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Tuesday, November 16, 2011
Grand Turk
Everything is right at the pier – gorgeous water, Margaritaville, shops, etc. There were plenty of beach chairs for by the beach.
My husband and I booked a dive trip through Carnival. My parents and my cousin hanged out at the beach.
Reviews after the jump…
Monday, 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.
Reviews after the jump…
Sunday, 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 us 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 it was likely that not all luggages were 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 your stateroom 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…
Saturday, 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…
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.
STAY DETAILS
September 9-16, 2011 (but only stayed for the weekend)
2-bedroom corner unit
Rate: $139 exchange rate via RCI (timeshare)
I highly recommend Wyndham Skyline Tower for its location, cleanliness, and the spacious units/rooms. I would definitely stay here again if I ever want to go back to Atlantic City. However, I don’t recommend Atlantic City for non-gamblers like me. For more photos, feel free to contact me.
LOCATION
It was one big block away from the boardwalk, but a little more north of where most of the boardwalk activities and people were. It was right by Pacific Ave where you can catch a Jitney. Since the place was located closer to the North end, the area by Pacific Ave and Atlantic Ave looked a little shady. I wouldn’t suggest walking there at night. Drive or catch a cab.
The hotel didn’t have a casino. But Resorts casino was right next door. Taj Mahal and Showboat were also close by. You can get to the other casinos on the boardwalk by Jitney or just walking on the boardwalk. It was also an easy and short drive to Borgata and Harrah’s by the marina.
If you’re looking for a place to eat nearby, restaurants on Pacific Ave are less expensive than on the boardwalk of course. We ate at Perry’s Cafe (Pacific and Tennesse Ave) for breakfast and it was good. It wasn’t nearby, but we decided to try the famous Waterfront buffet at Harrah’s. The food was delicious and there were a lot of selections, but I had better. We paid $30+tax per person.
PREMISES
The hotel didn’t have a big loading/unloading area. However, the street right infront of it wasn’t so busy that it didn’t pose a problem. The lobby was nice and adequate in size. The hotel overall was very clean. I saw people cleaning all the time, especially on the 6th floor where the activities center and other amenities are. The place wasn’t as big as the other known hotels/casinos, but I liked it that way.
The default temperature was a little on the cool side. It wasn’t a problem coz you can control the temperature in your unit anyway, but it’s gets really cold in the hallway.
There were only 2 guest elevators and 1 service elevator. Because of the number of floors, there may be a wait for the elevators. We didn’t experience that much wait maybe because it was no longer peak season. We experienced the longest wait on Sunday morning when a lot of guests were checking out.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Nassau, Bahamas
The ship arrived at Nassau around 8am. We headed to the gangway around 12 noon and there was a very short line to get out.
We reserved a room at the British Colonial Hiton for the day for $109 plus taxes and fees that covered 2 adults, 2 children were free. There were 5 of us (3 adults), but the nice front desk agent didn’t charge us for the 3rd adult. Maybe because they were doing construction on the wing where our room was and there was no electricity from 1pm to 3pm. We could have also gotten a day pass (without a room) for $55 per adult and half price for kids. But the room was cheaper and you get a room unlike the day pass.
We swam at the hotel’s pool. We played on the sand on the beach right infront of the hotel and we snorkeled and kayaked.
We left the hotel at 6pm and we planned to go shopping afterwards. Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed then. So if you plan to shop, do it early.
Below is today’s Cruise Compass. Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.
Reviews after the jump…
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Coco Cay, Bahamas
The ship arrived at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island at 8am. We ate breakfast at the ship and headed to the gangway around 11am. The gangway and the tender weren’t crowded. We got to the island in 15 minutes.
Coco Cay was great. There were a lot of activities available and buffet lunch was provided by Royal Caribbean free of charge.
We were only able to snorkel today, but we had a blast! We saw plenty of fish even a stingray. My aunt just stood in the water and fishes were swimming around her!
We were the last ones to board the last tender (4:30pm) back to the ship. There was no line at all. Unfortunately, we got back with bad sunburns on our back from snorkeling too long, but it was well worth it.
Below is today’s Cruise Compass. Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.
Reviews after the jump…
Monday, June 13, 2011
Embarkation – Port Canaveral FL
I like how I could check in my flight on my phone and I didn’t have to print my boarding passes. I got to the Delta terminal at Laguardia airport around 5:40pm and I haven’t seen a line that long for Security. I was worried, but I was able to catch my 6:55am flight. I had a rolling carry-on, a backpack and my camera bag. But at the gate, they only allowed 2 bags, so I had to check in my rolling bag at no charge. Unlike American, US Air and United (7-hr flight!), we were served complimentary drinks and choice of pretzels, peanuts or cookies during the 2 1/2-hour flight. I always look forward to the cinnamon cookies, they’re my favorite.
My uncle and his family checked in at the Hyatt hotel right in the Orlando International airport the day before. My uncle was waiting at the hotel atrium which was also the airport’s atrium before you get to baggage claim.
The hotel was pretty nice and big, but the elevators were located in only one side of the building so it was a long walk going to the other side where my uncle’s hotel room was located.
We drove to Port Canaveral for our Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas. It was pretty easy to get there – I-528 E all the way until you see signs for your ship’s terminal.
Cruise lines usually have daily newsletters that contain the day’s activities, specials, and other info. These daily newsletters get delivered to your stateroom the night before except of course on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean’s daily newsletter is called Cruise Compass. Below is the Cruise Compass on embarkation day, click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise. It was in our cabin when we checked in.
Reviews after the jump…
