Royal Caribbean’s Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise 🚢 🇧🇸

A cousins cruise Ft. Erica Neal

Mar 18, 2024

If you are reading SIN PRISA for the first time, welcome. If you are returning, welcome back. Mil gracias (a thousand thank yous) for being here.

Last month SIN PRISA turned one and I reflected on 3 ways travel shaped my life over the last year. In case you missed it, check it out here.

Bonjour amis,

Ramadan Mubarak to those who observe this beautiful and sacred time of the year. 2024 marks my second year observing Ramadan. While this first week was incredibly challenging, I’m in awe of the mental clarity and deepened connection to the Source. All praises to the most high!

Reality TV gif. Monte Taylor on Big Brother Season 24 holds his hands up in a prayer position. He looks up and points to the sky to thank god.

This months newsletter is the debut of SIN PRISA’s guest series. One of my goals for 2024 is to spotlight the experiences of diverse travelers and uplift the myriad of pathways to travel.

From cruises to buses, to airplanes and trains, to road trips, there are many ways to explore different corners of the world.

Our first guest is my amazing sagittarius sister Erica Neal. To know me, is to know how much I love my sister and the place our sisterhood holds in my heart. GOD could not have gifted me with a better older sister than she.

Erica recently set sail on the Caribbean sea with 10+ of our cousins and had a blissful time. This was her first time traveling on a Royal Caribbean cruise and per her trip report it won’t be the last.

What I appreciate most about my sister’s travel style is her liking for group trips. Unlike myself, she has the patience of a saint to plan, organize, and ensure trips make it out of the group chat.

I, on the other hand, avoid group trips like travelers who avoid the middle seat. Group trips are never my first choice but I am working on it, poco a poco (little by little).

I also admire my sister’s love for cruises as a means of exploration and travel. In our interview, she discussed the pros of traveling on a cruise and lowkey convinced me to give them another try.

I hope Erica’s trip report inspires you to consider a cruise for a future trip. Let's get into it!

Tell the readers who you are and what you do?

I’m Erica Neal, a wife and boy mom to three beautiful children. I am the co-owner of Neal’s Party Rentals, a one-stop shop for tables, chairs, and decor rentals. Neal’s Party Rentals was founded in 2018 to build our families legacy and teach our children how to run a business

Left to right: Black woman throws up the peace side behind a forrest green plant back drop wearing a red distressed t-shirt that read "Birthday Cousin Cruise Crew". Black woman points toward black and blue sign that reads "Betty's Soul" a restaurant in Miami, Florida. Black Woman poses in front of turquoise ocean in a multicolor matching shirt and short set — My sister yall'

Where did you travel and what inspired your trip?

This trip was in celebration of two of my cousins who were celebrating their birthdays. I was also inspired to have a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of the U.S. I traveled on Royal Caribbean's 4 night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise by way of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The cruise’s itinerary includes one day at sea and two full days at CocoCay Island and Nassau, Bahamas.

Left to right: Two black women smiling behind a green flower wall. Ten plus black women pose dressed in brown on a Royal Caribbean Cruise — Birthday cousins

How would you describe your experience traveling on a cruise?

Overall, the cruise experience was a breeze compared to other travel experiences. Upon arrival, Royal Caribbean staff greeted us with warmth and accommodated us from start to finish.

The staff quickly checked us in, took care our luggage, and encouraged us to explore the amenities of the ship before we set sail. Unlike other forms of travel, cruises allow travelers to start their trip as soon as they step foot on the boat. Travelers have immediate access to bars, restaurants, lounges, and pools, which make cruises an attractive travel option.

Left to right: Black woman sits a swim up bar with a yellow drink in her hand smiling. Black woman dressed in a purple and blue dress with a drink in her hand in front of crystal blue water. Black woman smiles in front of a beach in a white t-shirt and abstract matching short set. Black Woman stands in front of a blue and white sign that reads Oasis Lagoon, wearing a brown and white swim suit. — Hot girl tings 🔥

What were the highlights of your trip?

There were SO many highlights, here are my top 3:

Visiting CocoCay Island – What I loved most about CocoCay Island was the all inclusive food and drinks. Since the island is owned by Royal Caribbean, the amenities are an extension of what is available aboard the ship. I am grateful we had the chance to dock and spend time on this hidden gem of an island.

8 Black women posing in front of wooden frame that reads "Perfect Day at Coco Bay" — Part of the Cousin Crew

Black Owned Business Excursion – Royal Caribbean has a range of excursions travelers can choose from. Our group explored local Black owned businesses via a pop-up experience in Nassau, Bahamas. We enjoyed learning about homemade soaps, scrubs, and rum punch. We also enjoyed a live performance from Bahamian dancers and local drummers.

Left to right: Wodden tables with jars of homade body scrubs and lotions. Wodden Tables with homemade soaps. Table with a red table cloth featuring Bahama sponges — Black Owned Bahamian Businesses

Adult Only Sections – I greatly appreciated the areas of the ship that were strictly for adults, namely the jacuzzi. While we love the kiddos, it was nice to enjoy time with my cousins in adult only environments.

Left to right: Black women similing in the hallway near an elevator dressed in a blue silk outfit. Black women standing a hallway near an elevator on a cruise ship dressed in a brown matching outfit. Black woman admires the sea at night on a cruise ship dressed in a green sheet matching pants set. Black woman poses on a stair case in orange matching set. — Them vacation outfits hit different ❤️‍🔥

What advice do you have for people who are traveling on a cruise for the first time?

I would advise first time cruise travelers to keep an open mind. Cruises are different than other travel experiences and totally worth experiencing. . My top tips include:

Enjoying time with yourself and the various amenities of the ship.
Enjoying time in the middle of the sea and in nature.
Purchasing a fine dining package and treating yourself to a nice meal.
Purchasing a drink package, if you plan to drink alcohol. It is the most cost effective option, travelers may order drinks every five minutes. Please drink responsibly and know your limits!
Booking excursions directly with the cruise line, so there is a direct line of communication with hosts.
Pre-booking transportation to and from the port, that way you don’t have to worry about rideshare cancellations or peak charge rates.

Lastly, what impact has travel had on your life?

Travel resets my life and makes life zen again. Travel is a reminder to live life and step outside of the box, I owe it myself.

Black woman poses on a cruise ship in a multicolored purple dress. Black woman faces toward the Bahamian Ocean holding out the peace sign on each side.

Thank you Erica for sharing your trip report with us. Can’t wait to hear about the next one.

Now over to you, have you traveled or have desires to travel on a cruise? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time, take it slow 🦥

SIN PRISA TRAVEL

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