Beyond the Hustle

Tag: royal-caribbean

  • Central America Series: First Stop, Costa Maya 🇲🇽

    Where Ancient History Meets Vibrant Life

    Once we stepped off the ship and met our first tour guide, the journey truly began. The nine of us piled into a van and wound our way through small, quiet Mexican villages, places untouched by hurry, rich with everyday life and history. As we passed modest homes, roadside stands, and locals going about their day, I felt that familiar shift that happens when travel stops being about distance and starts being about presence.

    There’s something incredibly powerful about stepping into a place that feels ancient and alive at the same time…where the past isn’t behind you, but woven into the rhythm of daily life.

    This trip through Central America was a true departure from our usual holiday traditions. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about spending Christmas on a cruise. But wow, I was so pleasantly surprised, and that unexpected joy is what made the experience even more meaningful.

    This post is the first in a travel series documenting that journey, and it begins in a place that captivated me in the best possible way: Costa Maya, Mexico.

    From the moment we arrived, Costa Maya felt rich with history and soul. This region is deeply rooted in Mayan civilization, and you can feel it — not just in the ruins, but in the land itself, the stories passed down, and the people who continue to carry that legacy forward. It reminded me of something Gustave Flaubert once said: “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

    Standing there, surrounded by centuries of history, it was impossible not to feel humbled, grounded, and deeply connected to something far greater than ourselves.

    Walking Through Mayan History

    Exploring the Mayan ruins was soul-stirring. These structures weren’t just remnants of the past; they were reminders of an advanced, intelligent, deeply spiritual civilization that understood astronomy, architecture, and community long before modern tools existed. Standing there, surrounded by jungle and stone, it was impossible not to slow down and listen to the quiet, to the history, to the sense of endurance that lingers in the air. It was truly stunning and profound.

    Our tour guide was truly exceptional…knowledgeable, passionate, and deeply proud of his heritage. He didn’t just recite facts; he told stories. He brought the ruins to life in a way that made them feel personal and relevant, not distant or forgotten. It was one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left.

    Local Flavor & Lagoon Views

    After soaking in the history, we shifted into pure enjoyment and headed for local, fresh tacos, fun, and refreshing drinks at a stunning lagoon that felt like something out of a postcard. Bright water, warm air, laughter & chatter, and plates of food made with care, it was simple and perfect.

    There’s something very grounding about eating food that’s grown and prepared locally, surrounded by the very culture that created it. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t curated for social media. It was real and shared with us with great pride.

    More Than a Stop on a Map

    Costa Maya wasn’t just a port stop, it was an introduction. An invitation to see Central America not as a checklist of destinations, but as a collection of stories, traditions, and people worth paying attention to.

    This trip also came with an unexpected gift: disconnection. With limited access to WiFi and news, my phone became a camera, not a constant source of noise. And in that quiet, I felt more present than I had in a (very) long time.

    This is just the beginning.

    In the coming posts, I’ll share more from Belize, Roatán, and Cozumel, each with its own magic, lessons, and moments of awe. But Costa Maya set the tone: slow down, look deeper, and let the place teach you something.

    Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🇲🇽✨

    Denise xo

    P.S. We cruised with Royal Caribbean aboard Grandeur of the Seas—the smallest ship in their fleet and exactly what we were looking for. Traveling with a group of nine, including two little ones (5 year olds), made the experience even more special. Seeing this part of the world through their eyes added a layer of joy, curiosity, and laughter that we’ll never forget.

    If you’d like these stories delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next stop.

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  • Christmas in the Cut: What I Learned Cruising Through Central America

    Are you a holiday traveler? We typically are not, but this year we broke from tradition and set sail on something completely different, making Christmas look and feel a lot different.

    Instead of the usual rush of decorating, shopping, wrapping, shipping gifts, cooking, running, squeezing in “one more thing”, I found myself somewhere else entirely. Somewhere warmer. Slower. Louder in color, and quieter in spirit.

    This trip took us through Costa Maya, Belize, Roatán, and Cozumel, with the cruise itself becoming part of the experience, not just transportation, but a floating pause button between worlds.

    And maybe most unexpectedly, it gave me something I didn’t know how much I needed:

    distance.

    From the noise.
    From the news.
    From the endless scroll.
    From the constant pull to react instead of reflect.

    This series is about that space…
    what I learned in it, what surprised me, and what stayed with me long after we pulled back into port.

