Friday January 8, 2016

I am awake at 5:30!  What I am on vacation!  But I did go to sleep at 10:30 so I guess 7 hours will do - but I woke up quite a bit throughout the night.  I had a giggle as sometime during the night I woke up to head to the washroom and when I came back crawled into the bed on the wrong side and banged into Bernie – not that he complained.  He just said “what are you doing” and I responded “I am confused”.  Of course staying in two different rooms in two nights does that to you.

I am sitting here now and typing up the blog from yesterday and it is just before 7 am.  Our plans today are simple.  Coffee, breakfast, pedicure, and shopping for toiletries --- when you go for 30 days it just makes sense to buy the necessary items like sunscreen, shampoo/conditioner, soda, champagne (again not in order of priority) once we arrive.

 

We decide to head out to breakfast at Lester’s Diner on Flamingo Road.  We ate there last year and it was good so we are heading back.  It isn’t anything fancy, just a regular diner type food, it is inexpensive, quick and good and fits the bill.

I should add that it is overcast here today with the chance of showers so we wear t shirts but bring a light wind breaker just in case.  Well as soon as we are outside we are way too warm with the wind breaker.  But whenever we enter a building their AC is on and it is cool and we need something more than just our t shirts.  Once back outside we are warm again.  Go figure.  Plus the showers they called for were very very light spitting of moisture coming from the sky.

After a stop for a coffee at Starbucks we are at Sawgrass by 10:45 and checking out the shops.  This shopping trip is different though than other years. This time we need to factor in the exchange rate and with it being $1.30 (actually probably worse as it dropped again) Canadian for $1 US dollar we find the prices just are not worth buying here as we can get it cheaper at home. 

So after picking up our necessary items at Target we both comment that this is the cheapest trip to Sawgrass we have ever made.

Back at the hotel around 2 pm we head to the business center to print out our luggage tags as we did not get a chance to do it at home as we didn’t get our cabin assignment till late Wednesday after we left. 

There is a lovely garden walk way around the hotel with a beautiful pool area with bar and lounges.  If the weather was better we would be laying out. 

We are tired and I would really like to nap and do try to, but a family seems to have moved in upstairs and all I hear are chairs being dragged and children running around.  Argh, there goes our peaceful, tranquil hotel room.  I am glad I brought ear plugs for tonight.  But as I write this I glare over at Bernie who is sound asleep having a restful night.  I so wish I wasn’t so sensitive with noise. 

We are meeting friends Dave and Cindy for dinner tonight.  They will be on the cruise with us and we look forward to sailing with them again.  I think this is the third time we have sailed together.

A big stop for us is always Total Wine near the port where we buy our wine/champagne.  Dave and Cindy have agreed to bring on two bottles for us as they won’t be bringing any of their own on.  So we buy three bottles of champagne that we love to celebrate Bernie’s big day and a bottle of wine.  His sisters sent him some money for his birthday so he bought two bottles of champagne with it – he says THANKS Karen, Judy, Brenda and Bernette!

Dinner is at Carrabbas Italian Restaurant for a great meal and a fun time to catch up with Cindy and Dave.  Lots of laughs!

We are back at the hotel around 10 pm and everything is quiet again here.  I am so tired, with little sleep the night before the flight and little sleep last night I am due for a good one.  I was not awake long and don’t even remember the 11 pm news.

We are HERE – Fort Lauderdale that is.

Bonaventure Resort and Spa - photo courtesy of hotel's website

For us the worst thing about travelling is flying.  Hands down!  We both commented how different flying is now than when we first flew.  Some things for the good and some things for the bad.  But it is the necessary evil to get on a ship out of Fort Lauderdale.

After a very very very restful night at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport we woke at 4 am for our 7 am flight.  So nice to leave the hotel at 5 and be at the check in counter at 5:05! 

United check in was smooth and effortless.  I think the biggest issue this entire day was dealing with many people ahead of us who were just not prepared.  If they ask for your passport out they mean they need your passport out.  When you are in line to check in, have your paper work out too.  Okay I have said my peace.

One nice thing about flying to the United States from Vancouver (and many Canadian airports) is as soon as you check in you have to go thru and drop your bags (noticed they take our pic of us when we do this, see more about this later).  We then go to thru security check point.  So happy to have Nexus which provides us with TSA pre screening and Global Entry.  Then you go thru US Customs right then.  One thing we screwed up on is we brought an orange and apple to eat while waiting for our flight, but you can’t bring fruit or vegetables into the United States.  So we threw those out. 

