Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman Islands, Roatan, Honduras, Falmouth, Jamaica
Is this your first time visiting this location?
This was our second time cruising with Festival at Sea
Why did you pick this travel experience?
We decided to sail on the “Festival of Sea” (FAS) cruise because it is the premier Black culture cruise that has been celebrating Black culture since 1992. It is one of the original Black culture cruises.
Our first experience sailing with FAS was in 2024 and we had so much fun and loved the cultural experience so much that we decided to sail again in 2026. The cruise experience fosters a sense of community and cultural pride. Two thousand nine hundred guests participated in the 2026 cruise.
We also love the Celebrity Cruise Line Ship which is very clean and has great customer service!
Name five highlights that replay in your mind
The highlight of our cruise in 2024 was our participation in the ‘Renewal of Vows’ ceremony commemorating our 54th wedding anniversary. This event occurs every year for any couple who has a desire to participate.
Highlights from this year included dance instruction lessons (Urban Ballroom, Chicago Steppin’, and Line dancing), the Gospel Brunch, the Bachelor Auction which was truly entertaining and hilarious and the Stomp the Deck Divine 9 Step Show with my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Sorors winning first place!
We also really enjoyed the evening performances which included a comedy show featuring “Earthquake”, and R&B concerts which featured “Joe”, the “Zapp Band”, “Floetry”, featuring Marsha Ambrosius and the “Teddy Riley Experience”!!
What was the best day of the trip?
We can’t say that there was one day that was THE best day because we were involved in so many fun filled activities every day. We also participated in game shows, a “Bid Whist” tournament, poolside activities and Worship Service. Theme nights included: Homecoming/costume contest, White attire night, African night, Cultural expression T-shirt day and favorite sports team day. There is something of interest available for everyone from early morning to very late at night.
What was the best meal you experienced?
Our meals in the private dining room were delicious and included appetizers, salad, soup, steak, lobster, salmon, lamb, and chicken and desserts. The Gospel brunch meal which was also delicious included chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, eggs, bacon and sausage
How did the trip shift your perspective on life, home or the world?
This cruise which focused on black cultural experiences and entertainment opens doors to new connections and new people. It made us proud of being who we are as a people.
Traveling keeps us energized. We like to share our experiences to motivate and encourage other people to also take advantage of various opportunities. Life is short and every moment is precious. We thank God for allowing us to continue to live every day of this life HE has given us while we are still healthy and in our right minds.
What challenges did you have during your trip that others can avoid?
Chuck experienced vertigo after sailing in 2024 so he obtained medication in anticipation of this happening again this year. He also utilized another form of medication to prevent motion sickness and they both proved to work very well.
What advice would you give to someone participating on this cruise for the first time?
If you are able, we fully recommend purchasing the ‘Aqua’ tier class level package which includes access to private dining rooms with upscale all you can eat menu items. This class level also provides early access and preferred seating to nightly theater performances and concerts (avoiding the long lines).
This cruise does sell out fast so we recommend signing up early to secure the cabin of your choice. A cabin with a balcony is recommended particularly if you are claustrophobic.
We also recommend purchasing the WiFi package to be able to stay in touch with what is going on back home and around the world. The “WhatsApp” is available and can be used free of charge.
Additional Comments
We have friends who introduced us to this cruise experience and helped us to navigate the booking process. We would be more then happy to do the same for anyone interested who would want the same advice.
This cruise experience is worth saving the money for!!
