Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Grand Turk

The five of us decided to have breakfast at the MDR coz the lines were so long at the buffet.  We were seated close to the window with other people.  Unlike day 3, the service today was VERY SLOW.  The MDR wasn’t even packed.  My husband and I rushed through our food because we had a dive trip to get to.

Everything was right at the pier – gorgeous water, Margaritaville, shops, etc.  There were plenty of beach chairs by the beach.

My husband and I booked a dive trip through Carnival.  My parents and my cousin hanged out at the beach.

Click here to download all the Fun Times at our cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sea Day

Three of us went to the main dining room (Universe) for breakfast.  We were taken quickly to a table with other people, but we requested to be seated alone.  They were able to again quickly find a table for us at the back of the ship.  Gorgeous view!

We spent most of our time eating and hanging out at the aft pool.  After dinner and back at our cabin, we were greeted with a towel dog, chocolates, and the next day’s Fun Times.

Click here to download all the Fun Times at our cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Monday, November 14, 2011
Embarkation – Miami, FL

We took a cab from Hyatt Summerfield Suites to the Port of Miami and it cost us $28+tip.  Arrived at the port around 11am.  Embarkation was quick and we got on the ship around 12 noon.

We were told that we couldn’t get to our rooms until 1:30pm so we headed to Sun & Sea Restaurant (buffet) for lunch.  There weren’t a lot of people and we quickly found a table big enough for the five of us.  At a little past 1:30pm, we headed to our rooms, unpacked, roamed the ship a little, then got ready for dinner in the main dining room.  It wasn’t required to dress up for dinner on the first night since all luggages may not have been delivered to the rooms.

The ship left on time at 4pm and our journey began.

Cruise lines usually have daily newsletters that contain the day’s activities, specials, and other info.  These daily newsletters get delivered to cabins the night before except of course on embarkation day.  Carnival’s daily newsletter is called Fun Times.  Click here to download all the Fun Times at our cruise.  The first day’s Fun Times was in our cabin when we checked in.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Sunday, November 13, 2011
Pre-cruise

We decided to get to Miami a day before cruise embarkation to anticipate any delays.  We flew Delta from JFK and flight was uneventful.  There was no delay flying out and we arrived 20 minutes early in Miami.

We booked the Hyatt Summerfield Suites near the airport.  It was a nice hotel and I highly recommend it.  However, their shuttle is not very reliable.  The shuttle took 40 minutes from my first phone call  to the arrival of the shuttle at the airport.  Check-in was a breeze and the unit was nice.

I called front desk to get us a cab that will fit 5 people and the cab was waiting for us as soon as we got to the lobby.  The cab ride cost $23+tip to Dolphin Mall.  The mall was huge.  Going back to the hotel however cost us $25+tip.  The cabbie was surprised we gave him a tip.  I guess they don’t tip cabbies in Miami huh?

The hotel was one block away from a shopping center with Publix.  So my husband and I went around 9pm and bought some midnight snacks and breakfast for the next day.  Our unit had a full kitchen.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Kleinfeld Presidents Day SAMPLE SALE
(One-hour appointments only)
Monday, February 20th

• Save up to 70% on select sample gowns from top bridal designers at Kleinfeld’s Presidents Day Sale!

• Also Featuring large selection of plus size sample gowns (Size 10 thru 24 available)

Designers include: Alita Graham, Alvina Valenta, Amalia Carrara, Amarilidine, Amsale, Amy Michelson, Anne Barge, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Christos, Claire Pettibone, Edgardo Bonilla, Eve of Milady, Henry Roth, Ian Stuart, Jim Hjelm, Judd Waddell, Justina McCaffrey, Kenneth Pool, Lazaro, Liancarlo, Maggie Sottero, Marisa, Melissa Sweet, Michelle Roth, Monique Lhuillier, Peter Langner, Perla D, Pnina Tornai, Priscilla of Boston, Reem Acra, Rivini, Romona Keveza, Stephen Yearick, Tara Keeley, and many other famous Kleinfeld exclusive European designers!

