few blocks from our hotel and was just begging us to come and eat. The small smoothie and acai bowl shop was super cute and the bowls were some of the best acai bowls I have had. I highly recommend this place for breakfast when in Miami.
We took another stroll down Ocean to see each hotel in the morning light. It is amazing how things change from nightlife to a quiet morning in a city so full of life at all times.
One last stop before leaving was Pinks Tacos on South Beach, one of Stephen’s favorite taco places, and for good reason. We also figured we needed to eat before getting on the ship because we didn’t know how long the check-in process would take or if there would be food open when we got on the ship (I can hear the Cruisers saying why would you eat before getting on a ship with so much food!).
What to do before your cruise
Arrive at your location a day early. A missed or delayed flight can happen and can cause you to miss your entire cruise.
If you want to be proactive you can check out a previous Cruise Compass beforehand. This will help you figure out what to wear for dinner each night, as well as every day’s itinerary. Some nights are themed so why not be prepared.
Print your luggage tags and attach them to your luggage before getting to the port.
MAKE SURE TO HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS! or you won’t board.
Set up auto gratuities.
Grab two bottles of wine (750ml) and carry them on if you did not purchase the drinks plan.
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Board Ship in Miami
Day 2: Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Bahamas
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 5: Roatan, Honduras
Day 6: Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Disembark in Miami
Day 1 - Boarding the Ship
All Aboard at 5:00 pm and Set Sail time at 6:00 pm
Temperature: 80 degrees and mostly sunny
We made it! Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas.
Covid Testing and Boarding the Cruise
In the past, the boarding process was daunting but during the pandemic, it was a breeze. We had a designated time to arrive at port (it was checked and made sure we were on time. If people were early they were sent away and told to come back at their given/chosen time.). I would say it took us only 15-20 minutes from the time we got out of the car to the time we boarded the ship.
As soon as we got out of our UBER someone had our bags tagged and already on their way to our room.
We were then led inside and had our covid tests checked (The cruise only needed a negative test done no more than two days prior).
Once we were cleared we walked upstairs where they checked our tickets and vaccine cards and we were given a bracelet saying we were vaccinated.
We put our carry-on things through an x-ray machine right before the bridge to the ship and that was it. Super fast and easy to navigate each step.
Adults only area in the front of the ship that has hot tubs, lounge chairs, and even its own buffet restaurant.
Dinner
If you are a Royal Caribbean cruiser, you are excited about the food. I love the food on RC… let me rephrase that, I LOVED the food on RC. Our first night at dinner, we noticed that the nightly options were mainly the same options every night and only three or four items changed. My favorite appetizer that I tell everyone about is the escargot. However, I am pretty sure it used to be small scallops and, at some point, changed. It is fantastic and on the menu nightly. For our meals, I ordered the ribeye, and Stephen ordered the Bolognese. Both entrees were just so-so, nothing special, and nothing memorable. For dessert, I had the key lime pie, which was decent. For our first night, we were let down, and we both hoped maybe it was an off night.
After dinner, we headed to one of the theaters for the “Adult Majority Rules” game show. It was a game show where everyone is involved, and you write down your opinion, and the majority wins. We won in the end with the most points and walked away with two RC Caribbean lightweight bags. After the game show, we came across the Karaoke room and watched Karaoke late into the night. Both activities had us laughing and enjoying ourselves.
Things to know on Boarding Day/Day 1
A carry-on bag is allowed so you can bring your bathing suit to change into.
Your luggage will NOT be at your stateroom when you get on the ship. It could take a few hours for it to arrive. It will be left in front of your room when it does arrive, so always check.
The Cruise Compass and RC app on your phone will be your best friend. Once you get on the ship, log onto the ships’ free wifi to schedule all shows before they book up (this can only be done on the ship). Read through the Cruise Compass to know what is going on to avoid missing anything.
You can buy wifi when you board the ship. It’s not cheap but you can buy one package and share it, you will need to log off for the other person to log on. We bought it to check on the dogs and we used it sparingly. The cost for wifi was $145 for the entire cruise, unlimited.
Tour the ship and get acquainted after you have read the cruise compass.
If you haven’t already booked your excursions I recommend doing this ASAP too at the Excursion desk. Many options were sold out.
Mustar Drills are done a little differently now. You will watch a video in your stateroom and then go to a designated spot (not the mustar drill station) and check in to let them know you have completed it.
