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November 8-15, 2009
SUNDAY
New Orleans, Louisiana
depart 5.30p
One of the most diverse cities in the world, New Orleans is like no place you’ve ever been. It’s truly a city that never sleeps — the bars have no closing hour, the food is spicy and the music is pulsating. There’s a little bit of everything in this city on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.
The city has a reputation for its historical roots, hot and muggy weather, great food, great music and great times. Despite being hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans is still a tourist hotspot. Jazz music rules the streets in a perpetual celebration of Mardi Gras. Enjoy the French Quarter, home of the legendary Bourbon Street, the oldest, most famous part of the city.
For those joining Sweet on our pre-package, we’ll enjoy three nights in the French Quarter, complete with a gay and lesbian history tour, French Quarter tour, exclusive Sweet party, cooking demonstration (followed by a meal) and wetlands restoration project designed to prevent future flooding.
MONDAY
At Sea
Get ready to enjoy your day your way! You can relax by the pool, read a book or partake in as many or as few of the great programs Sweet and NCL have available for you today.
We kick off our Sweet Sweat Bootcamp for those interested in fitness and healthy cuisine.
If a day of sunshine and music is up your alley, don’t miss our T-dance and party in the sun and by the pool hosted by Club Skirts! If sun is not really your cup of tea, we will have an array of indoor activities for you from bingo, gambling in the casino, a cooking demonstration, Sweet Sparks or wonderful treatments at the spa.
Looking to advance your career? Improve your communication skills? Learn how to manage money? Then you’ll enjoy Sweet Sparks, a series of short networking and empowerment talks designed to help guests feel great. Our speakers specialize in topics from mental and physical wellness to improving your interpersonal communication skills.
It’s your day. Make it Sweet.
TUESDAY
Costa Maya, Mexico
8a-6p
This former Mexican Navy outpost boasts white sand beaches, gorgeous Rio Huach National Park and the inviting blue-green waters of Bacalar Lagoon. Experience the mysterious Mayan ruins of famous Chacchoben. Your guide will reveal ancient secrets of Mayan culture and history before you climb the stairs leading to the first plateau and view the recently excavated ruins that lie beneath the sacred ground. Admire the endless stretches of white sand and sparkling saltwater. Lie in the sun, go for a swim, play a game of volleyball, or explore the reef in an ocean kayak.
WEDNESDAY
Belize City, Belize
8a-6p
Read Flavia’s blog about Belize City for more information
Bird watchers, pseudo-archeologists, divers and adventurers at heart, get ready for Belize. Belize boasts landscapes mixing mountains, savannas, wetlands, lush tropical rainforests and coastal lagoons. Half of Belize is covered by jungle with 80 percent of the rainforest under government protection.
The tropical forests of Belize are home to jaguar, puma, ocelot, armadillo, tapir (they look like the offspring of a pig and a rhinoceros, only cute) and crocodile. With more than 4,000 species of tropical flowers, including 250 kinds of orchids, you’re surrounded by fragrant beauty. Additionally, there are more than 500 species of birds including toucans (Belize’s national bird), Jabiru stork (largest flying bird in the Americas), Agami heron, hummingbirds, vibrantly colored parrots, macaws, heron and snowy egret.
Mayan ruins abound with over 600 remaining sites. Visit Altun Ha, the most visited Mayan ruin and the ceremonial center for many of the country’s Mayans. Here you will see the largest jade head of the sun god ever found as well as a 1,000-year-old central pyramid, the second tallest structure in Belize.
And we haven’t even mentioned the underwater delights! Belize has the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world.
THURSDAY
Roatan, Honduras
8a-5p
Read Flavia’s blog about Roatan for more information
Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands off the northern coast of mainland Honduras, is most well known for its mountainous backbone and the coral reef clinging to its shores. It’s a scuba diver’s paradise. Dive seawalls, shipwrecks and the vibrant coral reef. You will have the chance to see sea turtles, dolphins and whales. Snorkelers, the reef is accessible from the beach. Enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches of this mellow island paradise.
Roatan is a diverse melting pot, not unlike New Orleans. You can visit the Garifuna community of Punta Gorda. Garifuna are mixed Caribbean and African ancestry who the British deported to the area in the late 18th century after their defeat on the island of St. Vincent, where shipwrecked and escaped African slaves had intermarried with the indigenous Caribbean population in the early 17th century.
FRIDAY
Cozumel, Mexico
8a-5p
Easygoing and pristine Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean. It’s a beautiful city with a rich culture and history. Explore the ocean architecture at nearby Dos Ojos Caves and the Tulum Mayan Ruins. Snorkel, scuba, sail, dine at fine restaurants or local taco joints and shop.
Close by, discover one of the most famous landmarks in the Mayan world, the impressive cliff-top site of Tulum. In Cozumel, you could also enjoy a catamaran party cruise, deep-sea fishing, a dolphin encounter or a submarine voyage. It’s also near to Xcaret, a beautiful eco-archeological theme park of the Caribbean jungle with a museum, a bird sanctuary, stables, botanical gardens, restored Mayan ruins, a replicated Mayan village, beautiful beaches and natural pools.
Divers and snorklers delight! Cozumel’s aqua blue waters are known for their clarity and incredible variety of marine life including queen triggers, parrotfish and brain coral.
SATURDAY
At sea
Today, we sail back toward New Orleans. It’s a great day to relax after four fun-filled days in port. Soak up the rays, dance on the decks, play games in the pool and toast your vacation with your new friends.
Find complete relaxation and rejuvenation in a massage, mani-pedi, facial or body scrub. Hit the casino, partake in the pub crawl, have lunch at one of the many delectable restaurants, shop until your heart’s content at the duty free shops, purchase a work of art, take a yoga class or watch a movie in your room.
SUNDAY
New Orleans, Louisiana
arrive 8a (we’ll miss you)
pricing | ship | ports | entertainers | excursions | new orleans | overview | faq
