Spring 2012– Day 5

We woke up to absolutely perfect weather. Light winds, no clouds and tempteture to be somewhere in the low 80’s!!

They had 4 kinds of fruit like this for lunch in the Aqua Spa!

Ed was up early to get deck chairs and eat breakfast while Barb slept in for a little – it was a late night last night. By 10 we were both on the deck relaxing in the sun.

We only have this day at sea and then 4 stops in a row before our last day at sea– so this is the day to relax.

We were on the deck until a little after noon when we ate lunch and came in to clean up and go to the slot tournament at 2pm.


Dressed for dinner



Both of us failed to qualify for the finals, but we had fun.

Then we walked around and went back to the cabin and rested until it was time to get ready for formal night.

Formal night is always fun, having pictures taken, dancing and watching people.

On this ship, the show times are 7pm and 9pm. It works great because we have late seating for dinner at 8:30pm so we go to the early show. That is wonderful for us because then we can go directly to the casino after dinner, play a couple of hours and still be back in the cabin before 2am.

The show was a big production number and dinner was excellent. They do an amazing job for all the people that they feed.

On the ship there are 2,800 guests from 40 countries and 1,200 staff from 70 countries!!!

Ed's filet for dinner

Tonight the doors to the public outside decks were closed because of high winds.  It is a little choppy and we can feel the ship rolling, which is very unusal.

Then it was on to the casino where Ed and Barb both lost.

Tomorrow we stop at George Town, Grand Cayman, and the first of four stops.



Swans made by the room stewart from towells



Spring 2012 – Day 4

Ready to go on our cruise

Time to pack up and head for the ship. We left the hotel a little after 10am and before we could leave the parking garage we had to put up the convertible top because it was raining and a cold, windy 76 degrees. Perfect time to leave Miami.

When we got to the cruise terminal, the rain had stopped and we put the top down because that was the only way to get the luggage out of the back. The problem was that at just that moment, it rained hard again. We got us and the car inside a little wet, but we were unloaded.

Ed took the car back to the rental drop-off and rode the shuttle back. Check-in was very fast as usual and we dropped our bags off in the room and went to the Aqua Spa for lunch.

Ed's lunch in the spa

Just as we were finishing lunch, Jeff and Vera who we were going to eat with in the evening and gamble with arrived so we sat with them catching up on the last couple of months.

Then it was time for the life boat drill and back to our room to rest for the evening.

Before dinner, we saw the show in the showroom and it was probably the best first night show that we have seen.

Dinner was a great start to the cruise – we had a good wait staff.

Barb at lunch

After dinner we went to the casino and played until little after 1 am. Ed had probably his best start even in a casino and Barb lost a little at slots so it was a very good start – wish us luck on the rest of the cruise.

Tomorrow is a day at sea and it will be good to relax.



Leaving Ft. Lauderdale



Spring 2012- Day 3

Here is the video we took from the Franke Valli concert last night. I was a wonderful concert and they really, really sounded great.

Day 3

Ed driving

We woke up to another beautiful day. We drove down to Miami Beach and rented a boat for a 2 hour tour around some of the islands that make up Miami Beach. We rented a 21 foot boat with a 115 horse power engine; however, we couldn’t go fast because of all of the houses. Then it was a little too rough out in Biscayne Bay so we didn’t open it up.

For lunch we went to a Columbian Hot Dog restaurant called La Perrada that we saw from the Travel Channel with Anthony Bourdain.. Barb had a Chilean Hot dog which was a hotdog with sausage, guacamole, fresh tomatoes, sauerkraut, sauces, mayo and mustard. Ed just had his regular with ketchup and relish.

Barb up front directing!!

Then it was a short drive farther up the beach to Haulover Beach. As it was Saturday, it was really crowded but we had no trouble finding a spot close to the water. We met a couple from Miami and talked a little about each other lives, then they left and we shall never see them again – but we always have memories.

After a few hours in the sun, we went back to the hotel and cleaned up, rested and did a little packing for tomorrow. The weather again today was in the mid 80’s with a light breeze and virtually no clouds. We could not have asked for better weather.

After resting, we went out to the entertainment and food district and had a fun dinner sitting outside watching people as we ate.

La Perrada

Barb and the boat

Then it was on to the casino where Ed had his best night. We finished UP and we hope that we built up enough credibility that they will ask us back.

It is now time to get to back to the room and do a little more packing before getting to bed.

A fun trip to Miami – now on to the Cruise.

Spring 2012 – Day 2

Our new friend

We slept a little late because we were really tired from the traveling the day before. We finally left the room at about 10 am and drove about ½ hour to the Sawgrass Recreational area were took an air boat tour. Barb had never been on an air boat and this had been one of the items on our “bucket list” that we were finally able to check off.

The ride was fun although because it was about noon and the tempteture was in the middle 80’s, we only saw one alligator, but he was a huge one. We stopped the boat and watched him watching us – it was fun.

On the airboat ride in the Everglades

We ate there from a trailer like we used to have and we had a Cuban Philly sandwich which was pork, cheese, tomatoes and thin French fries on a long roll. Then we toured their little nature area where Barb got to hold a small alligator – it is fun being a tourist. It was good for her that the trainer put tape over the alligator’s mouth.

