Part Two: Cruising from the Texas Coast

Welcome back! If you’ve been following along, you know that this trip has been a major milestone for me. Recovering from several strokes hasn't been easy, and this cruise was meant to be our "slow and steady" way to see the world again. After our time in Costa Maya, Joe and I were ready to see what the rest of the Western Caribbean had to offer.

Day 4: The Lush Landscapes of Roatán

We woke up docked in Roatán, Honduras. I’ll be honest—after the hustle and bustle of Costa Maya, I expected another high-energy port. Instead, we found something much smaller and, dare I say, more civilized?

Roatán is often called the "Jewel of the Western Caribbean." It’s famous for its massive barrier reef and deep-rooted fishing culture, but what struck me most were the rolling hills and lush tropical greenery. We booked an excursion called “Exploring Roatán's Fishing Villages,” a 5.5-hour journey that took us off the beaten path.

The Traditions of Punta Gorda

Our first stop was the northern coast in Punta Gorda, home to the Garifuna people. Our guide explained that they are descendants of African slaves who were exiled here by the British in 1797.

We watched a fascinating demonstration of making Cassava (yuca) bread. It’s a vital energy source in the tropics, made without water or additives. We tried a cracker-like version with butter that was quite tasty! Our guide joked that doctors say too much isn't healthy (though I'm still not sure why). Joe, ever the sweets lover, devoured the coconut candy, which was heavy on the syrup and cinnamon.

We then walked down to a dock for a traditional drum and dance performance. The highlight? A cook fried up some fresh red snapper right there. It was so savory and light; I could have eaten a whole plate for lunch!

A Reality Check: Travel isn't always glamorous.

Many local spots don't have running water or electricity in the restrooms. While some fellow cruisers were "freaking out," it felt just like using a port-a-potty. Afterward, a sweet local child sprayed our hands with sanitizer in exchange for a small tip—a fair trade in my book!

Back on the tour bus, we couldn't help but notice the local utility work—though a safety inspector from the States would have likely had a heart attack! It was a masterclass in "island DIY." Instead of utility poles, the electric company was stringing wires directly to palm trees. Even better, rather than closing the road for the crew, workers simply stood there holding the electric cables up in the air so our bus could drive right under them. Definitely not OSHA-approved, but it certainly got the job done!

Pirates, Mangroves, and a Downpour in Oak Ridge

Next, we headed south to Oak Ridge, a sleepy village once inhabited by pirates and still accessible only by boat. We boarded a cayuco—a traditional, brightly painted wooden boat. It was festive, draped in trinkets like a Mardi Gras float.

Because of my mobility issues, I have to be careful, and unfortunately, the docks were very wet. I took a little slip getting into the boat, but thankfully, I wasn't badly hurt. We sat near the front where the captain had laid a piece of plywood over the gap in the roof.

As we floated through the stunning mangrove tunnels toward Jonesville, our guide explained how these trees protect the island from hurricanes. But just as we exited the tunnels, the sky opened up. It wasn't a "Hawaii shower"—it was a monsoon. That plywood "roof" acted like a gutter, dumping a literal waterfall directly onto my head! Within minutes, there were two inches of water in the boat, and the captain was bailing it out with his drinking cup.

Our guide just laughed and said, "Well, you aren't made of sugar!" She was right. We dried off at a seaside restaurant with a shot of tequila and a phenomenal Honduran platter of King fish, beans, rice, and plantains.

Once we were finally back on the ship, we took a few hours to thaw out and trade our soaked clothes for something dry. For dinner, we decided to treat ourselves; I splurged on the Atlantic lobster tail while Joe went for a hearty bone-in steak. Even with the $20 upcharge for each, the meal was a delicious way to end such a wild day.

Feeling a bit adventurous, we headed to the casino to try our luck at the roulette table, where I walked away a whopping $3 richer! To celebrate my "big win," we wandered through the duty-free shops and spotted a bottle of Limoncello that took me right back to my travels in Italy—so of course, that had to come home with us. We might have also "accidentally" stopped by the chocolate shop for some gelato.

To top off the night, we stumbled upon a "Sunshine Party" in the atrium. We weren't exactly dressed for a themed bash, but we snagged a quiet table in the back and spent the evening singing along to hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It was the perfect, low-key end to our Roatán adventure

Day 5: A Change of Pace in Cozumel

Our last port was Cozumel, Mexico. We originally had a snorkeling trip planned, but looking at my health and how much I’d pushed myself already, we decided submerging in the ocean wasn't the best idea. We pivoted to a more relaxed day: Isla Mia Beach with Lunch and Drinks.

The port area in Cozumel was a bit chaotic—lots of mass-produced trinkets and pushy vendors. We were also surprised by the heavy security, including police dogs and metal detectors.

Paradise Found at Isla Mia

After a bumpy 30-minute bus ride and a narrow, jungle-lined driveway (where guests joked we were being kidnapped!), we emerged onto a postcard-perfect beach. It was blissfully quiet.

• The Food: While our "all-inclusive" menu had the basics, I had a craving I couldn't ignore. I upcharged $10 each for shrimp tacos and guacamole. Let me tell you—that guacamole was the best I’ve ever had, lined with fresh cucumbers and a dusting of Tajin. Joe stuck to the inclusive chicken and pineapple tacos and loved them. He also got the chips and salsa which was really more like pico de gallo but tasted like a perfectly seasoned salsa!

• The Vibe: The water was a bit chilly for January, but the atmosphere was so relaxed. We spent the afternoon sipping strawberry daiquiris and enjoying the pristine gardens and (thankfully!) air-conditioned and fully stocked restrooms.

Pro-Tip: Our return trip ran late, and we were 20 minutes past the "all-aboard" time. Because we booked through the cruise line, the ship waited for us. If we had gone solo, we would have been watching the ship sail away from the pier!

The Journey Home

Back on the ship, I was feeling the effects of the trip—mostly in the form of fluid retention from all that delicious seasoned food and those daily cocktails!

Our final evening featured a sushi dinner where we tried to guess the ingredients in each roll, followed by a live band performance in the theater. As the ship sped back toward Galveston, the tropical sun began to fade into the gray "winter gloom" of Texas.

Final Thoughts:

Getting off the ship in Galveston was a breeze—no passports, just a quick facial recognition scan.

While we had a wonderful time, this trip taught us a lot about my post-stroke limits. We realized we might prefer the stationary life of a resort over the constant "on and off" of a cruise ship. We made plenty of mistakes, but that’s how you learn! You can read our hillarious lessons to avoid in the blog titled: “How Not to Sink on Your First Cruise, mistakes to avoid”