We are 62 and 60 and took this samecruise and ship in Dec'08with the same ports except then it was Guatamala instead of Mahogany Bay, Roatan. Previous cruises were 2 NCL, 1 HAL, 1 Carn. and 1 RCC. I booked last Aug. w/online TA, got Sr. rate w/$50.OBC and think we got a great value. I'm partially writing this as payback for all the helpful CC info I've received in the past.

We drove to NOLA on Sat. for the 1st time(uneventful, 11 hrs.) Stayed at Ctyd. Mariott atJulia and Peters for $140. incl. cruise park. Room was small and inside parking was tight. Had hoped to have dinner at Mulate's as we had in "08, but a 90 min. wait drove us to Cochon which had a 45 min. wait. We stumbled onto NOLA Grocery and got a shrimp and a beef po'boy (no oysters avail.) to take back to hotel with some Abita's from corner bar. All were excellent. Sunday I got up and walked to the terminal at 5:30, my body not having adjusted to CST and to see if it was walkable w/bags. Decided it was too far(down Julia, cross tracks, turn right for about 3 blks.),too cold & windy for that. Found Cafe Fleur de Lis in Quarter for seafood omelet after parking illegally in taxi stand and was overjoyed I didn't get ticket of towed. Praised Elvis, Jesus and Satchmo ! About ll we drove over, checked bags, and returnedcar to hotel. Walked to term. and got in line at 11:40. Chek in was a breeze and on board at 12:10. Had a good Windows lunch watching the Dancing Forklifts on the pier of portobello w/goat cheese, chicken Milanese and strawberry shortcake. Bags arrived at 3pm. Windows dinner had smoked salmon app. and fatty lamb entree. "Welcome Aboard" show was so-so with good song and dance, lame magician(Cripton), and OK comedian. CD Kyle was OK.

Monday-Windows breakfast=smoked salmon Benedict (MMMM). Lunch was seafood paella and burger on pool deck. Buffet dinner was surprisingly excellent with variety and quality. They always had some of the same items as the MDR's. Tue.-Costa Maya-Buffet break and off at l0:30. Taxied into village, walked around and found the famous (or should be) Don Fernando's. It's all true. Much good food and drink for cheap. Had the "special" of grouper, octopus,squid and veg., Leon beer, chips,garlic dip, guac.,ceviche, and welcome pitcherof tequila and grapefruit for $20. total. DW got $20./45min. massage upstairs at El Faro. Had dinnerbuffet of duck, spinach-mushroom calzone, and tiramisu. All were great. Russian acrobat team was very good in Stardust and comedian just OK in Galaxy. Lost a $ in casino. Read more