Carnival Breeze Sailing: Itineraries, Tips & What to Expect

Disclosure: I am thrilled to be in partnership with The World’s Leading Cruise Lines. This post is sponsored by them, but all photos and opinions are my own.

Winter in the Northeast can be hard to take. Snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures make you crave real sunshine — the kind that recharges you. Right now I’m escaping the cold and topping off my sunshine tank aboard the Carnival Breeze with my friend Meseidy. We left our partners at home, met in Fort Lauderdale, took a shuttle to Miami and boarded for six days of relaxation, great food and pampering as we sailed the Western Caribbean with stops in Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico.

Our first two days were all about taking it easy. We decided we wanted authentic Jamaican jerk chicken while in Ocho Rios, so we checked with the ship’s excursion desk. They asked around and recommended a local favorite: Miss T’s. It was easy to find — a short walk from Main Street — and we settled into the open-air restaurant for a feast of local flavors.

We started with salted fish fritters spiced with scotch bonnet pepper — a bright, savory bite that set the tone for the meal. Of course we ordered jerk chicken: smoky, spicy and perfectly charred. Our server also recommended Jah Know, which they described as a national dish: crispy bammy (cassava bread) served with curried ackee and banana chutney. It was so good Meseidy ordered a second plate.

We also picked up local food items from a nearby grocery store as souvenirs. For me, remembering a trip means remembering the flavors, so bringing home a few regional treats always seals the memory.

Next up is a bit more adrenaline: parasailing in Grand Cayman. I’m excited and a little nervous — but how often do you get to be in the Western Caribbean in January? We’re also dining at Carnival’s signature Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, where the portions (and the cheesecake) are famously generous. Then, in Cozumel, we’ll swim with stingrays — one of the most iconic excursions offered in the Western Caribbean. It’s a thrill to experience something so memorable.

If you want to follow this trip in real time, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at Foodie with Family. To learn more about planning your own cruise or to enter the giveaway for a cruise a year for life, visit WorldsLeadingCruiseLines.com.

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