Western Caribbean Cruise 6 Nights • New Orleans, Louisiana  • Mariner of the Seas

It’s easy to get lost in the magic of New Orleans. With its stately Creole-style architecture, world-class food scene, and impromptu parades, this loud, colorful city makes for a great start to any adventure. If you cruise from New Orleans, you should definitely plan to spend a few days exploring the city’s French Quarter, famous for its nightlife, jazz clubs, street performers and iconic balconied buildings. Make sure to try some of New Orleans’s famous sweet beignets and chicory café au lait at some point during your visit, but save room for heartier fare — New Orleans is known around the world for its cooking, and you’re going to want to dig in to steaming bowls of jambalaya, crispy po-boys and savory muffalettas. If you visit New Orleans, you should also pencil in a ghost tour — the city is famous for its haunted history, and local tour guides do a great job bringing all the hair-raising details to life.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

Costa Maya boasts beautiful beaches on the Caribbean Sea, which is ideal for divers and snorkelers alike who enjoy exploring the beautiful Banco Chinchorro coral reef that lies just off the coast. History buffs will surely love exploring the lesser-known Mayan ruins, Cacchoben and Kohunlich; meanwhile there's something for everyone at the new shopping mall, which, while great for shopping, also features a central plaza with saltwater pools and 'swim-up' bars.

Pristine Belize sets aside a fifth of its area as nature preserves, and the human history dates back 4,000 years. Today, gregarious Belizeans include mestizo, Creole, Maya, Garinagu, Mennonite, Chinese, and Indian cultures. Belize City pivots around its beloved Swing Bridge. When boats need to navigate Haulover Creek, several strong-armed Belizeans crank open the relic. North of Swing Bridge, the Museum of Belize, once a prison, displays amazing ceramics, jade, and Maya artifacts. To the south, visit stately Government House, a museum with Victorian artifacts


On local tours, you can see manatees lumbering, crocodiles sunning, black howler monkeys screeching, and colorful parrots swooping. West of Belize City, the Belize Zoo is home to powerful jaguars, jabiru storks, and howler monkeys. The huge Belize Barrier Reef offers spectacular diving, snorkeling, and fishing. You can take a boat to Ambergris Caye or Rendezvous Caye. At Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the famous Blue Hole plunges 400 feet deep.

You can also explore the history of the Mayan ruins on your cruise to Belize. At Altun Ha, climb the 60-foot Temple of the Sun God, look down onto the plaza, and imagine the ceremonies that took place there 3,000 years ago. You can also visit Xunantunich, near Guatemala, or take a river safari to remote Lamanai.

Shop here for jade, which makes beautiful jewelry and gifts. Distinctive arts and crafts also include watercolors, oils, prints, baskets, turquoise jewelry, mahogany sculptures, and black slate carvings. Chefs fuse traditional dishes with papaya, mango, and other Caribbean fruits to create new flavors and aromas. Seafood caught this morning becomes the ceviche served tonight, and the local version incorporates lobster, shrimp, or conch, with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and spices. Popular local “stew chicken” gets spiked with habanero peppers.

Amid the largest coral reef in the West, this Caribbean island lures anglers, divers, snorkelers, and beachgoers. Fish the flats or head out to blue water to hunt for big game—mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish, and more. Bring your dive card with you on your cruise to Cozumel and witness all the natural wonders waiting below the surface, like neon tropical fish, swaying sea fans, and vibrant coral colonies. Or, go snorkeling to see the show without a dive card. Curl up on the beach in a hammock with a cold one. At Playa Mia, you can even fly down Twin Twister waterslides.

Go cruise shopping for beautiful Mexican silver, amber, and other artisanal gifts in San Miguel. Or, hop a ferry to charming Playa del Carmen, on the mainland, and stroll along la Quinta Avenida for more inviting restaurants, bars, and shops. Down the coast from Playa, you can explore the ancient Maya city of Tulum, perched impressively on a cliff, overlooking the brilliant sea and powdery beach below. Cozumel cuisine means fresh seafood. Savor the catch of the day served on a banana leaf, or enjoy it marinated in lime juice, cilantro, onion, and tomato. Of course, this is the place for Mexican classics like tacos, guacamole—and margaritas.

With a penchant for partying and a joie de vivre lifestyle, every day in New Orleans is cause for celebration. Its melting pot culture is as rich as the roux in its Creole cuisine— and adventure dangles on iron-latticed balconies alongside colorful Mardi Gras beads. Head to the French Quarter in the heart of the city, and get swept up in the wild beat of Bourbon Street. New Orleans cruises give you the chance to check out Frenchmen Street clubs for live jazz tunes, or roam the leafy Garden District. Whether it’s the voodoo vibes, fiery cooking, or down-home hospitality, the quirky heart of Louisiana will forever call you back.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.