Ochre Earth – Progreso & Cozumel

About this cruise

You leave New Orleans on May 16, 2026 and come back 5 nights later with a tan and a few good stories. The route visits 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. Clear water and warm sand at every stop. It's the Caribbean, so you probably already know what to expect. 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 keeps you well fed. 12 places to eat, with 9 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. If you're new to cruising, this length is ideal. Long enough to relax, short enough to not over-commit. A May departure catches that sweet window of warm-enough weather before the summer rush. 5 nights of not thinking about anything except where to eat next. That's the pitch.