I've always wanted to go to New Orleans & the Caribbean so this cruise checked 2 boxes. We flew into NOLA on Dec 13th, the airport is like 30 minutes out of town, we got an Uber for $50 for the 4 of us. Around town, stick with Uber! we Took a cab to Cochon & with all the people milling around & the extended way the cab driver went we paid 4 times as much as it took us to get back with an uber. We toured the French Quarter, nightlife/music, ate great food & rented a car to go out to tour a plantation. Dec 16th, I allowed 15 minutes to get to port from our hotel, under 2 mile drive, there is construction at port so at 30 minutes we got out & walked the rest of the way, definitely figure that into your timing as it will be going on for awhile & all the uber drivers we talked to feel like it's not going to get better when the project is done as they are taking away lanes. We got through check in faster than I expected, last time we were in the Haven & got to skip all this & lines had looked crazy so I really expected a long wait. They don't allow drinks or food through so if bringing snacks for kids to eat while in line keep it to tiny bags that you don't mind being tossed if uneated. The ship is big but only 1 pool which gets crowded on nice days. we rarely ran into people we met on board. Spice H2O is outside so if there are any dance parties, check the weather. Sunday night football we all crowded in the covered entrance to watch the game due to rain & cold, Final night GLOW party was cold & had to go back to cabin for a sweater (be prepared). Also it says adults only but there were kids at everything there. We were pleasantly surprised by our cabin 11228 mini suite (review below). We ate at the complimentary restaurants & for dinner preferred the Manhattan Room. Each night all the menus were the same but we felt the service was a bit better there. They do enforce the "dress code" which seemed to be no shorts (I feel like they should add a collared shirt because it was silly seeing the guys run back to put pants on but still be in a stretched out raggedly tee shirt). All our food was good though not real impressed with the desserts. I really wish they would just do a formal night. It was never clear when it was until you saw people walking around very dressed up. I don't mind dressing up for dinner but I like to do it with everyone else. We ate at the buffet for breakfast a couple of times when we were short on time. It's too chaotic for us but I did feel what we had was better than on the Pearl & lots of seating. our teens loved it for late night snacks & the soft serve cones. They seemed a bit understaffed with bartenders but those there worked hard so I am not going to complain about wait times. Whoever the manager is should be more on the schedule: sunny sea day with pool activities, the pool bar needs to be stacked with bartenders & other bars no so much, etc. We loved Shakers. all the bars seem to only have 1 drink menu. We loved the 80's party but only wished it hadn't been the night before an early port so we could have stayed & danced. I wish the GLOW party had a mix of music, the techno chased anyone not in 20's & 30's out quickly. We ended up at Shakers & there were older people with there glow sticks dancing to a duo so they obviously didn't like the "music". anyway it's unfortunate & I was disappointed since we had such a great time at the final party on the Pearl. They had a veterans meet & greet on the first day & last which was good. However the first responders meet was on the last sea day, I wish they had done it sooner, we met some really great people that we would have liked to have the time to get to know better. Also for the veterans they had their own room, the first responders was at Shakers & we had to organize it ourselves, not sure how many people may have left before some of the group started gathering people up. The seas were a bit rough at night a couple of times but not sea sick inducing, just a little extra movement.

First stop was Cozumel & it was cold, rainy & windy. I had scheduled us for the Fury Catamaran snorkel & beach party, it should have been canceled. They got us out there & said if you are not a strong swimmer don't go in because seas were rough. It was not a pleasant day though the team did work hard to try to make it better. When we got to the beach, more people huddled under umbrellas, back on ship we were shivering cold. Got back to port & just took a hot shower & did not go back out. We were left thinking how bad did it have to be to cancel. A lot of excursions were canceled that day but we were not in the lucky group. Had it been a good weather day it would have been amazing trip. The guys were great & did get us all dancing & therefore warmed up on the way back & tried to keep the drinks flowing.

Next day was Belize City & thankfully the heat returned. We did the Al Tun Ha Mayan Ruins & Olde Belize River tour. Booking through the cruiseline, our excursion ticket included our tender time so no issues there. (be ready with tips please, the dollar goes a long way for them). We loved the bus ride, road was not bumpy beyond all the speed bumps in town. Our guide was amazing & gave us so much info on their history & life. I was very moved by the poverty I saw on this trip but also the hustle I saw to make a living. I found the people of Belize to be very gracious & left me wanting to come back & learn more. The ruins were amazing! I wish we could have stayed longer, in fact they should have let us & cut back on the boat ride - ugh - 2 hours on the river was way too long! Also I didn't have time to shop the vendors at the site because we were given less than an hour & I wasn't going to cut short the cultural experience just to shop & there were things I wanted to get here (very expensive at next port). Next was a lunch at a tavern on the river. They have it down to a science & you have your food quickly & a soda, if you want a local beer, Beliken, I think it was $3. The chicken, rice & beans were really good. Then you get on the river boat. I had read 1 hour for this part but it was 2. The driver & his spotter were great but 2 hours & multiple crocs & iguanas was just too much. 1 hour with more on site would have made this trip one of our best. Read more