I wanted to mention that when we were with the Custom’s Agent when he scanned our Nexus cards two pictures appeared of us, one when we dropped our bags and another when we were doing our declaration.  They know we are going on a cruise, because all that info has been pre entered into our cruise personalizer and is linked to our passport.  He asked us what ports we would be visiting and I rambled  off the few off quickly – I am sure they ask this to see how easily you answer the question.  I guess someone who has no idea or stumbles would send up a flag, but hey you are talking to Vickie of Cruising Princess Cruiseline with Vickie.

We have about 30 minutes before our flight starts boarding and I need some caffeine to enter this body and I mean fast.  Thankfully I was able to fulfill that need easily along with a breakfast sandwich.

The flight to Houston was a little late leaving but they made up time in the air and after 4.5 hours we were in Houston.  I would love to give a shout out to the lovely couple I was sitting beside.  We must of spent two hours chatting about travel and I learned some new things and some new apps I need to check out.  Hope you enjoy your trip you two – cause I know you are going to be reading this.

We had a nice layover in Houston – 2.5 hours but after getting off the plane and changing concourse and getting a meal (with a drink) at Cat Coras (near gate E10) restaurant (highly recommend) we were ready to get on the next flight.

Thankfully the next flight is shorter – just over two hours.  But once again we were able to get some good winds at our back and we arrived early. 

Oh wanted to say.  When we were getting on Bernie recognized the head coach of the Vancouver White Caps Carl Robinson and President Bob Lenarduzzi.  They were on both our flights and we got a chance to chat with them briefly.  I told them how I remembered serving Bob and his family (the kids were very little) back in the mid 80s when I worked at the Spaghetti Factory.  They are heading down for the Super Draft Pick. 

A few things about United Airlines.  Their crew is outstanding and very friendly.  As I too work with the public I commend them on being so friendly and helpful for so long, I don’t think I could do it.  The first plane was great but the second one was much more crowded – and I mean with leg room.  How can the exact same plane type be so different (well the first plane was brand new).  Another thing about United is they have an APP that you download ahead of time to allow you to watch their entertainment.  I have been on 8 United flights in the past 12 months and on none of the flights was I able to access this entertainment!  And I wasn’t the only one.   So with regards to their entertainment it just plain sucks and they should scrap it and start again.  So if you are flying United be prepared and bring your own entertainment.

So we are at the airport in Fort Lauderdale… seems weird cause we were just here six weeks ago. 

This time we noticed a few changes (but I am sure there are more) since we were here last year.  First we noticed a Starbucks – yeah for us as this is our drug of choice – caffeine, besides wine.  There is a Starbucks on the arrival level near the baggage claim that is new.

Also while waiting for our bags to arrive the buzzer goes to announce the bags are coming and it is not the usually sound, it is a ship’s horn that sounds.  How cool and put a smile on my face.  The best thing is our bags were some of the first off. 

I had reserved a full size car with Alamo for two nights and we had our car within ten minutes – a lovely Nissan.  Within 30 minutes of touching down in Fort Lauderdale we were on the road heading to the hotel. 

This is just too good to be true.  Early flight, bags right away – no damage to any bag, easy car pick up and no problem finding hotel.  Very different from last year’s adventure (which you can read by clicking here).

We arrive at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa in Weston 15 minutes later (note this is with very little traffic, easily double it during prime time). 

As soon as we enter the stunning lobby we are greeted by Rafael at the front desk who welcomes us.  You know there is nothing better than feeling welcomed when you arrive somewhere.  It is nice to feel like they are glad to see you and are happy to help you.  Trust me this doesn’t always happen.  But Rafael greeted us, asked us how our trip was, asked what he could do to make our stay enjoyable.  We asked for a quiet room and he checked the system and ensured we had a quiet area in the hotel for the next two nights.  I asked about printer and he directed us to the business center, but added if I had a memory stick he could print it right now.  Since it is my luggage tags for the cruise I need to print out I will have to come back later.  He gave us details on the pool, spa and the Wi-Fi access. 

Ahhh… so we proceed to our building and our room feeling more relaxed than when we arrived.  Our room is spacious with two queen sized beds with a small kitchen and a large bathroom.  The view from our balcony is out to the water but at this hour we can’t see much.  Will take photo in daylight.

