FlowBro Ty

I thought I'd post this since I often see a question about transfers in South Florida specifically between Port of Miami and Ft Lauderdale.  
The Port of Miami is the busiest cruise port in the world.  Yet sometimes the Miami International Airport is not the best or least expensive airport to access South Florida.  Some airlines like Southwest don't fly there but they do fly to Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport approximately 30 miles up the coast.  Often airfare and hotels are less expensive in Ft. Lauderdale which is great but then the challenge becomes how do you get down the coast to the Port of Miami when sailing from there?
My Miami area hotel offered a hotel-airport shuttle but only to the Miami airport.  My options were a cab ($80), ride-share like Uber or Lyft ($40) or... another option that cost just $3.75.  
Enter a local transportation option called "Tri Rail" http://www.tri-rail.com/
Tri Rail operates a train service from as far North as the West Palm Beach area South to Miami.  In my case I planned on taking it from the Ft. Lauderdale airport down to Miami where my hotel for the night was located before I boarded a cruise departing from the Port of Miami.   For the train stations involved the fare was really just $3.75.
Landing in Ft. Lauderdale I picked up my checked luggage and headed out to the transportation area.   Signs led me to the waiting area for the shuttle bus that would take me to the closest train station.  The shuttle buses are similar to the type of car rental shuttle buses many airports use.  What I wasn't expecting was the flash mob crowd that let no one off the bus before trying to board the bus.  
Once on the bus we stopped at a few more airport terminal before leaving the airport for the train station. At each terminal the flash mob returned and let no one off the bus before trying to board themselves.

The Tri-Rail shuttle to the train station.
After a 20 minute ride we arrived at the train station.  With no one manning the ticket both we all discovered one ticket kiosk was down leaving just one kiosk open.

With many new users it took about 15 minutes for my turn.  The shuttle bus is timed to the trains and around the time I was 3rd in line the train pulled up.  Five minutes later after the lady in front of me had her credit card declined three times before she attempted cash I finally had my ticket.


A Northbound train as I was waiting in line for my ticket.
The train was waiting and I made a dash for it given the alternative of waiting another 30-40 minutes for the next train.  Phew.
Safely inside my Southbound train I opted for seating close to my luggage.  Additional seating was available upstairs.


The ride itself was pretty painless and we flew past the interstate with bumper-to-bumper traffic.  
The ride ends after several stops near the rental car facility at Miami International Airport.  From here you take the rental car train to the main terminal.

Once aboard the rental car train we began our ride to the main airport area.  If anyone has rented a car at the Miami airport and rode that train you'll know it it quite the walk from the rental car train to any given terminal where in my case the hotel shuttle for my hotel would pick me up.    
In the end this option took twice as long as Uber/Lyft would have but cost me just $3.75.  
I had lots of time with an evening of just nothing but me alone in my hotel room so I took the Tri-Rail just to see what it's like.  There is no question a cab or ride-share would be much more convenient but also cost much more money.
In the end this was a very affordable way to get from Ft Lauderdale down to Miami.  It's isn't fast but it is low cost.  
I'd have no problem using it again if I had plenty of time to spare.
Tri-Rail does not operate 24 x 7 and weekend service is different compared to weekday service.  Review their website to learn more about schedules and other stations that are available along the Tri-Rail service corridor.  
Tri-Rail service ends on the Southern end at Miami International Airport.  From there you can grab a hotel shuttle, cab or ride-share to your final destination.  

No 20 minute timeout for posting on this site apparently....hence evenjngevening.

Here is a quick shot from the "dry" side of the new pool bar.

For the record chair hogs have no bounds...

NCL still has to tender into their private island here...neener neener.

Can't see much from the helipad...

They're hard at work at making the dock longer!

And it's pretty and clean...

Almost Perfect Day waterslides ?

I haven't attempted to leave or paid attention to announcements, so not sure what the towel check situation is.  Don't see it on the pier so I'm assuming everyone has to go to the pool deck for them?

March 16, 2019.
Mariner of the Seas made history this morning by becoming the first ship to dock at the new pier at CocoCay.  
The ship docked in the dark and secured her lines following a brief pier test last week.  Last week’s brief pier trial docking occurred after the ship spent the day tendering guests to the island.  The ship spent a few minutes at the pier before continuing on with her regularly scheduled departure from Cococay.   
Today for the first time guests will disembark visiting CocoCay using the pier and experience a soft opening of a couple new Perfect Day features.  
This historic visit to CocoCay is occurring with fortunate timing for RoyalCarribeanBlog.com readers since it coincides with the blog group cruise involving dozens of blog followers led by @Matt and his family.
Still dark as I write this you know Matt and many others on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog group cruise will be posting about this historic event. 
If you don't already follow Matt both here on the blog and on social media today where he will be posting about this historic day in the life of CocoCay as it unfolds.
http://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbeanblog
http://twitter.com/therclblog
http://instagram.com/royalcaribbeanblog
https://www.pscp.tv/therclblog
https://www.youtube.com/royalcaribbeanblog
 
Pier construction will continue over the coming months to allow even larger ships including Quantum and Oasis class.

More art from the aft elevator bank.  Very fitting for the Freedom of the Seas and since we sailed on 11/11.
Many thanks to all veterans and active service personnel including their families!  

And a shout out to a Periscoper @FloatMe I presume... I'm also on deck 10.

Lastly you never know what interesting aquatic life you'll see in the middle of the Caribbean Sea:

That's Harmony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world!  She was with us on day 1 in Port Everglades.   Now we are trading destinations as she heads to Cozumel and we head to Jamaica.  I sailed on her in September and she is a great ship!  

I neglected to mention last night I found an emerald pin waiting for me in my cabin after dinner.

As promised the Captain delivered us to Cozumel on time where we met up with the Liberty of the Seas.

