jcsmith1967

Our cruise started on Monday, 8/21 - our actual 25th wedding anniversary!!!! We flew from Raleigh-Durham to Fort Lauderdale and then took a Carnival transfer to the Victory at Miami (next time I will uber). We got up at 3 am. Left the house at 4 am and got to the airport at 5 am. Our flight was 7:30 - 9:30 and we arrived in plenty of time. (I packed 2 suitcases and a carry on bag. But then couldn't squash our dinner clothes in, so we packed another bigger suitcase - which was good as it held our souvenirs/gifts too on the way back. However, DH said let's try to travel lighter next time. Although I didn't use one dress, one cover up, one pair of shorts, one pair of flip flops and one tshirt, but I used all the other clothes!)

 

I selected FLL because I like Southwest and it was much cheaper flying there than Miami. It was very easy too!

 

I booked a Carnival transfer. I mentioned grumpy old man at the airport who was wearing a Carnival jacket, so I assume he was Carnival and not contract. We met two sisters while waiting who we really liked and kept running into them and even enjoyed an excursion together!

 

The bus (like a greyhound) was air conditioned and we got the first seats!! But we stopped to pick up 2 or 3 more groups at the airport and it was later getting there than I expected. Once we got to the ship around noon, we went to Lido and got some food at the buffet. Oh my word was it HOT!!!! I mean Miami in August is definitely going to be hot but the sun was blazing and it was REALLY scorching. Our room opened at 1:30 and we went straight to it. Met our fabulous steward (Putu). I gave him $20 and asked him to keep our ice bucket full. (We were clueless and didn't realize there was a fridge in the closet til the last day!!!! LOL!) He was a sweetheart the whole trip. He gave us a $50 spa card for our anniversary!!!!!

My sister had ordered us a $40 photo credit and a $25 drink package. Since we already had Cheers it looked like they credited us that amount to the account. Let me just say if you have someone you know traveling that's a really nice little gift!

DH took a nap while I unpacked. We had a room with oceanview and king size bed. It was very comfortable and Putu kept it cleaned and stocked. (The rail in the shower that you hold was broken the whole trip. nothing else seemed to be a problem. Unless you count the hair dryer which is not much of a hair dryer. LOL)

I am also from the Raleigh-Durham area

I was on this cruise!