By this time next week, we’ll be aboard the Norwegian Spirit – visiting a variety of exciting port locations. Our itinerary has us on the following schedule:
Sun: New Orleans, LA Depart 5:00pm
Mon: At Sea
Tue: Cozumel, Mexico 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wed: Belize City, Belize 8:00am to 6:00pm
Thu: Roatan, Honduras 8:00am to 5:00pm
Fri: Costa Maya, Mexico 8:00am to 4:00pm
Sat: At Sea
Sun: New Orleans, LA Arrive 8:00am
We ponied up big on points to get a hotel right near the French Quarter and the Cruise Port. We’re staying at the Marriott Convention Center for 25k Marriott points – half of the 50k from the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card. It’s more than we wanted to spend, but if you figure that the hotel would have cost us $349 for a similar hotel on this Spring Break weekend, it means our 50k points are worth more than $800 to us (counting the extra free night). You can’t complain when you get them for free just for signing up for the card. Bourbon Street, here we come!
I already gave you a preview on what we’ll be doing in Belize, visiting the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave where we’ll hike, wade and swim into an a jungle cave system that played host to human sacrifice and other Mayan Rituals with www.pacztours.com.
Photo courtesy of LocoGringo.com
Now I’ll give you a taste of what’s on the platter for Costa Maya, Mexico. Some of the people in our group have yet to visit any of the temple ruins in Central America, so we opted for a ruin-focused excursion. There are three closely accessible ruins from the cruise stop, but we’re focusing on Dzibanche and Kohunlich. I’ve never been disappointed in any of these kinds of historical sites, and I don’t expect these will be any different. I find that these places are a lot like reading books – what makes them really good is your imagination. You can almost feel the kind of bustling civilization that it would have taken to create and maintain these ancient cities… you can’t help but marvel at the thought of the once-great Mayan empire. It’s the closest we’ll get to time-travel. Take, for example these “masks” or “stelae,” which recorded the history of kings and their rule. Pondering these wonders is exactly why I have such a desire for travel. I enjoy relaxation as much as the next guy, but you wouldn’t catch me trapped inside an all-inclusive with stuff like this nearby.
Photo from delange.org
Do you have any ideas for us on our other stops? We’ve got a plan, but we’re always welcoming ideas from fellow wanderlusters who may have tread these paths before!
Crazy! My wife and I are going on a Norwegian cruise out of Tampa on the 8th of April. Norwegian Star.. looks like the cruise goes to about the same places as the Norwegian Spirit. This will be our first cruise!
Derek, That is awesome that you’re taking your first cruise. They are a great way to relax and see a few places. Very low stress compared to some trips, but not as rewarding either. Take the stairs every time you go anywhere and exercise or you’ll feel bloated from all the food. Enjoy every minute and wanderlust with us!
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