The port area of Cozumel features a collection of shops and some bars.  Not far outside the port area are less expensive shops.

I've been to Cozumel several times and the color of the water amazes me every time.

Since we were not scheduled to arrive until 11am several people were out early in the adult only Solarium to get a head start on their tan.

When sisters meet...


I then headed up to Olive or Twist near the top of the ship aft.  Amazing views from up there.




Last stop was the Chapel.

Down to the pier...








 

Nothing has been announced as to what will be added/changed/removed on Allure of the Seas for her refurb yet.

In the ships where they've added Playmakers (Mariner/Navigator) they have not removed the Pub.

Thanks for sharing awesome quality reporting thru your great video coverage!!!

Well I'm Want To Thanks @FlowBro Ty For Editing The Video And Posting It. 

Right now...
For @FlowBro Ty and @Jaymac Radio ?

Dessert at Wonderland 
As mentioned earlier, we headed over to Wonderland for desssert, specifically The World. 

Our waiter also brought an extra, the Dream Sundae. It was just ok as we are not huge fans of meringue.

Dinner Night 3: Chops
Tonight marks the first night that we have ever dined at Chops on any cruise.  I went tonight with a mission in mind.  You all know that I am #teamCK and one of the things that I love the most there is the Filet on Night 1. I have also heard good things about the Filet at Chops. I figure that if I am going to continue to promote CK to @Matt and get those shirts made, then I better check out the competition. 
The girls decided long ago that they were not interested at all in eating at Chops so Araceli asked what they wanted for dinner, they chose Wonderland.  Our Perfect Day in Labadee turned into a nice “date night” for Hubby and I. From Wonderland, the kids picked the “Popcorn Chicken with Vegetables”, “Crispy Mac & Cheese fries”, and a side of cherry tomatoes. Here is the series of texts that I received through dinner: 
???

Popcorn Chicken:

Mac & Cheese fries:

Cherry tomatoes:

And condiments were a bust too as they could not figure out how to open them ?
Meanwhile over at Chops....100% wonderful dinner both in service and quality!
Drink Menu:


Dinner Menu:


Ceasar Salad:
(Side note...that Lavender Tonic in the background was delicious!)

Bacon:

Grilled Tofu (personal favourite from CK that I had delivered):

Seafood Tower: delicious, just as many have described.

6oz. Filet Mignon

Sides: Mac & Cheese, Truffle fries, Creamy Spinach, Tater tots

Interesting thing happened tonight at Chops. We ran into the CK manager that we met back in 2017 when we last sailed Harmony. Turns out he received a promotion since we last saw him in 2017 and he is now the speciality restaurant manager on board Harmony. He came to check in on us towards the end of dinner and what a perfect time to bring up my research mission tonight. He asked me what my verdict was and I mentioned to him that I thought CK has a better cut of meat (more tender) but Chops has better flavour. He told me that the cuts of meat are supposedly the same in both restaurants. So, not 100% sure of who I give the edge to. They are very comparable  but I still think I prefer the filet at CK slightly over Chops. Nevertheless, we had a fantastic meal tonight!
The bill was even more fantastic!

D10 and I just watched sail away from the webcams for the last time. Next week it will finally be our turn! 

This is where you will find me for next week’s sail away!

Cannot wait! We are beyond excited!

I already know the answer to that one.  It's "yes" but there is a cost.  It is whatever cost that shows on the cruise planner.

Some random thoughts and observations since I last posted.  This past week and a half or so, I've been emailing Araceli here and there to fine tune some plans.  Our main schedule was done already, and now it's the little things.  She is as wonderful as many have told me.  Communication with her has been prompt and detailed.  I cannot wait to meet her in 3 weeks time.  Anyway, here is what I have discovered so far:
- Genies really can make things happen, even things that don't cross your mind (and I've done lots of research so not much surprises me).
- Genies also do say no sometimes.  For example, we were hoping for burgers from Johnny Rockets or Jamie's to be delivered to our cabana in Labadee, and the answer was no.  So contrary to popular belief, they cannot make everything happen.
- I have also come to the conclusion that what a Genie can do also depends on the ship.  For example, I asked if seats could be reserved on the promenade for certain events and it was explained to me that they do that on Oasis and Allure but not Harmony.  We also inquired about private ice time (as I have heard of other Star Class passengers doing this with success) and we were told that they cannot do that on Harmony but instead, they would give the girls a sticker for public ice time.  No clue what that means right now.  So, no surprise here that Royal is not consistent even with Star Class and genie benefits.
- It has been so stress free to be able to move dining around without any worries that there would not be availability.  We've done it a few times now and Araceli has come back with a simple answer of "Done :)"  
22 days and counting...?

Hope This Helps.Here A Some Great Blog About Star Class And The Genie Program 
 
 

@Matt See My Grandma Supports The Blog.

Room Tour Ocean View Cabin #3086
The Bathroom

The Smallest TV At Sea

The Bed.

Yeah Just Get Destroy The Bridge And Put A Tunnel In It Place. If They Can Do It In The Chesapeake Bay They Can Do It Here..... Oh Wait It Florida The Water Table Is Really Low Here.   

On any Oasis class, you will be walking somewhere. Activities and events are all over the ship.  Some forward, some aft, some up, some down.  It that sense no matter where you stay, you will be walking.
Having said that I do like being not far from the stairs/elevators, either forward or aft.  Given an empty ship and ability to pick anywhere, deck 6 near aft stairs is very convenient.   Deck 8 near aft elevators is another favorite spot.  Love easy access to Central Park and Park Cafe.  Drop down the stairs to reach Boardwalk and Promenade.  
I'd rather walk through Promenade or Central Park to transit forward and aft rather than traversing the cabin halls so a spot close to the stairs is usually high on my list.