Trip highlights
- 1Cozumel cenote snorkelling
- 2Roatán reef diving and zipline
- 3Belize Barrier Reef snorkelling
- 4Altun Ha Mayan ruins from Belize City
- 5Miami embarkation day
Daily spend
Want this for your exact dates?
Live hotel prices, real-time flights, and weather for when you're going.
Been before? Re-book the same trip instantly with current prices.
Day-by-day plan
Miami Embarkation Day
Friday, January 15
Est. spend
$150
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive Miami International Airport
Port of Miami, 1015 N America Way, Miami, FL
Miami Airport (MIA) is 15km from the Port of Miami. Uber to the port: $20–30. Arrive at the cruise terminal at least 3 hours before departure. Most ships depart at 4–5pm. The embarkation process (check-in, security, cabin assignment) takes 45–90 minutes.
Book a hotel night in Miami before the cruise if your flight arrives the day of embarkation — last-minute delays could cause you to miss the ship. The ship does not wait.
☀️ Afternoon
South Beach and Art Deco district
Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami Beach, FL
If you arrive the previous day, South Beach's Art Deco Historic District (Ocean Drive) and the beach itself are outstanding. Collins Avenue from 6th to 23rd Street has the best-preserved 1930s Art Deco buildings in the world.
🌙 Evening
Board the ship — explore and muster drill
Cruise ship, departing Port of Miami
Boarding is the start of the cruise experience. The mandatory muster drill (safety briefing at your assigned station) happens before departure. After the drill: dinner in the main dining room or the buffet (first night is usually open seating).
The top deck departure from Miami gives excellent city views as you leave the port. Pools and hot tubs are available from the moment you board. The speciality dining restaurants require advance reservation — book on Day 1.
🍽️ Meals
Main Dining Room, ship
International · $0 · Included in cruise fare. Most cruise ships have three meal settings — reserve your preferred dining time on embarkation day.
At Sea — Ship Amenities
Saturday, January 16
Est. spend
$80
per person
🌅 Morning
Sea day — pools, spa, and activities
At sea, Caribbean
The first sea day is for exploring the ship. Most large cruise ships have multiple pools, a spa (extra charge), an adults-only deck, a casino, a theatre, and a sports deck. The ship's Cruise Director organises daily activities — trivia, cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures.
Spa treatments on sea days are cheaper than port days and bookings are easier. The ship's photography team takes professional shots around the ship — the formal dining night photo is the classic cruise souvenir.
🍽️ Meals
Buffet and speciality dining, ship
International/Various · $0 · Included. Speciality restaurants (Italian, steakhouse, sushi) have a surcharge of $20–40 per person.
Cozumel, Mexico
Sunday, January 17
Est. spend
$130
per person
🌅 Morning
Cozumel cenote snorkelling excursion
Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Cozumel is one of the top dive and snorkel destinations in the Caribbean — the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef surrounds the island with visibility up to 30m. The inland cenotes (Chankanaab Park, El Cielo) offer snorkelling in clear freshwater holes connected to the sea.
Book excursions independently at the pier rather than through the ship — same quality at 40% lower cost. Mr Sanchos and Carlos'n Charlie's beach clubs are the popular alternatives to excursions.
☀️ Afternoon
San Miguel de Cozumel town
San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
The island's only town is pleasant — the Calle Primera pedestrian strip with jewellery and tequila shops, the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel (free, fascinating), and the best ceviche in the Yucatán at the market stalls.
Ships typically dock 4pm–6pm in Cozumel. Don't miss the ship — the gangway closes 30 minutes before departure.
🍽️ Meals
Playa Palancar beach club
Mexican seafood · $20 · South of the pier — coconut shrimp, grilled fish tacos, and Caguama beer. One of the best beach lunches in the Caribbean.
Roatán, Honduras
Monday, January 18
Est. spend
$145
per person
🌅 Morning
Roatán reef diving or snorkelling
Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras
Roatán is the most accessible coral reef in the Caribbean for budget divers — wall dives to 30m, turtle sightings, and the technicolour parrotfish and angelfish of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. One-tank dive: $45 including equipment from any pier operator.
The Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) dolphin encounter ($100) is the most reputable dolphin interaction program in Central America — ethically operated since 1989.
☀️ Afternoon
Gumbalimba Park zipline
Gumbalimba Park, Roatán
The canopy zipline tour over the jungle and shoreline is the non-aquatic highlight of Roatán — 10 platforms, the longest line over open water. Entry $40 including monkey and parrot encounters.
