Western Caribbean Holiday 8 netter • 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.

Past meets present in Costa Maya. Cruise to Costa Maya and find ancient Maya ruins and mysterious jungles just begging to be explored, as well as white-sand beaches and authentic restaurants— all in one place. It’s 250 square miles of paradise packed with entertainment and history, all just 30 miles south of Cancun. The Great Maya Reef just off Mahahual’s coast is the second largest in the world. For a culture fix, head to the Kohunlick ruins to see the famous Temple of the Masks.

Cozumel blends Mexican culture with Caribbean vibes. You can explore its Maya roots in Tulum, or discover a secret world of sea life as you snorkel beneath the waves in Chankanaab. And there’s no better way to close out a day of adventure than with an ice cold michelada and a beachside massage at Playa Mia.

Grand Cayman strikes the perfect balance between glitzy glamor and easygoing island life. You can hit the famous Seven Mile Beach and just chill, Cayman Mama in hand. Swim with stingrays on a snorkeling safari. Or treat yourself to a little retail therapy at some of the best designer shops in the world.

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.