Hello everyone! Glad to have you reading this blog and hope you can find some enjoyment in doing so. So let me start with yesterday when we flew to Miami. Our limo driver could not find our house but after two cell phone calls he did arrive only 15 minutes late. We checked our four 50 pound pieces of luggage curbside with AA at DFW. First problem (and only one so far) was the handle of one of our new pieces of luggage would not stow. When the bag arrived at Miami baggage claim it was stowed, actually think a bag smasher (AA bag loader) beat it down as it will not come up now. That's ok, as it is in warranty.
I used our AAdvantage miles to get two first class tickets to Miami but had to go through Houston to get the lowest mileage award. The weather in Dallas, Houston, and Miami was perfect. We only had an hour between flights in Houston but that was plenty of time. All our flights left the gate early and arrived early. Best news was our four checked bags showed up when we did. I always worry about lost luggage.
We grabbed a taxi to take us to the Hilton Miami Downtown. He tried to rip me off by double charging for tolls. I confronted him and he got snippy so I just deducted the extra toll from his tip. Will they never learn?
At check in we were upgraded to a huge two room suite on corner with fantastic views of downtown and also the port where our ship would be on Monday. I am a loyal Hilton Honors member with diamond status, hence the upgrade. We immediately turned the tv on to see how the Cowboys game turned out. Not good news there! The Broncos/Patriots game was on so we watched it. We are also Broncos fans. Later we went to the Executive Lounge for a snack and to check it out. Another perk of diamond status. I had done some research on the internet and found a pub close by to the Hilton. We weren't really that hungry but needed some chardonnay. It was definitely a "locals" hangout. Food was average but wine was good. They had numerous tvs with various football games on so we sat at bar and watched Broncos get beat too. Not a good day for us football wise.
After a nice night's sleep I was up at 6:45 am to check and see if our ship had made it in port. Sure enough, there she was. I went to executive lounge and got Rebecca a cup of coffee before I headed down to the fitness center for my hour long workout. She was about ready to go to breakfast by time I had worked out and cleaned up.
We had breakfast buffet vouchers (another benefit of diamond status) so had a wonderful cooked to order omelet to start the day. At 11 am we got a shuttle from the Hilton to the pier. Our carry-on luggage was x-rayed and we had to wait until noon before they checked us in and allowed us to go on board the Mariner. I am in the casino now writing this as the suites will not be ready until 2:30 pm. I'll finish writing and adding photos when in our suite.
Prior to going down to the casino (reason we went there is because it is on same deck as our suite), we had a salad up on top deck at La Veranda buffet restaurant. We have run into several crew members that we know but not as many as usual at this point. I know we will find more of our crew friends in the next several days.
Ok, we are in our suite so I am down loading photos to put below.
Our luggage ready and waiting for our driver to show up.
Our Hilton Downtown Miami
Our nice Hilton two room suite plus two bathrooms.
Views from our suite: port, downtown, & downtown at night.
Next morning, our ship had arrived in port from its transatlantic cruise from Europe.
Everyone had to certify 1) they were not sick or have a fever now and 2) they have not been to west Africa recently or been around anyone who had been there.
At cruise terminal waiting for check-in to begin at noon.
This is Zhivko (from Bulgaria). He is the Head Sommelier. He came over to tell us that they are loading today the St Francis chardonnay that we requested especially for us during this cruise.
This is Yavuz, the assistant Food & Beverage Manager, who is old friend.
Photos of our suite (#766) which is our home for the next 34 nights. Good to be home!!
Ok, heading to the "Compulsory Lifeboat Drill" now. Have to do it prior to our 5:00 pm sailing.
Tomorrow we will be in Nassau, Bahamas.
Remember clicking on the photos makes them larger!
I used our AAdvantage miles to get two first class tickets to Miami but had to go through Houston to get the lowest mileage award. The weather in Dallas, Houston, and Miami was perfect. We only had an hour between flights in Houston but that was plenty of time. All our flights left the gate early and arrived early. Best news was our four checked bags showed up when we did. I always worry about lost luggage.
We grabbed a taxi to take us to the Hilton Miami Downtown. He tried to rip me off by double charging for tolls. I confronted him and he got snippy so I just deducted the extra toll from his tip. Will they never learn?
At check in we were upgraded to a huge two room suite on corner with fantastic views of downtown and also the port where our ship would be on Monday. I am a loyal Hilton Honors member with diamond status, hence the upgrade. We immediately turned the tv on to see how the Cowboys game turned out. Not good news there! The Broncos/Patriots game was on so we watched it. We are also Broncos fans. Later we went to the Executive Lounge for a snack and to check it out. Another perk of diamond status. I had done some research on the internet and found a pub close by to the Hilton. We weren't really that hungry but needed some chardonnay. It was definitely a "locals" hangout. Food was average but wine was good. They had numerous tvs with various football games on so we sat at bar and watched Broncos get beat too. Not a good day for us football wise.
After a nice night's sleep I was up at 6:45 am to check and see if our ship had made it in port. Sure enough, there she was. I went to executive lounge and got Rebecca a cup of coffee before I headed down to the fitness center for my hour long workout. She was about ready to go to breakfast by time I had worked out and cleaned up.
We had breakfast buffet vouchers (another benefit of diamond status) so had a wonderful cooked to order omelet to start the day. At 11 am we got a shuttle from the Hilton to the pier. Our carry-on luggage was x-rayed and we had to wait until noon before they checked us in and allowed us to go on board the Mariner. I am in the casino now writing this as the suites will not be ready until 2:30 pm. I'll finish writing and adding photos when in our suite.
Prior to going down to the casino (reason we went there is because it is on same deck as our suite), we had a salad up on top deck at La Veranda buffet restaurant. We have run into several crew members that we know but not as many as usual at this point. I know we will find more of our crew friends in the next several days.
Ok, we are in our suite so I am down loading photos to put below.
Ok, heading to the "Compulsory Lifeboat Drill" now. Have to do it prior to our 5:00 pm sailing.
Tomorrow we will be in Nassau, Bahamas.
Remember clicking on the photos makes them larger!
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