Carnival Miracle - March 17, 2025 (9 Nights)

A popular vacation destination for Texans, the city of Galveston is located on Galveston Island, is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is home to some of the most beautiful Victorian architecture to be found anywhere. Cruises from this port to the western Caribbean and to the east coast of Mexico have recently become quite popular. There is plenty to see and do in this vacation hotspot before or after your cruise. Be prepared for a great mix of the old and the new, stunning beaches, loads of curio shops and excellent home style restaurants.

Cruises from Galveston depart from a modern terminal located on Harborside Drive in the middle of the port district. It is only a short taxi ride to downtown, and the terminal itself, although not completely decorated with shops, banks or ATMs, is adjacent to a number of stores and restaurants. The wonderful beaches that Galveston is best known for begin here and run the length of the seawall to the southwestern end of the island.

For starters, take a stroll along the gigantic seawall that protects downtown Galveston from the huge waves that are caused by infrequent hurricanes. This enormous construct is itself amazing to look at. The East Beach with its many shops, snack restaurants and party atmosphere is the town's most popular hangout. Close by is the Big Reef Nature Park, and there are plenty of merchants around that will rent you an inflatable, kayak or motorized watercraft. Along Seawall Blvd at 6th Street is Stewart Beach, a family-friendly area that has a water slide, mini golf and volleyball courts. Moving inland to Broadway one finds the astounding Bishop's Palace, ranking high on the American Institute of Architects list. This wonderful structure dates from 1893 and was built for the Houston-Galveston Catholic diocese. Inside are marvels of architectural engineering, including the world-famous spiral staircase that was built over a three year period. Nearby on Postoffice Road are several fine art galleries, and on the 2600 block of Broadway is the famed Moody Mansion Museum, with over 30 rooms stuffed full of memorabilia from the early days of the city's history. On Hope Blvd is the 250-acre Moody Gardens, where a family can spend the day walking through the botanical exhibits, be entertained at the IMAX theater, or stroll along Palm Beach with its many lagoons, ponds and waterfalls.

Some of Texas's finest home style cookery can be enjoyed in Galveston. Best known is the Queen's Bar-B-Que On Avenue S. This award-winning institution features hickory-smoked entrees, is very family-friendly and, best of all, inexpensive. So is Shrimp 'n' Stuff on Avenue O, where you can enjoy the best seafood sandwiches and gumbo in the region. At 2017 Postoffice Street is the fabulous Saltwater Grill, with is endless menu of seafood and salads, rated by the locals as the best establishment in the city for reasonably priced lunches and dinners.

Galveston is located about 50 miles south of downtown Houston; the two cities are connected by Interstate 45. Many tourists choose to rent a car at either of Houston's two major airports and make the drive into Galveston on their own. The city can also be reached by Greyhound, and once in town, visitors will have no trouble catching taxis to and from the cruise terminal. Also, rental cars can be dropped off at several locations in the city and free shuttles are available from these drop-off points to the cruise terminal.

Galveston has a semi-tropical climate for much of the year, and the weather tends to be rather humid in the spring and summer. Rain squalls are common in the winter and the surf can be extremely high between October and April. Those needing to connect via the Internet will find several cafes, including facilities at Saengerfest Park, just three blocks from the cruise terminal on 23rd Street at The Strand; here connections to the Internet are free of charge.

Cayman Islands consists of 3 islands, of which the Grand Cayman is the largest. Grand Cayman island also hosts George Town, which is the capital of Cayman Islands. Seven Mile Beach, located on the west coast of George Town, is regarded as one of the best beaches in the world. George Town is a beautiful and alluring area of the Cayman Islands with much to offer to travelers from all around the world. Most travelers find George Town an exciting port of call when cruising the Caribbean.

Cruise ships usually anchor in the harbor; after that the passengers are transferred to either Northern or Southern cruise ship dock of George Town port. It's very convenient because both of these docks are located right in the center of George Town and you can start enjoying all that this beautiful island has to offer right away.

