Itinerary

My sister Diane and I are flying to Miami on April 21st. On the 23rd we are taking a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas. Then back in Miami for 4 more nights for some shopping and sightseeing. On May 1st, Diane flies home and I board the Mariner of the Seas for a 27 day back to back cruise. The first 15 days will be solo and then Wayne will join me in Rome on my birthday and we will take a 12 day Eastern Mediterranean cruise. We will then spend 3 nights in Rome before we fly home.
Celebrating my 50th birthday in style!

Here is the itinerary of my trip.

Sat. Apr. 21        

Arrive in Miami

Sun. Apr. 22        

Miami, FL  

                                               

Mon. Apr. 23        

Board the NCL Sky, Miami, FL                                             

5:00pm

Tue. Apr. 24        

Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas                  

8:00am to 5:00pm

Wed. Apr. 25        

Nassau, Bahamas                                       

8:00am to 6:00pm

Thu. Apr. 26       

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas                        

8:00am to 5:00pm

Fri. Apr. 27        

Miami, FL                                                 

7:00am

Sat. - Mon., Apr. 28 - 30        

Miami, FL                                          

Tue. May 1         

Board the Mariner of the Seas, Miami, FL                           

5:00pm

Wed. - Tue., May 2 - 8        

At Sea

       

Wed. May  9         

Tenerife, Canary Islands                             

7:00am to 3:00pm

Thu. & Fri., May 10 & 11      

At Sea                                   

                  

Sat. May 12        

Palma de Mallorca, Spain                            

8:00am to 8:00pm

Sun. May 13        

Barcelona, Spain                                        

7:00am to 5:00pm

Mon. May 14       

Nice (Villefranche), France                           

9:00am to 8:00pm

Tue. May 15        

Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy                     

7:00am to 6:00pm

Wed. May 16    My 50th Birthday and Wayne joins the ship!  

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy           

4:00am to 5:00pm

  

Thu. May 17        

Messina, Sicily, Italy                                  

10:00am to 6:00pm

Fri. May 18        

At Sea

                       

Sat. May 19        

Chania, Greece                                           

7:00am to 5:00pm

Sun. May 20        

Rhodes, Greece                                          

7:00am to 6:00pm

Mon. May 21        

At Sea  

                     

Tue. & Wed., May 22 & 23      

Istanbul, Turkey                                         

7:00am on the 22nd until 1:00pm on the 23rd        

Thu. May 24        

Ephesus / Kusadasi, Turkey                         

8:30am to 6:30pm

Fri. May 25        

Athens (Piraeus), Greece                             

6:00am to 5:00pm

Sat. May 26        

At Sea

                       

Sun. May 27       

Naples (Capri), Italy                                    

7:00am to 6:30pm

Mon. May 28        

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy                           

5:00am

Tue. & Wed., May 29 & 30       

Rome

Thu. May 31        

Leave Rome and fly home

April 20, 2012 Halifax, NS

After months of planning, the day had finally arrived. Wayne and I arrived at the airport hotel around 8:30pm. Diane had decided to stay there so she could park her car there, so I decided to join her and save Wayne the early morning trip to the airport. When we arrived, Diane had already checked in. Wayne said his goodbyes and Diane and I settled in for an early evening knowing we had a very early wake up call coming.

April 21, 2012 Halifax, NS and Miami, Florida

The alarm went off at 3am and we were down in the lobby by 3:40am to catch the shuttle and were at the airport by 4am. Since our flight was so early, US pre-clearance was not open so we would have to clear customs once we arrive in Fort Lauderdale.

Diane had checked the weather and they were calling for severe thunder and lightning for the Miami area - oh joy. I am not a fan of flying and was not looking forward to flying in that kind of weather.

When we left Halifax the weather was calm and clear. The flight down was pretty smooth and once we started to desend it got a little bumpy but nothing too bad. Weather when we landed was overcast but not raining. 

We arrived right on time - 9am. Since we were in row 2 we were one of the first people off the plane and through customs. I called the shuttle company we had reservations with and within minutes we were on our way to Downtown Miami. The shuttle dropped us off at our hotel - the Intercontinental Miami. It is a lovely hotel! Since it was too early to check in, they stored our luggage and we went off to explore.

We walked along the waterfront to Bayside Park. 

It is a lovely area right on the water. We walked around for a while and then stopped for lunch. We shared nachos and 2 for 1 Margaritas. :)  We did a little more shopping/sightseeing but realized we both needed to rest. We went back to the hotel and our room was ready. We had bought some wine, so we had a glass and then went off to explore the hotel.

