Miami – Roatan – Costa Maya – Cozumel – Havana
In 2019, we're taking our first cruise as a family, on the MSC Armonia from Miami. I've been on a few cruises in my youth but this is the first time for my husband and children. Some people love cruises, others don't. I'm curious to see what my family thinks.
We fly from Amsterdam to Miami two days before the ship departs. This way, we're sure we won't miss the boat, even if there are delays. It also gives us a chance to overcome some of our jet lag while exploring Miami at a leisurely pace.
We are staying in Miami Beach, visiting various neighborhoods and, of course, the beach. During our stay, the Gay Pride parade is passing through the area. A great atmosphere is guaranteed. Dinner at the Hard Rock Café is also on the agenda. That always feels like a vacation.
Getting to know the ship is a great success. It's enormous. My parents are travelling with us and my daughters love going from our cabin to Grandma and Grandpa's, a long way off and a few floors up. After practicing together for a while, they're allowed to do it on their own. That, of course, makes it even more exciting.
The pool is immediately tested and approved. There's also a mini-golf course and the many lounges are constantly hosting activities: quizzes, dance initiations, games... We won't be bored here for the next few days! There are also plenty of dining options: buffets or à la carte restaurants. There's something for everyone at any time of day. Every evening, there's a show in the large theater: dance, song, magic, and comedy. Something for everyone.
The ship's first stop is Roatan, Honduras. Because the boat excursions are often very expensive and crowded, I planned a trip here in advance on the site of 'Rony's Tours'. A man is waiting for us at the harbor and takes us to Manawakie Park, a location where we learn about all kinds of medicinal plants. There are also monkeys, parrots and sloths. We are allowed to hold the sloth. At the time, it was a very enjoyable experience, but looking back, it might not have been very animal-friendly. The animals seem well-treated but they are passed from one tourist to the next all day long… The next stop is a visit to the coral reef. We set out to sea on a glass-bottomed boat. We see some unusual fish, but not the vibrant colors we hoped for. Do we have the wrong impression of coral? Or has everything here been destroyed by human presence?
In Mexico, our first stop is "Costa Maya." From there, I've pre-arranged a taxi to take us to "Chacchoben," an archaeological site with Mayan ruins. A guide shows us around and provides us with lots of interesting information about the history of the place. On the way back, we stop at a fruit stand where we can sample some delicious mango and some less-tasty coconut milk/coconut water. A successful excursion!
Our second stop in Mexico is Cozumel. I didn't make any advance arrangements here because we want to explore the region on our own. That turns out to be a bit disappointing. Near the harbor, there's not much more than shops and stalls. There is a Hard Rock Cafe! But since there's more than enough food on the boat, we're not having lunch there. We do buy a pin for our collection.
The boat stops in Cuba for two days. Here, the disembarkation process is a bit more complicated: a thorough passport check and paperwork that needs to be arranged. We explore Havana with a guide and then take a ride in a vintage car. This city has two distinct faces: beautiful buildings but also a lot of misery and decay. On day two, we take a tour focusing on the island's "specialties": rum and cigars. The girls aren't allowed on this tour and are spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa.
Finally, we arrive back at our starting point: Miami. Our return flight doesn't leave until late in the evening, so we've rented a car for today. We'd love to visit the Everglades. A Hertz shuttle bus takes us to the rental office. It's chaos there. Huge crowds and long lines. An hour later, we haven't made any progress. Many people get angry and leave. Apparently, there simply aren't any cars available. What's the point of a reservation then? We eventually leave and take a taxi to the Children's Museum, a sort of Technopolis. We end up having a good time, but we have that kind of musea in Belgium too...
Conclusion after a week of cruising? The girls and I loved it. My husband had a great time too, but found the constant hustle and bustle tiring at times. He liked to retreat to the cabin every now and then. We saw a lot without having to lug our suitcases around. We had a great meal and a good time. Definitely worth doing again!
Fancy a cruise yourself? It's easy to plan. There are a few things you need to consider beforehand. Check out our "practical tips" section:
cruises praktisch