Went the day before to Miami & stayed in SOBE - wow! So expensive! We tried & we won't do it again. Had dinner on Lincoln Rd....lovely but $$$$. Hotel was on the beach but pretty shabby - Marseilles Hotel. We will go back to the Holiday Inn at the port.

Got a cab & went to port early - 10 AM. Boarded by 11:15 AM. No lines at buffet & we had the traditional (lol)- me: deli corned beef & pastrami & DH - buffet from Taste of Nations. DOD's, too. Ahhh...cruise is official! Cabin was on upper deck, an L shaped cabin that has a nice size balcony & it's at the end of a hall making it very quiet. Cabin was fine. We had Anytime dining and rarely waited. Service was always very nice & food was better than when we cruised on the Miracle (oh so bland:-(). We did the Chef's Table & it was the most awesome dining experiance on any ship, ever! Spoke to the M'D the first night & got out invite 2 days later - in our cabin. Met some lovely folks there - foodies all! Great tour of the galley included as well.

Stayed on the ship in the Bahamas: been there, done that. Grand Turk down the beach at the "Shack" (fun) and a cabana at HMC (best decision we ever made!). Read more