For dinner tonight we shared a pizza from the hotel bar (roasted pineapple - yummy). It will be another early evening as we have a full day of shopping planned.

View from our room

April 22, 2012 Miami, Florida

After a great nights sleep, we woke around 7:30am. Diane went down for a smoke and brought me back a coffee and a slice of banana bread (which we shared).

We caught a bus to the mall and arrived there at 11:30am. Since the mall didn't open until noon, we decided to have lunch in the food court which was open. We spent a few hours shopping and then caught the bus back. This bus went back via Miami Beach which was much more scenic then the bus there.

We got off at Bayside Park and stopped and had some beer and sat in the sun - nice!

We went to Bubba Gump Shrimp and shared the Shrimpers Heaven which was shrimp done in 4 different ways. For dessert we shared a piece of Key Lime pie.

Back to the hotel - tomorrow we board the ship!

April 23, 2012 Miami, Florida

 Another sunny morning in Miami. Diane again brought me coffee and we shared a piece of coffee cake. We headed out to do a little last minute shopping before getting ready to head to the port. At 11am we checked out and grabbed a cab. Once at the pier, as we were walking across the parking lot I heard someone calling “Linda”. I didn't think it would be me, so we kept walking. I heard my name again and this time I turned around and 2 women are waving at us. It was Renee and Linda from Cruise Critic message board who recognized me from my photos on Facebook. What a coincidence that we all arrived at the same time. 

We checked in, had our photos taken, and then went up to wait for our boarding number to be called. VIP's first, then L1, then us - L2. We were on the ship by 11:35 - very quick process. We walked around exploring the ship. 

Then up to the buffet for lunch and then we sat in the sun and ordered the beer special - buy 5 get one free. 

The rooms were ready by 1:30, so we went to check out our cabin - small but comfy. Back to get a bit more sun before going to watch a presentation on the ship in the lounge.

We went back to our cabin  and Diane’s suitcase and my small carry-on (which I checked) were there but not my suitcase - I was not happy.

We then had to go to the muster drill. After muster, we went to Renee and Linda's suite for sail away. Today is Renee's 50th birthday and she treated herself to a wonderful suite for her and Linda. Linda also had not received her luggage but had received a letter telling her she had to go down and claim her luggage (known as the naughty room). Diane and I went back to our cabin and my luggage was still not there and there was no letter. I called down and they said I had to go to the naughty room to claim it. WTF - I had nothing in it that I shouldn't have (and neither did Linda but Diane had a bottle of wine in her's and they didn't find it). Went down and had to wait almost 20 minutes which meant we missed seeing Miami Beach as we sailed away :( Looks like it was either my can of spray suntan lotion or the insulated mug that caught their attention. Not impressed...

For dinner Diane and I went to Crossing dining room. I had the pork and veggie spring roll and Diane had the shrimp with fingerling potatoes (like potato salad). For mains I had Moroccan Sweet potato rice cakes and Diane had striploin with mashed potatoes. For dessert we both had the Key Lime pie.

After dinner I worked on the blog and Diane spent a few minutes in the casino. Comedy show later and then bed. It feels like it has been a long day.

April 24, 2012 Freeport, Bahamas

What a night!! We had heard banging noise in our cabin throughout the day yesterday but never really thought anything about it thinking it would stop in the evening. Guess what - it didn't. The seas were fairly rough after leaving Miami and this may have been the problem. After trying to sleep (well Diane did but I knew I wouldn't) I called down and they sent someone up. He wasn't sure what it was but it was loud. (this was very similar to the noise problem Carleigh and I had on our European cruise) The front desk called back in a bit and said there was nothing they could do right now but would we like ear plugs lol. Diane said yes so they sent up 2 pairs. They didn't help much... Around 4am the noise seemed to quiet down a bit. We both dozed off and on but didn't really get much sleep.

We "woke up" around 6:15am and went up for coffee and I got to take some sunrise photos. We went to the buffet for breakfast and then got ready to go on our ship tour - Highlights, Shopping and Beach. We were down on the pier by 8:30am and the tour left at 9am. Because we had been early we got front row seats on the bus. The Highlight part of the tour showed us around many different areas of Freeport and the driver/guide Rolly told us about the terrible hurricanes they had in 2004 that did so much damage to the area. They still have not recovered from it.