George Town offers a fascinating plethora of activities and attractions, including three within immediate walking distance from the port - the Cayman Islands National Museum, the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum and the remains of Fort George, a fortress built in 1790 to protect the harbor. Those who enjoy multimedia shows may also wish to consider a visit to the Pedro Saint James Castle, which is a stone structure created in 1780, much of which was preserved in its natural state and is now host to hourly multimedia displays. Another place you may want to visit is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. There is much to observe in these famous gardens and it is not uncommon to come face to face with endemic blue iguanas when walking one of the many nature trails of this 1900s Cayman sand garden and farmhouse. You should also stop by Seven Mile Beach - an amazing beach that is perhaps the most popular spot of cruise travelers.

There are a number of outdoor cafes and restaurants located directly on the shore, many of which can be seen when pulling into port. In addition, local eateries such as the Sunset House and Breezes by the Bay are located in downtown George Town. Those who enjoy contemporary international fare may wish to visit the Bacchus Restaurant and Wine Bar where the menu changes on a daily basis. For an alternative experience, one may visit the Sapphire Lounge, the island's only authentic martini lounge. One can choose from an impressive 225 different cocktails and over 125 unique martini creations. For those who find the cozy atmosphere of a genuine Irish Pub enjoyable, Fidel Murphy's Irish Pub is the perfect choice. Vacationers who prefer a sports bar will not want to miss a trip to Legendz, the busiest and most popular sports bar on the island.

Although many walkable shopping and dining areas lie throughout the George Town harbor, areas such as Seven Mile Beach and many of the bars and lounges are not within walking distance. However, getting around George Town is not difficult as taxis are readily available at the cruise docks and at every resort. In addition, bus transportation is available and the Grand Cayman public bus system is an excellent way to transverse the island for a nominal fee. Buses are easily identified by blue license plates and daily service typically starts at 6am.

The Cayman Islands has its own currency named Cayman Island Dollar. A US dollar is worth about 80 cents in Cayman dollars. You can, however, use US dollars for pretty much all your shopping and meals. The official language is English. Should you need to use the internet, you can easily find cafes and shops in George Town center that offer wifi service.

Roatan is the largest island in an archipelago called the Honduras Bay Islands. It is located on the Meso-American Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Roatan is widely considered one of the best places on earth for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also well know for the many whale sharks found in the water, which you can observe on your trip. The island is blessed with beautiful beaches and is rich in bio-diversity. Roatan is also home to a number of unique cultures. Christopher Columbus discovered the Honduras Bay Islands including Roatan. The islands were already populated when he arrived there.

The Port of Roatan has the docking capability to host the world's most advanced cruise ships. The ships usually dock at Coxen Hole, which is named after John Coxen, who was a pirate in 17-th century. Coxen Hole is actually the capital as well as the biggest town (population of around 5,000) in Honduras Bay Islands.

Today, as one of the main cruise destination in the Caribbean, Roatan offers visitors a wonderful assortment of activities that appeal to all interests and ages. Activities include natural and cultural experience or just relaxing on the beach. For more active visitors, scuba, snorkeling and zip line tours are available. One of the most popular activities in Roatan is diving, because Bay Islands is part of a massive reef system and is home to abundant sea life, sharks, whale sharks and the largest number of sponges in the Caribbean. Caves, crevices, thousand foot walls, and wrecks make Roatan one of the best diving destinations in the world. The West Bay and West End area of Roatan offer the best diving and are located close to the Port. Roatan is also famous for its water skiing and snorkeling. Most of the dive and snorkel sites are located close to shore, which makes them convenient and fun for visitors to enjoy. Snorkeling is great all over the island, so if you have time, there is lots to explore. Snorkeling equipment like fins and masks can be rented from dive shops and through tour providers. In Roatan, you can also dive with sharks. Reef Sharks display daytime schooling behavior common only to a few types of sharks. Typically they are about 6 to 9 feet long and weigh a few hundred pounds each. They are powerful creatures and are known as the hunters of the reef in nature's system of checks and balances. If you're interested in this type of activity and would like to dive with sharks, you can visit dive shops or tour providers who can arrange it for you.

