You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

DestinationsItinerary of the World at VCL: Mexican-bay

Home | Blog

24/06/2024

As the first stop of the Victoria Cruise, we learn about the history, local culture, gastronomy and tourist attractions of the Gulf of Mexico, and learn about the environmental work of local and international organizations in the protection of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf of Mexico is a large gulf of the southeastern coast of North America, which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida and Yucatan, as well as the Caribbean Sea.

Nassau (Bahamas)

It is not only nominally the capital of the Bahamas. Due to its location, it has always been the most developed city in the archipelago. The motorboats speeding on the sea, the colorful buildings, the nights spent in the casinos are reminiscent of the world of James Bond films. The city is full of attractions and the unspoilt outer islands of the Bahamas are within easy reach.

Programs in Nassau:

The beaches of the Caribbean Sea are known worldwide. The sparkling turquoise water and warm white sand have been attracting people from all over the world for decades.

  • Junkanoo Beach: not far from downtown Nassau, it is the most popular beach in the Nassau area
  • Cable Beach: an almost 5 km long beach. If you want a little adrenaline rush, you can try any of the extreme water sports on offer at the beach.
  • Cabbage Beach: the most exciting attraction in the area is paragliding. Flying over the ocean and watching the sun go down from above is an indescribable experience.

mexican-bay-animals

Discover the city's historical monuments: one of the best things about Nassau is that, in addition to modern splendor, they also carefully preserve their historical heritage. The old town is full of masterpieces of colonial architecture, flower gardens and museums.

  • Fort Fincastle: a fortress made of limestone, shaped like a steamship. It originally served as a lookout, helping to protect against pirates sailing towards the port
  • Queen's Staircase: the water tower belonging to the fortress, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the ocean
  • Gregory's Arc: on top of a centuries-old arch with a short bridge. The whole structure would be a model of a picturesque gateway between the different worlds of Nassau, between the past and the present
  • Government House & Statue of Christopher Colombus: on Mount Fitzwilliam is the official residence of the Governor of the Bahamas. The pink and white building was built in 1801. At the top of the staircase leading to the building stands the famous statue of Colombus. The statue was erected in memory of the explorer.
  • Pirates Of Nassau: museum commemorating the times when pirates ruled the waters of the Bahamas

If we've had enough of roasting our bellies on the beach and learned everything about the history of Nassau, we can choose from other exciting recreational opportunities

  • John Watling's Distillery: for a truly authentic rum tasting, Nassau is the best place. Buena Vista estate is home to John Watling's, the island's number one distillery. More than 1,000 white oak barrels exude the intoxicating aroma of rum. We can taste the brewery's famous drinks: Amber and Buena Vista rums, Red Turtle vodka filtered with pink sand from Eleuthera, and the famous Andros gin.
  • Atlantis: the huge entertainment complex is full of elegant restaurants, luxury shops and casinos. Its symbol is the sky-high Royal Towers building complex, the most interesting part of which is the sunken city themed aquarium.
  • Aquaventura: water park is located on an area of 140 hectares, the most popular attraction is the 6-story Mayan church, from which 4 slides of different sizes start.

Our passengers who board the Victoria Cruises houseboat in July 2025 are in luck, as the Junkanoo Summer Festival is held every July, celebrating the unique traditions and culture of the Bahamas with spectacular costume parades, music and dance.

mexican-bay-castle


Tampa (Florida)

One of the centers of Florida, Tampa is not just a port, it is much more than that. The city is full of excitement

  • Franklin street: historically served as a commercial corridor connecting downtown Tampa and surrounding neighborhoods. Many local festivities celebrate the first paved street, the first brick building, the first theater.
  • Busch Garden: animal theme park, the entire park was designed based on the themes of Africa and Asia. Busch Garden offers a variety of roller coasters and thrill rides, including a diving coaster called SheiKra.
  • Salvador Dali Museum: visit the renowned artist's unparalleled collection of works from iconic melting clocks to fanciful visual illusions and avant-garde symbols.

mexican-bay-tampa


New Orleans (Louisiana)

Art, entertainment, gambling, historical traditions and somewhat strange customs make New Orleans an unusual city. The city itself is of French origin, so there is a relatively large French quarter here. By the way, the city boasts a canal system even bigger than Venice.

mexican-bay-new-orleans

If there was only one thing to mention about the city, it would almost certainly be jazz. Tunes with black roots were first played in the clubs of New Orleans more than a hundred years ago and quickly made the city famous around the world. The greatest figure of the genre is, of course, Louis Armstrong, who, in addition to jazz, also did a lot for the acceptance of black musicians and artists.

mexican-bay-new-orleans

Games of chance, including poker, are clearly associated with Las Vegas, but few people know that perhaps the world's most iconic card game (poker) started its journey around the world with sailors from New Orleans. In addition to poker, gambling played on the green table, known from casinos, also comes from here.

One of the customs that seems strange at first is that jazz plays such a big role in people's lives that it is often played at funerals.
5 places that you definitely have to see

  • Longue Vue House & Gardens
  • New Orleans Museum of Art
  • Sazerac House - Preservation Hall
  • National WWII Museum


Galveston (Texas)

The town was founded in 1839, but it was already an inhabited area before that. Spanish and French explorers had touched this area before. In the 19th century, Galveston developed rapidly and became one of the most important port cities in Texas. The state's first bank and insurance company were built here and the first daily newspaper was published here.