Don’t come hungry. The Windjammer might not be open.
If you need any items dry cleaned/pressed, send them ASAP. It will take a full day for them to be returned. (They have options to Wash and Press, Press Only, Steam Only, and Dry Clean and Press. Average prices range from $2 - $15). The Press option was a lifesaver for those items we were wearing to dinner. Note: no irons are allowed on the ship.
You can find your current bill on your TV throughout the cruise. Along with other necessary information.
Dinner Attire: Casual. We wore what we got on the ship wearing.
Day 2 - Coco Cay, Bahamas
Island Time from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Temperature: 79 degrees and sunny
Perfect Day at Coco Cay is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean. Only cruisers from the RC ships can access the island and any local workers. I had never been to this port and was unsure of it at first. Once we docked, we noticed how blue the Bahama waters were and how colorful the island was; this got us excited right away. We didn’t plan on any adventures offered on the island and decided that we would take the first day slow and not pay for any excursions.
I recommend checking out the Coco Cay Map beforehand to determine what you want to do. (A map was left with our cruise compass the night before).
An island full of color!
The island is split up by areas. Chill Island is the lounging free area with bars (if you have a drink package on the ship you can use it here), a free buffet (this was the best food we had all week), and all beach access you could ever want. We spent our morning lounging by the beach and playing in the water. They have water mats and snorkels you can rent if you get adventurous.
Once we were done with the beach, we headed for the large pool with the swim-up bar. We hung out by the pool for the remainder of the afternoon. The pool was just as relaxing as the beach and not crowded. On the other side of the island, you can find a water slide park (paid excursion) and a hot air balloon ride (paid excursion).
Beach View. There are three inlets to site at and relax.
If you get bored at the beach or the pool, a tram will drive you around the island for free, stopping at each of the different locations. You can even peep in on the rich people who could afford cabanas.
We were the only ship at the island for the whole day. Overall, Coco Cay was a great way to start the trip. It was relaxing but still fun.
Dinner
Once we got back on the ship, it was time to get ready for dinner. Again, we were not impressed with dinner. I much would have rathered ordered multiple appetizers instead of the entre. They had great vegetarian options that were tasty, and the dessert was always decent.
After dinner, we watched the 60 seconds or less game show. The game show led into nightly karaoke, where we spent our night again.
Things to know when at Coco Cay, Bahamas
The island has so many things to do for free. Save money and enjoy yourself.
Take the tram when you get on the island to pick your spot out. You can even jump on a tram right from the boat to take you to the island, its a fairly long walk.
This wouldn’t be a good port to stay on the ship since it’s a great place to chill.
The food is free and amazing. If you have a drink package it is included everywhere on the island.
We heard mixed reviews about the water park. We never saw the balloon go in the air either.
Go to the beach AND the pool. Neither one was crowded at any time.
Dinner Attire: Caribbean. Caribbean shirts and khakis. It was very laid back.
Day 3 - At Sea
Temperature: 83 degrees and mostly sunny
On our first day at sea, we found ourselves on a lounge chair poolside and hung out all day while servers walked by asking for drink orders. We met Stephanie and Blake when they sat down next to us, and immediately we started chatting. We sat there talking and laughing and building a friendship; they even asked us to dinner that night. Day 3 was just about hanging out and relaxing with a drink in hand.
Typically a cruise ship will play games such as hot dog eating contests, dance contests, belly flop contests, and more, but with covid, I think they had cut those games out while we were on our cruise.
We met our new friends for dinner (I don't have pictures of our food because I didn't want to be rude). Luckily they had the same time dining and had an open table next to theirs, so the dining manager let us eat with them.
After dinner, we went to the Royal Theater to see the broadway show CATS. I love broadway shows, and I found this show to be terrible. I am not sure if it's because I really dislike cats the animal, or the show was just boring. We left 20 minutes into the show and went to the "Finish that Lyric" game show, where you have to finish the lyric when the music stops. We didn't stay out late because we had to get off the ship early.
Things to know when you’re at Sea all-day
RELAX
Get a pool chair EARLY but don’t be “that person” who drops their stuff and heads to breakfast for half of the morning.
If they have contests going on, get involved. You can win some swag.
Many activities are going on around the ship; this is the time to do them.
