Part 1: Cruising from the Texas Coast

We kicked off our much-anticipated getaway with a scenic drive down to Galveston, Texas. The plan was simple: soak up some coastal vibes before boarding our cruise ship. We checked into Hotel Lucine, a fantastic boutique hotel with a lively atmosphere. They had live music, which we were excited about, but the Galveston breeze was so surprisingly cold that we couldn’t comfortably sit on the mezzanine to enjoy it.

That crisp air didn't stop us from exploring, though. We bundled up and walked out onto one of the fishing piers along the Seawall. The primary mission was hot chocolate, which warmed our hands and souls and the deck offered beautiful views of the Gulf of America as the waves crashed below.

When dinner time rolled around, seafood was

advertised on every corner, promising fresh catches. However, a quick internet search gave us pause. Reading that Galveston was statistically among the most polluted beaches in America made us lose our appetite for local fish. We pivoted and found a place called KritiKos Grill, where we indulged in delicious Greek food and the show-stopping Saganaki, a flaming cheese appetizer that rarely disappoints.

Our sightseeing efforts the next day had mixed results. We tried to tour the historic Bishop Palace, arriving during operational hours, but nobody ever showed up to open the place. We were joined by a bout 15 people waiting at the door that were ready to use the tickets purchased online. Disappointing, to say the least.

Thankfully, the Moody Mansion tour more than made up for it. We were thoroughly impressed with the grandeur of the place—the gorgeous dark woods, the surprisingly numerous plumbed bathrooms for the era, and the original furnishings all provided a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of Galveston's history.

Setting Sail on the MSC

Boarding the MSC Cruise Ship was surprisingly simple. After a few pre-cruise jitters about logistics, we were relieved to find no TSA-style long security lines. It was a smooth, efficient process. Once onboard, our room keys were conveniently hanging right on our cabin door, already activated and connected to our credit cards. This was great for convenience, though the fact that our cards were linked before we even stepped foot in the room felt a little concerning from a security standpoint

Our cabin itself was a delight. We had a huge cabin and balcony, offering ample space to relax and unpack. I had purchased several upgrades for the room that, in retrospect, I’m not entirely sure were worth the extra cost, but the space was appreciated nonetheless.

Navigating the ship had its perks and minor drawbacks. The smoking areas were pretty convenient for my husband. The hot tubs, however, were perpetually packed with people and, for whatever reason, were blowing cold water rather than warm jets.

Traveling as a couple in our fifties and sixties, my husband and I were initially a bit wary of a ship known for its family focus, but our journey on the

MSC Seascapewas simply wonderful. The presence of children was not overwhelming, thanks to the ship's clever design with adult only spaces and concentrating kids zones on a couple of decks. The ship truly excels in keeping youngsters entertained, with a fantastic Pirates Cove Aquapark featuring multiple water slides, an extensive Hall of Games arcade, and even high-adrenaline experiences like the Formula 1 simulator and the unique Robotron, a robotic arm that swings riders high above the ocean. while I would concider bringing my grandbaby on this cruise, she would NOT be riding this or walking across the bridges that you can see through!

The huge MSC ship presented a few unexpected hurdles in accessibility. While the ship was beautiful, we observed significant design challenges for those with mobility issues. The elevators, almost always had a line with a 1-3 minute wait making transit between decks time-consuming. We noticed numerous travelers in electric wheelchairs struggling to return inside the ship due to elevated door joints they had trouble clearing. Furthermore, accessible restrooms were difficult to locate, and those we did find were frequently out of soap or napkins. I don’t understand why they seemed to be hiding the bathrooms. Sadly, some of the ship's most stunning features were regrettably inaccessible; for instance, a disorienting mirrored tunnel that was the sole access route to certain areas posed a burden for neuro-challenged individuals, and the beautiful, grand staircase made of glass and mirrors, though lovely, was impossible for anyone with difficulty walking stairs. In spite of those accessibility challenges, there seemed to be a lot of very happy travelers with assist devices.

We did discover delicious gelato available by the main pool area and an amazing chocolate shop tucked away in the middle of the duty-free shopping area, which became a frequent stop.

