When I told people I was heading to Galveston to board Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, I called it a work trip. Of course, spending several days on a cruise ship with friends doesn’t exactly sound like work!
But there really was a purpose behind this trip.
One of the things that’s important to me as a travel advisor is actually experiencing as much as I can. I can read about a cruise ship, complete training programs, watch videos and learn all the facts, but there’s no substitute for walking onto the ship, sleeping in the cabin, eating the food, exploring the public spaces and experiencing the service for myself.
It had been quite a while since I’d sailed with Royal Caribbean, and I’d never cruised from Galveston. With more and more of my clients considering cruises from Texas, I wanted some firsthand experience.
So, off to Texas I went.
A Work Trip With Some Pretty Great Coworkers
This trip was also an opportunity to spend time with several agents from Modern Travel Professionals, and honestly, that was one of the best parts of the entire experience.
Christine, the owner of our agency, is truly a blessing. She put a lot into making this trip both educational and fun, arranging experiences for us aboard the ship and in port while making sure we had opportunities to learn more about Royal Caribbean and Galveston.
I also got to spend several days with Shannon and Shellie, and those friendships go back much further than Modern Travel Professionals. We originally worked together at another travel agency years ago, and somehow all these years later, we’re still working in travel and still friends.
There’s something pretty special about working alongside people you genuinely enjoy spending time with. We talked shop, we laughed a lot, explored together, shared meals and, as you’ll soon discover, found our favorite bar aboard the ship and apparently saw no reason to find another one.
A Sea Day and Finding the Quiet Side of Mariner
Our first full day was a sea day, which gave me time to really explore Mariner of the Seas.
I’m always looking at ships through two sets of eyes. Part of me is simply enjoying the cruise, while the travel advisor part of my brain is constantly filing away little details that might matter to a client.
One thing I discovered was that even on a busy ship, you can find places to escape the crowds.
Promenade Deck 4 became one of my favorites. There were lounge chairs in the shade where I could sit, watch the ocean and enjoy some quiet time. I also found the Viking Crown Lounge near the top of the ship, with beautiful views and another opportunity to get away from some of the activity elsewhere.
Unfortunately, my sciatica had really started acting up, so finding those quieter places where I could sit and relax became more important than I had anticipated.
Breakfast throughout this cruise was almost always in the Main Dining Room. I never did make it to the buffet for breakfast. I know plenty of people love the convenience of a buffet, but first thing in the morning, I’d much rather sit down, order breakfast, have someone bring it to me and enjoy a conversation without navigating the morning buffet chaos.
Sometimes it’s the little things.
Costa Maya…and My First Massage
When we arrived in Costa Maya, I made a decision that I think some cruisers don’t realize they’re allowed to make.
I didn’t get off the ship.
You don’t have to explore every port simply because the ship stops there. Sometimes staying aboard can be exactly what you need, especially if you’ve visited the destination before.
I had noticed that the spa was offering port-day specials. That’s something worth remembering because cruise ship spas will frequently offer better pricing while most passengers are ashore.
After breakfast and lunch aboard the ship, I headed to the spa.
At 60 years old, I had somehow managed to go my entire life without ever having a massage. That changed in Costa Maya.
And I loved it.
Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the massage, I really felt like it helped my sciatica. Afterward, I wasn’t quite ready to leave the spa, so I spent some time in the sauna and steam room, followed by a wonderfully long shower.
Then I went back to my cabin and took a nap.
It may not sound like the most adventurous way to spend a day in Mexico, but considering how badly my leg had been bothering me, it was exactly the day I needed.
And I can confidently say my first massage will definitely not be my last.
Later, our group of six met at the Bamboo Room for tiki drinks before dinner.
That turned out to be a dangerous discovery.
We liked the Bamboo Room so much that once we found it, we never bothered finding another bar. Apparently, we are creatures of habit.
A Very Different Day in Cozumel
Cozumel was a completely different experience.
I’ve visited Cozumel many times over the years, which is another reason I enjoyed what Christine had arranged for us. Rather than simply repeating things I’d already done, she arranged a private tour of the island.
We started by seeing several monuments along the oceanfront and visited a church and an air force base before heading away from the coast and into the jungle.
That’s where we experienced Tierra Maya, a relatively new attraction in Cozumel, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
One of the most fascinating parts was learning about the tiny Melipona bees of the region. We actually saw some that had made their home inside the trunk of a tree. They were incredibly small, probably about half the size of a housefly.
We learned about the honey produced in this part of Mexico and had the opportunity to taste honey farmed on the nearby mainland.
Then things got even more interesting.
Tequila and liqueur tasting!
