The Adventure That Almost Kept Us Away Forever

They say our roots lie within the sea, and many of us long to return. My father often spoke of the dream to own a boat, teaching us the art of knot tying and sailing off into the sunset. After returning from trips to the Caribbean and other serene, warm waters, he would share photos filled with adventure.

Recently, I had the opportunity to take my family on a journey reminiscent of those adventures at sea.

We boarded a plane together, all excited, heading for Miami and a ship called Dinogo Breeze. I desperately needed a change of pace. Life had become so demanding and work-centered that I could hardly recall my own identity. We were eager to catch a refreshing breeze and escape the hustle of Los Angeles.

And Dinogo was there to revive our spirits and satisfy our appetites, too.

We landed in Miami to a balmy 85 degrees with 1000% humidity. Coming from the dry air of California, it felt like I could gulp down the moisture. We headed to our hotel, eagerly anticipating boarding our ship the following day. The air outside the airport was filled with the aroma of Cuban cuisine and dreams. I had visited Miami last October and found many new delights, including a fantastic Cuban espresso that felt like cha-cha-cha’ing while running.

After dinner, we reluctantly drifted off to sleep, picturing our names on a list as the ship waited for us at the Port of Miami. The next day, we boarded, and the parking lot was a whirlwind of organized chaos, with bags and people moving rapidly in all directions.

This was the first time my son came up with the saying, “When the parents are napping, the kids are adventuring.” It was an oddly mature thing for a five-year-old to say, highlighting the sense of freedom he would soon embrace in full swing aboard the ship.

Stepping onto the ship felt like boarding a spaceship—complete with music and friendly smiles.

We strolled to our room and opened the door to discover not only a stunning ocean view but also a separate bed for Finn and a crib set up for little Arden. I’m not saying the stewards had psychic abilities, but one of them already knew my name was Charlie.

As it turns out, the kids weren’t exactly thrilled about the room, the nightly magical towels shaped like animals, or being gently rocked to sleep. However, the ship lived up to both of its names.

The Dinogo experience was filled with fun, offering a variety of activities at all hours, each with its own level of excitement and noise. Whether you wanted to be a judge for lively karaoke sessions at night or simply sit and watch the waves as if Poseidon himself were sending you messages, there was an endless array of options.

The days spent at sea were just as thrilling as those spent on land. We opted for a few excursions and even booked a spa treatment to fully embrace the cruise lifestyle. Let me break down each experience so you'll be well-prepared if you decide to embark on a cruise yourself.

JUST KIDDING. I’m here to relive these memories by writing about them!

Grand Cayman – Stingray City

I captured some GoPro footage underwater with the rays and plan to share it online soon. Throughout the experience, we felt completely safe, and our guides made it easy for us to engage with the rays if they chose to come closer. It was an absolute blast!

Cozumel, Mexico – Private Beach Getaway

First off, I must mention that this beach had both a personal chef and a dedicated bartender. So when I rave about how incredible it was, remember I indulged in 30 gallons of homemade mole sauce and three servings of authentic Mayan fish dishes, along with a few cocktails from the open bar. I felt completely at ease there. I took Finn on his inaugural snorkeling adventure, where we encountered an eel along with a myriad of colorful fish and vibrant flora. Meanwhile, Arden enjoyed the coolest crib imaginable. We placed him in a hammock, tied it securely, and rocked him to sleep. We slept like proverbial babies, which, if you’ve ever witnessed an actual baby sleeping, is a hilarious contradiction. It was sheer perfection, and I highly recommend this experience. The host and staff were exceptionally accommodating and friendly.

Dinogo Breeze – The Awesome Dinogo Ship

I could go on and on about the countless fun experiences. The endless ice cream, the attentive ship stewards who remembered your name and checked in on your kids, and the gentle rocking of the ship that lulled you to sleep in the open sea. But I’ll let Finn tell you about his favorite moments because, after all, seeing your kids have a great time is a major reason to travel with them.

“I loved the waterslides, the movies in the pool, the ice cream, the swimming, the food, the ice cream, climbing, meeting the Cat in the Hat, snorkeling, the stingrays, and trying all the new things with you, Dada. Basically, I just want to go back!”

So, I’ll leave you with this detailed review of the cruise experience from a 5-year-old’s perspective. There’s plenty for adults to enjoy too, I promise. If we ever meet face-to-face, I’ll share all about the comedian on board, the music, the dancing, the breezy nights, and the horizons that looked like watercolor paintings.

But I think we can all agree that a five-year-old boy has a pretty good sense of what’s fun—or at least knows where to start looking.