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Sun, Slots & a Sweet Status Win

Sometimes we cruise for the adventure. Sometimes we cruise for the points. This one was all about both.

This short 5-day Mariner of the Seas sailing out of Galveston kicked off The Pilot’s 2025–2027 Prime renewal — and somewhere along the way, we hit a major milestone: Diamond Plus! 🥂

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Getting There

We left for Galveston on Friday and what should have been an easy road trip quickly turned into a white-knuckle adventure. Somewhere around Nacogdoches, the sky opened up — and it never stopped. By the time we reached the other side of Houston, roads were flooded and we were detouring down dark backroads just trying to stay above water.

I’ll admit, I didn’t handle it all that gracefully (The Pilot might say I was a bit tense), but we made it safely thanks to his calm, steady driving. I just kept my eyes closed and let him do what he does best.

We stayed overnight at the Hyatt Regency Baytown–Houston, using one of my Hyatt Free Reward Nights from the credit card. The next morning, the view of the bay was beautiful — but what really caught our attention was the energy downstairs.

The hotel was hosting the FDM 2025 National Folklorico & Contemporary Dance Competition that weekend (May 1–4), and the entire lobby was bursting with color and excitement.

Hundreds of dancers — mostly teens — were dressed in gorgeous, traditional Mexican costumes: embroidered skirts, sparkling jackets, and feathered hats. Moms were hauling makeup kits and garment bags, dads were adjusting bow ties and belts, and the whole scene was joyful chaos. I would’ve loved to see one of the performances! It felt like we’d stumbled into a cultural festival right before our cruise.

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Boarding Day

Embarkation morning went smoothly, and we headed straight to Jamie’s Italian for lunch once onboard. I forgot to snap photos of the main course (blogger fail!), but I did remember dessert — and it was divine.

This was my first time at Jamie’s, and honestly, it shot straight to the top of my favorite Royal Caribbean dining spots. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and worth every calorie.

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Sea Days & Simple Joys

When we reached Costa Maya, we decided to skip the crowds and stay on board. We found a pair of loungers in the shade on the top deck, ordered a couple of umbrella drinks, and watched Kung Fu Panda on the big screen with the ocean breeze rolling in.

It was one of those perfect lazy days at sea — no plans, no pressure, just us and the sound of waves.

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Cozumel & Mr. Sancho’s

Our next stop was Cozumel, and of course we booked a day pass at our favorite spot — Mr. Sancho’s.

The last time we were there it was cloudy and chilly, and I ended up wrapped in towels trying to stay warm. Not this time! The weather was perfect, the water was warm, and the service was as friendly as ever.

Good food, good drinks, and good company — that’s Mr. Sancho’s in a nutshell.

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Casino Nights & Prime Progress

This cruise was all about renewing The Pilot’s Prime status, and he made excellent progress — racking up 1,516 points toward the 2,500 needed for the new 2025–2027 cycle.

I didn’t track our play day-by-day this time, but our total bill — including tips — came to about $1,815, which means our actual casino play likely ran around $1,500.

Not bad for five days of fun, free drinks, and a few lucky spins.

➡️ You can read the final push and Prime renewal in our Harmony 2025 Trip Report

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A Peek at the Competition

While docked in Cozumel, we spotted Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady — and wow, what a stunner. Sleek, modern, and adults-only.

If Royal ever offered Casino Royale points on Virgin, I’d be booked tomorrow! Even without that, it’s firmly on my bucket list. Everyone I’ve talked to who’s sailed Virgin raves about the experience, especially the kid-free vibe.

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Trip Cost & Value

One of the reasons we love cruising smart is because of the incredible savings we unlock. This trip was no exception:

Category	Details	Cost
🛏️ Stateroom	Redeemed casino offer for Interior Room, upgraded to GTY Balcony	$170
⚓ Port Charges & Taxes	Included in offer	$110
🚗 Parking	Galveston cruise terminal parking	$141
🏨 Hotel	Hyatt Regency Baytown – Free Night Reward	$0
💵 Total Out-of-Pocket Cost		$421

💰 Market Value (Retail Price)		$1,577
😎 Our Savings		≈ 82% off retail! 🎉

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Wrapping Up

Even without a ton of photos or a packed itinerary, this cruise was exactly what we needed — a chance to relax, recharge, and celebrate a big milestone.

We got our sea fix, The Pilot inched closer to Prime renewal, and we sailed home as freshly minted Diamond Plus members.

Next stop: Harmony of the Seas 2025 — where I promise to take a lot more pictures! 😉

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