If it is a rainy day, the ship will be prepared for many indoor activities.
Dinner Attire: Formal. I wore a LBD, and Stephen wore a suit without the jacket.
Day 4 - Cozumel, Mexico
Island Time from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Temperature: 83 degrees and sunny with a chance of rain
We planned the Jade Caverns by ATV excursion from the ship (during our cruise, because of covid, you could only book excursions through the ship). The excursion would take us on a guided trip around a jungle through trails that would lead us to a cenote where we could swim. The cost for two people was $200.
We each got our own ATV to ride on and were asked about our experience level. Once we departed as a group, we then separated into two groups, slow and fast. Stephen and I took off with our guide plus two other people. Our guide was great, he opened up on the trails, and we were cruising through the jungle until his wheel fell off (note: the guides use the old ATVs, so it’s unlikely that it will happen to a customer). After he got a backup ATV, we were on our way again; he then brought us to do donuts in a sandpit before taking us through a cave.
Once we reached the cenote, we were given some history on the area before jumping in the water. Stephen jumped in while I watched thousands of bats fly around (if you didn’t know, I think bats are so cool!). We spent approximately 30-40 minutes in the caverns before heading back.
Make sure to wear a bathing suit and bring extra clothes just in case you get extra muddy.
They will take your picture BEFORE and AFTER you are covered in mud. Yup, We match haha
Taking our own tour of Cozumel Island
After our excursion, we were brought back to the cruise port, when we got off the bus, Stephen and I left the port out of the gated area we were in. Little did we know we weren't supposed to leave port at all due to Covid. However, we really wanted to drive around the island with the time we had left, so we set out to find a cheap and close-to-the-port moped rental place. For $25 [USD], we could take the moped anywhere on the island.
One main road travels around the island and is relatively quiet. Once you reach the opposite side of the island, the road follows the beach. There are many places to stop along the way that give great views, small shops, and bites to eat.
At the second stop on the road along the beach, you could climb a cliff that extended into the water dotted in Mexican flags. Just be careful as the cliff had many large holes that you could easily trip on. We spotted an iguana a few more stops down the road; watch out because they will chase you.
The cliffs that extended in the water with beachside huts to shop from.
The last main stop before reaching town was the most unique. This stop had a couple of beachside restaurants with large menu options, a lot of room to spend your day on the beach, and some really excellent picture opportunities.
We opted to find an authentic Mexican restaurant in the downtown area. We ended up at a mix of authentic and tourist Mexican food called Casablanca located in a small park area with a lot of shops (this place has terrible reviews on google but we found everything to be fresh and tasty). Stephen ordered a frozen margarita, and they came out with two large portions; it was two for one day. We ordered ceviche as an appetizer that was some of the best we have had and then ordered tacos for our entre. We had so much food to eat, but we didn't leave any to waste because it was so delicious.
Giant Cozumel sign located in the port.
Dinner
As soon as we boarded the ship, we quickly changed into dinner attire and made our way to dinner. I ordered a salad for my appetizer, which was fresh and refreshing. For my entree, I ordered the risotto that lacked appeal and seasoning, and for dessert, I got a mini pie that was just ok. Again, another night of being let down in the dining room for food options. After leaving the dining room unsatisfied, we checked out the windjammer to see the night's special just in case we missed anything.
After dinner, we saw the "Frozen in Time" ice show. The show was very entertaining and well done.
Things to know when you are in Cozumel, MX
Don’t be afraid to explore.
Rent a moped for cheap and explore the island. There is only one main road that loops around the island.
The port has many shops if you do not want to travel downtown.
Dinner Attire: Casual. I wore a sundress, and Stephen wore Khaki shorts and a collared short sleeve.
Day 5 - Roatan, Honduras
Island Time from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Temperature: 81 degrees and sunny with a chance of rain
Roatan was a place we thought would be really cool; it was not. It is an impoverished area, and there are a plethora of beggars at the port gates. This is one place I would only do excursions provided from the ship to feel safe.
We booked the Jolly Roger Catamaran Sail and Snorkeling tour. You take a 20-minute bus ride to the catamaran, where you will board the biggest catamaran you have ever been on that holds possibly 50 or more people. The crew will give you information about the area you snorkel in and provide your gear during the 20-minute journey to the designated area. Everyone was able to snorkel for 30-45 minutes before lunch was served, and we made our way back to the bus. The cost for two people was $ 240.