My favorite was Ximbal Chocolate, although the Ximbal Xtabentún was an extremely close second. The Xtabentún had a lovely anise flavor that I really enjoyed.
Next, it was time to make our own tortillas and salsa.
The salsa may have been one of the biggest surprises of the entire day. It had only three ingredients: fresh fire-roasted tomatoes, sea salt and ground roasted pumpkin seeds.
That’s it.
And it was absolutely delicious.
I’m going to have to try making that one at home.
Our tasting adventures weren’t finished yet. After Tierra Maya, we visited a nearby chocolate factory.
I’m not entirely sure how many different chocolates we tasted. I lost count somewhere along the way, but I think it was around 17.
I’m willing to suffer for my work.
The cinnamon chocolate was my favorite.
Afterward, we headed back to Mariner of the Seas. I showered, freshened up and, naturally, headed back to the Bamboo Room for tiki drinks with the gang.
Why mess with a good thing?
Behind the Scenes on Our Final Day
Christine had one more special experience arranged for our final day aboard the ship: a galley tour followed by brunch in the Main Dining Room.
Getting a look behind the scenes is always fascinating to me. Cruise ships feed thousands of people every day, multiple times a day, and seeing some of what happens behind those dining room doors gives you a new appreciation for the operation.
Brunch was excellent, but dessert deserves its own mention.
I had the key lime pie from Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse.
It may have been the best key lime pie I’ve ever had.
I didn’t eat at Chops on this sailing, but that slice of pie did a pretty good job of advertising the restaurant. The next time I find myself aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, Chops is going on my list.
After brunch, we had a meeting to learn more about Royal Caribbean, Mariner of the Seas and Galveston as a cruise port.
This was really where the purpose of the entire trip came together for me.
Would I Sail Royal Caribbean Again?
Absolutely.
More importantly, after sailing from Galveston and finally getting back aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, I feel much more comfortable knowing who I should recommend these cruises to.
That’s why trips like this matter to me professionally.
Not every cruise line is right for every traveler. I don’t want to recommend something simply because the itinerary looks good or because the price is attractive. The more ships, cruise lines, hotels and destinations I experience personally, the better I can match my clients with something I genuinely think they’ll enjoy.
I came aboard Mariner of the Seas wanting to refresh my Royal Caribbean experience.
I left feeling much more confident about the product.
And yes, I would happily sail Royal Caribbean again.
One More Look at Galveston
The next morning, it was time to leave the ship.
Christine, Shellie and I all had later flights, so instead of heading directly to the airport, we spent a little more time exploring Galveston.
I wanted to show them the Grand Galvez, where I’d stayed before the cruise. It’s such a beautiful historic resort and had made a big impression on me, so naturally I wanted them to see it too.
We found a local restaurant for lunch, where I had a Nashville hot chicken salad, and then finally made our way to the airport.
My flight eventually got me into West Palm Beach at about 12:45 Sunday morning. At that hour, I was extremely thankful that I’d had enough sense to reserve a room at the Courtyard by Marriott West Palm Beach Airport rather than attempting the drive home in the middle of the night.
Sometimes good travel planning even comes in handy for the travel advisor!
More Than Just Another Cruise
My sciatica certainly wasn’t part of the plan for this trip. It slowed me down considerably and kept me from doing some of the things I probably would have done otherwise.
But in a strange way, it also made me experience the cruise differently.
I found the quiet places aboard Mariner. I learned that sometimes staying aboard in port is a great choice. I finally discovered that I really like massages. I spent time with people I genuinely enjoy. I explored a different side of Cozumel. And I came home knowing considerably more about Royal Caribbean and cruising from Galveston than I did when I left.
Most importantly, I came home with more firsthand experience that I can use when helping my clients plan their own vacations.
That’s what this trip was really about.
Well…that, friendship, tiki drinks, approximately 17 pieces of chocolate and one exceptionally good slice of key lime pie.
And Galveston?
I’d definitely cruise from there again.
Maybe next time I’ll see what it’s like to sail from Texas aboard one of the Disney ships.
And… maybe there’s another reason I’m already thinking about returning to Galveston. Disney Cruise Line will continue sailing seasonally from Galveston aboard the Disney Magic, including cruises during the 2026–27 and 2027–28 seasons.
That feels a little like things coming full circle for me because the Disney Magic was the very first cruise ship I ever sailed on. All these cruises later, I think it would be pretty special to board her again, this time in Galveston. I went to Texas to learn more about cruising from this port for my clients, and I came home thinking I may have found a reason to return myself. Maybe my next Galveston adventure needs a little Disney magic!
Cleared For Take-Off! 