Then on to the Shopping part. We were dropped off near the straw market and the casino. We wandered around the market and Diane bought a purse. Then we headed over to the casino (mainly to use the bathroom). There was a hotel next to it and we tried to go see the beach but the guard wouldn't let us :( We went into the casino and figured we would put a few dollars in a machine. $5 for me and $10 for Diane. We both doubled our money and then left. :)

We headed back to wait for the bus and sat on a bench with 2 women from our bus. We started talking and found out they are from Nova Scotia too - small world! Then I asked the one from Halifax where she worked and she said Stats Can. I said my son works there. She asked his name and guess what - she works with him - very small world!!!!

Now it was time to head to the Beach. The water was beautiful!! We of course headed to the bar for a cold beer and then sat in the sun enjoying the view. We walked the beach for a while and soon it was time to head back to the ship. 

We were back around 2pm. 

When we got back to our cabin there was a message to call the desk. They aplogized for the noise problem and were going to move us to a new cabin. We went and grabbed a bite to eat and then went back to pack up our stuff and they moved us. This cabin is quiet! We both feel we will sleep well tonight.

For dinner tonight, I started with prosciutto and melon and Diane had mushroom tortillas. For the main we both had Thai chicken and shrimp coconut curry. Dessert was carrot cake for me and ginger custard for Diane.

After dinner we hurried to watch the show - a Gloria Estefan tribute. We had heard someone rehearsing and loved her voice and was told she was doing this show. Unfortunately she was only a background singer.

Back to the cabin, where neither of our keys card would open the door. Down to the desk for new ones... Early to bed again for us.

April 25, 2012 Nassau, Bahamas

We woke today around 7am after a very quiet night.

Went in to Nassau and walked around for a while. Back on the ship which was very quiet since everyone was off the ship. We laid in the sun by the pool and had a few beer.

Back to the cabin and the ship called and offered us each some OBC (on board credit) and a meal in the Italian restaurant plus a bottle of wine which we will use tomorrow. Nice that they are offering us something for all the problems we have had.

Quiet night tonight. I am a little red from all the sun today...

April 26, 2012 Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

We woke up to another sunny and warm day in the Bahamas. Up to the back outside buffet for breakfast. Waited around for awhile and then caught the tender over to Great Stirrup Cay.

Lots of construction going on, on the island. We walked around for awhile and then had lunch at the buffet on the island. Decided to head back to the ship as we both had gotten a bit too much sun yesterday.

Spent the afternoon resting and relaxing.

We went to a future cruise presentation and then got ready to go to dinner.

Dinner was in the pay Italian restaurant (thanks NCL). We started with an antipasto plate and bread. A complimentary bottle of Pino Grigio was brought to our table. For the appetizer, I had the tomato and mozzarella and Diane had the fried calamari. My main course was the special; pork tenderloin with gnocchi and Diane had the seafood linguini. We asked to share the Tiramisu for dessert but she talked us into both having our own. We both left very full but it was a wonderful meal.

We both are very tired and will have an early night. Back in Miami tomorrow morning. We have a city/water tour booked for 10am since we know we can't check into our hotel until the afternoon. I will try to update as often as I can but the hotel does not have free wifi :(

April 27, 2012 Miami, Florida

We woke up around 6:30am and headed up to watch the sun come up. Had breakfast at the buffet at the back of the ship and then back to the cabin to get ready to leave.

They started calling self-disembark people around 7:30am so we started to make our way down. We ended up at the doors and there were no other people there and we were off the ship in minutes. This was the quickest I have ever gotten off a ship. 

We grabbed a cab to our hotel and had them store our luggage. We sat in the lobby for a while until it was time to head to Bayside for our tour. The city tour was wonderful. We saw lots of areas of the city (South Beach, Coral Gables, Little Havana) and it really is a lovely city. 

Back to Bayside for a lunch stop and then on to the boat tour. We saw lots of huge mansions from the water. 

Once the tour was over we stopped for a quick drink before heading back to the hotel to check in. Our room this time has a pool view and the room has been renovated - very pretty.

We went out for a walk to the hotel Diane stayed at last time she was here (which is just down the street). We stopped for dinner at a bar between the two hotels and shared hummus and crab cakes.

Not sure why but there was lots of traffic in the downtown area tonight and the drivers love to use their horns! We walked around a bit more and then headed back to the hotel.

Tomorrow South Beach!

April 28, 2012 Miami, Florida

We woke to an overcast day. We got up and got ready and took the bus to South Beach. Got off at the pedestrian area near Lincoln Road. 

