We usually sail with our family of six on Holland America, Celebrity or Royal Caribbean, but just the two of us booked an NCL Sun cruise out of Tampa with friends last month. There are three reasons we love to cruise-time with family or friends, shore excursions to explore new places and eating in specialty restaurants. Highlight of this cruise was the crew, with a few exceptions that will be discussed later.

Shore Excursions were not much a part of this cruise for us because we have done the ports before so we shopped or explored on foot.

Roatan—Found two shopping places we loved. First was right at the port (Coxen Hole). Guajiros Art and Fashion at the top of the white stairs go right. Fabulous clothes, art and jewelry. Cool beaded bracelets with hand carved clasps for $10. Bought quite a few. Just past the cruise area was Yaba Ding Ding which has tons of items handmade by the local women-purses, wallets, carved boxes, wine caddies. Enjoyed walking around the whole area. Read more