Cactus527

I forgot to take a photo before I plowed through my room service oatmeal. Here's the rest on my balcony.

Looks like the Norwegian Sun is on the neighbor island today!

I'm glad our ship wasn't the only one going bananas! I had to take Bonine last night and I typically don't have to. Ugh.

Drinking games... That takes me back... Carnival definitely has decent pricing! There's a ship that sells out of LA that I constantly am eyeing versus Navigator, but now that Quantum is coming, I may stick with RC. I've seen those! Craziness. Miami IS known for spring break. Also, good to know my driver wasn't a total flake. I stopped counting how many times he almost had an accident to give myself stress relief.

6:55am and @Lovetocruise2002 had already beaten us to PDCC.

Random thoughts for the day, Day 1 It appears that they open up the terminal at 10:00 a.m. This was terminal A. However, they didn't start boarding until after 10:30, but before the 11:00 first boarding time. With the amount of young people celebrating spring break on board, the bars seem to be overrun. I have never seen the bars looking so busy. It actually makes me rethink whether I want to go get something to drink or not at times. The Lyft driver I had noted that many drivers will cancel pickups at the cruise terminals because of how long it is taking them to get there versus how much they are going to make. Since I've not ever tried this, I thought it was interesting. He offered to come get me on Friday morning outside of normal Lyft, but not only did this sound highly suspicious and his driving terrified me, I wonder if his story about ride cancellations is true in the first place. Sail away from Miami is beautiful and so cool. We got to go all the way down the cruise ship lane, turn around, and then head out. I love that we got to do the same thing that Icon of the Seas did when it came to Miami in January. I'm sure this is old hat for many people, but it's brand new and fun for me. People in their 20s have a different idea of what dressed up is than I do. While there appears to be a fair amount of children on board for spring break, I don't feel like the ship is overrun with them. Finding weird hairs in your bathroom is unpleasant. Trying not to think too hard about what they are or where they're from. I'm supposed to go to Hideaway Beach tomorrow but I don't have any tickets or anything that you typically would get with a shore excursion. I got my ticket in the state room for my bus transfer to the airport on Friday, but that was it. I'm wondering how they will know I am supposed to be there? Johnny Rockets shakes feel smaller than they were on Allure. Maybe I'm just crazy.

NOW I made it censored. It's a cheeky pie.

I LOVE this. That sounds like an amazing cruise! I was just checking out the cabanas up on the pool deck area today trying to figure out which one I want for Day 3 Nassau. I'm leaning towards the one that is furthest away from everything.

MDR Welcome Aboard menu/night. I was a bit apprehensive about doing the MDR as a solo cruiser, but it went brilliantly. I was in and out in 45 minutes. I went with the tomato soup (scalding but delicious), southern fried chicken (omg good and thoroughly cooked!), and key lime pie (good). It seems very appropriate that "food porn" seems to actually be exhibited here with what appears to be a censored bar across the key lime pie (chocolate). And, of course, my first Shirley Ginger on board. All around me were tables of college students. There is a group of 8 college guys at the table in front of me, and I was a bit worried how that was going to go. However, I could hear them being extremely polite and really excited about the menu. They did prove they were college students though when they cheered for the waiter who showed up with alcohol and toasted to him.

I have often thought about doing Carnival, but Spouse badmouths it so much (without ever having been on board) that I don't want to try at this point. I'll be curious to find out what you think of it when you do it. Still think you're insane for traveling with your mother.

My view in the MDR. I'm at a two-person table by myself, but every. table. around. me. is filled with college students. THEY LOOK SO YOUNG OMG WHEN DID I GET OLD.

3-7am is rough. I'm also trying to adjust from west coast time!

@Lovetocruise2002 I was going to wave at your cabin tomorrow when I see the ship at PDCC, because I assume that you'll be there.

I fell asleep and totally missed sunset. However, can't beat waking up to this view.

More food porn. Also, I'm including the receipt from Johnny Rockets because I constantly see people asking how much the shakes cost by themselves.

Ships seen today: Freedom of the Seas (obviously, ha!), Independence of the Seas, Carnival Conquest, and MSC Magnifica.

It got better, because we got to go down and do the turnaround before heading out.

It's sail away time

#bezosclub

Balcony view

They opened up the rooms at 1:00 p.m. and I went straight there so that way I could start unpacking. I'm an organization freak, I love doing the unpacking part. Met my state room attendant, got things sorted with him, and now have two of my three suitcases. Once the other one shows up, I will continue to unpack. The view from this room is amazing, though I know it's just Miami's allure. Pleasantly surprised at the size of this room! This room is also set forward of the forward elevators on this deck, which I think leads directly to the bridge through the crew door. It is incredibly quiet. When I look off my balcony, to the left I can see the bridge, to the right I can see the overhanging hot tub. Also saw a pirate ship cruising the harbor. Wtf?

I'm pretty sure I saw a bar attached to ELF when I was up there... It was super fun people watching! I'M SO GLAD SOMEONE ELSE SAID THAT BECAUSE I FEEL THE SAME WAY. That's it, I'm going up to ELF and eating there just to take pictures for you to drool over. Omg @Ampurp85 had done it to @Sweety's credit card! Funny you say this - I just finished unpacking and was shocked that there was so much room. It's so nice! I believe you. I thought Galveston was beautiful, but this beats it into the dust.

It feels so generic without the cows!

Ahahaha, you guys and ELF.

That place is HOPPING right now.