Halloween at Sea
This sailing aboard Brilliance of the Seas has a little extra magic in the air — pumpkins on the promenade, costume contests, and the kind of playful October energy that makes fall cruises so memorable.
When searching for a pre-cruise hotel, we quickly discovered that Taylor Swift was in town for her Eras Tour, and what few hotel rooms remained were outrageously priced. So we opted to stay in my birthplace – Alexandria, Louisiana. I moved away when I was just three years old, so it will be fun to finally see the town again, even if only for a quick overnight stop.
I’m not a huge fan of New Orleans – nothing against it, but coming from a small town of about 300 people, big cities can feel overwhelming pretty quickly. With all the one-way streets and tight street parking, I’m usually a nervous wreck by the time we get settled. I much prefer Galveston’s easy in-and-out embarkation vibe.
I am already running on fumes from so much travel this year, even before this cruise begins. This is our third cruise of 2024, and after a year of nonstop motion (and the stress from my layoff from my day job in August), I am simply ready to rest. So this trip isn’t about fancy dinners or chasing Prime points — it’s about catching our breath, watching the waves, and letting the sea do its healing thing.
With that said, my daily logs might be a little lighter on some days — but I’m going to do my best to capture the highlights that make this Halloween cruise special. But first, the money.
Trip Cost & Value for Brilliance of the Seas Halloween Cruise
We booked this one using the Instant Cruise Certificate we earned back in December 2023 — and it felt like a treat worth cashing in. The market value of this cruise was $1,957, but thanks to the certificate, we paid only $105 total for a balcony room including port charges.
| Category | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 🛏️ Stateroom | Redeemed Instant Cruise Certificate | $0 |
| ⚓ Port Charges & Taxes | Balance from applying NextCruise Deposit ($200) | $105 |
| 🚗 Parking | New Orleans cruise terminal parking | $182 |
| 🏨 Hotel | Four Points Sheraton – Free Night Reward | $0 |
| 💵 Total Out-of-Pocket Cost | $287 | |
| Extra Perks | OBC from Next Cruise Stockholder Benefit OBC | $100 $100 |
| 💰 Market Value (Retail Price) | $1,957 | |
| 😎 Our Savings | ≈ 95% off retail! 🎉 |
Now that is what I call a deal! So, come along with us as we head to the Mardi Gras city of New Orleans, ready for our Halloween cruise aboard Brilliance of the Seas.
Daily Logs
Day 0 – Embarkation in New Orleans
Day 1, 2 & 3 – At Sea
Day 4 – Grand Cayman
Day 5 – Cozumel, Mexico
Day 6 – Progreso, Mexico
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