The Trekking Pawns' Diary

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 ...

 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. ...

  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...

Our stop in Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, was one we eagerly anticipated—especially with a submarine excursion booked through GetYourGuide .  (Booking on Getyourguide was cheaper than cruise excursion and we had plenty of hours on the Island so we were not worried about time.)  Known for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatán is a gem in the Caribbean. Despite the looming tropical storm, we remained hopeful for clear skies and packed our swim gear, ready for underwater exploration. (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.)  🚢 Arrival and Unexpected Changes Upon docking, gray skies greeted us, and the atmosphere was subdued. Navigating through the tourist dock, we noticed signs indicating cancellations of various activities due to the storm's aftermath. Following directions ...

We’re no strangers to kayaking — in fact, it’s one of our favorite weekend activities at the lake near our home. So when we travel, we usually ask ourselves: Is kayaking here really going to be different or special? It's the sort of question we asked when we were in San Diego. Instead of hopping into a kayak then, we went for a jet ski ride — a more fast-paced thrill. But on our Norwegian Cruise Line stop at Harvest Caye, Belize , we found ourselves reconsidering that question again. Surrounded by a peaceful lagoon and marshes with options like stand-up paddleboards, motorized sit-down boats, and kayaking, we ultimately chose what felt most familiar — the kayak. Why? Because it felt like the best way to get close to the water and observe what was beneath it. A Short Paddle, But Worth the Glide After a quick safety briefing and map overview, we set off with our paddles, expecting a longer route than we actually got. Harvest Caye is only about 1.5 miles long, so we figured we’d ge...

As part of our Caribbean adventure aboard the Norwegian Getaway, one of our much-anticipated stops was Harvest Caye , Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island paradise off the coast of southern Belize. While we were hoping for white sand and sun-soaked beach lounging, the weather had other plans — a tropical storm had just passed through, leaving behind chilly breezes and murky waters . Most guests opted to stay on the ship or venture only briefly into the island, especially since the ocean wasn’t ideal for swimming. A few brave souls still made it into the massive resort-style pool , which is impressively large and comes with a swim-up bar for those seeking a drink with their dip. While we skipped swimming, we decided to take a different approach to exploring… (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.)  Kayaking Through the Mangroves One of the h...

As self-proclaimed foodies, we’ve been on a mission to try a little bit of everything aboard the NCL Getaway. From Garden Café’s international buffet spreads to the sit-down classics at Taste, Savor, and The Manhattan Room, we've sampled plenty—and yes, we’ve been known to sneak a bite (or five) of every Indian dish we could find. But one spot we’ve been eyeing all week is the elegant and oh-so-French Le Bistro , one of Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants. Le Bistro exudes Parisian charm. We passed by the entrance several times and each time, the cozy, romantic vibe and the mouthwatering menu posted outside called out to us like a French siren song. Rich wood accents, ornate chandeliers, and velvet chairs—it's giving bougie bistro meets the high seas , and we are totally here for it. Now, specialty restaurants like Le Bistro do require reservations (pro tip: book them early either online or through the NCL app to secure your preferred time). We get one specialty dini...

  ( Dessert Disappointment: The Crème Brûlée Letdown One dessert we were excited to try  at the sit downs was the crème brûlée (imaged) , but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to our expectations. While it looked beautifully presented, it was too cold when eating , which took away from the rich, creamy texture we were hoping for. Not exactly the decadent finish we wanted to our meal!) --- Dining Aboard the NCL Getaway: A Culinary Adventure One of our favorite things about cruising is the food, and we were excited to explore and compare the different dining experiences aboard the NCL Getaway . With so many options, from complimentary sit-down restaurants to the ever-popular buffet, we made it a mission to try as much as we could. Complimentary Dining: Savor, Taste, and The Manhattan Room Included with boarding are three main complimentary sit-down restaurants: Savor, Taste, and The Manhattan Room . These restaurants serve the same menu each night, with classic entrees availab...

Ahoy, fellow travelers! We recently embarked on the Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Getaway, and what an adventure it has been so far. From the moment we stepped aboard, the ship's vibrant energy and welcoming atmosphere set the tone for an unforgettable journey.​ First Impressions and Exploration Upon boarding, our excitement led us to explore the ship's many offerings. The Getaway boasts 18 decks, with 14 accessible to passengers, housing a myriad of amenities and activities. We were particularly impressed by the 27 dining options and 22 bars and lounges available . The layout felt familiar, reminiscent of our previous voyage on the NCL Encore to Alaska. Key areas such as the restaurants, buffet, casino, and the exclusive Haven area were situated similarly, making navigation a breeze. ​ CruiseMapper +1 cruisebrothers.com +1 Welcome Aboard Event Our evening kicked off with the "Welcome Aboard" event, where Cruise Director Emma greeted all guests with infec...