Cruise Day!!

Is there a better day than the one where you get on the ship?  I can't imagine one!  We had a light breakfast (one of the tips we've learned in our cruising career), called the cab and were among the first at the port! 

I call this one "Luggage Tetris"

We breezed through the embarkation, even though Ron forgot to print our papers.  Knowing the buffet would be hopping, we hit Bistro on Five for a lunch of their delightful crepes :) 

We took Ron Sr. and Wanda for a tour of the gorgeous ship, which felt just like home for us, having been on one of its sister ships the Eclipse two years ago. There are a few key differences - the Hot Glass Studio is replaced with a restaurant, there's a new chill out zone on deck 7, new electronic tables in Game On, an Art Studio and a bunch of new cabins.  We joined in a spa tour, checked out the new features and by the time we finished our tour, rooms were ready. 

We zoned out in our room for a bit, and next thing you knew it was sailaway!  We headed down to Ron and Wanda's fully aft "Sunset Veranda" cabin, for the optimum views. 

Bye Bye Miami!  Note: jetskiiers on the bottom left, and a Coast Guard vessel with like a four foot long gun bottom right.

Wanda and ran up to the gym (the only time I saw it this trip) for the draw from the spa tour.  And I won!!!  An Elemis facial - more on that later! 

For Christmas, Ron and Wanda had gotten us reservations at one of the specialty restaurants, Qsine.  Sorry, not dinner, a culinary journey.  And what a journey it was!  It all starts with the iPad based menu! 

You make your order by creating a favourites list. 

The meal was fantastic.  Way too much food, but also fantastic.  Everything was served in creative ways, and the items were all well executed and interesting.  Ron and I were both big fans of the crab and the shrimp, but it was all tasty and all fun!

Disco Shrimp, Spring Rolls, Crab Cake and its sauces, Curries on a tree, Mini-Chinese Buffet, M's Favourites (mediterrean delights), something else yummy and stabbable bread. 

Of course, they also had dessert a Qsine.  We didn't think we could eat any more, but of course, we found a way.  We wanted to get a good deal for Wanda's investment! 

The dessert menu cube, a surprise dessert, a basket of donuts and sauces and the rest are all from the decorate your own cupcake array! 

After that glorious meal, we weren't quite ready for bed, so Ron and I caught the late show featuring a few of the acts that would be around for the week a great guy on guitar, an actually funny comedian and the awesome acapella group: These Guys.  We actually followed the acapella dudes for their set in the Ensemble Lounge before toddling off to bed ready for a day at sea. 

Shop til you Drop!

We had another day in Florida before we hit the ship.  We all slept in and didn't even get breakfast til noon, as we were still full from the night before. 

A few views from our walk to breakfast.

We made our way up to the Lincoln Road Mall, a pedestrian shopping area in the heart of South Beach.  I was excited because I got to shop in some stores I've only ever seen on the internets - CB2 (vintage/modern Crate and Barrel!), Anthropologie (did you know they carry housewares?), Dylan's Candy Bar, a Nespresso cafe and even Tesla showroom. 

Clockwise from top left: A crazy plate from Anthropologie, the candy tree at Dylan's, a wide array of pillows that go with our condo at CB2, Ron testing out the gigantic touchscreen in the Tesla

The highlight of the shopping area was definitely the lady with the teeny dog out for a walk!  Apparently this little chihuahua was for sale - $400!  Sweet deal! 

This dog was impossibly small and made me miss Hippo.

After our shopping adventure we enjoyed the Essex House social hour and then headed out for dinner.  We read some interesting (scammy) things about the very touristy Ocean Drive and decided to head in the opposite direction to the Eleventh Street Diner - which was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, and I can see why! 

A truly fantastic turkey platter, featured on the Food Network!

Towards the end of our dinner, things got a little...um, exciting? Scary? Interesting?  I'm still not sure I have the right words for this one.  We saw a very serious police take down, from front row seats on the deck of the diner.  Within moments, there were at least 10 police cars there - which was comforting after a few scary minutes!  After things cleared up, we headed out, with an interesting story up our sleeves. 

There was no way to get a picture of ALL the lights.

We headed to Walgreen's for a few last minute cruise supplies and then did our final re-packing for the cruise! 

Winter Getaway - to South Beach and Beyond!

In the fall, Ron's parents sent a note that they had booked a cruise and said, hey do you guys want to come along? I think we all know how that turned out :)  So, about two weeks ago, in minus 40 (that's pretty much the same in farenheit and celcius) we headed to the airport without our coats, bound for Miami and the newest cruise ship in the world, the Celebrity Reflection.

Exciting and new!

Our travel was uneventful, with highlights including a crazy expensive lunch at the airport in TO, and not having to pick up our bags to get through customs (they have some sort of magical new system), and lots of knitting on the plane.  When I first saw the white sand beaches and palm trees, I nearly teared up I was so excited.  Our cab driver from the airport was great and he was telling us how palm trees die from the cold, and he says if one of them go, he'll be next :)

We settled in to the Essex House Hotel.  This is a pretty neat old place, with the classic South Beach art deco architecture (we saw the tour come through a few times!) and its partnered with a crazy party hotel next door called the Clevelander.  For example, the Clevelander features 80oz beer towers for happy hour.  Our bellman explained that they have one pool for swimming, and one pool for partying.  I like they way these guys think!!!

A few views from the various party balconies at the Clevelander.

We had made arrangements to take Ron's parents out for their birthday dinner (both are born in January) at the Yardbird.  It was a bit of a hike, but worth every step!  This was some incredible food.  The fried green tomatoes were the best appetizer I've ever eaten (topped with house made pimemto cheese, pork belly and tomato jam) and the whole meal was, as Ron's dad reported: delishamundo!

Everything was served family style, and everything was tasty!

We managed to walk all they way back and got to see South Beach's famous Art Deco neon lights.  After a bit of foot soothing (those sandals had been away a while!) we were off to sleep. 

So much pink neon!  Just for me!