Although I’ve taken several cruises in the past few years with one or more of my sisters and brother, it has been four years since we all four sailed together. It was time to change that so we booked the Liberty of the Seas sailing from Galveston.
We booked this sailing 11 months in advance as the pandemic was still raging. The hope that it would be over by fall of 2021 (how naïve were we?) and with the promises of vaccines the four of decided to go for it.
Cabins
Sister M booked a balcony with a casino comp for her and Sister T. They paid a small amount to upgrade to a balcony on the 7th deck.
My brother and I booked a balcony guarantee in a travel agent group and I don’t think the balcony cabins ever got that low before we sailed. We ended up getting our assignment a few weeks before sailing and were on the 10th deck in cabin 1830.
Ports
The ports for this sailing were Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel and never did change. Just our departure time from Galveston was moved from 4 pm to 5 pm a few weeks before sailing.
Roatan
Even though Sister T and I had done a tour visiting sloths and more in March 2020 on the Empress of the Seas we wanted to repeat that experience this trip. Our brother hadn’t done it yet and Sister M missed it as she stayed onboard with her ill grandson.
The company we used last time (and loved) was requiring upfront payment. I was hesitant to do that due to the uncertainty with Covid. So instead we booked with Victor Bodden Tours which didn’t have that requirement.
It’s a private tour and we picked most of the same stops.
Costa Maya
We plan to take the shuttle to Majahual at this port and pick one of the beach bars to settle in.
I’m looking forward to repeating my $20 massage and enjoying a tasty margarita with my toes in the sand.
Cozumel
This time we’re trying something new in Cozumel. Instead of our usual go to (Nachi Cocum) we are going to the Paradise Beach club. They have the largest pool in Cozumel and it looked like a good option from reviews and videos I’d seen online. They had a special of $50 per person for the all-inclusive option which we booked online paying 50%.
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I’m looking forward to the ports, the ship but most of all spending time with my brother and sisters. It doesn’t take a pandemic to know the value of family.
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