I recently went on a cruise with several friends for spring break of our senior year, and I can’t believe we didn’t think of this for our past spring break trips. The previous year, we traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, after getting a great deal on a hotel. While the price for the hotel was a save, we got nickeled and dimed for everything, and the restaurants and bars in the area were— in the group’s opinion— vastly overpriced. At the end of both vacations, we calculated that we paid close to double what we paid for our cruise, including all lodging, entertainment, food, and alcohol expenses!
We went on a five night cruise which had two days at sea and two stops in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico. As a past cruiser, the ship wasn’t the largest I’ve been on, but it was certainly jam-packed with stuff to do. It was recently remodeled and had plenty of space to lie out in the sun, along with other great amenities including a water slide and mini golf (both were tons of fun). As college students traveling during peak spring break time, roughly half the people on the ship were ages 18-23. Everyone in our group was 21, and on days at sea, we enjoyed lounging by the pool, listening to the great music the deck provided, and soaking up the rays with drinks in hand. The pool-side lunch was phenomenal as well, and featured four or five different styles of cuisine, including our favorite: the create-your-own stir-fry station! There were also crazy activities and contests we entered, including karaoke and Beatles trivia. The ship also offered plenty of shopping, with extremely reasonable prices all duty free. I bought a nice watch and a pair of stylish men’s sunglasses at a great price. There were also several perks for past cruisers, including free drinks at happy hours. The cruise staff was very lenient and respectful in allowing all 9 of us into these events, even though only 3 of us had cruised with Carnival in the past.
At night, we had a choice of going to the main dining room or eating the same meal upstairs at a buffet. We went to the main dining room every night except for one, since it was a way to meet up with everyone in the group for the night. The entertainment was outstanding: great shows and hysterical comedy. The casino was always very lively with a wide selection of table games and slots! We had a blast at the Rock and Roll Dance Club; everyone was dancing, ordering drinks, and having a great time. I guess you could say the club was poppin’—even in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! Security did a solid job at keeping those under 18 out, and I would say roughly 90% of the people at these clubs were college students. And the best part about nightlife on the ship? There was no need to walk far distances or, even worse, get lost and have to pay for an expensive taxi back to the hotel.
Our stop at Grand Cayman was only for the morning and early afternoon, but we enjoyed ourselves for the short time we were there. The one complaint I would have is that we had to wait over an hour to catch a tender ride to Grand Cayman. We went to a beautiful beach with clear, blue water near the dock to soak up some rays. The shopping was abundant, and everything was reasonably priced. Before we went back to the ship, we got a great deal on alcohol purchases at a local store near the dock, and we were able to bring a few bottles back to the US at over 50% off what we’d normally pay! All in all, it was a nice, relaxing day, and we lucked out with paradise-like weather.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Our stop in Cozumel was not as relaxing and laid back as the day in Grand Cayman. We got off the ship and went with a lot of people to Señor Frogs along the beach. After a few drinks, we took a cab to the bigger Señor Frogs, which was wild and featured several contests of which most participants were college students. The cruise left Cozumel at 8:00, which we thought was rather early and wished it stayed until midnight.
Overall, our experience with Carnival was great. When planning your spring break vacation, I highly recommend looking at cruises; you get the best bang for your buck. When looking at the price of a cruise, it may seem expensive, but it includes your lodging for all nights, food, and entertainment with no cover to any of the clubs on board. Additionally, you don’t have to pay for taxis if you plan on drinking at different bars and restaurants (unless you are at a port). The only thing to consider is alcohol, since drink purchases were more expensive on the boat. I’ve tried out most of your typical college spring breaks, and a cruise is still the most economical and enjoyable option for a large group looking for an unforgettable good time!
Bio: When it comes to vacationing, there isn’t a place Adam Bruk wouldn’t want to visit at least once. A recent college graduate, he is now a writer for Sunglass Warehouse and enjoys traveling every chance he gets!