Stephen went snorkeling while I hung out on the catamaran. I DO NOT do ocean life and would rather watch from afar. Stephen said there were not that many fish to see, and the fish that were around quickly swam off due to the mass amounts of people kicking and splashing in the water. He said he would not recommend this excursion or do it again. He also said that the water was a very dark blue, which prevented him from seeing tropical fish. Beyond the snorkeling, the provided lunch was pretty good; it was an authentic Honduran dish of chicken, pasta salad, and a few other sides.
Once back to port, we left the port area to see the local area. Sad to say, but it was very run down, and the beggars were everywhere, so we decided to find more local food for lunch before going back to the ship. We did ask one of the guys at the port gate, and he walked us about a half-mile to a restaurant called Jungle Top in the treetops of a jungle. It was defiantly a tourist spot but still served the local foods of Honduras, plus you couldn't beat the view of the water and our ship.
We ordered the Honduras version of ceviche and two fried shrimp and rice orders. The plate was full of vibrant food that makes my mouth water today thinking about it.
Dinner
Even though it seemed like we ate two lunches on the island, we still made it to dinner for more food; it is a cruise, after all. First, I ordered the vegetarian wrap that was soooo good, and then for my entree, I ordered tortellini. The tortellini was the worst version of tortellini I had ever eaten. It was so bland that I couldn't even finish it. To make up for the pasta, I ordered two desserts.
After dinner, we had reservations to see the aqua show. When we got to the aqua theater, the show had already started. They told us we were not allowed in and that the reservation system messed up, so we found a spot on a higher deck that overlooked the show. This is a do-not-miss show. The acrobats in this show were amazing and mind-blowing. They jump from so high up on a moving ship that you close your eyes hoping they make it into the small pool. This show has to be reserved because it did fill up very fast.
Things to know when you are in Roatan, Honduras
Don't explore; there isn't much to see, and the people by the port can be very pushy.
The water is very dark compared to the water in the Bahamas and Mexico. If you plan to snorkel or dive, don't do it in Honduras.
The port is small, with only a few shops, and there are no shops outside of the port.
Dinner Attire: Casual. I wore a sundress, and Stephen wore Khaki shorts and a collared short sleeve.
Day 6 - Costa Maya, Mexico
Island Time from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Temperature: 83 degrees and cloudy with a chance of rain
Costa Maya excursions were close to sold out for most activities. We booked the Bacalar and 7 Colors Lagoon tour. We thought it would be cool to tour the fort in Bacalar and see the fantastic colors of the 7 colors lagoon. The cost for two people was $240.
We boarded a large bus and traveled close to an hour to get to the lagoon.
Once there, we separated into groups and got on pontoon boats that looked like they had not been cleaned in years, where they made us wear a life vest that smelled of mold. The guides showed us three cenotes that appeared darker than the bright blue water, nothing like your typical cenote seen elsewhere in Mexico. We stopped in a shallow area where they let us swim in the freshwater for some time before leaving to go back to eat lunch at the boat docks.
The 7 colors lagoon is not actually 7 colors but naturally 7 shades of blue. You can only see all shades when the sun is out. On a cloudy day, the water will look the same all over. The lagoon is all freshwater, making it the clearest and bluest fresh body of water anywhere.
Even though the water is super blue and freshwater, I still found the trip to be something I could have done in Florida for much less.
We ate lunch quickly and asked the guide if we could see the fort independently. Touring the fort was part of the excursion we paid for, but due to covid, they would not give us a tour at that time. We still expected some history of the fort, but nothing was mentioned at any time during our time with the tour guide.
The Bacalar Fort
The fort was located just outside the gate where our bus was parked, so we walked over to see it and take some pictures. Since the history was in Spanish, we did not get any good information on the fort.
On the way back to the bus, we stopped for smoothies at a little shop. There were only a handful of shops and small boutique hotels in Bacalar.
Back at the port, we took our time sightseeing and stopping in the many shops available. We quickly realized that we should have stayed at the port all day. There was so much to see and do for free.
In Costa Maya Port, you can:
Swim with dolphins
Get a massage, mud bath, or even have minos eat the dead skin off your feet.
Eat at the many restaurants and ice cream shops
Hang out by the pool with the swim-up bar.