The first two days at sea were freezing, a continuation of that Texas cold front. This forced us indoors, where we entertained ourselves with a variety show, a game of bingo, and a visit to the casino. We finally got to enjoy a proper hot tub session, and as the weather warmed up beautifully on the third day, we migrated to the adult-only wade pool for some relaxation in the sun. We didn't actually dock in Cancun, but we passed close enough to see the land, and it looked lovely from the ship.

Costa Maya: Tacos, Tequila, and History

Our first official port of call was Costa Maya, Mexico. The port area was bustling—four ships were in at the same time, making the area as crowded as Disneyland. It was clear this was a major tourist hub. The port itself was incredibly well-developed, packed with shops, shows, restaurants, bars, and even beautiful pools. You could easily spend the entire day right there in the complex without ever needing to

venture into the nearby town.

We had a couple of hours before our scheduled excursion, and the irresistible smell of authentic tacos pulled us into one of the many eateries. Of course, when in Mexico, one must have tequila while waiting.

Our first excursion was titled "Mayan Reality & Beach Break," advertised as a cultural adventure designed to both educate and delight us. Our guide, a proud Mayan descendant, educated us about the region on the bus ride to our first stop: a tequila tasting. We saw the iconic blue agave plants and learned about the different types of tequila production.

We tasted an Añejo aged in an American Oak barrel, a fruity strawberry-flavored one, a rich coffee-flavored one, and the crown jewel: an Extra Añejo aged for 24 years in a French Oak barrel. Omg, it was so good! We had to buy a bottle to take home, which set us back a few American bills, but it was absolutely worth every cent.

Back on the bus, we headed to a small, contemporary Mayan community built around the remains of an ancient Mayan settlement. Our guide took us to a ruin located right in the middle of town because it was a much easier walk than the larger, more remote sites. She shared some intense history: apparently, the Mayans would sacrifice their most beautiful virgins, burning their extracted hearts to appease their rain god. In this particular ruin, the bodies of a young woman and a baby had been excavated, a somber reminder of ancient beliefs.

Next, we visited an authentic Mayan house and learned about local food preparation and the ancient medicines still used by the population. Our guide even demonstrated how to make rope out of local leaves using a traditional Mayan tool. A local family prepared a fantastic lunch of traditional Mayan/Mexican cuisine. They were essentially chicken tacos, but the chicken had been cooked in a hole in the ground covered by leaves, similar to how a kalua pig is prepared at a luau.

The tortillas were fresh, homemade white corn tortillas. We washed them down with Mexican Coke, which is always better than the American version. These were honestly some of the best tacos we’ve ever enjoyed.

Our last stop on the tour was the Blue Kay beach. The scenery was pretty, but unfortunately, it was high seaweed season, so the waters weren’t the pristine, clear blue you see in postcards. The beach stop ended up being frustrating for us. The shore was lined with bars and restrooms, but we were denied service or entry to the restrooms multiple times because those facilities were reserved only for specific other tours. Green money didn't seem to matter here. We missed the tour director’s announcement since we were still getting off the bus but I guess she explained which single designated restroom and bar our tour was supposed to use.

We were supposed to be back onboard the ship around 5 PM. We were just in time to see the beautiful sunset as we left port.

That evening, the cruise had several events planned, including a family-friendly comedy show. My husband and I arrived at Jeff Capri's show with low expectations, figuring that any "family-friendly" comedy performance on a cruise ship would likely be a bit cheesy. However, his "energetically laid back" style completely exceeded what we anticipated, offering a perfect blend of observational humor and physical comedy that had both of us genuinely laughing out loud. What impressed us most was his clever execution; he navigated the diverse audience skillfully, keeping the material outwardly clean while delivering witty jokes with subtle adult themes "in code," much like in a Shrek cartoon. It was a fantastic evening that provided knowing laughs for the adults and general silliness for the younger audience members, perfectly capping off a wonderful day at sea.

We caught the comedy show but didn't stay up for the all-white party since it started at 10 PM and the DJ at the pre-party was playing rave music, suggesting the main event would be more of the same. Besides, our next day's excursion started bright and early at 8 AM!

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we head to the next port and continue our high-seas adventure!