By: Take The Trip by Brian

Welcome back, fellow travelers! Today, our floating slice of paradise—the Margaritaville at Sea Islander—dropped anchor off the beautiful island of Belize. And when I say “off,” I mean off—because we couldn’t exactly park this big guy next to the island.

For those new to cruising, Belize is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs in the world, which means cruise ships have to stay out at sea and tender passengers to shore. (And no, that doesn’t mean we get a gentle hug and words of encouragement before leaving the ship. It means you hop on a smaller boat that takes you in!)

We didn’t have a solid plan today—just the idea of exploring a little, doing some shopping, maybe grabbing a bite (or a beer… or both). We’ve been to Belize once before and went cave tubing back then. It was fun but this time, we decided to keep it simple and see where the day took us.

After meeting up with the crew—my cousin Bob, his wife Kencis, and our new cruise buddies Vera and Rich—we hit the breakfast buffet to fuel up. (Because every good adventure starts with bacon.) Then it was off to the tender!

Now, I’d love to say it was a picture-perfect Caribbean morning, but thanks to Hurricane Melissa lurking in the region, it was raining on and off. Thankfully, the worst of it missed us—probably because even hurricanes know not to mess with vacationers on a mission for tacos and beer.

Once we made it to the port, we did what any self-respecting tourist does first: took a photo with the Belize sign. Because if you didn’t get the sign photo, did you even Belize you were there? (I’ll show myself out.)

After a little shopping—where we found the usual cruise port treasures: T-shirts, magnets, shot glasses, and the occasional “hand-carved” souvenir that was definitely made somewhere with a better shipping department—we decided it was time for lunch.

And since it’s always five o’clock somewhere, we found ourselves at the Wet Lizard Roof Top Bar. A few cold Belizean beers later, and we were living the dream. I went with shrimp tacos (solid choice), while Bob and Kencis ordered grilled conch—which looked amazing. Vera and Rich ordered… something. Let’s be honest, I was too busy working on my tacos to take notes.

The sun finally came out, and it turned into a gorgeous afternoon. After soaking up a few more rays, we hopped the tender back to the ship and headed to the cabin to “relax.” (And by relax, I mean nap. I can neither confirm nor deny it—but I can say I woke up feeling fantastic.)

Dinner that night continued the seafood streak. I started with mussels for my appetizer and then went all in on Caribbean pineapple mango shrimp—tropical, tasty, and just enough to make me consider moving to the islands full-time. Dessert was a Coconut cake, which is basically the best of both worlds: cake and a cocktail.

After dinner, we found our way—like a well-trained compass—to the Flip Flop Bar, because it just wouldn’t be a proper Margaritaville night without a drink in hand. Then it was time for the adult comedy show, which was a perfect way to end a relaxed, laughter-filled day.

Tomorrow we’re headed to Roatán, and this time we’ve got an island tour lined up! So stay tuned for that adventure—it’s bound to be a good one.

Until then, remember: Take the trip, because even lazy days with good friends and family can turn into some of your best memories.

Brian’s Tip:

If you ever visit Belize on a cruise, pack your patience for the tender ride—but pack your appetite too! You never know when you’ll stumble upon a rooftop bar serving ice-cold beer and shrimp tacos worth writing home about. 🦐🍻

They say couples who travel together, stay together. I say couples who travel together… argue over maps, laugh at each other’s snack choices, and still somehow end up falling even more in love.

Because here is the truth: traveling as a couple is not always glamorous—but it is always worth it.

1. Shared Adventures, Shared Laughs

Every couple has “their stories.” But the best ones usually start with: “Remember when we got lost in…?” or “Remember when you butchered that word in Spanish and ordered a goat instead of a soda?” Those little misadventures become the glue that holds the best memories together.

2. You See Each Other in a New Light

At home, you know how your partner loads the dishwasher (or refuses to). On the road, you see how they handle sprinting through an airport or negotiating with a taxi driver. Travel reveals quirks, strengths, and yes, even weaknesses—but in a way that makes you appreciate the whole person more.

3. Teamwork Becomes Your Love Language

Traveling is the ultimate couple’s challenge: one reads the map, the other finds the snacks. One keeps calm when the GPS goes rogue, the other asks for directions (reluctantly). It is like relationship boot camp—but with better scenery.

4. Romance Feels Bigger on the Road

Sure, you can have a date night at home—but there is something different about sharing wine on a balcony overlooking the city lights or holding hands under a sky full of stars far from home. Travel magnifies romance, turning little gestures into unforgettable moments.

5. You Laugh Through the Chaos

Missed flights, bad hotel rooms, rain on the beach, these things happen. But when you face them together, they somehow become funny instead of frustrating. (Okay… eventually funny.) And nothing bonds two people like laughing at the chaos side by side.

6. You Build Your Story Together

Trips are not just vacations, they are milestones. Years from now, you will remember the places, the laughs, the food, the sunsets… and even the arguments about directions. Each trip adds a chapter to your love story.

Final Thoughts – Take the Trip

Travel will not make you a perfect couple. But it will make you a stronger one, a funnier one, and a closer one. So, book the tickets, pack the bags, and embrace the misadventures.

Because at the end of the day, the world is too big, and love is too important, not to take the trip together.❤️