TRIP HOME---DECEMBER 14TH

 LAST EVENING

                                                             Drinks in the Prime 7 bar.

I had not requested this veal parmesan but they knew we were coming up to Sette Mari so they had one for me.

                                                Rebecca had her penne bolognese again.

       I jokingly asked for a popcorn sundae because you only get it in Prime 7 but the waiter ran and got me one.

                                                               Janice had a birthday.

TODAY

 

They had decorated for Christmas during the night.  These photos taken in atrium.

        We left our suite at 8am and waited in the Reception area until they called our luggage color.  We left the ship at 8:45 and had to clear immigration again after collecting our 3 bags.  There was a porter right there to help us and someone led us outside to our private car driver.

        We arrived at the MIA airport at 9:20 and checked out luggage outside right where our driver dropped us.  Someone checked our luggage right then and we headed in for TSA check.  We have "pre-check" and there was no line.  Got right through and they did not have to open any of our carry-ons.  It was a long walk to our gate.  

        After logging on the the airport's free internet I checked my roof cameras and saw we had 3 or 4 inches of snow overnight.  I texted Melissa (who is keeping our car) and she confirmed the snow and said it was foggy.  I turned the roof heater tapes on with my wifi.

        I swear Miami airport is in South American!!  They are boarding a flight to Honduras and PA's are made in Spanish before English.  Everyone around us were speaking Spanish "loudly" which was driving me crazy. 

        After sitting for 5 hours we got out on time for our flight to DFW.

Sitting behind us on the flight were Jimbo and Mary Ann Todd.  They were connecting to a flight to Tulsa.  Jimbo was not doing very well on the flight as was out of breath.  I helped them with their carry on bags.

        Our flight was at 1:28pm but we got lunch.  The broccoli salad was good.  The chicken was tasteless and not hot.  Green beans were yucky!  Sorry Marcia.  Cheesecake good.

        We had so much fun sitting in the Miami airport for 5 hours we sat in the DFW airport for another 3 hours.  Our flight left a few minutes last waiting for the crew but arrived close to schedule at 8:20pm. Melissa and Ron had dropped our car off in the airport parking lot earlier that evening.  We had our luggage (all bags showed up!) and was leaving airport at 9pm.  Home by 9:40.  All was well in the house.

TODAY

                               Yes, back to the snow and it was 22 degrees here this morning.

        I was up at 6:30 as had to be at doctor's office by 7:45.  I told him my lower back was NOT good.  Not to bad in mornings but by afternoon I had a lot of pain if I moved certain ways.  He will do another steroid injection in my spine (L5) but can't get in to surgical hospital until January 2nd.  Not really surgery but just inserting needle in my back and injecting the steroid.  Takes 10 minutes.  Has to be sterile operating room however.

        I stopped at my physical therapy place to make more appointments as my doctor prescribed more therapy.  Luckily, they had a cancelation so I had session this morning.  Back killing me already at 2pm now.

        My sister texted me that our 95 year old mother tested positive again for covid yesterday and is isolated for 5 days at her senior living place.  Apparently 25 others there have covid now.  She told me she felt no differently and sounded ok as I just talked with her.

        So now we are trying to get caught up with our mail, shopping for food, and doing laundry.  Have not started unpacking yet but no hurry.

        I hope you have enjoyed traveling with us by reading this blog and checking out the photos.  Next blog will be end of May when we head up to New York City for our 83 night "Grand Arctic" cruise.  It will hit Greenland, Iceland, and most of northern Europe.  LOTS of ports on this cruise.  All our friends who have done this cruise loved it.

        We never got any Christmas cards sent out again this year.  Too busy with cruising.  I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

DAY 5---MIAMI AGAIN (Wednesday, December 13)

TO SEE ALL THE BLOG POSTS GO TO "BLOG ARCHIVE" ON RIGHT SIDE AND CLICK ON MONTH.  REMEMBER THE POSTS ARE IN REVERSE ORDER WITH LATEST SHOWING FIRST.  ALSO BEST VIEWING OF PHOTOS IS WHEN YOU CLICK ON THEM TO ENLARGE THEM.

 LAST EVENING

                                                                  Dinner in Sette Mari

        Corporate chef, Wolfgang, was cooking in Sette Mari for a table hosted by the CEO of NCLH, Harry Sommers.  It was the first time I had seen him cooking.

                                                            Bernardine was our waitress.

                                                                      Some starters.

                                        Gerson pouring the rest of the red wine from last night.

                                    We have know Gusti, a sommelier, for a long time.

         They said to try this new pasta so I had a little.  It was ok but not something I would order.

                                          My huge veal parmesan.  So yummy as usual.

                                   Rebecca had this penne pasta with bolognese sauce.

                                        Chocolate cake was so rich and I was already full.

