Celebrating in the Caribbean on NCL Escape

I took myself on a 7-day birthday cruise aboard Norwegian Escape out of New Orleans, and honestly… this is why I love sailing. There’s something about waking up to the horizon, watching the sun rise and set over the water, and letting the days unfold that feels both celebratory and deeply grounding. I chose this itinerary for the ports—and it delivered. From Cozumel to Roatán, Belize, and Costa Maya, every stop added its own rhythm to the week, balanced perfectly by evenings onboard filled with great dinners, standout shows, drinks with friends, and theme nights that kept the energy going (yes, the GLOW party was a highlight). Coming up next: my underwater adventures in port and celebrating Halloween at sea 🎃 What really made this voyage special was the feeling onboard. Captain Matko Candrlić and General Manager Kivanc Ucar lead one of the best crews I’ve sailed with, and that care and warmth are felt everywhere—from the food to the flow to the fun. Huge thanks to Vacations To Go for an excellent solo balcony rate, and to Norwegian Escape for a birthday week that reminded me exactly why I love, love, love sailing. Because life is better with a sea view 🌊 #CruiseNorwegian #NCLescape #NCL #Cruise #travel #vacationstogo