Lush Leaf – Merida from New Orleans

About this cruise

Short trips like this tend to hit differently because every day actually counts. You leave New Orleans on March 29, 2027 for 5 nights visiting Cozumel and Progreso (Mérida). You start at sea, hit the ports, then finish at sea. The ports feel like the centrepiece, framed by lazy ocean days. Snorkelling, palm trees, rum. Each stop does it a bit differently. You get around 8 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Carnival Valor takes the food seriously, with 12 restaurants to choose from. 9 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. If you're new to cruising, this length is ideal. Long enough to relax, short enough to not over-commit. Pro tip: fly in the day before. New Orleans has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. A March departure catches that sweet window of warm-enough weather before the summer rush. You start in New Orleans and come back with stories from Cozumel and Progreso (Mérida).