We got there around 10am but most stores didn't open until 11am so we just walked around. We walked over to Ocean Drive which is the area with lots of sidewalk cafes. As you pass each one, someone is standing outside trying to get you to come into their cafe. They all offer 2 for 1 drinks and there are lots of breakfast and lunch specials. 

We stopped at a place with cheap snack type food. We each got a beer (2 for 1) and I got the calamari and Diane got the shrimp which we shared. 

The food took a really long time to come out so the waiter brought us 2 more beer on him :). The food when it finally came was yummy. As we were sitting there we had our first celebrity sighting (well, sort of celebrity); Ross Matthews (Ross the intern from Jay Leno). We had read in the paper he was staying in the area and if I hadn't read that I don't think I would have recognized him. 

Just as we were getting ready to leave it started to rain. Most of the cafes have umbrellas so we could walk under them. It then started to rain even harder, so we stopped and waited for it to let up. This cafe had cheap drinks so we both got a small pina colada (we are on vacation).

Once the rain stopped we walked over to TJ Maxx and Diane bought a new pair of shoes as her feet had been really bothering her. Stopped at a Publix and then we got the bus back to our hotel. As we got close to the hotel, the traffic was really bad as there is a Miami Heat game today and there were lots of people heading there.

For dinner tonight we went down to the hotel bar. Diane had a beer and I had a diet Coke (trying to watch the calories lol). We shared a roasted pineapple pizza. Our order took so long that the waitress brought us each another drink on the house - deja vu from lunch.

We are hoping for better weather tomorrow since Diane would like to get a bit more sun before she heads home.

April 29, 2012 Miami, Florida

We woke to a windy and raining day in Miami :(

Lounged around the hotel for a while hoping it would clear up and when it didn't we put on our rain coats and headed out. We went shopping at a few stores near the hotel and I bought a pair of sandals at Ross (like Winners). 

We then stopped for lunch at a Caribbean chicken place. We both got the chicken quesadilla wrap which were very yummy. Lots of different sauces and condiments that you could put on your food and the prices were really cheap - the wraps were $2.99. The place was also very busy with locals which is always a great sign. 

Just as we finished eating, Diane noticed a man outside that was having what looked like a seizure in the street. We went outside and there was another man helping him. I asked if we should call 911 and the man said yes, so I ran back into the restaurant and asked someone to call. Back outside and a woman from a nearby store was on the phone with 911. Just then a man on a bike stopped and said he was a paramedic and immediately pulled out some gloves and started to help the man. The man had stopped seizing but there was a lot of blood near him. Nobody seemed to know exactly what happened. The ambulance finally arrived (but took much longer than we thought it should) and took the man away. 

We went back to our hotel and decided since the rain hadn't stopped, and we were soaked, we would watch a movie. We watched "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". It was a different movie but we did enjoy it.

We went to the hotel restaurant for dinner - Diane's treat for my birthday :) We shared a shrimp cocktail and then I had the Thai chicken and noodle salad and Diane had crab cakes. Diane has been talking about crab cakes since her last visit to Miami 2 years ago, and she still has not found the same kind as she had before... For dessert we shared a  slice of Key Lime Pie (my new favourite).

Hoping for sun tomorrow.

April 30, 2012 Miami, Florida

Another rainy day in Miami :(

We went out and picked up a few last minutes things for me to take on my cruise. We then went to our favourite hang out for lunch - Chilli's Margarita Bar in Bayside Market. They have great 2 for 1 frozen margaritas. We shared a triple dipper which was 3 different appetizers - yummy!

Back to the hotel and since it wasn't raining we decided to head to South Beach. Walked around for a while and then it started to pour, and I mean pour!! We were soaked. Took the bus back to the hotel and changed into dry clothes.

We went to Bayside for dinner but we weren't hungry so just walked around. 

At the hotel they are having a wine festival - Spanish Rioja wines. We sat and each had a glass. Nice way to end our stay in Miami.

Hard to believe our 10 day trip is almost over. Diane flies home tomorrow and I start the next part of my trip, my 2nd cruise - this time solo.

May 1, 2012 Miami, Florida

Our last day in Miami was overcast but warm. We got up and packed. While packing a workman came to the door to update the TV but said he would come back after we checked out. We went down to see if my ship had come in :) and it had! Back to the room and since we were all packed, we told the workman they were welcome to work on the TV. So we were entertained by 4 different workman working on different things on the TV. They were upgrading the pay TV system. Nice guys!

