Carnival Victory cruise from Miami on 12 February 2006. Family of 8 (Me, DH, Kids (13, 10, 9), My Sister (24) and my folks). We live in Iowa, flew out of Chicago into Fort Lauderdale to save $$$.

We drove over to Chicago Saturday morning the 11th and went through one heck of a "snow shower" around Davenport, but after 10 miles of blizzard, we drove out of it. We landed in Ft. Lauderdale about 6pm and checked into a really nice hotel (Marriott Courtyard). Sunday morning woke up cold and gray (high for the day was 55), we drove our Dollar rental van about 25 minutes to Miami airport. After we returned the van, a shuttle bus took us to the ship. We got to the ship really early (about 10:45 AM). We got on by noon and were done eating lunch by 1. We walked around a bit (glad I studied the ship map before we left home). We did our lifeboat training around 3:30 and "sailed" at 5. Needed our sweatshirts up on deck as we went out.

Monday was a rough day at sea. We were heading SW around the top of Cuba and the wind was out of the NW at between 50 and 60 MPH in the morning and calmed down as the day went on. Lots of sick bags by the elevator and wheelchairs in the halls for those who couldnt walk with the movement of the ship. We just hung in the cabin and watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins. That night we got all dressed up (one of the 2 formal nights), but had to leave early as none of us were feeling very well. Read more