IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Hello!!!! Welcome to my semi-live blog! Background: My hubby and I have saved up our vacation time at work since early 2018(despite unexpected and serious medical issues) to be able to take a consecutive two week + 1 day trip. Yes...that extra day counts too!!! This trip will be myself, DH and our 9yo son. This is our son’s first trip w/o any of his other siblings. He is a huge fan of cruising just like good ‘ol mom and dad. The important stuff: First week we are on Navigator, second week we are on Allure! We fly out of Baltimore to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow morning, then head to Miami. I feel like we’ve waited forever for this trip. Since March of 2018 to be exact. Our itinerary will be: 8/10 Miami (Intercontinental) 8/11 Miam 8/12 Board Navigator 8/13 Coco Cay 8/14 Nassau 8/15 Sea Day 8/16 Ft. Lauderdale (Renaissance) 8/17 Ft. Lauderdale 8/18 Board Allure 8/19 Sea Day 8/20 Sea Day 8/21 St. Maarten 8/22 Puerto Rico 8/23 Labadee 8/24 Sea Day 8/25 Hollywood (Margaritaville) 8/26 Fly home We have two excursions booked. We are doing a dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon in the Bahamas and we are doing the Rain Forest Drive in Puerto Rico. Both excursions are through the ship this go round. This will be semi-live because to be honest...I can’t wait to not have phone service for a while. It’s been a rough year and we desperately need to disconnect. I’ll be live until I lose my phone service and will update on our land days and in Puerto Rico, etc. ellcee, Skid, SuperStarian and 13 others 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 I almost forgot...on Navigator we will be in a Panoramic Suite (first time suite guests here). On Allure we have an Ocean View Balcony on deck 8. This will be our lil guys first balcony experience. Soooooo....I don’t want you guys to be shocked by this, but I spent this evening doing 3 loads of laundry, cleaning the guinea pig cage, running errands and finishing packing. DH spent the evening playing a game on his phone, watching a show on demand and packed the garment bag (because I asked him to). We’ll let him slide though...he’s been through a lot this year. The luggage is mostly packed except our few things we can’t throw in until tomorrow morning. Cruzinfun, JLMoran, PRebecca and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Following along! Have a fantastic trip! Take care of Allure for me..I'll be on her a week after you debark (September 1). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 8 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: Following along! Have a fantastic trip! Take care of Allure for me..I'll be on her a week after you debark (September 1). We sure will!!! I can’t wait to give her a try and I would get excited at every log that had her name in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 It’s officially vacation time! Do you ever look so forward to a vacation that you get anxiety ahead time, fearing something will prevent it? The luggage has multiplied, I’m having my sloffee (coffee) and we are waiting on my handsome firstborn to come to take us to the airport. I was up at 4-something this morning because I had a dream that we got to the airport and left the luggage at home. See you at the airport..... Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and KathyC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Enjoy your trip!!! 1 minute ago, IslandBoundMama said: Do you ever look so forward to a vacation that you get anxiety ahead time, fearing something will prevent it? 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 4 minutes ago, ellcee said: Enjoy your trip!!! Thanks!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Our furry baby we are leaving behind....this is her signature pose all of the time. Traveler, PRebecca, JLMoran and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Have A Great Trip @IslandBoundMama IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Have an amazing time @IslandBoundMama ! Will be following! Would love to sail Navigator and just sailed on Allure back in May. IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 What an amazing cruise line up, and long waited. Glad you've gotten past your medical issues. Sounds like trip will be great for you. We are on Navigator in 2 weeks so really look forward to your review. And how great you are following it with Allure. Enjoy your 2 cruises! IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Jaymac Radio said: Have A Great Trip @IslandBoundMama 1 hour ago, JohnK6404 said: Have an amazing time @IslandBoundMama ! Will be following! Would love to sail Navigator and just sailed on Allure back in May. 33 minutes ago, WannaCruise said: What an amazing cruise line up, and long waited. Glad you've gotten past your medical issues. Sounds like trip will be great for you. We are on Navigator in 2 weeks so really look forward to your review. And how great you are following it with Allure. Enjoy your 2 cruises! Thank you everyone!!!! It’s been smooth sailing so far! JohnK6404 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Our chariot arrived and I snapped one pic of my handsome driver as we went through the Baltimore tunnel. Got to the airport and luggage drop off was a breeze and dare I say the security check. We encountered one grouchy TSA guy. I handed him our three boarding passes and he responded, “Everyone is old enough to hold their own aren’t they?” To which I replied,”Yes and there was a nicer way to have said that.” Bleh! KathyC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Here we go..... emfagan, Traveler, Cruzinfun and 10 others 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 13 hours ago, IslandBoundMama said: I almost forgot...on Navigator we will be in a Panoramic Suite (first time suite guests here). Would love to see some pics (only if you have time) and how the full suite benefits go for you this sailing. We have one of these rooms booked next year and although it says you get full suite benefits now, I am really interested to hear first hand how that works out. I am assuming you got a welcome email from their suite concierge? Did it seem to include full benefits? IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Have a great trip! IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Would love to see some pics (only if you have time) and how the full suite benefits go for you this sailing. We have one of these rooms booked next year and although it says you get full suite benefits now, I am really interested to hear first hand how that works out. I am assuming you got a welcome email from their suite concierge? Did it seem to include full benefits? That makes two of us! I can’t wait to find out! No email yet...I keep checking. