Our Cruise to Mexico
The Booking
We booked a 5-Night Western Caribbean cruise for the week before Thanksgiving break: Nov 17 — Nov 22, 2024 and received an onboard credit of $175. We booked with a friend from high school. Check him out: Expedia Cruises.
The Itinerary
Tampa
Day at Sea
Cozumel
Puerto Costa Maya
Day at Sea
Tampa’s Port
Port of Tampa prepaid parking
The Port Tampa Bay parking garage is located across the street from the central cruise terminal.
Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602
We ended up forgetting to pre-pay for parking so we paid $112 at the garage the day of embarkation. The staff scanned our ticket on the way out of the garage to confirm our payment.
Carry On Packing List
medications
swimsuits
towels
wallets
chargers
passports
toiletries
The Ship
Serenade of the Seas
3 hot tubs, 2 pools, kids pool
Rock climbing wall
Mini golf
Movie theater
While the ship is one of the smaller ones with fewer ameneties, it was also super quiet and relaxing.
Our Cabin
We stayed in cabin #8571. It probably wasn’t a big deal to be in the middle of the ship since we weren’t in the Atlantic, but it was nice not to notice the rocking of the ship.
We also like staying in interior rooms. We ended up sleeping 11 hours our first night there.
We also recommend Magnetic hooks for the stateroom. It made organizing our items and hanging up wet bathing suits easier.
Cozumel
Excursions
Dolphin Swim & VIP Experience All-Inclusive - $392
8:15 am - 12:15 pm
swimsuit under coverup or light clothing
personal cameras are not permitted
only UV protective clothing is permitted - no chemical sun protection
We had a great time in Cozumel. The port was easy to navigate and we were able to find our guides without any issues.
We were loaded up into several vans and caravaned to the park. We were shown to the lockers and given time to get ready to get in the water. After we got our lifejackets, we were separated into groups of 8 and escorted to the different swimming areas.
We were introduced to Luis, our dolphin, and shown how to interact with him. We giggled everytime he swam past.
Guests are not permitted to bring cameras, which were prepared for since it was stated many times during booking and on the way to the park. What we weren’t prepared for were the prices of the packages. Basically, it’s structured where your only option for a family of 4 is the $230 package. We ended up paying it begrudgingly and downloaded the app with their Wi-Fi to get the pictures.
Then, we were permitted to get back into the water and swim with the manatees. We fed Angel and Fernando fruits and veggies and scratched their backs. They liked to grab onto our arms and legs with their fins.
Afterwards, we got our items from the lockers and were given the afternoon to wander around the park at our leisure. We went to see the sealion show.
The first time we went to Cozumel, the sealion kissed Jacob and we were able to get a picture of it. This time, they had it set up so you had to use their photographer. We were not paying for anymore photos.
After the show, we let the boys snorkle in the swimming area and decided to make back our money at the bar. The margaritas were fantastic. I almost said yes when the pharmacy lady came around offering Xanax.
After we hang for a while, we went to the buffet for lunch. The food was good, but the line was long and the tables were crowded. After lunch we walked through the botanical garden and found ourselves at the tequila tasting.
The tequila was delicious and we purchased a bottle to take home. At that point, we were ready to head back to the ship. We met our driver back out front and headed back to the ship.
Costa Maya
Excursion We Booked Before Sailing
Beach Snorkel - $266
8:15 am - 12:30 pm
swimsuit under coverup or light clothing
bring your personal cameras
only eco-friendly and biodegradable sunscreens are allowed
hat, sunglasses, insect repellant are recommended
Use of life jacket is mandatory
Unfortunately, our excursion was canceled before we got off the boat. It was canceled for weather, but we didn’t know that. We ended up booking another excursion before we got off the boat. We got off the boat to find that excursion was also canceled. After booking a 3rd excursion and checking out the shops, that one got canceled, too. The boys decided they were done waiting and asked to head back to the ship to take advantage of how quiet is was going to be.
We boarded and was asked about our stay. The staff offered to find us another excursion, but we politely declined. We promised the boys some swimming and arcade time.
The pools ended up being closed. The boys were disappointed, but it made sense given the staff probably disembarked, too. We spent our afternoon in the arcade and went back to the room for showers and naps before getting ready for dinner.
Packing
The lanyards were extremely helpful. We were asked several times where we got them. It took us until the 3rd day to see any in the ship’s stores. They were priced as we expected (more for 1 than we paid for all 4 together).
Jonah’s favorite part by far was the dining on the ship. He kept asking, “Unlimited?” He had 2 cheeseburgers, chicken and mac and cheese everyday for lunch. They both tried all kinds of new things for dinner, including escargot. Jacob decided after the first night he was done with the kid’s menu. The waitstaff was incredible and the desserts were wonderful.
Dinner Outfits
We enjoyed dressing up in matching outfits each night and the boys really got into the idea of it being “date night” including getting drinks (Shirley Temples for them) from the bar before dinner. We enjoyed listening to the musicians in the atrium as we waited to enter the dining room.
Burgundy
Black
Tropical
Thrifty Tips
Bring a 12-pack of non-alcoholic beverages in carry-on bag.
You're allowed to bring one bottle of wine (or champagne) per adult in a cabin on embarkation day. It cannot be over 750ml.
Overall, we had an incredible time and we cannot wait for our next cruise.
