Port Canaveral is about 50 minutes from The Walt Disney World Resort--which is where we spent our disembarkation day. A stroll through scenic, gorgeous Epcot was the perfect place to unwind and reflect on our vacation. The night-time show "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" at park closing is referred to as "the kiss goodnight", and it truly was a fantastic ending to the last day of our vacation.

Port Canaveral (Orlando)

Having visited Roatan previously and having done the compulsory snorkeling (you must snorkel or scuba here if you haven't before), we were looking for something off the beaten path and unique to the island.We found it.Spa Ban Suerte is one of those fabled places I imagine when someone says "rustic island paradise".We walked outside of the Mohagany Bay (ahem... "theme park") Area, went down the hill (signs warning us that we were leaving the secure area), and spotted "Carlos" in the crowd of yelling "tour guides". He was holding a cardboard sign with our name and "Spa Ban Suerte" on it.Note: had we not seen Carlos there immediately, we would have stopped, turned around, and trekked back up the hill right away to the secured area--the crowd of shouting 'tour guides' looks like it can get pretty competitive, and there was no shortage of hustlers there upset that we already had a driver and guide waiting for us.We hopped into the car and were led across the island, pulling into a narrow country drive with a sign overhead saying "Spa Ban Suerte". As we pulled up into a small courtyard, big smiles came across our faces. There were several small tropical cottages, one with a welcoming purple door and rough hewn sign indicating it was the "office". A dog sleepily greeted us along with the proprietor. Her uneasy smile imparted something was amiss.She apologetically explained that their electricity was out.Fortunately, one of the best massages and facials I've ever had did not require electricity. The soothing calls of tropical birds and island sounds wafting through the shutters required no electrician. The beauty of Roatan was lit by the suns rays filtering down through the jungle-like canopy to a sparkling pool outside our massage cottage. The gorgeous orchids and fragrant flowers clung to the trees as if they'd never heard of a kilowatt.Absolute calm.After our treatments, we walked down the steep stairs to the beach, and we wandered over to the Blue Bahia Restaurant next door. We took a table in the corner of the deck with sweeping views of the water and beach. Moments later a brief storm blew in as we sipped the glorious first taste of a local beer and sampled fresh-caught fish fritters, ceviche, and an incredibly tasty pulled-pork-topped burger.We got caught in a second sudden downpour on our walk back to the spa--making us laugh at ourselves in our soaked clumsy ascent of the stairs back to the serenity of the cottages.One of the ladies from the spa brought fresh dry towels to us, now sheltered on the porch of one of the massage cottages. We made friends with another of the resident canines as we read our books and watched the rain slow to a trickle. Eventually the sun poked it's head out from the clouds again, and it was time for the leisurely drive back to the ship.If you're lucky, you'll visit Spa Ban Suerte someday.

Roatan

We made advance reservations at Nachi Cocom Beach Club for our day in Cozumel.The beach club was exactly what we wanted. It fit the bill perfectly. It was quiet, no 'spring-break' atmosphere, slightly rustic, and the food was far better than we expected. The soft sand, blue water, friendly staff, palapas and loungers were precisely what I hoped for out of a day on the beach in Mexico.We also booked massages at Nachi Cocom before we arrived. They were decent beach massages and a decent value, but not definitely not upscale.

8472 is an aft-facing balcony. The balcony is larger than regular balconies, and it has 1 lounge chair, a very small table, and two adjustable-back chairs.The decks above are tapered, so the balcony (and balcony door to the stateroom) is always in direct sun. It made our room too hot to have the curtains open during a Caribbean cruise. Further, when standing on the back half of the balcony, you are in plain sight of those standing at the rail above you on the Lido deck, visible from the promenade below, and (as with standard balconies) your neighbors on both sides... we like a little more privacy on our balcony.It seems a lot of people covet the wake-view cabin, but we would not book this cabin again.

Overall a great time, but no major accolades for the ship or Carnival here.Last dining note: I can't believe Carnival still believes in humiliating their dining room servers making them sing and dance several nights during the cruise.

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A great time, but...

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