Beach – our life reality

This is our fifth time to Progreso. Our first time was in 2009. It felt like a small fishing village. We went to the beach area and found a place to sit and eat. Then we were approached by a lot of people wanting to sell their stuff. Usually, a simple no thank you works. But it is really hard to say no to a child that should actually be in school. Our next time to Progreso was in We have heard that a lot has changed in the area so our plan for today is to go to town and walk around. Nothing special at all. Just walk around and see how things have changed and improved. Our next time to visit Progreso was in 2011 on the Magic inaugural cruise from Galveston. Due to some mechanical difficulties on the Magic, we had an overnight stay in Progreso. Something we learned of once we boarded the ship. No big deal. We were on a cruise. On this particular cruise, we had our son with us. So, we took him to town and we decided to do the double decker bus city tour that is offered once you arrive to town. It was very inexpensive and was interesting to see the town away from the tourist area. After that tour was over, we started walking to the beach, but Dawson was not comfortable with the amount of people coming up to us to sell their items so we went back to the ship and basically stayed there the remainder of the time. Next time to Progreso was in 2014 and Dawson was with us. We booked an excursion with Carnival to go to some Mayan ruins so we did not go to town at all. When Jim and I were on the Carnival Dream in 2019, we stayed on the ship only getting off to shop at the vendors at the pier. So, on this cruise, we were really looking forward to see how things have changed.

We started out day in the Blush dining room to have a leisure port day breakfast.

While we waiting on our food, we talked with the couple sitting next to us. She had found several ducks on their way to the dining room. I have yet to find any.

Shortly after our food arrived, something strange happened. All of a sudden, the ship was shaking and making very loud rumbling noise. It was not anything I was concerned about but someone sitting next to use was a little nervous about it. If my guess is correct, we were turning around so we could back into the port. It was definitely a very strange sound and something that I have never experienced before.

Time for food porn!!! Jim ordered the Eggs Benedict, bacon, hash browns, coffee, and orange juice.

I ordered the port day express breakfast which consists of orange juice, eggs, sausage, toast, and coffee. In full disclosure, I added a LOT of sugar and a LOT of cream to my coffee. The coffee on the Carnival ships I have been on is strong. Too strong for me! And yet, I still order it and I still drink it.

After breakfast, we went to our stateroom to make sure we had what we needed to get off the ship. We also took some time to admire our port neighbor. I have never heard of this cruise line or ship but I am looking forward to do some research on it once we return home from the cruise.

Time to get off the ship! But first I must have a port photo for my scrapbook. I’m sure everyone feels bad for my hubby. Being forced to take a picture all the time!!!!

We did not have to wait long for the next bus to arrive and before we knew it, we were getting off the bus and walking toward the Malecon. The beach looks amazing but we did not come here to get into the water. We came here to just walk around and take it all in.

The walking was rather short lived as it was not as easy breathing in Progreso as it was in Cozumel. So, we found a place to sit in the shade and order a Margarita and some guacamole. Hands down the saltiest Margarita I have ever tasted. I had no idea so much salt could be put into a frozen Margarita. The guacamole was nothing to write home about. To me, it was more like the refrigerated guacamole you get at the store. You know the ones I’m talking about. They come in a plastic bag. And the homemade chips were stale. Not exactly a great experience taste wise, but the view was fantastic. Luckily the entertainment made up for the salty beverage and subpar guacamole.

After we finished our salty Margaritas and most of the guacamole, we made our way back to the bus terminal to go back to the bus. While we were waiting for the bus, we found the perfect hat for Dawson and quickly purchased it!

Once we were back at the pier, we walked through some shops but didn’t buy anything. We were ready to get back on the ship. I took some more pictures of our port neighbor before we boarded.

After we dropped off our stuff in our stateroom we were greeted by todays towel animal. Then we immediately made our way to Guys Burgers. I needed a double order of fries to get the excessive salt from the Margarita out of my system. That seemed to have made my taste buds happy!

As sail away neared, I stepped out onto our balcony to take a couple more pictures of our port neighbor. Then a picture of actually sailing away.

Is there anything better than a sunset at sea?

Jim and I decided to skip going to the main dining room for dinner. Instead, we decided on going to the Lido Marketplace. They had the same offerings as the main dining room but we did not have to check in thru the HUB app to be seated. We actually enjoyed having dinner here. The only thing missing was the singing and dancing wait staff but for the first time, I didn’t really miss it.

My dinner selections consisted of roast beef, baked potato, salad, and some bread with butter.

Jim started his dinner selections with a Reuben sandwich from the deli followed by BarBQue pork spare rigs and salad with blue cheese dressing,

We shared our desserts with the selections I returned to the table with. We had a mocha and white chocolate mousse, carrot cake, marble chocolate cheese cake, and chocolate chip cookies. The cookies were the best things we had!!!!

After dinner, we walked around the fun shops, went to see 88 Keys in the Ovation Lounge, and attending the 80’s Rock N Glow party. I must admit, the 80’s Rock N Glow party was the best thing we have done on the ship so far!!! The Lip Sync battle was a hoot!!!! Cookie knows how to work the crowd and is really involved with every aspect of the Lip Sync battle. The winner ended his performance by jumping in the pool!!!! But then again, there was also a full moon to admire.