TODAY

        Disembarkation for those leaving today began at 8am.  For those staying until tomorrow (including us) we were led off to clear with immigration at 9am.  It was 10:00 before we were allowed back on the ship.

        Regent's shoreside team members are boarding today for their Christmas party tonight.  We were warned that the bars will be packed.  The Commodores and Diamonds will dine in Sette Mari for a private dining there.  Prime 7 is also open for lunch just for Commodores and Diamonds.

        Well, today is packing day!  We will do that after lunch as shouldn't take that long since only 3 bags to pack.

                                            This carrot-potato soup is one of my favorites.

                        The panko crusted cod was not so good.  Too crispy and cod chewy.

        We started packing at 1:00 and pretty much finished by 3:00.  Will have to put some of what we will be wearing tonight in a case after we return from dinner.  I checked in for our flight and went down to have Hugo help me print out boarding passes.  We found out this morning Jimbo & Mary Ann Todd will also be on our flight to Dallas.

        Think I mentioned that NCL/Regent shoreside team members came on board today for their Christmas party.  We were warned by a Regent manager last night that it would be pretty wild since they get free drinks and will be taking full advantage of that.  At 3:30 I went up to the Observation Lounge and got my Makers Mark and Rebecca's La Crema chardonnay.  These people are 30's something and we rather not be part of their "party".  We will probably go to the little bar outside Prime 7 for our drinks even though it won't be open yet.  That's why we have our own drinks!

        We will be sailing at 4:00pm and be back here at 6:00am tomorrow morning.  Commodores and Diamonds will dine in Setter Mari tonight so should be away from the "party animals".  Once again, as last night, the production show is a repeat of "Marauder's Ball".  Again, not going!

        Well, we'll be heading home tomorrow.  Flight at 1:28pm to DFW then on to Durango at 7pm.  Should be landing DRO 8:15pm Mountain time.  I will be making one more post after getting home.  I have an appointment with my spine doctor 8am Friday.  Not sure what next option is but got to do something.

We have really enjoyed our Barcelona to Miami crossing cruise and then being part of the Christening of Grandeur.  Our next cruise is June/July/August "Grand Arctic" cruise.  I'll be trying to do another blog although we'll be at a new port about every day.  Going to be busy!!  You will be getting the link to it end of May.  

DAY 4---CHRISTENING CRUISE IN FREEPORT, BAHAMAS

 LAST EVENING

                                                                     Beautiful orchid

                       Our jalapeno poppers at during cocktails in the Observation Lounge.

                                                        Our waiter in Prime 7 was Pepe.

        Severina was our sommelier.  I bought a $85 Chilean carmenere.  Needed to spend my ship board credit.  I still have $9 left.

                                                                           Crab cake

                                                                       Clam chowder

                                           Filet, baked potato, and creamed spinach.

                                David, cruise director, introducing tonight's entertainer.

             John O'Hurley.  Sorry but one of the worse shows we have seen.  Not our opinion alone.

        This bag with goodies was on our bed last evening when we returned after the show.  Not taking the chance of packing the jar of sun dried tomatoes or bottle of Italian sweet liquor.  Not very good choice for having to fly home.

TODAY

        Docked in Freeport today.  Mostly cloudy and 70 degrees this morning.  We are not going ashore here.  Sailing time is 5:00pm so as to arrive back in Miami tomorrow morning.

        After uploading last night's photos this morning and putting them on the blog I headed up to deck 12 to take some photos.

                                                    Gangway below our balcony today.

                                       He's getting ready to wash some windows below.

                                                                Carnival ship behind us.

          Not sure what company owns this ship.  It is VERY old as there are no balcony cabins.

                                                      Some souvenir shopping close by.

                    They appear to be working on this ship as cranes are loading something.

                                                            Containers being loaded.

                                                        This is a commercial port.

                                  Lunch up in La Veranda.  These ribs were too dry to eat.

                                                             Lobster nachos were great!

        One of the excursions that went out this morning was "Swim with the Pigs".  Now that would be the last thing I would do even though I raised pigs before going to college.

        We'll start cocktail hour a little earlier this evening as we have a Sette Mari (Italian restaurant) reservation for 6:30.  I'll have my usual veal parmesan.  Tonight's show is the production cast show, "Marauder's Ball".  We saw it during the crossing and did not care for it.  We won't be going tonight.

        I was just down at Reception and found out the plans for tomorrow.  We will be docked early and 468 guests will be disembarking.  These are the travel agents, NCL corporate types, and other VIPs.  Then another 350 or so will be embarking.  They are Regent employees.  We will then sail again at 4:00pm and head to Bimini which is just 56 miles from Miami.  We will anchor there for an hour then head back to Miami.  Most everyone, including us, will be disembarking beginning around 7:30am Thursday.  I know Marcia will be staying on for another week.

        All of us who will be staying on will have to get off tomorrow morning AGAIN and clear immigration.  Bummer!!