My husband and I are from Illinois. He is a journeyman painter (union) and it's difficult for him to get time off. I too was a union painter, but had to quit when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. I became a grandmother this year. Yay!
This was our 4th cruise. The first in hurricane season. I am so dumb I wondered why it was so cheap. Three Carnival (2 on the Conquest, Western Caribbean, and NCL to the Mexican Riviera). We prefer Carnival except for the anytime dining offered on the NCL cruise ships. It was less stressful coming back from shore excursions.
We always fly Northwest Airlines and the flight was turbulent due to bad weather, but otherwise no delays or problems. Took a taxi to our hotel in Miami Beach which was about 45 mins. from the airport and cost $50.