CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 16, 2018 Sorry to report folks but your eyes aren't playing tricks. Starting tomorrow I'll be coming to you somewhat live from on board the Symphony of the Seas. This has been a cruise with right around 620 days of waiting. Booked the night reports had started to leak out that Symphony booking had opened up. Little did I know at the time of booking it would be a very short wait to learn this sailing would be part of something much bigger, an official Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise. Itinerary is somewhat port heavy, but still has time to relax. Day 1 - Miami Day 2 - Sea Day Day 3 - Roatan Day 4 - Costa Maya Day 5 - Cozumel Day 6 - Sea Day Day 7 - Nassau Day 8 - Eviction in Miami For those that are new to reading my LIVEish. Check out my previous one to get an idea of what fine quality work I produce: Finally, I'll leave this image for fun... 5 1 CruisinUngs, Jaymac Radio, Lovetocruise2002 and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sweety 1,125 Report post Posted November 16, 2018 Following. Your blog brings laughter to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyDillo 800 Report post Posted November 16, 2018 Yaaaay...I get to piggyback on this one and chime in with nonsense. For example..this made me rethink my comfy 8-hour drive this morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyDillo 800 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Well, we finally made it down to Miami. Had two standing reservations with Enterprise for a minivan this morning. Got to Enterprise and no minivans. Had to wait a little bit for one to be brought in. Did a little trunk Tetris with the luggage and made the 7-hour drive to Miami. Uneventful other than traffic..but expected cuz Miami and before a big travel holiday..blah blah blah. Our hotel is the Hampton Inn and Suites Brickell. Great location if you are flying as it's about 2 blocks from the Metrorail from the airport. It is downtown Miami so of course not optimal if you're driving because you have to pay to park..so we checked in, ditched the luggage and drove out to the airport to drop off the rental. $14 Lyft or $2.25 Metrorail...hmmmm tough choice there. Now, I don't live in a big city so public transportation is a novelty and I embrace it whenever I can. Rode the 'Rail back and then hit up the gastropub next to the Hampton. Now our hotel rate came with coupons for drinks at two bars. One was this gastropub called Batch. We hit it up and I got their house Black Barrell draft. It tasted like KY Bourbon Stout but much, much lighter. We order some eats..and they made mac and cheese out of gnocchi. This was amazing comfort food and totally worth the hipster we serve grain bowls and avocado toast prices. The wings were alao good and the Brussels sprouts were also a hit. Annnnnd..ladies drink free sangria and well drinks from 10pm-1am. Whaaaaaaat? So remember that if you stay downtown Miami on Friday night..Batch in Brickell..look them up! Currently waiting on my free sangria in plastic cups to take it back to the hotel. Another bonus... @CGTLH paid the dinner tab...haha, sucker. 6 Traveler, CruisinUngs, SweetPea and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 3 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said: Another bonus... @CGTLH paid the dinner tab...haha, sucker. Thanks Sis for the recap of the exciting day and you're welcome for dinner. 1 Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 3,649 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 7 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said: Another bonus... @CGTLH paid the dinner tab...haha, sucker. Just now, CGTLH said: Thanks Sis for the recap of the exciting day and you're welcome for dinner. SISTER?!?!? :: said in best Darth Vader voice :: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovetocruise2002 7,037 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Awesome! A brother/sister live blog! Should be a great one! @AshleyDillo hope he is sharing that suite/Genie with you too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyDillo 800 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said: @AshleyDillo hope he is sharing that suite/Genie with you too. When you're the family chauffeur, you get a free ride 😉😉😉 3 1 Jaymac Radio, CGTLH, JLMoran and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 It is Officially Cruise Day here in Miami. In the meantime here are some pictures taken from the 6th floor pool here at the Hampton Inn and Suites. 4 Ray, Guy Gadwa, Jaymac Radio and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyDillo 800 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 My photo from our hotel view..this is why I stick with words 😆 4 Ray, JLMoran, Lovetocruise2002 and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Made it and waiting to board, Genie is chillin' with us. 2 1 Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and Guy Gadwa reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray 549 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 10 hours ago, CGTLH said: It is Officially Cruise Day here in Miami. In the meantime here are some pictures taken from the 6th floor pool here at the Hampton Inn and Suites. After a few beers Thats usually how every building looks to me in the early hours of the morning lol 1 Guy Gadwa reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovetocruise2002 7,037 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 10 hours ago, CGTLH said: Hampton Inn and Suites. How far was this one from the port? Did you use Uber/Lyft this morning? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Anyone thirsty? 2 Guy Gadwa and JLMoran reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 52 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: How far was this one from the port? Did you use Uber/Lyft this morning? LyftXL 1 Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sweety 1,125 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Following sister brother team. Woohoo!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 First day dining, depressed Hooked isn't open for lunch. Oh well, Playmakers will do. 3 Lovetocruise2002, Guy Gadwa and JLMoran reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyDillo 800 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 All the footballs...or the ones they have rights to. 2 Jaymac Radio and Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyDillo 800 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Playmakers wings are the best I have ever had at sea! 1 Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Just now, AshleyDillo said: Playmakers wings are the best I have ever had at sea! So true, at least on a Royal ship. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Fun of no tab at Playmakers, note this was four people enjoying. 4 Jaymac Radio, JLMoran, Lovetocruise2002 and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 17, 2018 Muster drill time! 5 Jaymac Radio, Traveler, ellcee and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 18, 2018 I know, I know been neglecting things. Some Windjammer info (sorry no picts) Stations in the back were Mongolian, pasta, crepes, and Indian. Didn't catch the dessert selections, do recall a huge pile of fruits. In the main section, seemed like the standard fare. 3 Jaymac Radio, CruisinUngs and Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellcee 859 Report post Posted November 18, 2018 5 hours ago, CGTLH said: I know, I know been neglecting things. You're not neglecting anything, you're enjoying your trip! 2 CruisinUngs and JLMoran reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 1,993 Report post Posted November 19, 2018 Well, this has been beyond a relaxing sea day. Breakfast delivered Top Tier event (wasn't paying attention to stats) Hooked for Lunch Exclusive Welcome Aboard Reception for cruisers book with MEI Starbucks Run Pub Crawl Group "Come as you are" formal night photo Dinner in Wonderland Hairspray Pub time Pizza time LIVEish post Before bed procrastination -No time to fit in a basic WJ recon 4 ellcee, Lovetocruise2002, CruisinUngs and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
