Cruises · 2022 · Enhanced edition
Carnival Glory: New Orleans to the Western Caribbean
A return to cruising from New Orleans aboard Carnival Glory, with an island tour in Roatán, shark-and-stingray snorkeling in Belize, and a hands-on cooking class in Cozumel.
The Vacation Life IV
Back to Cruising
By January 2022, it had been a while since our last cruise, and getting back on a ship felt like a trip in itself. We sailed from New Orleans aboard Carnival Glory for a Western Caribbean itinerary through Roatán, Belize, and Cozumel. We also chose the drink package, which made it easy to sample different cocktails while settling back into cruise mode.
January 2
Leaving New Orleans
New Orleans gave the cruise a familiar starting point. Once Carnival Glory moved down the Mississippi toward the Gulf, the vacation finally felt underway. We unpacked once, found our way around the ship, ate, and let the first afternoon unfold without trying to schedule every minute.
January 3–4
Sea Days and the Drink Package
The first sea days gave us time to settle in, explore the decks, eat, relax, and try a few drinks. The package became part of this cruise’s personality: we could order something different without treating every drink as a separate decision. After so much time away, even the simple rhythm of life aboard felt good again.
January 5
Roatán: Wildlife, Rum and the Beach
Instead of spending the whole port day in one place, we rode around Roatán and sampled several sides of the island. An iguana farm was the most unusual stop, and we also saw fish and other wildlife, tasted local rum, took in the scenery, and finished with time near the water.
The drive between stops mattered as much as the attractions. It gave us a broader feel for Roatán than getting off the ship, visiting one beach, and returning directly to port.
January 6
Belize: Sharks and Stingrays
Belize delivered the biggest adventure of the cruise. This was not an ordinary reef snorkel—we got into the water with sharks and stingrays. It sounded a little wild before we did it, but watching them move around us became one of the clearest memories from the entire trip.
These are the moments that make a cruise port special: an experience we would never have on an average weekend at home and one that still comes back immediately when we think about this sailing.
January 7
Cozumel: Cooking and Margaritas
Cozumel gave us a completely different day. Instead of another beach or sightseeing tour, we joined a hands-on cooking class with drinks included. We made ceviche, a stuffed poblano pepper, and an apple wrap, with margaritas along the way.
Actually preparing the food made the excursion more memorable than simply watching a demonstration. Between the relaxed atmosphere, the dishes, and the drinks, it was a fun change from excursions we had tried in Cozumel before.
January 8
One Last Sunset
The ports were the highlights, but the time aboard connected everything. A final sunset at sea was a fitting close to the week and a reminder of why cruising had become such a regular part of Traveling Churches: unpack once, wake up somewhere different, and make each day as busy or as lazy as you want.
Looking Back
Every port gave us a different kind of memory. Honduras was wildlife, scenery, rum, and the beach. Belize put us in the water with sharks and stingrays. Cozumel turned into a meal we made ourselves. More than anything, Carnival Glory marked our return to cruising—and the beginning of another stretch of Traveling Churches adventures.
Plan your own trip
Western Caribbean Cruise Guide
This route works because the ports feel completely different. Use Roatán for a broad island experience, make Belize the water-adventure day, and save Cozumel for food, culture, or a relaxed beach day.
01
Protect embarkation day in New Orleans
Arrive early
For a flight or long drive, arrive at least one day before sailing. Weather, traffic, and airline delays should not decide whether you make the ship.
Know the terminal
Confirm the terminal, boarding appointment, parking or hotel transfer, baggage tags, and current documentation requirements before leaving home.
Carry essentials
Keep identification, medication, valuables, chargers, sunscreen, and a change of clothes in the bag that stays with you.
Start simply
Eat lunch, complete the safety process, learn the routes you will use most, and leave room to relax instead of touring every deck immediately.
Our experience: Watching New Orleans and the Mississippi pass by made the departure part of the trip, not merely the time before the first port.
02
Do the drink-package math for your own habits
Before buying
- Compare the current package price with what you would honestly order each day.
- Include nonalcoholic drinks that the current package covers.
- Review cabin-purchase rules, daily limits, exclusions, gratuities, and port-day value.
Use it responsibly
- Drink water throughout the day and eat regular meals.
- Do not treat the package as a target you must reach.
- Remember that alcohol, sun, heat, and active excursions are a poor combination.
Our experience: The package suited this trip because we enjoyed sampling different drinks on sea days, but its value depends entirely on the current rules and your normal pace.
03
Use Roatán for an island sampler
Wildlife and scenery
A multi-stop island tour can combine wildlife, viewpoints, local products, and the beach. Ask exactly which stops and admission fees are included.
Beach-focused day
If water time is the priority, choose a beach with clear transportation, facilities, chair arrangements, and a return schedule.
Active alternatives
Snorkeling, diving, ziplining, and boat trips may be a better fit than a road tour for groups that want one major activity.
Transport questions
Confirm vehicle condition, air conditioning, group size, operator identification, payment terms, and ship-time return margin.
Our experience: Iguanas, wildlife, rum, scenery, and the beach gave us a broad introduction without making any single stop carry the whole day.
04
Plan Shark Ray Alley as a real water excursion
Check before booking
- Ask about boat time, actual water time, group size, equipment, guides, and swimming requirements.
- Confirm weather and cancellation policies.
- Choose a tour whose schedule leaves a generous return margin.
Bring and expect
- Wear secure swimwear and bring reef-conscious sun protection.
- Follow the guide’s instructions around nurse sharks and stingrays.
- Use flotation support if offered and appropriate, but be honest about swimming ability.
Our experience: Being in the water with sharks and stingrays made Belize the most adventurous day of the cruise.
Official Belize Shark Ray Alley guideCurrent Carnival Belize excursions
05
Choose an interactive Cozumel day
Cooking class
Verify the menu, class format, age requirement, alcohol policy, allergy accommodations, accessibility, and transportation before booking.
Beach and snorkeling
Compare included food, drinks, equipment, reef access, lockers, chairs, and transportation rather than choosing only by price.
Island exploration
A guided drive can combine the coast, ruins, local food, and tastings. Build around one priority instead of collecting rushed stops.
Port time
Know which Cozumel pier the ship uses and how long transportation takes. Keep your phone or watch on ship time.
Our experience: Making ceviche, a stuffed poblano, and an apple wrap—with margaritas—turned lunch into the main event.
06
A balanced seven-day approach
Pre-cruiseArrive in New Orleans, eat an easy dinner, and get a full night’s sleep.
EmbarkationBoard, unpack, learn the ship, and watch the Mississippi departure.
Sea dayChoose a few activities, try the food and drinks you value, and leave room to relax.
RoatánSample the island with wildlife, local flavor, scenery, and beach time.
BelizeMake snorkeling or another major excursion the day’s centerpiece.
CozumelChoose a cooking class, beach, water excursion, or focused island tour.
Final sea dayRepeat favorite ship activities, enjoy sunset, and pack before the final evening.
Best fit for this itinerary
This cruise suits travelers who want three distinct port experiences and easy ship days between them. One broad island tour, one active water day, and one food-centered excursion kept our week varied without feeling scattered.
Original trip gallery
Photos from the adventure
All original photos from this trip are preserved below.
