How to be Cultured on a Cruise

March 23, 2012

I took my one and only cruise in October 2010. It was a month until my 24th birthday so a friend and I decided to celebrate in style. There also happened to be a 75% on this particular cruise so we quickly booked.

For some reason, I always assumed I would like cruises but after just two days, I was ready to head back to port. However, here are a few tips for getting the most culture you can out of a cruise.

1) Take Advantage of Excursions

Our cruise was only a few days so we didn’t have too much time to explore. However, I made sure to book a Maya Ruin tour that took us to a few historical sites in Cozumel. Our guide was very informative and I learned more about the ancient Mayan traditions and their famous calendar.

2) Observe the Art Fair

Our boat had an art gallery where guests could browse through the international works and potentially win a painting during a bidding. I remember seeing a lot of different styles of art represented and there were some that definitely caught my eye.

3) Interact with Locals

We only had a few hours in Key West but we certainly made the most of it. Docking early in the morning, I was shocked by how many locals were already guzzling down beer at the nearby pubs. It was a short stop in Key West but I certainly was entertained by all the interesting people I met there.

4) Eat Traditional Food

Although Mexican food is pretty accessible anywhere in the US, eating Mexican food in Mexico is far times better than the average “cuisine” served on many cruise ships. I enjoyed trying a couple different flavors of margaritas and eating guacamole and chips to my heart’s content.

5) Use your Free Time to Reflect

When you are sailing from one destination to another, most people fill their days with tanning, eating or drinking. If your primary goals are to indulge and relax, then these options are perfectly fine. However, I recommend using the beautiful nature and the open sea to find inspiration within yourself and get creative. Whether it’s writing, taking photos or introspecting, it’s a great use of your downtime.

Follow us on Facebook and Tweet us: @BohemianTrails

Hi! I’m Megan,

a Scorpio sun and Libra moon who left her job in the music industry to travel and write full-time. Since then, i´ve explored more than 60 countries in the hopes that you will, too.

The world is made of magic and so are you!

Exploring Sicily’s Food and Wine Scene with WalkingWomen

22 November, 2023 No Comments

As someone who used to travel full-time, a lot has changed for me in the past few years. Pandemic aside, I’ve been more intentional about where, and how often, I travel. A big part of that has to do with finding beauty in what I used to view as mundane; things like a morning routine

Memories from My Childhood Summers in Charleston—Plus 5 Sights to See

4 May, 2021 No Comments

For about six or seven summers in a row, my family would make the car drive from our home in the D.C. suburbs to Charleston, South Carolina. While my dad’s family hailed from the Boston area, my mom’s family had southern roots and on summers when we couldn’t visit both sides of the family, we’d

Here’s Why Vacation Ownership With Hilton Grand Vacations is the Travel Solution You Need

8 March, 2021 No Comments

We’ve all stayed at a Hilton hotel at one point or another and, if you have not, you are at least familiar with the brand. The Hilton name has been around for more than 100 years and to date, there are more than 6,300 properties and resorts within the Hilton portfolio of brands.  One of these brands is Hilton Grand Vacations. Unlike a traditional fixed–week timeshare program, HGV

Here’s Why I Want to Visit Kerala (and you should, too)!

10 March, 2020 No Comments

Every so often, I write about a destination I haven’t been to. As much as I love recounting trips and sharing my experiences here on Bohemian Trails, I also love to dream; dream about people and places I’ve never crossed paths with. That’s the traveler in me, the explorer that believes in the magic of

My Favorite Caribbean Islands to Escape to This Winter

25 February, 2020 No Comments

Winter is in full swing, which means that there’s still time to plan that weekend getaway. An east-coaster from birth and having lived in New York for seven years, the Caribbean remains my go-to winter destination. In many cases, you’ll find direct flights (or nearly direct) and within a few hours, you are on a

Reflections on the Lake: Join us in Guatemala this New Years!

23 July, 2019 No Comments

Pack your bags, notepads and Yoga mats. We’re going to Guatemala! I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be co-leading another writing + wellness + wanderlust retreat over New Years! Mark your calendars for December 29-January 3. My co-leader, Heather Suzanne, is not only one of my favorite Yoga teachers I’ve had the pleasure of