Heading to the Tampa Area
Picked up the girls from their respective homes and made our way down to Tampa.
Ate lunch at Chick-fil-a on the way down, which is funny because Elly works at a CFA.
The girls really wanted to go to the beach, but we were going to get their after dark.
Stopped at Clearwater Beach, watched some street performers, and then found a spot for dinner.
Ate at Frenchy’s for dinner
Day 1 – Boarding the Carnival Miracle
Had breakfast at the hotel
Drove to cruise port
Got acquainted with the ship and finally got to unpack. Our bags were slow to show even with our priority status.
Checking out the balcony and going up on deck to watch us leave Tampa
Getting our first of many unlimited ice creams!
1st dinner – getting to show the girls what assigned seating is all about and meeting our wait staff for the week
Day 2 – Fun Day at Sea
Lots of fun around the ship and on our balcony.
Girls enjoyed laying out by the pool as well as time with teen activities
Naps and the girls touched based with folks back home. Elly got to talk to her BF.
The girls quickly learned to order all the things they wanted to try. Even 2 desserts!
We got all dressed up for the 1st formal night.
Showtime in the big theater. The girls really enjoyed that!
Day 3 – Cozumel
We got off the ship before the masses and hailed a cab to Mr. Sancho’s Beach Resort. We initially had planned to do something else in Cozumel, but after Rob looked to see that there was going to be 6 other ships in port, we decided to go to ole standby that we love so much.
Drew and Caitlyn had been there recently and had made friends with their waiter, Leo. We ended up requesting him to be our server for the day. We took a pic with him before we left.
The girls enjoyed a chill day at the beach even if the weather wasn’t perfect for it.
We got a picture with our cruise director, Frankie, before we got back on the ship.
Enjoyed watching us depart Cozumel from our balcony.
Elly and Kat enjoyed the movie out on Lido deck, while Rob and I checked out the piano bar.
Day 4 – New Years Eve on the Cruise
Another chill day on the ship and final day of 2025
Kat won a hoola hoop competition!
On the ship, the girls would of course go off and do their own thing. Its so fun to see the cruise through the lens and the fun photos they took around the ship.
Formal night again because its New Year’s Eve after all
Enjoyed a special menu at dinner
All 4 of us, rang in the New Year on the Lido deck with music and dancing. Best NYE ever!!
Day 5 – Double Adventures in Ochos Rios
Although we’d never been to Ocho Rios, Rob had his heart set on Dunn’s River Falls. The girls were all in for that adventure, and I was very much not, so I picked a less treacherous excursion. As a big Reggae fan, the chance to visit Bob Marley’s house was an easy yes. What I didn’t consider when booking this cruise is that some folks were clearly here for the Mary Jane. I avoided the smoke as best I could, and thankfully no one near me lit up during the tour.
Stopped not long after on bus for restroom and snack purchase at gas station
Lots of murals throughout the compound
Tour guide was very clear about where you could/could not take photos/videos
Not allowed at Bob’s or his mom’s mausoleum. You also had to remove your shoes inside the mausoleum.
Jerk Chicken sandwich, chips, and cookie on the bus
Stopped at Andy’s Souvenirs. Pouring rain I woulnd’t have gotten out but i was tasked with trying to get us an “Ocho Rios” shot glass. Didn’t find one.
Rob and the girls did a two‑part excursion. First was Mystic Mountain, with a peaceful 15‑minute Sky Explorer ride through the rainforest and time at the mountaintop pavilion, where they got to ride the Jamaican Bobsled ride and the Raggamuffin coaster. Then they headed to Dunn’s River Falls, a 600‑foot cascading waterfall where a guide leads you on a 60–90 minute climb through cool water and natural pools.
Day 6 – Day in Grand Cayman
In Grand Cayman the ships can’t dock at the port due to the reefs that are near there. So that means cruise ships dock out a little ways and have have to take a water taxi (or tender) to the island
Getting to hold sting rays at Stingray City
A trip to ‘Hell’
Stops at Tortuga and the Turtle rehab
80’s Pop to the Max show
Fun time during 80’s Rock and Glow Party
Day 7 – Last Day on Board
Last day, but making the best of it
Time in the pool
Trivia
Had to pack up that afternoon 🙁
Epic sunsets from the balcony
Baked Alaska for dessert at dinner
Day 8 – Headed back home to reality
Disembarked early, but took our time leaving because Kat wasn’t feeling her best
Made our way home, but stopped in Dawson, GA for a late lunch
Dropped the girls off at their homes
Rob and I got home and unpacked and tried to get settled back into real life because back to work the next day
I asked the girls a few questions about the cruise…
Elly (our niece)
Favorite food on the cruise:
I liked the carnival melting cake.
Favorite event on the cruise:
The 80s pop show
Favorite port of call:
Jamaica
Favorite activity off the ship:
When we climbed the waterfall
Thing that surprised you the most about the cruise:
I liked how many events was always happening on the ship.
Any else you’d like to say about the cruise:
I liked getting to try all the new foods.
Kat (her friend)
Favorite food on the cruise:
I liked the enchiladas and the carnival melting cake.
Favorite event on the cruise:
I liked the musical shows.
Favorite port of call:
I liked Cozumel.
Favorite activity off the ship:
Swimming with stingrays was super fun.
Thing that surprised you the most about the cruise:
How much food was always available.
Any else you’d like to say about the cruise:
I loved being able to try so many new foods.
More photos: on flickr
Last year’s New Year’s Cruise with her sister>>>New Year’s Cruise – Carnival Liberty