Back in the car we went about 30 minutes and we were back at Haulover Beach where we spent 2 ½ hours in the sun before heading back to the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel to clean up.

Then we walked around this huge complex and met with our casino host, Vanessa. We are very fortunate that she is here as hopefully if will mean free stays whenever we are in this area – we will see.We had fun talking about when she worked at Celebrity and now the Hard Rock Casino.

Barb and her new pet!!

Frankie Vallie and the Four Season were playing in the huge showroom and Vanessa arranged for us to get casino comp tickets.

Wow – what an amazing show he and his group put on. A full two hours on stage of solid great singing.

After that we went to the casino and Ed did well and Barb couldn’t find a machine she liked because of the crowds.

Then we walked around their big entertainment, shopping and eating outdoor area, had an ice cone and generally just watched people.
What a fun day and tomorrow will be as good if not better.

Our room

Spring 2012 – Day 1

We awoke early in the morning and headed to the airport to catch what will probably be our last Air Tran flight from the Bloomington airport as they are ceasing service June 2.

A full car as usual

The flight was totally full and we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale just after noon.

We quickly picked up our convertible and headed to the Hard Rock Casino. Our casino coordinator from Celebrity cruise line is now working as a host at the Hard Rock and sent us an invitation for a free room, etc. for the three nights we needed – so here we are.

We changed out of our travel clothes and immediately headed for our favorite beach – Haulover Beach. Sorry no pictures because pictures are not allowed. The weather was beautiful – 84 degrees, a light wind and no clouds and there were a lot of people on the beach.

Barb's dinner

We stayed on the beach until about 4:30 pm and then headed down Miami Beach to a Cuban restaurant that the Travel Channel had recommended called Las Olas Café. Their specialty is empanadas, which is a pastry stuffed with chicken, beef or ham and cheese and were they ever good. No one in the restaurant spoke any English so it was fun. Ed had a couple of orders and also an order of Plantains, which are fried bananas.

Then it was back to the Hard Rock to clean up and go to the Casino. This place is huge – there are over 2,500 slot machines! We had a fair session in the casino and built up some playing hours.

As we have been up a long time, we are getting to bed early – it isn’t even midnight – but night night.

Ed's empanada and fried plantains

New Years 2012 – Day 10

Ready for our last evening

We awoke to a beautiful day, the sun was out, hardly any clouds and there was only a slight breeze.

So there was no choice but to get two deck chairs and stay in the sun which we did until lunch and then more sun until 2pm when our deck chairs were finally in the shade.

We went down to our cabin to clean up and realized that our balcony was directly in the sun – so out on the balcony to catch some very private sun time.

Finally we came in at 3:30pm – hopefully not too much sun and it was wonderful.

As today is our last day, we cleaned up and started to pack as we like to finish packing early so we have the evening free.

Shrimp coctail for dinner

The show in the main showroom was fun because it was parts of several of the shows that we missed.

Dinner was wonderful as usual but sad it would be our last evening meal on this ship – dining has been a fun experience on this ship. There is no question that this has been the best dining experience we have ever had on any ship.

Then it was on to the casino for our final session and we both lost but at least we are both up for the trip.

It is now 1:30am and we are going to get off the ship in only a few hours.


Duck

So, thanks for enjoying our trip with us and thanks for everyone back home who allow us the privilege to travel. We are truly blessed.

LOL from the sea – next stop Miami, AirTran and we should be home Saturday evening.

 

 

 





Steak

New Years 2012 – Day 9

This was to be a relaxing day at sea, sitting in the sun and eating on the deck; however, the weather didn’t corporate as it rained starting at 8:30am and then was cloudy all day.

Lobster Tail for dinner

So our day was planned around activities that were inside.

At noon we had an interesting tour of the showroom and backstage. It is amazing how much goes on behind the scenes and how small a back stage they have. One of the things that we learned is that a lot of the clothes can not be washed and dry cleaning them after every show would mean that these very elaborate costumes would not last very long. What they use is a solution of 1 part cheap vodka and 2 parts water that they spray on the clothes. They said that the alcohol removes the odor better than any product on the market!!

We had lunch again in the Aqua and had a nice lunch sitting with a lady from Canada.

Our table mates, Vera and Jeff from Long Island, New York

Then it was on to the blackjack tournament were Ed did not qualify which was too bad because it was one of the largest payouts of any blackjack tournament that we have ever entered.

We picked up our pictures from yesterday and then met our Casino Host in the Bistro on Five where they have wonderful crêpes. Her name is Kremi and she is from Bulgaria and we had fun talking to her. This is the second cruise we have been on with her.

Then it was time to dress for our second formal night and see the musical production number in the show room. Even though we had seen this production on our last cruise, it was still fun as the music and dancing was from Broadway plays.

Dinner was again a wonderful experience and then it was on to the casino where Barb broke even and Ed did very well.

Ready for the evening

We set the clock back an hour tonight so the extra time will help our sleep.

Tomorrow is our last day and it has been a great cruise.

Night from somewhere on the sea!!