When I told friends and family that I was going on a last-minute cruise they would immediately reply: oh! Nice! Where are you going?

They expected a response like “the Mediterranean” or “the Bahamas” or even just “the Caribbean”. Instead, I hesitated. Because the MSC Divina was sailing to the Caribbean. And across the Caribbean to South America. And then up through Central America, stopping at two more ports, before crossing the Caribbean once again for a final port day in the Bahamas. While technically a Caribbean cruise, this itinerary is not what immediately comes to mind.

The first stop on what I’m calling The Most Interesting Caribbean Cruise Itinerary was, to me, the least exciting. I visited Jamaica via cruise ship in the past, on an itinerary that called in Falmouth. But his time we would be visiting Ocho Rios. I’m always down for exploring a new-to-me port, so I went in with an open mind and booked the cruise excursion that sounded the most interesting: Bobsled Jamaica & Falls with Ragga Ride. Yes, I went to Jamaica and I rode roller coasters.

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I cannot think of a better way to end the most interesting Caribbean cruise itinerary than with something entirely uninteresting–a beach day on a private island. This is not to say that MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve is boring or dull in any way. But after several port days spent exploring as much as possible, it was lovely to kick back on a beach chair and float in the clear blue sea.