The center of Roatan's shopping, dining and entertainment is the Town Center at the Port of Roatan. Here you can find international shopping, themed restaurants, fun waterfront bars, and live entertainment. For a casual lunch, you can try The Lighthouse which has great grilled lobster. For a bit more upscale lunch, go to Las Rocas, which has a great variety of local Bay Island cuisine.

Taxis and buses are available at the dock. Typical taxi fares are around $5 per person to town and roughly $10 per person to the West End. When you disembark at the port, you are already in Town Center, the main entertainment and shopping district. You can also rent a car, but most cruise travelers who are there on a single day choose to walk and take taxi when appropriate.

The Lempira is the official currency of Honduras, but United States dollars are accepted all over the island. It is important to remember that exchange rates for foreign currency may vary. Most businesses in Town Center will accept credit cards. The best place to call folks back home or get on the Internet would be in Main Street Mall located in Coxen Hole.

Cozumel is Mexico's most famous tropical island resort and is located off the coast of the Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. Every year hundreds of cruise ships ferry travelers, honeymooners, and adventure seekers alike from all over the world to this beautiful Caribbean island. Ancient Mayan ruins and natural reefs compliment Cozumel's immaculate coastline. You don't even need to travel far from the port to walk along the island's near-perfect beaches or explore its lush tropical landscape.

Three piers serve cruise ships passing through Cozumel. The primary docking terminal lies at Punta Langosta, located on the shores of the island's only city, San Miguel de Cozumel. But the International Pier and Puerta Maya to the south of Punta Langosta also see plenty of cruise ship traffic throughout the year. No matter where you arrive and disembark for the day, Cozumel's prime attractions are very accessible on foot, or by taxi, which is the most useful way to get around the city.

If you happen to be in the mood for an adventure, look no further than the San Gervasio Mayan ruins only a few miles east of San Miguel. In fact, Cozumel is home to many ancient Mayan landmarks that are over 2,000 years old. But the San Gervasio ruins take the prize as the largest ancient structures left standing on the island. The Plaza del Sol is another attraction you have to see while docked in Cozumel. This retail complex provides cruise ship travelers with plenty of opportunities to find the perfect souvenir. Locally known as 'zocalo', Plaza del Sol houses shops, which sell jewelry, clothing, handcrafted products as well as other memorabilia. One of the most popular activities on the island is the Palancar Reef. From San Miguel follow the shoreline south on the Rafael E. Melgar Boulevard in order to find Cozumel's world-renowned snorkeling and diving waters. Water sports like sailing and surfing have a strong following as well on the island's long, pristine beaches. You can take part in all kinds of outdoor activities while on Cozumel. For example, Chankanaab National Park services over a million visitors each year. Both snorkeling and diving, especially into the infamous underwater Chankanaab Caves, are very popular activities in Cozumel.

While there are a number of restaurants within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal, a short taxi cab ride into the heart of San Miguel can give you a better feel for the wide range of dining options. Mexican and Caribbean cuisines are the most common ones. Cozumel's fresh seafood is very popular and is a major attraction in town and out on the beach.

Once you set foot on Cozumel, many of the island's best amenities are located within walking distance from the dock. But a large number of visitors opt to get around the island by taxi. If you happen to be the adventurous type, you can rent a vehicle for the day. But it is advised that first time visitors stay close to San Miguel since many of the island's inland rural roads are isolated and may be in poor condition.

While the official currency is peso, most shops accept (even prefer) US dollars. Also, almost all shops have English speakers in case you don't know Spanish. There is also a calling station (located at Plaza Orbi - Local 1, Av. Rafael E. Melgar 27) that you can use for Internet or for making an international phone call.