* This is the fourth post in the series about the cruise I took 6 weeks ago. Life has moved on, but the cruise pictures keep coming! You can see those images, and read my thoughts about cruising here, here, and here.*
Believe it or not, a cruise keeps you busy! It seemed that my friends and I were always on the go. We never took an elevator and instead took multiple flights of stairs several times throughout the day. We joined excursions off the ship and participated in activities on the ship. Even still, I never felt that I was forced to do any one thing nor eat in any particular place at a specific time, something I had worried about before starting the cruise.
I loved the contrast of in and out,
and photographed several windows along the way. From inside the bar, of which there were 13,
from inside one of the many restaurants,
and from inside our room, looking out to the balcony where I would enjoy my coffee and book each morning.
The doors of Mexico were intriquing, and so narrow!
Many of the buildings were old and in need of repair,
except in the tourist area, of course. I definitely enjoyed my cold beer at Woody’s.
In order to avoid the near constant panhandling, cruisers are able to visit ports of call created by the cruise lines. This was one of the disappointments for me. I didn’t feel like I learned much about the culture, and it seemed that the cruise lines try to “hide” the reality of the noticeable poverty. They build what I call the “Disney Land” ports of call, this one in Roatan, Honduras.
Beautiful for sure, but how real? I consoled myself with knowing that these ports create jobs.
This next shot is from Harvest Caye, Belize,
and this last image, a selfie, was taken in Ybor City, a neighborhood in Tampa Bay, that we visited after docking at the end of the cruise.
Next Cruising Post – Food and Drink
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
I guess I’ll have to put my trip to Mexico on the back burner or at least until I lose some weight. I’ll never fit through the doors Laurie 🙂 Great shots but my favorite is the last one that includes your selfie.
LOL, Joe!
Like Joe I love the selfie ❤ And 13 bars to be investigated in – how many days? Oh joy! 🙂
It is most odd about the special places you are allowed to see. To me it sounds like a form of censorship – keeping the cruisers in the dark about the reality most of the world lives in. I wonder if it also means the people only have jobs when the cruise ships are in? I did not know this happens!!
You said exactly what I was thinking! Apparently the cruise lines don’t want to upset cruisers with the reality of life in these ports of call.
That’s been one of my biggest challenges with traveling in general. It labels you as *wealthy* simply by the fact you are able to travel.
The doors are fabulous. I like the shots out the windows, too, not to mention your selfie. I knew about this cruise town thing and was a little shocked. I guess it’s a whole controlled experience. And people do only have jobs when the ships are in. Kind of sad people want a sanitized experience, but on the other hand, it’s better than being held up on a tour bus in Jamaica…
Great photos! Interesting about the “fake” ports of call. I agree with you ~ that would leave me unsettled.
An excellent set
You had me at 13 bars on the ship! Did you try them all? Your photo gallery is really compelling–some great shots. The most appealing, to me, is the one of your small, quiet balcony . . .
Hi Laurie. I didn’t know about the special ports of call and the way it isolates you from the local culture. I’m not entirely surprised though, as the whole big ship cruise experience does seem to be one of artifice. Sadly, there are people that don’t want to see the poverty, only the beauty. It’s good that your dollars can support some of these local economies, but the fact that they have to hide it does give you pause. You’ve given me a lot to think about. As for the photos, I love your clever selfie. It makes me want to reach in and give you a hug. What is it about doors that makes them so compelling? I remember taking shots of the brightly colored doors in Ireland. I didn’t know the doors in Mexico were so narrow. I wonder if it helps keep out the heat?
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Very nice pictures. Think about it, if cruise lines showed you the “real” world, it would be bad for business and people would feel guilty. Yes, it creates jobs to show the Disney version, and you just have to focus on that. Had the same guilt in Jamaica.
I’m with you on wanting to see the “real” world. Otherwise, what’s the point of visiting a new location? I can get beautiful new buildings and tourist bars right here at home. But…Laurie I think there are many travelers who prefer the Disney version. I think we, who want to find the poverty, or a dance studio holding evening classes, or a city park with some kids playing, or an auto parts store… we are the minority. Luckily, we are the kind of people who don’t mind being different. 😉
LOVE going with you everywhere!!!