In 1900, a huge hurricane hit the city, killing thousands of people and causing enormous destruction, this event brought about significant changes in the development and architecture of the city.

Cultural and sports events:

  • Mardi Gras: Galveston hosts one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in Texas, attracting visitors with colorful parades, music and dancing

 mexican-bay-new-galveston

  • Dickens on the Strand: an annual festival that evokes the atmosphere of Charles Dickens' time
  • Galveston Island Beach Revue: this annual event celebrates beach culture with various competitions (swimming competition, surfing competition)
  • Ironmam 70.3 Texas: this triathlon event for the toughest athletes includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run

Galveston's Victorian Quarter and Opera House are outstanding examples of the rich historical and cultural heritage that the city has preserved and nurtured.

A Victorian neighborhood called the "East End Historic District" consists of houses built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of the houses in the neighborhood were renovated after the hurricane, preserving the historic character of the town

  • Bishop's Palace is an imposing castle built in 1892
  • Ashton Villa is also an important historical attraction

Grand 1894 Opera House is one of Galveston's best known and most important cultural institutions. The building's historical significance is also shown by its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

mexican-bay-galveston


Veracruz  (Mexico)

One of the most important port cities in Mexico, it has a rich historical and cultural heritage

  • San Juan de Ulúa: fortress built in 1565, the fortress was originally used to protect against pirates, and later it was also used as a prison
  • Veracruz Cathedral: built in the 17th century. The building has neoclassical and baroque style features
  • Museo Naval Mexico: presents the history and development of the Mexican Navy with numerous exhibits and interactive displays

mexican-bay-veracruz


Gastronomic experiences

We will introduce you to unmissable food specialties that can also be tasted on board Victoria Cruises.

  • Huachinango a la Veracruzana: this dish is made from fresh red seabass, flavored with tomatoes, onions, garlic, olives, capers and, of course, Jalapeno peppers, the dish is a combination of Spanish and African influences, one of the most famous dishes of the local cuisine
  • Arroz a la Tumbada: this seafood-enriched rice dish is similar to Spanish paella, but made with local flavors and ingredients
  • Picadas: these are small thick tortillas served with various toppings like salad, cheese, onion and sour cream
  • Café lechero is the famous Veracruz coffee made with hot milk. Coffee and milk are poured together in a unique, spectacular ritual


Cancun (Mexico)

It is famous for its white sand beach, crystal clear blue water and rich historical and cultural heritage.

mexican-bay-cancun

El Rey is one of the most important historical sites that preserve traces of the ancient Mayan civilization. The ruins were inhabited 1200-1500 AD. The name of the area, El Rey, is related to a royal tomb found here, which once played an important role in the political and religious life of the region. There are many stone pyramids and temples in the area, which bear the typical features of Mayan architecture. The largest structure is a two-story church, which was probably the site of religious ceremonies. The area of the El Rey ruins is home to many iguanas, which have almost become a trademark of the place.

mexican-bay-el-rey

Xcaret Park is a famous eco-archaeological park that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, Mexican culture and historical monuments. The main attraction of the park is the Riviera Maya Aquarium, which displays various marine creatures such as corals, fish and sea turtles that represent the ecosystem of the Caribbean Sea. We can admire the famous Xcaret aviary, which is home to hundreds of exotic birds. In Delfinárum, you can swim with dolphins and take part in interactive programs.

The Gulf of Mexico boasts many famous natives who have achieved outstanding results in various fields

Benito Juárez (1806-1872) Mexican president and national hero who played an important role in the Mexican reform movement and the modernization of the country
Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) Grammy Award-winning American trumpeter and singer, one of the most influential figures in jazz
Frida Khalo (1907-1957) is a world-renowned painter whose self-portraits and surrealist paintings depict deeply personal and painful experiences
Diego Riviera (1886-1957) is one of the most important painters of the 20th century. He is known for his monumental frescoes and works with social themes
Mario J. Molina (1943- 2020) Nobel Prize-winning scientist who carried out significant research on the causes of the depletion of the ozone layer
Octavio Paz (1914-1998) Nobel Prize-winning poet and essayist who made a significant contribution to Latin American literature
Carlos Santana (1947-) is a world-famous guitarist who combines elements of rock, blues and Latin music
Yuri (1964-) Mexican singer who achieved great success in the genres of Latin pop and ballads
Guillermo del Toro (1964-) Oscar-winning film director, screenwriter and producer who directed such famous films as "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Touch of Water"
Salma Hayek (1966-) is an actress who gained international fame with films such as "Frida" and "Desperado"

mexican-bay-stars


The environmental protection situation of the Gulf of Mexico is an important topic that has attracted the attention of many international organizations.

  • The UN environmental protection program supports the preservation of biodiversity and ecological restoration in the framework of various projects
  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature promotes sustainable development and nature conservation strategies
  • WWF pays special attention to the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico, including marine life and coral reefs.
  • Greenpeace works actively for the protection of marine life and sustainable fishing


Author: VCL Team
24/06/2024

Rent calculatorLoyalty programVirtual itinerary☎ Call backCruise CapitalNew brochureVCL Travel blogWW promotion+