🍽️ Meals
Sundowners Beach Bar, West End
Caribbean · $15 · The West End village has the best beach bars in Roatán — fish burritos and cold Salva Vida (Honduran beer) at plastic tables on the sand.
Belize City
Tuesday, January 19
Est. spend
$175
per person
🌅 Morning
Altun Ha Mayan ruins
Altun Ha, Orange Walk District, Belize
The closest major Mayan site to Belize City (50km) — a well-preserved ceremonial centre with the Temple of the Masonry Altars, the largest jade carving in the Mayan world (the Jade Head of the Sun God), and excellent walking trails. Entry $10.
All Belize pier excursions are 100% necessary — Belize City is not a walking port. The ship tenders (smaller boats) take you to the pier and guided excursion buses take you to sites.
☀️ Afternoon
Hol Chan Marine Reserve snorkelling
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, Belize
The Belize Barrier Reef (the second largest in the world) at Hol Chan — snorkelling alongside nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and enormous Nassau grouper in the Channel. Shark Ray Alley is the famous site where rays and sharks feed in the shallows.
Book Hol Chan through independent operators at the Belize pier rather than the ship — typically 35–40% cheaper.
🍽️ Meals
Dit's Restaurant, Belize City
Belizean · $12 · Belizean soul food — rice and beans with stewed chicken and habanero hot sauce. The most authentic meal available near the port.
At Sea — Final Day
Wednesday, January 20
Est. spend
$60
per person
🌅 Morning
Final sea day — pool, spa, and packing
At sea, Gulf of Mexico
The last sea day before Miami — enjoy the ship's facilities, attend any final activities, purchase duty-free goods (better prices than airport), and pack bags for the disembarkation procedure (luggage must be outside your cabin door by midnight).
The Ship's casino is duty-free while at sea. The onboard duty-free liquor is typically cheaper than airport shops.
🍽️ Meals
Farewell dinner, main dining room
International · $0 · The final formal dinner on the last sea night. Lobster tail is typically on the menu.
Miami Disembarkation
Thursday, January 21
Est. spend
$110
per person
🌅 Morning
Disembark at Port of Miami — depart for home or Miami hotel
Port of Miami, 1015 N America Way, Miami, FL
Disembarkation starts at 7:30am, typically completed by 10am. Self-assist (carrying your own luggage off) is fastest. US/Non-US passport holders process separately through customs. Transfer to MIA airport or Miami hotel.
Allow 3 hours between disembarkation and your flight if flying home the same day — delays are common. Book a noon or later flight from MIA.
🍽️ Meals
Joe's Stone Crab, South Beach
American seafood · $60 · If staying an extra night in Miami — Joe's Stone Crab is the institution for post-cruise lunch. Stone crab claws in season November–May.
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
December–April for the Caribbean dry season — clear water, sunshine, and 28–31°C temperatures. Hurricane season (June–November) brings risk of disrupted itineraries; most cruise lines offer guarantees.
🛂 Visas
The itinerary visits Mexico (Cozumel), Honduras (Roatán), and Belize — all of which offer visa-free entry for US, UK, EU, Canadian, Australian citizens. A valid passport (6 months remaining) is required for all cruise ports.
💱 Currency
US Dollars are accepted in all Western Caribbean ports. Belize uses the Belize Dollar (pegged at BZ$2 = US$1) but USD is universally accepted. Mexico tips: small USD bills; Honduras tips: same. Onboard currency is USD.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 911 (US waters)
ambulance: 911
coast guard: 305-535-4300 (Miami)
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- The ship's port excursions are 30–50% more expensive than independently-arranged tours at the pier. The ship guarantees you back on time (they'll wait if the ship's own excursion runs late); independent tours do not.
- Seasickness: the Caribbean is generally calm in winter. Take Dramamine or Stugeron if prone. The stern (back) of the ship moves most; the bow (front) and lower decks move least.
- Gratuities: cruise lines add $15–20/day per person automatically (the 'auto-grat'). Adjust at guest services if service has been exceptional or poor.
One thing worth not skipping
A 7-day trip to Caribbean without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
Subscription-based travel medical insurance. Best for longer trips, digital nomads, or frequent travellers. Renews weekly or monthly.
Tripzeeker earns a small commission when you purchase — at no extra cost to you.
Was this useful?
Your rating helps us improve and tells other travellers what to trust.
How useful was this itinerary?
You might also like
More trips like Caribbean in your inbox
Weekly hand-crafted itineraries, hidden gems, and travel tips. Unsubscribe anytime.