Carnival Magic - May 11, 2025 (7 Nights)

Not only is Miami the starting point for a good number of cruise vacations to the Caribbean and elsewhere, it is a vibrant city offering visitors countless recreational and sightseeing opportunities. When arriving for a cruise from Miami, take the time to explore the city, its beaches and its historical neighborhoods. The tourist options are far too numerous to mention in detail, but plan on a fun-filled day in South Florida before or after the cruise itself. Besides, part of the fun of traveling is the attractions found everywhere the plane touches down, and Miami will not disappoint those who take a day or two to explore its many wonderful secrets.

There is a large cruise port facility on the waterfront directly in front of the central business district. Passengers arriving in Miami via ship can literally walk to the center of downtown, but will likely have a free shuttle service available as part of their cruise itinerary. Taxis, public bus service and even rental cars are available at the docks, and there is a visitor information center in the main terminal.

Miami is known for its historical neighborhoods and the most famous district in the city is the Art Deco district, located along the South Beach waterfront area from 6th to 23rd Streets and containing a number of antique shops, art galleries and remodeled buildings. There are also a collection of fine - and funky - restaurants in the vicinity, along with souvenir shops selling outrageous t-shirts, anti-fashion outerwear and every type of shoe and boot found on the planet. The Coconut Grove district is one of the oldest in the city and has a huge number of residences and other structures dating back a century. There are also museums, including the very nice Vizcaya Museum, a Renaissance-style estate, and small clothing boutiques that are located on nearly every street corner. Along SW 8th Street is the delightful area known as Little Havana, where tourists watch handmade rolled cigars being completed at several different shops, and where one finds the Cuban Museum of the Americas. If renting a car, visitors will enjoy driving across the bridge to Key Biscayne where the famous Miami Seaquarium is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway.

There is no end to the fine dining opportunities in Miami, and the cuisine varies from traditional American to European Continental, West Indies barbeque and Cajun. The outdoor patio at La Marea at the Tides at 1220 Ocean Avenue provides an open air dining experience and is a favorite for people watching. On SW 8th Avenue in Little Havana there is scrumptious fare at the Versailles Restaurant, offering such delicious courses as picadillo, ropa vieja and other spectacular entrees known throughout the Caribbean but new to many visitors. And there are plenty of Burger Kings and Outback Steakhouses in Miami, as both of these popular chains have their world headquarters in Florida.

Walking distances in downtown are not great, but to see the sights one should consider a car rental. There are free shuttles for passengers arriving at Miami International Airport in connection with their cruise, but these buses take visitors only to downtown or to the docks. Public buses are numerous and connect all the outlying neighborhoods, and the taxi drivers are familiar with all the popular boutiques and restaurants in the South Beach area.

The port area is quite large and passengers should become familiar with the area where their ship is docked; most cruise packages have a detailed port map sent to all passengers. ATMs are found outside any downtown bank branch, and most of the popular restaurants, museums and hotels have bilingual staff. Spanish is spoken by a good percentage of the local population as either a first or second language, and for those needing to communicate home and are not carrying a cell phone, Internet cafes are found throughout the South Beach and Art Deco districts. And be prepared for rapidly changing weather when visiting Miami. Rain, wind, scorching sun and ground fog can all be experienced in as little as two hours.

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.

Belize City is the largest city in the country of the same name, which is located on the southeast corner of the Yucatan Peninsula, bordering Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west. This exciting cruise stop is popular not only for visiting the city itself but also for exploring the natural wonders of the region and understanding the ancient heritage of the Mayans. There is no shortage of places to visit and the educational experience is quite memorable. One of the more affordable and reasonably priced countries in the Western Hemisphere, Belize offers tourists a treasure trove of activities centering around native culture.

All cruise ships arriving in Belize City anchor in the main harbor, and passengers are ferried via the local Belizean tender vessels. Passengers are deposited at the docks in the main Tourism Village, directly in front of the city center and near the bus stops, restaurants and taxi stands. Most of the souvenir shops and arts and crafts stores are located in Tourism Village as well.

The favorable climate of the region, along with the presence of the Belize Barrier Reef and the multitude of offshore islands makes this area a favorite for boating, diving and snorkeling. San Pedro Beach in Ambergris Caye offers white sands, gentle surf and excellent picnic areas. The highest waterfall in Central America is located in the Cayo District and is a favorite spot for photographers. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is excellent for backpacking or enjoying the many easy hiking trails. Visiting some of the ancient Mayan ruins is a highlight of any stop in Belize City. The Altun Ha excavation site is a short day trip from the city and includes some of the most spectacular temples and burial tombs found in the country. The nearby Xunantunich, across the Mopan River, consists of over 25 temple remains and religious palaces. At Caracol visitors will find the Caana Maya pyramid, the highest such structure in the country. Exploring wildlife around the Belize City is another favorite activity of cruise travelers. From the spectacular city zoo to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, tourists get a close up and personal look at the amazing variety of wild fauna.

A most famous stop in Belize is the Riverside Tavern on Mapp Street in Belize City. This is home to the nation's only active brewery and includes a full lunch and dinner menu. The cafeteria-style Big Daddy's Diner is a favorite with the locals and is nearly always full from opening to late night closing time. On Queen Street try the Nerie's Restaurant, offering reasonably priced local cuisine that focuses on rice and beans, stews, seafood platters and fish burgers. And on Ambergris Caye the place to go is Ruby's Cafe, serving visitors hot and cold sandwiches, home-baked pastries and snacks such as burritos and tostadas.

Over a half dozen bus companies operate in and around Belize City, most of which stop at nearly every corner on the routes they serve. The San Pedro Belize Express is the favored water taxi service, operating routes from the main harbor to Caye Caulker, San Pedro and many other islands in the area. Land taxis can be hailed at the Tourism Village or in front of any hotel. Taxis do not publish standard fares; all prices are negotiable between the driver and the passengers.

The Belize Dollar is the monetary unit of the country and is easily exchanged for U.S. Dollars. Most local merchants will accept U.S. Dollars but will often attempt to give Belize Dollars in change. Visitors can find ATMs at the Tourism Village and at any major bank in the city. The official language of Belize is English and is spoken fluently by nearly everyone. If visitors need to make international telephone calls there are Internet cafes in the Tourism Village as well as in the National Handicraft Center in the business district.

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.