7-Day Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise

Our future 7-day exotic Western Carribean Cruise by Norweigan Cruise Lines will be a most memorable Family vacation, planned by my Husband's Mother, that we will unlikely ever experience again. (The dates of this trip were previously noted as being this past March, but difficulties caused a change in the planned date. We are now scheduled to depart New Orleans, LA on my Husband's birthday, November 30th.) I am so excited to take this trip, since it will bring together for one week, myself, my Husband and our two daughters, my Husband's Brother and his son, and the Angel behind the planning of this trip - my Mother (In my heart, there is no such thing as an "in-law" when such a person has treated you like family from day one.)

The itinerary as currently set by Norweigan Cruise Lines, has us departing from New Orleans, LA. The first day will be at sea, while we make our way to Costa Maya, Mexico. After that, we head off to Santo Tomas De Castilla (this location is known to change between Santo Tomas Castilla and Roatan due to political difficulties), then Belize City, Belize and last but most certainly not least, Cozumel, Mexico for what I hear, will have the most wonderful diving and snorkling experiences around. As of this trip update, I am still not sure what we will do at each Port, but I am certainly open to recommendations any readers may have. I am certain that we will be visiting Mayan Ruins in either Costa Maya, or Belize City - but I believe it will be Costa Maya. I want to plan our day at the Port Santo Tomas De Castilla, visiting the Las Escobas Waterfall since it supposed to be great for families with children. Cave tubing in Belize sounds like so much fun, but I understand that the ability to swim and good control is recommended. For me, Cozumel will be my dream beach stop. I am afraid of diving and snorkling (a little ironic, but dumb phobia of deep water, considering I will be on a cruise ship in the middle of the sea, will keep me from enjoying those sights.) But I have always wanted to lounge on a powder white sand beach, tropical drink in one hand, and a view of nothing but crystal clear waters as far as my eyes can see. I welcome any recommendations of such a beach near our Port, if anyone has experienced one. This is going to be a tough decision, since I also want to experience swimming with dolphins. Haha, I guess phobic therapy is in order since dolphins require pretty deep water to swim in!

One of the best things we are planning, but not yet set in stone, will be spending a day (either December 1st or December 6) at sea, renewing wedding vows (not that they need renewed considering our "vows" have existed from the day we met) by the Captain of our ship. This will celebrat 2008 as our 5th incredible year of marriage and our 17th incredible year of best friendship - thanks to our very good friend, Kristie. I only wish she could be there to see it since it is her "doing" that created our relationship back on August 30th, 1992, in California. Nevertheless, I have yet to contact the cruise line to find out the details on how to do this.

That is all I have for now. I will update this as I come up with more ideas of things we plan to do.