We then went down and checked out and then sat for a few minutes in the lobby. Around 10:45am Diane said her goodbyes and left to catch her flight which leaves at 1:30pm. I am now sitting in the lobby writing this while I wait to take a cab to the port.

I arrived at the port around noon. They were trying to get people to take the shuttle to Bayside but since Diane and I had spent a lot of time there, I decided to just wait at the terminal. They said boarding wouldn't start until at least 3pm but I was on board by 1:40pm. Because a lot of people took the shuttle, there was not a lot of people on the ship for a while. Grabbed a bite to eat at the buffet and while I ate dessert (sugar free Key Lime square - yucky and fruit salad - yummy), I sat with a nice woman from Florida who is also travelling solo. After eating I thought it was time to have a sail away drink. Went to the pool bar and had a Mango Mai Tai. I sat next to a nice couple from England. I am really glad people so far have been really friendly and easy to talk to.

Then I went to the Sky bar to meet up with people from the Cruise Critic roll call. It is nice to finally put faces to people I have been talking to online for the last year.

Back to the cabin and my suitcase had arrived so I unpacked and settled in. 

When I finally looked at the clock I realized I had missed dinner. My dinner time is 6pm and it was 6:45. I went back up to the buffet and had some stir fry veggies and a very yummy oatmeal raisin cookie. 

At 7:30pm it was time for the muster drill. When I got to my muster station, there was the woman from lunch. It turns out her cabin is only a few away from mine. After muster I went around taking more photos and then back to the cabin to get the tripod as it was starting to get dark. 

Walked around a while longer and than it was time to call it a night. The seas are rocking just enough to put me right to sleep.

May 2, 2012 Sea Day

Woke to a sunny day on the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures are in the low 20's and there is a nice breeze. Seas are very calm and the sea depth beneath the ship is 15,000 ft!!

Went down to the Promenade Cafe (much quieter than the buffet) and got a coffee and a muffin. After eating, I walked around the ship. I found a new place that has a bridge view area. When I tried to get back inside the doors wouldn't open and I had to flag down a couple passing on the inside who helped me pry open the doors. I guess I should have gone back in the way I went out - I will remember this next time :)

Back to the cabin and I grabbed a book and went up to the Solarium and read for a while.

 
At 10:45am there was trivia. Met a guy from my message board and we formed a team of 2. We ended with a score of 16/20 which we thought was pretty good since the winners got 19/20 but they were a team of 6+.

At 11:30am the time changed and it became 12:30pm so I went to get a bite to eat since tonight is formal night and I didn't want to miss dinner in the dining room again. Another trivia game later in the day and then it was time to get ready for dinner.

Dinner = now that was awkward! I was supposed to be at a table for 8 but they sat me at a table with 4 couples. And since I wasn't there last night they figured they didn't need the 9th chair so it and the place setting had been removed and had to be put back after I arrived. Also these 8 people were part of a large group travelling together. Everyone was very nice but I still felt out of place. I think Royal Caribbean must have thought they were doing me a favour since all of these people were from British Columbia.

Back to the cabin. I had a quiet evening. Now bed time :)

May 3, 2012 Sea Day

Another warm and sunny day on the Atlantic Ocean. Seas are very calm - the boat hardly moves.

Because of the time change yesterday I slept in until almost 9am. Went for a coffee and muffin and then sat on the open promenade deck and read for a bit.

11:30am became 12:30pm again today. At 12:30pm there was the Cruise Critic (CC) message board's Meet & Greet. There were over 250 people in attendance. Royal Caribbean gave everyone a notebook/lanyard thingy and then they had a few door prizes and I won an insulated RC drink mug. I finally met up with everyone that will be on the van transfer into Florence that I organized. It was hard to mingle with so many people...

At 1:30pm in the same lounge, there was the first day of progressive trivia so 8 of us formed a team and we tied for first place! Will see how we do the next 5 days.

Up to the buffet for a quick lunch and then to the pool bar to see Graham - a nice bartender who makes a great Mango Mai Tai :) Then took my drink and book back outside to read. Then moved to a sunny spot to get a little sun on my arms and face. My legs are still recovering from getting too much sun on my cruise with Diane.

Went for a 1/2 hour walk around the jogging track and then it was 6:45pm and time to eat again. Met up with a couple from CC in line at the buffet and they invited me to eat with them. I have met so many really nice people on this cruise.

After eating I headed back to the cabin for more reading and maybe a movie.