    Stepping Away From the Noise

    Somewhere between sea days and shore excursions, without internet or WiFi, my phone became what it was meant to be, a way to capture moments, not consume noise. The news faded, social media fell away, and presence took its place.

    And, guess what? The world didn’t fall apart, and neither did I…lol

    Instead, my nervous system softened. My thoughts slowed. I slept better. I listened more. I noticed things again, the sound of water against the ship, the rhythm of the streets, the way conversations unfold when no one’s half-distracted.

    It reminded me how much mental energy we give away every single day without realizing it.

    When you disconnect from the constant input, you reconnect to something quieter, but far more powerful.

    Slowing Down Changes What You See

    There’s something about being on the water that recalibrates you.

    Cruise days blur urgency. Time stretches. Meals become moments instead of tasks. Conversations linger. You walk more. You breathe deeper. You actually notice the sky.

    Then you step onto land…and each stop has its own heartbeat.

    Each place we visited carried a different rhythm:

    • The depth of history and resilience in Costa Maya
    • The vibrant color and warmth in Belize
    • The lush, natural beauty of Roatán
    • The richness of culture and energy of Cozumel

    Different languages. Different foods. Different definitions of success, wealth, and “enough.”

    And quietly, without effort, it shifts you.

    The Spirit of the Mayan People

    One of the most meaningful parts of this journey was learning about and being so close to the ancient Mayan civilization.

    There’s a presence there that’s hard to explain unless you’ve felt it. A reverence for the land. A spiritual intelligence. A deep respect for time, nature, and community.

    The Mayans were master astronomers, innovators, builders, healers, and storytellers. They understood cycles—of nature, of the body, of life itself—long before modern science caught up.

    Standing where that history lives, you can’t help but feel humbled.

    It made me reflect on how disconnected modern life can feel from wisdom that’s been here all along. How much we rush forward without honoring what came before. How often we forget that progress doesn’t always mean faster.

    Sometimes it means deeper.

    The People Make the Place

    What struck me most wasn’t just the excursions or scenery, though both were stunning.

    It was the people.

    Guides who spoke with pride about their islands and heritage. Locals selling handmade goods with stories attached. Smiles that felt unhurried. Conversations that weren’t transactional.

    There was a groundedness I don’t always feel at home.

    Less performance.
    Less urgency.
    More presence.

    And it made me ask myself some honest questions:

    • Where am I moving too fast?
    • What noise do I need to turn down?
    • What would happen if I allowed more space into my days?

    Food, Culture, and Connection

    Food tells the story of a place.

    From fresh local favorites to unique spices, from street-side bites we ate in vans or buses, to shared meals onboard, everything felt intentional. Food wasn’t rushed or minimized. It was enjoyed.

    And that stood out.

    So much of hustle culture shows up in how we eat, rest, and move through life. This trip quietly challenged that, not with rules, but with contrast.

    A reminder that nourishment isn’t just physical.
    It’s cultural.
    It’s communal.
    It’s emotional.

    Below is a beautiful Belizean Mayan Proverb, that means: The way you move through the world reflects who you are, your awareness and humility shape the journey.

    “Where I go, I see myself.”

    Why I’m Sharing This Series

    I’m far from a travel professional, so this isn’t a formal travel guide, just some insight from my personal experience from land and sea.

    Yes, I’ll share highlights, excursions, and moments from each destination. But more than that, this series is about:

    • What happens when we disconnect from constant noise
    • What travel teaches us when we slow down enough to notice
    • How ancient wisdom still speaks, if we’re willing to listen
    • And why, especially at this stage of life, growth comes from presence, not pressure

    Because real expansion doesn’t come from doing more.

    It comes from living with intention.

    What’s Coming Next

    In the posts ahead, I’ll dive into:

    • Each destination and what made it unique
    • Cultural moments that stayed with me
    • The beauty and simplicity of island life
    • The cruise experience itself, what surprised me and what I loved
    • And the lessons I brought home

    So consider this your invitation.

    To travel with me.
    To reflect a little.
    To unplug…if only for a moment.
    And to remember that sometimes the most meaningful journeys happen when we step away from the noise and return to ourselves.

    Coming soon, first stop, the voyage, sunsets, and Costa Maya….✨

    If you traveled for Christmas this year, drop a comment and share where you visited.

    Denise XO

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