Translation of discernir

One of the most difficult problems I have (and I am sure that others have it too) is getting used to the superficiality of the life in the US. To be superficial means to me not to be able to recognize.
When I finally arrived at my destination I still had the task of finding an accommodation. As my acquaintances where with me we started looking together, however we discovered that we were not on the same budget.
We boarded the ship and it left the port. They started with lunch, which was pretty good. The ship sailed for about an hour until it reached the bay area, which had over one thousand islands.