The room is lovely and it will do.  I will say that the resort is older (I am guessing built in the 80s) but it is well maintained but some areas do show their age.  Rooms are well appointed and clean with the obvious signs of wear and tear you will find anywhere.  

We decide to just stay in for the night.  Both of us are so tired and I still have an ear ache (although it is considerably better than it was Wednesday).  We watch some tv and I read and we are both asleep just after 10 pm.

Caribbean Adventure on the Royal

Three days till we board the Royal!

We are off to the Caribbean for another amazing voyage on the Royal Princess.  

One day left of work and we will come back and pack the bags then head to the airport hotel for a good night sleep. Happy to say we are back at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel.  

We are flying out at 7:00 am Thursday and arrive in Fort Lauderdale 15 hours later.  It is a long day and a three hour time change.

A reserved mid-size car is waiting for us with Alamo that we booked at a rate of $30 a day.

Since hotels were so high (averaging from $200 - $300 a night!) once again this year in Fort Lauderdale we opted to look further afield and rent a car.  Thru Priceline we bid on a four star hotel in the Sawgrass/Weston area and got the Bonaventure Resort & Spa for $94 a night - we are there for two nights.  We stayed here a few years ago and really liked it.  Staff here are very very helpful and the rooms are spacious and comfortable and the resort grounds are to die for.

On Saturday we board the Royal Princess for a month.

We are basically on three ten days Caribbean cruises.  But we booked it as two segments.  First segment is a ten day itinerary.

For this leg we booked a Deluxe Obstructed View Balcony cabin.  As of right now we still don't have a cabin assignment - and we sail in three days!  We were offered an upsell a while back but it was for $299 each for a mini for the ten days and we turned it down.  We just couldn't justify the added cost for only ten days.  Plus it would of hurt having to go back to a "regular" balcony cabin afterwards.

The next leg is two ten day itineraries but at the time of booking it was more advantageous for us to book it as a 20 day cruise instead of two ten day cruises.  The price was lower (we booked an Obstructed View Balcony), and more on board credit with the stock holdings.

Just before Christmas we were offered an upsell for this leg from our original cabin to a Mini Suite for $299 US each so we took it and were assigned a cabin then.  

So much to do, but I know it will all fall into place before we head out.  Of course my personal checklist comes in handy to make sure we haven't forgotten anything.

Again this trip we have a friend house sitting while we are gone.  She is quite excited to be staying here as it gives her the freedom of having her own place for awhile.  Plus she is close to the college she attends.  

But having someone stay here means I need to clean the house thoroughly before we leave.  I need to put all our crap away that would only get in her way.  

So I will sign off for now.  Keep following here for an account of our adventures on the Royal.  I will try and blog the next few days but it is dependent on free wifi while in the United States.

Bon Voyage

Florida Trip in Early 2016

Florida... the good and bad about leaving from Florida - Fort Lauderdale to be exact.

We have been sailing out of Fort Lauderdale now for almost two decades.  We have seen it change so much.  But I guess every place has changed!  Sounding my age?

Because of how bad the Canadian Exchange rate is, currently 30% we have to be conscious of what we spend when visiting the US right now.  

One thing we find is the prices have really shot up for hotels.  Especially those around the port. Often it is rare to even find a room under $200 near the port or on the beach.  It was only three years ago that we were getting rooms at the Hyatt or the Sheraton for under a $100.  Well times have changed.

We are heading into Florida two nights prior to the cruise so we were looking for something reasonable. We love coming in early.  We really enjoy spending time here and it really helps to get use to the three hour time change from Vancouver.  

When we were able to secure a rental car with Alamo for $31 a day (thru Priceline) we knew we could venture out of the port area for a hotel.

We have done this regularly lately.  We love the idea of having a car and love the idea of heading out and playing tourist too.  Oh I guess I should add Bernie loves visiting Sawgrass Mills Shopping Mall.

I love Priceline and after bidding quite a few times on a four star in the Weston/Sawgrass area I finally secured the Bonaventure Resort and Spa.  We stayed here in 2009 when it was a Hyatt. Lovely resort and huge!  Here is a link to the hotel.

Best thing is we got it for $84 a night.

So now with hotel and car booked we are all set for Fort Lauderdale.