• Plus, receive up to 50% off a select group of accessories!
Call (646) 633-4300 today for your sample sale appointment!

During the holiday break, I wanted to learn something new and decided to learn crocheting.  Now I’m addicted!

It’s pretty easy, you can make a lot of things, and it saves money.  Now I don’t have to buy most of my accessories like scarf, hat, mittens, decorative belt.

Kleinfeld’s Blowout Sample Sale
January 31, 2012

Kleinfeld Manhattan
110 W 20th St, New York City

January 31, 2012
3:00 p.m. – Doors close at 7:00 p.m.
No appointment necessary – First Come, First Served

Save up to 70% on select sample bridal gowns, headpieces, veils and accessories from top bridal designers at Kleinfeld’s Blow Out Sample Sale!

Bridal Sample Gowns
size 10 – 28
starting at $899 and up

Veils & Headpieces starting at $99
Designers include Peter Langner, Homa, Cheryl King and Melissa Blue

Designer Shoes from Lanvin start at $299

Due to space limitations, Kleinfeld can only accommodate one guest per bride and please be prepared to share a dressing room with other brides. No regular priced merchandise will be shown…sample gowns only! Cash/Credit Card and Carry!

My first reaction when I saw the photo of the Blood Pressure Dock at Brookstone was “Cool!”  After a few seconds of brain death on my part, I came to my senses.  Why would I buy a $99.99 sphygmomanometer + iPhone dock when I can buy a pretty good sphygmomanometer for about $50 and a dock for less than $20?

The Brookstone blood pressure dock would probably be more useful if it were more portable.  The point of using my phone for a lot of my everyday requirements is portability.  Since the Brookstone blood pressure dock is as big as most sphygmomanometers, I’d rather just have a dedicated sphygmomanometer.  I actually have a manual sphygmomanometer that tends to be more accurate than the electronic ones.

Would you buy the Brookstone Blood Pressure Dock?  Share your thoughts.

STAY DETAILS
November 13-14, 2011
2-bedroom trio
Rate: $222.98 via Expedia.com

I would highly recommend Hyatt Summerfield Suites Miami Airport if you want to be within close proximity of the airport.

We booked the hotel as part of a flight and hotel package via Expedia.  We only stayed one night as a pre-cruise accommodation.  We originally booked a 2-bedroom 2 king unit.  I called Expedia to upgrade to a trio (2-bedroom, 1 king, 2 queen unit), but they didn’t have any available in the system.  So the Expedia representative told me to call the hotel directly.  I did and the hotel representative made a note on my reservation that I was requesting a trio.  Upon check-in, the front desk staff saw the note and found us an available trio unit at no additional cost.

LOCATION
The hotel is about 5 minutes away from the airport, but we never heard noise from the airport.  It is one block away from a shopping center that had Publix, Chinese restaurant, Starbucks, Office Depot, etc. which was great.  There are a lot of stores along NW 7th St which is one block away from the hotel.  The hotel is a little far if you’re in Miami to go to the beaches.  But for a pre-cruise or post-cruise stay, it was perfect.  It cost us about $28+tip taxi from the hotel to the cruise port, $23+tip from the hotel to Dolphin Mall, and $25+tip from Dolphin Mall to the hotel.  You can also catch the 7 bus on NW 7th St to Dolphin Mall.

PREMISES
The hotel was clean.  The lobby was small, but there were plenty of seating for guests to hang or wait.  The grounds was well kept.

STAFF
Since we only stayed there one night, we only got to meet the front desk staff.  They were very nice and willing to help.  I always bothered them for a taxi that would accommodate 5 people and we never had to wait.  A taxi was always waiting for us as soon as we got to the lobby.

ROOM
Our room (327) was nice except for the face towel left on the floor in the king bedroom.  I guess housekeeping don’t vacuum the floors after every guest.

Read on…