Sailing on the Dinogo Breeze

Traveling is a passion of mine, and I absolutely love discovering new destinations in our beautiful world. The cruise on the Dinogo Breeze was an absolute blast! Truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of such a wonderful journey. I brought along my friend Beth from Orlando, with whom I’ve traveled before, and we always have a fantastic time together.

We both flew to Miami on the day of the cruise to meet up and board. Weather-related flight delays made Beth’s arrival a bit late, but she eventually arrived, and we took the bus from the airport to the port to board the ship and get ready to set sail at 4 PM that day.

In this post, I’ll share tips for packing and what to expect during check-in and boarding for a cruise, along with photos of the ship and some of its amenities. I’ll provide a comprehensive overview of what you can anticipate on a cruise ship. There’s so much to cover, and I’ll break it down into parts—it’s going to be a fun ride!

I captured these photos using my smartphone because I wanted to avoid the hassle of carrying my larger camera. Overall, it worked out quite well.

When I invest in a new large rolling suitcase, it will definitely be something like this one. I borrowed my roommate's spacious red suitcase, which was perfect for a trip like this. I successfully packed all my clothes and shoes into it. The suitcase features two compartments: a smaller one on top where I placed my shoes, and a larger section for all my clothing. I managed to stay just under the 50 lbs limit.

Tips for Packing:

Here’s what I packed:

5 dresses: (including 2 for formal evenings) We wore dresses for dinner on most nights, and we dressed up a bit more for two formal evenings. Over the years, formal nights have become more relaxed, although some guests still choose to dress elegantly.

3 pairs of pants: I packed three pairs of jeans in white, blue, and black. These can easily be paired with various tops for a more dressed-up or casual look.

3 pairs of shorts: Since we had excursions planned at most stops, being casual and comfortable for walking and enjoying the sun was essential. The weather was in the mid-80s throughout the trip, which was a nice change from the nasty weather back in Atlanta while I was away.

Workout gear: I included tennis shoes and clothes for exercising. We did manage to work out one day at the gym.

Tops for versatile styling: I packed several different tops, although I didn't end up wearing them all. I aimed for a mix of casual and slightly dressy options. With my shorts, I brought some super casual summer tops and others suitable for lunch on the ship. In total, I included about 10 tops, featuring both sleeveless styles and those with longer or 3/4-length sleeves.

Jackets: It can get quite chilly on the ship, especially in the air-conditioned dining areas and theaters, so bringing jackets is a must. The deck can also be cool at night, and we generally avoided it once we were dressed for dinner. I packed a white jacket and two lightweight long-sleeve sweaters—one black and one aqua—to mix and match with my outfits.

Swimwear: I brought along 2 swimsuits and 2 cover-ups for lounging by the pool. I had a fantastic time relaxing in lounge chairs, reading books, and taking naps.

Shoes: With my suitcase's capacity, I had plenty of room to pack shoes, so I made sure to take a variety. I included 3 pairs of heels, 3 pairs of flip-flops, some walking flats, a pair of sandals, and my tennis shoes. I believe I wore nearly every pair, except for one.

Jewelry: I aimed to keep my jewelry collection minimal and opted for turquoise pieces that match many of my outfits, along with some gold items that I could wear multiple times.

I managed to pack just the right amount and type of clothing for this trip without going overboard. It’s important to consider where you’ll be throughout the day and what you might need to wear, but don’t overthink it. You’ll be in swimsuits quite a bit as well, along with cover-ups.

Upon checking in to the ship, you’ll have a photo taken for your Bon Voyage! It was a bit chilly in Atlanta when I departed, so I opted for skinny jeans, a short-sleeved white sweater, and a cardigan for added warmth. Surprisingly, the weather in Miami was milder, so it wasn’t too hot when we left.

During check-in, you’ll receive a card that you’ll use on the ship. This card acts as your account for purchases, meaning you only need to show it, and all charges will be billed to your room account. It’s convenient to keep track of just one card. You can even order excursion packages through your room's TV, and those tickets will be delivered to your room and charged to your account as well. This system makes it easy to manage everything, and you can check your account balance daily to stay updated.

Each day, the room stewards provide a daily brochure that details all the activities and information available on the ship. This includes showtimes and any specific details you’ll need for the day, and we made it a point to review this every day to decide what we wanted to do. The shows were especially enjoyable, and we attended them each night!

The thrill of walking up to the ship for the first time is indescribable, as you marvel at the impressive size of these vessels. Since my last cruise in 2003, the excitement remains just as strong. I truly love cruising!

We boarded the ship about an hour before it set sail, taking in the beautiful views of Miami and the busy docks. This area sees a lot of ship traffic, making it a lively hub with many people coming and going from the airport.

Upon entering, we started exploring the ship, and I must say, it is absolutely stunning. It’s fascinating to witness how ships have evolved over the years, becoming increasingly glamorous with each passing decade. This ship is like a vast floating island filled with joy and beauty. Here’s a view looking up from the atrium, where elevators glide up and down, creating a magnificent sky-like ambiance within the ship.

On the Lido decks, there are three levels packed with activities. The kids' area features an impressive water park complete with slides, making it a lively hub for children. We considered trying one of the slides but never got around to it. With four consecutive days in port, we simply didn’t find the time to explore that option. The allure of lounging in the cabana lounges with a good book ultimately took precedence over my childish excitement to try the slide.

The children's area saw a lot of activity, filled with kids engaged in various fun activities that kept them entertained and joyful. Those slides looked like a dream come true for any child.

The Li