Carnival Dream and Louisiana
After flights with Delta through Atlanta (there is no direct flight to New Orleans yet) our first night was in Lafayette at the Homewood Suites which had very large suite style rooms with kitchen facilities although we did not have time to use them as we were off out at 06.30 (the buffet was open for an early coffee so bonus points there).
We had a great first day in Louisiana. Boudin for breakfast at a Lafayette institution, a swamp tour (yes we did see Alligators), the Tabasco factory where I tasted Tabasco ice cream amongst other things before we heard to Baton Rouge for a late lunch at the Indigo Hotel. The afternoon was spent touring the highlights of the city including a drive-through Daiquiri Shack - only in Louisiana! Dinner was at Poor Boy Lloyds which had been visited by President Obama only the week before!
It was a wonderful start to day two with visits to Houmas House where our hostess Susan gave a great tour and a real insight to the life of a "Southern" lady and Oak Alley Plantation with its slave history and with Mint Julep's and all before 10am. Next we headed to New Orleans for a walking tour. What a fun tour it was - Po-Boys and cocktails with guide Brian from Grayline Tours. The only thing missing was a cemetery tour - on the list for my next visit!
I was sad to leave New Orleans but excited to join the ship. Embarkation was surprisingly quick helped by the VIP treatment that many Travel Counsellors’ guests can experience too. The sail away party was fun with the DJ's, live music and Dr Seuss characters all part of the mix.
I had an interesting first day at sea. We had a training session in the morning all about the exciting things Carnival Cruises have to offer on board - comedy clubs, live music acts, IMAX theatres, speciality dining, kids clubs and more. A tour of the ship followed then a deck side barbecue lunch. Pre-dinner drinks in Sam's Piano Bar and dinner in Scarlets Restaurant. It was nice to see everyone in their formal night finery.
Day two was a relaxing morning in Serenity (adult only area) followed by a pedicure in the Cloud 9 Spa. Movies on deck with fresh popcorn and ThirstyRedFrog beer but I left room for a delicious filet mignon in Chef's Art steakhouse - yum!
The next day our first port of call was Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras. We had a morning tour of the island taking in West End, Coxon Hole, Flowers Bay and French Harbour. A chair lift ride to the beach gave great views of the bay and the Carnival Valor who was in port at the same time before a quick look round the duty free shops and a giggle at the Spring Break revellers.
Day four and we spend a lovely day ashore in Belize (British Honduras) visiting Xunantunich Mayan Ruins which involved a two hour drive in either direction. Our guides used the time to fill us in about the country including the reason for the long tender ride to the dock (protecting the reef). The ruins were very interesting and we also saw spider monkeys, iguanas and the national flower the black orchid. Lunch was rice and beans with chicken and a bottle of the local beer which went down well in the 85f heat. (I almost envied the lady washing her clothes in the river). Then it was back to the ship which was looking great in the sunshine.
Our last port of call was Cozumel, Mexico. I decided on a lazy beach day so caught a cab to Money Bar beach club and restaurant as we were told there was great snorkelling. We were not disappointed and saw lots of colourful reef fish - at one point I was completely surrounded - it was magical, I only wish I had been diving. This cruise route has fantastic ports of call for keen divers and opportunities were offered for all abilities at the shore excursion desk. We were so busy snorkelling that we left no time to sample the vast shopping options at the port - hubby Tim was relieved I'm sure. After dinner in Scarlet's Restaurant I finally found time to see the comedian who was very funny. It is amazing where the time goes!
We enjoyed a super last 24 hours. More towel animals, Dr Seuss "green eggs and ham" breakfast with all the characters. A Behind the Fun tour of the bridge (we met the captain), engine control room, backstage area, laundry, galley and crew areas - very interesting. A quick lunch taking in the chocolate buffet, then it was time for bingo - I didn't win the $5000 star prize. Still time left for a show and one last trip to the Steakhouse as the ship makes her way back to New Orleans.
On our final day it was time to say goodbye to the Carnival Dream - disembarkation was smooth and even US immigration did not take too long so there was still time to experience New Orleans on Easter Sunday. Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee (a local institution) was worth waiting in the rain for.
Thank you to Carnival Cruises and the Louisiana Tourist Office for a memorable trip. I hope to be back on board again soon.