I just took my first cruise since Covid started in December of 2021. I sailed on the Caribbean Princess. I was stopping in Nassau, Casa Maya, Belize, and Cozumel. The ports were not a priority this time, I just wanted to be on a cruise again. I chose an inside cabin for myself, and I have to say I was incredibly pleased. Had I travelled with someone I would have chosen a balcony cabin but for just me it was fine. The bed was extremely comfortable and with no windows I took full advantage on the days at sea by sleeping in a little. There was more then enough storage space for my clothes and I ordered bottled water a week before so I would have what I needed to sail comfortably. Since Princess is a medallion class ship boarding was so easy. Everything uploads to your medallion, so you do not need to do anything but scan it to get aboard. The same goes when you get off at the port, you can pout your passport in your safe until the day you go home!
The food was fabulous, the meals in the main dining room were good but the specialty restaurants were so worth the extra charge. The Crown Grill was the steak house where the décor was elegant, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious. The first night I ordered a filet mignon, which was cooked just the way I requested. There was a sample of the three different salts on the rim of my plate which I enjoyed sampling with my steak. On the second night I had the New Zealand Double Lamb Chops which were amazing!
The Italian restaurant, Sabatini’s was so good the first night I made reservations for another night there. I wasn’t sure what to choose from so the manager suggested I try the Trattoria Oven Baked Trio where I enjoyed a small portion of lasagna, chicken parmesan and three cheese ziti. For dessert I chose the trio samples od desserts which were pure heaven. It was so good when I got back to my cabin, I booked another dinner there.
I am usually one to explore all the ports with excursions and have to see everything but as I get older, I no longer want to fill my day and run all around town. In Cozumel I did an excursion that gave a taste of everything entertainment, lunch, and shopping. A half day trip is fine for me. One of the advantages of traveling alone is I can do what I want, and I don’t have to worry about what anyone else wants to do. For Belize I went to see the Xunantunich Mayan ruins with lunch, but I have to say the bus ride was two hours one way and it was a long day. The third day I had booked another excursion that would be a 2-hour bus ride again, so I cancelled my excursion, and they were able to sell it, so I received a full refund. I did get off of the ship and was off to explore the pier. They had a suitable number of shops, bars, and restaurants. I roamed around until I got to the fish pedicure place, I have seen them before and was always curious, so why not? Yes, I did! It was ticklish and didn’t hurt at all. When you are in Mexico you have to go for it, and I was glad I did. I shopped a little and went back to the ship. Due to Covid we were not 100% occupied and then with the people off of the ship to tour I took advantage of the small adult pool and had it all to myself. The water was refreshing!
