In my last blog, I wrote about my weekend aboard Celebrity Reflection. Day Two of our cruise brought us to Key West, Florida.

There’s just something about waking up in a new destination. I love opening the curtains and wondering if we’re still at sea or already in port. That morning, I was greeted by the colorful waterfront of Key West.

We disembarked early, excited to explore parts of the island we hadn’t seen during our last visit, more than a year ago. Even though I live in Florida, there’s something about Key West that feels completely different from anywhere else. It’s colorful, laid-back, rich in history and has a personality all its own.

Key West from our balcony

Our first stop was beautiful, red-brick Custom House Museum, one of Key West’s most recognizable landmarks.

Custom House Museum

From there, we wandered down famous Duval Street, really the heart of Key West. The best way to experience it is to just keep walking. We passed the Conch Tour Train, making its way through town; iconic bars like Hog’s Breath Saloon, where we stopped for a refreshing cocktail; The Bull; colorful boutiques and art galleries; and countless places to grab a bite to eat. One of my favorite things about Key West is the roosters that freely roam the streets. They seem to be everywhere and definitely add to the island’s unique charm.

Duval Street

Conch Tour Train

Hog’s Breath Saloon

The Bull

Roosters

Another favorite is the local art galleries. Each one displays its unique artwork. We’ve even been lucky enough to catch an artist at work. I especially love the vibrant acrylic and epoxy resin artwork. The colors and detail are incredible, and I could stare at it for hours.

Art Gallery

As we continued exploring, we found ourselves back along the marina. The water was unbelievably clear; and if you looked down from the docks, you could see huge schools of fish swimming below. On a hot Florida day like this one, it almost made you want to jump right in with them.

Later that afternoon, as our ship sailed away, we had a beautiful view of Little Palm Island, which I learned is a 27-acre private island known for its luxury resort. The water was that incredible Caribbean-blue color, and a group of wave runners zipped across the crystal-clear water, making for the perfect farewell to Key West.

Little Palm Island

Days like this remind me why I love cruising. You get to experience destinations you might not have otherwise visited, even if only for the day. Key West is easy to explore on foot and offers the perfect mix of history, shopping, waterfront views, local art and island charm.

Next stop … Nassau!

— Darla Mossotti, account executive