CARNIVAL PRIDE – EXOTIC WESTERN CARIBBEAN

• The ship was the Carnival Pride.  We were deporting from Tampa.  After arriving at the port our check in was very quick and easy.   We first wanted to check out our room which was a balcony on the 8th floor.  The room was nice with 2 twin beds or 1 king and a pull out since there were 3 of us.  After putting our carry ons in our room, we wanted to explore the ship.  It was beautiful with something to offer to everyone; from musical shows, comedy shows, game shows, the casino, night club, piano bar, lobby bar, sports bar,  lots of restaurants, buffet, shops, weight room, spa, sports area with basketball courts, pool tables, ping pong tables, mini golf, corn hole, jacuzzis, swimming pools, and this ship has an awesome waterslide.  You step into a clear tube, the door closes, and the bottom drops.  We did it over and over!  After walking around we hit the buffet then had to go to the mandatory safety briefing.  When it was over we were on our way to Cozumel.  The view leaving the Tampa port is beautiful with all the bridges.  I love watching us deport every time.  Now its time to visit the casino before dinner.  We chose the any time dining for the main dining.  The food is always very good and the service is always incredible.  The next day was a sea day.  We spent the day at the pool, on the slides, and in the casino.  And we ate all day.
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• First stop was Cozumel – We took a taxi to a close beach that was just behind a restaurant and bar.  We brought our snorkel and mask to explore the ocean and got lost in the beautiful sights underneath the ocean.  The water is nice and clear.  When you’re snorkeling its like you’re in another world.  Its so easy to get lost in the views.  You see many beautiful fish around you.  Since we didn’t book an excursion and brought our own snorkel and mask,  this adventure in Cozumel was FREE.   This beach was only minutes from the ship so we saved money and walked back to the port.
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• Second stop was Belize.  Being that this was my 50th birthday trip, I had to book some amazing excursions.  I would recommend this one for sure.  About 15 of us got on a bus with some locals.  They drove us  about 1 1/2 hours into the mountains where the locals were great tour guides.   We hiked up the mountain path and up some stairs starting our 5.5 hour adventure.  At the top we ziplined 5 or 6 times till we were exhausted.  I got stuck on one of the lines and someone had to come out to get me. ( I made the ride last a little longer). LOL  After ziplining we got on some tubes and drifted down the river and through caves.  It was so beautiful.  We booked through E-STREAM CAVE TUBING AND ZIP LINE.   The locals were the best. This excursion was CAVE TUBING AND ZIP $99.00.
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• The next stop was Honduras.  We found this cool excursion with some under water scooters.  BOSS UNDERWATER ADVENTURE.  These things were so cool.  They took us out in the ocean in a boat.  When they found a good spot they trained us on operating the scooters, they lowered the scooters into the water, and then told us to jump in the water.  To get on the scooters we had to hold our breath and come up under the helmet and sit on the seat.  One of the instructors stayed under the water with us and someone else on the boat kept an eye on us by watching the buoy that was tired to each BOSS.  After riding we got to snorkel while another group of people were riding. This excursion was $105.00.  I’ve only seen this excursion in one other port.  It was great.  On our way back to the ship some locals were making music for tips; so I joined them. What a great day!
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• Finally, we saved the best till last.  Swimming with the Dolphins!!  This is the ultimate.  I did this in Grand Cayman.  I did a lot of research on this and I knew that I wanted the ultimate package.  There are so many different packages.  I got a hand shake from the dolphin, a kiss, a fin pull, and the best A FOOT PUSH! This isn’t the cheapest excursion but the Western Caribbean has the best prices.  This excursion was $126.00 at Discovery Cove.  It also included entry to the Turtle Exhibit that was across the street.  On our way back to the we toured a place called HELL.  They even had a post office in HELL

The last day of the cruise was a sea day before returning to Tampa.  If this sounds like fun you can book at www.carnival.com