Carnival Miracle: Belize, Cozumel, and Costa Maya
- Emily Miner
- 16 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Cruising with Carnival offers a unique way to explore some of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean. On my recent 6-day cruise from Orlando with my mom, we visited Belize, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. This trip was full of exciting excursions, stunning views, and valuable lessons for first-time cruisers. If you’re planning a similar adventure, this guide will help you pack smart and make the most of your stops. I’ll also share how this cruise compares to another Carnival trip we took to Nassau, Princess Cay, and Grand Turk.
What to Expect on a 6-Day Carnival Cruise from Orlando
For this Cruise we embark on the Miracle, which is made for a more intimate experience as it can accompany 2100 guests. Compare to our previous Carnival Freedom ship which has a maximum guest count of 2,980 passengers.
Carnival cruises from Orlando typically offer a mix of relaxation, entertainment, and adventure. The ship itself is a floating resort with pools, restaurants, shows, and activities for all ages. Since this cruise stops at Belize, Cozumel, and Costa Maya, expect warm weather, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural experiences.
The itinerary usually includes:
Embarkation day in Orlando with a smooth boarding process
Full days at sea to enjoy onboard amenities
Port days with opportunities for excursions and exploring local culture
Disembarkation back in Orlando
Packing Tips for First-Time Carnival Cruisers
Packing for a cruise can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare:
Clothing Essentials
Water shoes: For excursion days I always opt for my favorite water shoes. You will be walking quite a bit and its easy to not think about taking them on and off. These are my trusty pair from Amazon that I've had for years!
Power strip or USB charger: Cabins only have 1 outlet so if you want to be able to run the hair dyer, and charge your phone among other things. This is a must.
Stainless Steal Water bottle: Yes there are cups and water on ship but this will keep your water cold. The water pressure is always really low when filling up so it takes a while but this is a must because there are only water bottles for purchase in your room.
Carry on Bag: Its much easier to check your bag, but it can take several hours before it reached your room on debarkation day. Pack a small carry on bag for anything you need until thing, like a swimsuit.
A book: We had two sailing days on this cruise and I love just laying out in the sun with a good book. They do have activities through the day but nothing that really interested me.
Excursions
These are best way to experience each location and there's so many to chose from.
Belize
Before you go: Most excursions are a drive from the port. I wouldn't recommend staying in port because in my opinion, it was very run down. In fact, all of Belize was very run down and I would skip this destination all together in the future.
However, the main thing to do it to take a water taxi to:
San Pedro - This is a 45min boat ride, so plan accordingly. We did not have enough time to do this before the ship left.
Caye Calker - 30min boat ride. This is more laid back.
We ended up going to Old Belize on a whim. We found a taxi and were on our way. It was about 20min away. This was a beach club that had a pool, food and drinks. Although, you can't swim in the ocean and there are signs posted.
If you've ever done a cruise or all inclusive you know how watered down the drinks are, but here the frozen margaritas were great and we finally got a buzz. They played great music compared to the basic music on board. We also got some tacos which were delicious.
Some other Excursions if you want to make the drive. My go-to to book these is always on Viator!
Mayan Ruins Tour: Visit sites like Altun Ha or Lamanai to explore ancient temples and learn about Mayan history.
Snorkeling or Diving at the Belize Barrier Reef: The second largest barrier reef in the world offers stunning underwater views.
Zip-lining through the Jungle: For an adrenaline rush, try zip-lining over the rainforest canopy.
Cave Tubing: Float through underground caves on an inner tube, a unique adventure combining nature and history. I would probably do this one if I were to go back!
Cozumel
Cozumel is famous for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs. It my favorite destination on this cruise!
After tons of research, I watched a YouTube video that could not recommend
Tortugas Cozumel enough. I actually booked this one directly on their website.
We did the private Jeep Tour, with Snorkel, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Lunch at the beach club for only $95!!
First we exited the port to the meeting area where we were picked up by our driver. He would be with us all day which made for a personalized experienced. He brought us to the beach club for the first portion: They have 3 resident dogs!! Blackie, frijole and we didn't get the name of the third. Blackie was the sweetest!!
Snorkeling: The Snorkel boat left straight from the beach club and it was only about 10min away. I'm not sure if it was the time of the year, or if they brought up to a different spot than usual but there were a TON of jelly fish!! I did end up getting stung on my knee. It didn't hurt that bad but I had a rash the rest of the day. I decided the end snorkeling early because I was not feeling it trying to dodge all the little jellyfish.
Tequila Tasting: We made a quick stop at a gift shop where he let us shop for some souvenirs. Our driver then brough us to "Otoch Mayan Experience". Since we had booked with Tortugas the entree fee was only $5, normally it is $10. You can also book this excursions separately on Viator.