See different acts
Walk through an aviary
and so much more.
Dinner
“Dress your best” night meant LOBSTER night. This was the night the dining room was the most full. The lobster tails were small, but you could order as many as you wanted. For dessert, I ordered some form of pie.
After dinner, we had reservations for Stephanie Parker, a singer who belted Whitney Houston songs out like it was nothing. After seeing her sing, it made Stephanie (our new friend) want to do the same, so we headed to karaoke so she could give us more Whitney Houston songs.
Things to know when you are in Costa Maya, MX
Skip excursions (even the Blue Lagoon, Seven Colors) and stay at port.
If you want to book an excursion, make sure to book on day one, everything sold out quickly.
There is NOTHING outside of the gates of the port.
Costa Maya is a made-up port by the cruise industry; the local area is called Mahahaul
Dinner Attire: Dress your Best. I wore a satin dress, and Stephen wore a suit without the jacket.
Day 7 - At Sea
Temperature: 86 degrees and sunny with a chance of rain
On day 7, we knew we didn't need any more sun and decided to sleep in and check out more of the ship's offerings. Day 7 was the busiest day on the ship because people tried to do all of the activities before disembarking the next day.
Food Options:
Boardwalk Dog House (Free)
Park Cafe (Free)
Soft Serve Ice Cream Poolside (Free)
El Loco Fresh (Free)
Sorentos Pizza (Free)
Solarium and Windjammer Buffets (Free)
Sugar Beach Candy ($)
Starbucks ($)
Vitality Cafe ($)
Johnny Rockets ($)
Portside BBQ ($)
Playmakers ($)
Dinner restaurants ($$): 150 Central Park, Chefs Table, Chops, Giovannis, Izumi
Activities Provided on the Oasis of the Seas:
Ultimate Abyss Slide
Zip Lining
Putt Putt Mini Golf
Flow rider
Rock Climbing
Ice Skating
Water Slides
Sports on the Sports court
Ride the carousel
Escape Room ($)
Laser Tag (Closed on our cruise)
There are SEVEN different neighborhoods to hang out in on the Oasis of the Seas:
Central Park
Boardwalk
Royal Promenade
Pool and Sports Zone
Vitality at Sea
Entertainment Palace
Kids Zone
Dinner
We ordered three meals to split for our last night's dinner, which all were very bland again. The best thing was the vegetarian Bao Buns appetizer. After dinner, we stopped by our favorite bartender Marc to wish him well before heading to our last show of the cruise. We saw a comedian named Paul Ogata who was hilarious. It was the best show of the entire cruise.
Things to know when you are at Sea all-day
Skip the pool one day and do some activities that are totally free to you.
Dinner Attire: Casual. I wore a sundress and Stephen wore Khaki shorts and a collared short sleeve
Day 8 - Disembark Ship
Disembark Time: On your own and carrying your own bags off at 7:00 am.
Getting off the ship was simple and fast. We carried our own luggage off instead of leaving it the night before for them to take it off for us and then have to look for it. It was just that much more straightforward doing it ourselves and only took us 15 minutes to get off the ship and into a cab. Our flight wasn’t until 2:00 pm so we dropped our luggage off at a hotel and they tagged it while we went around Miami.
For breakfast, we were told that Zak the Baker was a fantastic spot and had to see for ourselves. they have some of the best croissants I have ever tasted along with strong coffee (and I’ve been to Paris).
We checked out Wynwood for new murals (we have already been here).
After Wynwood we found a new art district with more modern art features that were stunning.
Miami Art District
Things to know on disembarkment day:
You can choose a time to leave. If you schedule a time, you will have to put your luggage out the night before to be picked up. You will then find your luggage off the ship in the morning. I sometimes find this chaotic looking for my bag.
The second option is to take your own luggage off the ship with you and get off at 7am. Very fast this way.
If you are going to the airport, UBER/LYFT is a convenient option to pick you up within 10 minutes.
If you want breakfast in the morning before leaving the ship, many places are open early.
Have your travel documents on you when getting off the ship.
Check your billing summary before getting off the ship.
Thank you for checking out my post on our Caribbean Cruise. I hope you found something of interest or useful. Please use the comment section for more ideas, but please don’t be rude. As always, travel on and relax, after all, you are on vacation.