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🚢 From Cruise Chaos to Creole Cool: Our Final Days at Sea & Back in New Orleans

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After a week of tropical ports, unexpected downpours, and non-stop exploring, our final day on the cruise didn’t go quite as planned. One of us came down with a classic case of post-port blues—or more specifically, a stomach bug that hit hard after walking around the less-than-hygienic streets of Costa Maya . 🤒 Sick on a Ship… But Still Dancing? Let’s just say… it wasn’t pretty. The combo of diarrhea, shivers, and likely a fever made us super cautious. We’d heard that medical visits on cruise ships can be expensive —with some claiming motion sickness pills cost $20 a pop—so we decided to wait it out. As long as no food was involved, everything felt okay. But the moment even a little was eaten? Bathroom. Now. Despite feeling rough, we made the best of it: Stayed hydrated (thank you, water and ginger tea!). Skipped heavy meals and stuck to comforting foods—shout out to the congee/porridge station with ginger that absolutely saved the day. Still managed to enjoy the Bro...
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🌧️ Cloudy Skies & Cruise Walls: Our Rainy Day in Costa Maya

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Costa Maya was the final stop on our week-long Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Getaway , and while we had high hopes for relaxing on sun-drenched beaches and enjoying spontaneous exploration… reality had other plans. ⛅ “Let’s Decide When We Get There…” This was the only port where we didn’t pre-book an excursion. We figured we’d go with the flow—check out the scene, talk to some locals, maybe hit the beach or snorkel. But as soon as we docked, it became clear: Mother Nature wasn’t on our side . Rain came in waves (literally), and the skies looked moody all day. From the ship, we could see the promise of white sandy beaches , but something else caught our attention: a massive wall dividing the ship-docked tourist complex from the open beach beyond. That seemed… odd. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🧱 The Wall, the Gates, and ...
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🎭 Lights, Laughter & Late Nights: Why We Loved the Entertainment on NCL Getaway

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 One of the absolute highlights of cruising for us? The shows. Always the shows. And on our recent voyage aboard the Norwegian Getaway , the entertainment did not disappoint! 🎬 Broadway at Sea – Twice! We’ve cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) before—most memorably on the NCL Encore , where we were blown away by a single Broadway-style show about an Irish pub. It was so good, we went twice and loved every second of it. So when we boarded the Getaway , we wondered what their show selection would be like. To our surprise and delight: two Broadway-style shows — with the same talented cast performing both! Each performance was polished, energetic, and totally Broadway-worthy. We appreciated how the shows were different enough in style and story that it never felt repetitive. Hats off to the cast and crew for pulling double duty! Just a heads-up: 📸 No photos or video allowed during the performances. We saw a few guests try (tsk tsk), but staff were quick to step in. ...
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🚢 From Cruise Port to Real Roatán: A Tale of Two Worlds

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  After our unforgettable time at Manawakie Eco Park , we still had a few hours before needing to board the ship. So we decided to explore a bit more around the Roatán cruise port—and what we discovered was a study in contrast. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🛍️ First Stop: The Cruise Terminal Bubble As we stepped off the ship and walked through the tourist zone , everything was polished and predictable. The shops? All the same ones we’d seen at other cruise stops: International Diamond and Watch stores Generic souvenir shops Branded clothing and overpriced trinkets Restaurants that felt more American than Honduran There’s even a pool and wading area , which looked inviting, but the weather was still chilly from the earlier storm. Not too many people were out, giving the area an oddly empty vibe. We found ourselv...
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🌿 Wild Fun at Manawakie Eco Park — A Roatán Highlight!

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Our last stop on the island of Roatán was one we’ll never forget: Manawakie Eco Park . Nestled inland, surrounded by tropical flora and rustic scenery, this hidden gem gave us an unforgettable, up-close-and-personal experience with some of Honduras’ most beloved animal residents. 🐾 Where else can you say you held a sloth, had a monkey crawl on your shoulder, and let a macaw perch on your head — all in one day? 🚗 The Journey to Manawakie As we made our way to the park, the skies began to clear—finally, some sunshine! The further inland we drove, the more of local Roatán life we got to witness. Fruit trees lined the roads, children played in front of homes, and we found ourselves bouncing along dirt roads that meandered through vibrant greenery. It was a peaceful contrast to the touristy cruise dock areas and gave us a real glimpse of how islanders live. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you...
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Location: Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras
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🌴 West End Roatán: Dreaming of Sunshine in Paradise

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  After our stops at the chocolate and rum factories, our Roatán tour continued with a visit to West End —a charming, vibrant part of the island that had us dreaming of better weather. Even in the midst of a tropical storm , we could see the potential of this gorgeous spot. Palm trees swayed dramatically in the wind, the boats bobbed in the rough Caribbean waters, and though the skies were gray, the energy of the area was unmistakable. We couldn’t help but imagine how incredible it would’ve been on a sunny day—especially if our much-anticipated  submarine tour  had gone as planned. We were so excited to explore under the sea, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Still, the West End gave us a taste of what this island is all about. 🌊 About Roatán Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras , located about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of the mainland. Roughly 59 kilometers long and less than 8 kilometers wide , Roatán is nestled between the islands of U...
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🍹 Rainy Day Stops in Roatán: The Rum Factory Experience

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After our sweet detour to the Roatan Chocolate Factory, our next stop on this rainy island day was the Roatan Rum Company —a well-known tourist favorite perched on the hillside above West Bay. We don’t drink, but the experience was still enjoyable thanks to the rum-infused baked goods and the free taste testing that greeted us upon arrival. From rum cakes to cookies and sauces, there was an impressive array of flavors to try—many of which surprised us with their richness and creativity. Our favorites were definitely the rum-soaked pastries , perfect for nibbling while waiting out the rain. 🥃 About the Roatan Rum Company Founded to highlight the island’s love for handcrafted goods, the Roatan Rum Company offers small-batch rum and a line of gourmet rum cakes and sauces made right on the island. While their spiced and flavored rums (like coconut, mango, and cinnamon) are a big draw for visitors, it’s the free tasting experience —of both food and drink—that steals the show. You can...
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