We were greeted with a traditional greeting ritual. Our guide was so knowledgeable about Tequila and I am not a big drinker but let me tell you when we got to the flavor tequilas it was SO good. My mom ended up buying an entire bottle of the Reese's Pieces tequila for about $70. I also loved the Coconut, mango, and chocolate. The shots are so small but we definitely felt a little buzzed after this.
Afterwards, we were able to taste different chocolate and honey. I bought a jar for my Finance which he loved. All the proceeds go to the family farm and its 100% organic with no other sweeteners.
Bonus stop Beach: Our driver brought us all around the island, and to the beach. It was a beautiful beach that is protected by rocks. So there are little pools to swim in. There are gift shops, food and massages for sale. Coincidentally enough, I was asking our driver if they have any crocodiles here in this part of Mexico and across the street from the beach was the resident Crocodile! With a sign that read "Eats, birds, fish and Gringos!"
Fun fact: Crocodiles are one the five animals that hunt humans.
Mexican Lunch: We ended our day back at the beach club for a Mexican lunch. We both had the fajitas which were delicious and authentic and ate right by the water. Blackie and Frijole were walking around using their puppy dog eye for scraps.
My Review: I loved this excursion and Cozumel the most. I felt I got to see so much of the island, land and ocean, with great food. Cozumel is also extremely safe and gorgeous.
Some other excursion you can try are:
Snorkeling at Palancar Reef: Swim among colorful fish and coral formations.
Visit San Gervasio Ruins: Explore the Mayan archaeological site dedicated to the goddess Ixchel.
Beach Day at Playa Mia: Relax on white sandy beaches with water sports options.
Jeep or ATV Tours: Explore the island’s interior and coastline off the beaten path.
Costa Maya
There are really two things to do Costa Maya, beach clubs or the Ancient ruins.
We opted for the Bacalar Lagoon tour. Known as the "Maldives of Mexico" and for good reason. It was a little hard navigating where to meet our tour guide, as we had to travel outside the port quite a ways. We had to ask many people where to go. We booked with Chac Ek Costa Maya and luckily all the different companies know where each other are. We booked this one on Viator. Upon arrival they asked if we would be willing to do the combo tour of the ancient ruins and Bacalar lagoon as there was only one other couple who had paid for the combo tour, we got to do both for no extra charge which was amazing!
First Stop: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins:
Since it is about 45min or longer to the ruins, our guide kept us entertained by telling us all about Mayan Culture and history. He passed around panlets that included all the different types of animal that in habit the area and told what our Mayan Zoodiac sign was. I love history and this really added a special touch to the tour.
Upon arrival we tour the ancient stone ruins and learned about the Mayan rituals and healing and even saw some monkeys.
2nd Stop: Bacalar Lagoon:
We hopped on a pontoon boat and we were off. Let me tell you even on a cloudy day like when we went, the lagoon was the prettiest color of light blue I've ever seen! They took us all around the lagoon and taught us about the different cenotes, we saw iguanas in the trees. They brought us to a sand bar which was only about as deep as your hips, where we had some time to splash around. They cut up a pineapple which they grabbed for us on the way from a street vendor which was so good. They also had tequila for us.
Last stop: Mexican Lunch
Our guide then brought up to the probably the most authentic Mexican restaurant I have ever been to and my tacos where AMAZING. Like 10/10 I wish I could eat like 3 more. Then it was back in the van for the hour long trip back.
My tip: Bring a sweater because it can be quite cold in the van. This was the case when I visited Cancun and did excursions there as well.
The other popular activity to do in Costa Maya are the beach clubs. You can book through Viator for an all inclusive experience which we almost booked but glad we didn't. We prefer to be on the move and see as much of the location as possible.
Some other excursions include:
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve: Take a boat tour through this protected natural area with diverse wildlife.
Snorkeling or Diving: Explore the Mesoamerican Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
Beach Clubs: Spend time at private beach clubs with food, drinks, and water activities.
Comparing Carnival Freedom to Carnival Miracle
We what we learned from this cruise is that we prefer bigger ships. Carnival Freedom which stopped at Nassau, Princess Cay and Grand Turk has more activities and better food than our recent experience on the Carnival Miracle.
Food: I would rate as a 7/10. Nothing to ride home about but it was good. Sometimes it came out dry.
Final Thoughts on Your Carnival Cruise Adventure
Packing smart and planning your excursions can turn your Carnival cruise into an unforgettable trip. For first-timers, focus on comfort, sun protection, and versatile clothing. Each port offers something special, from ancient ruins to vibrant reefs and relaxing beaches.
If you’ve cruised with Carnival before, this itinerary provides a fresh mix of adventure and culture compared to more beach-focused routes. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or solo, these tips and highlights will help you enjoy every moment.
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