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Touchdown... Lovetocruise2002 and JohnK6404 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 One snafu...Southwest luggage handlers totally trashed one of our pieces of luggage. My hubby is on a mission to go take up the issue with someone. Other than that...staff have been great and flying out of Baltimore May be our new favorite! JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Waiting on daddy to solve our issue, then calling an Uber to Miami... Lovetocruise2002 and JohnK6404 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 1 hour ago, IslandBoundMama said: That makes two of us! I can’t wait to find out! No email yet...I keep checking. Hmm...that is strange since you are only 2 days out now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 14 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Hmm...that is strange since you are only 2 days out now... I thought so too...I even checked my spam box to make sure it wasn’t filtered out in error. We’re on our way to your favorite hotel now. I wish would’ve got Club Level, but not this go round. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Remember our blue luggage with the llama tag? It’s now a new brown luggage with a llama tag courtesy of Southwest. When I say it looked like Swiss cheese I’m not exaggerating. I would’ve gotten a picture but hubby whisked it off so fast I missed the opportunity. New bag.... Skigoofy and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 5 minutes ago, IslandBoundMama said: I thought so too...I even checked my spam box to make sure it wasn’t filtered out in error. We’re on our way to your favorite hotel now. I wish would’ve got Club Level, but not this go round. Intercontinental?! Even non-club it’s a great property. If you have time, take your son to Bayfront Park next door and Bayside Marketplace. Great area for kids. IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 16 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Intercontinental?! Even non-club it’s a great property. If you have time, take your son to Bayfront Park next door and Bayside Marketplace. Great area for kids. Awesome!!! I think he’s over all of the transportation part of today and ready for food and exploring. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Alert!!!! Alert!!!! We should’ve had an interior room and were upgraded to a bay view just in time to watch departures! I’m in love!!!! I already know why @Love2cruise2002 loves this place! The Cruise Junkie, JLMoran, Cruzinfun and 8 others 6 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Watching Empress sail out... The Cruise Junkie, JLMoran, KathyC and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 Aw..I miss that place already!! Can't wait to go back in March! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Aw..I miss that place already!! Can't wait to go back in March! You are so lucky!!! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 We were starving right after check-in so we strolled over to Bayside Marketplace. A dark cloud appeared overhead and we felt a few raindrops...but it never amounted to anything more. Live music and lots of people dancing and enjoying themselves. We decided on Hooters and ate out on the deck area. We had wings, fried pickles and I enjoyed my first drink of this vacation making it really official. We’re in Miami so I chose. Miami Vice and it hit the spot! Lovetocruise2002, KathyC and ellcee 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 The room in the hotel is perfect. I just finished testing out the bed by taking an after dinner nap which I never do. I am NOT a napped. I tend to wake up feeling worse instead of better so I try to avoid them. The bathroom is HUGE!!!! Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404, Skigoofy and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 1 minute ago, IslandBoundMama said: The bathroom is HUGE!!!! Overall I find their rooms to be way more spacious than a typical hotel room. IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 4 hours ago, IslandBoundMama said: Watching Empress sail out... Did you remember to wave bon voyage to @twangster? IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 52 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Did you remember to wave bon voyage to @twangster? Hahahaha...I did. The only problem is he won’t be heat to return the favor. I almost got a picture of him too with my long range telescope lens. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandBoundMama Posted August 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 Well @Love2cruise2002 here is my convo with Royal about the suite benefits: KathyC and Lovetocruise2002 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 following along, enjoy your journey and thanks for taking us along with you! IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDaley Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 On 8/9/2019 at 6:56 PM, IslandBoundMama said: 8/26 Fly home Oh nooo! This will be my same Fly Home day after Freedom in a week. Best not to think of that yet! hahah Have such an awesome time! IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuruczpa Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 Will be following along the Allure part of this trip, have a great time!! IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzinfun Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 Have a great trip!!!!! Enjoy unwinding and relaxing. IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 16 hours ago, IslandBoundMama said: flying out of Baltimore May be our new favorite! Southwest out of BWI to Orlando or Fort Lauderdale is usually pretty good. It's become standard for us even though Dulles is a little closer. Have a good trip! Sweety and IslandBoundMama 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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