Rare Ukigirl Posted December 10, 2020 #1 Share Posted December 10, 2020 We would have been sailing on our first Christmas cruise but, oh well. We’ve been staying safe and since our family decided to do their own thing this year for the holidays, my hubby suggested taking a road trip to Florida and staying at a hotel on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Since we are in Michigan, we’ll be driving at least 20 hours to get there. We’ve both got two weeks off so time isn’t a problem. I’m a bit nervous, we are both healthy but I do have asthma which is mostly under control with my inhaler. Would you? Meals would be carry out or outdoor dining. My other question for you Floridians is where would you suggest going besides Fort Laud? We usually sail from there and spend 2-3 days prior to the cruise so that’s why we are familiar and comfortable going there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted December 10, 2020 #2 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Ukigirl said: We would have been sailing on our first Christmas cruise but, oh well. We’ve been staying safe and since our family decided to do their own thing this year for the holidays, my hubby suggested taking a road trip to Florida and staying at a hotel on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Since we are in Michigan, we’ll be driving at least 20 hours to get there. We’ve both got two weeks off so time isn’t a problem. I’m a bit nervous, we are both healthy but I do have asthma which is mostly under control with my inhaler. Would you? Meals would be carry out or outdoor dining. My other question for you Floridians is where would you suggest going besides Fort Laud? We usually sail from there and spend 2-3 days prior to the cruise so that’s why we are familiar and comfortable going there. I lived in boca raton for 13 years on the ocean, so know florida somewhat well. Personally I would not stay in a congested area or if you really want near there Pompano beach, fl has some mom and pop sized places along ocean blvd. Where john lives is lovely, maybe near there around palm bay, Merritt island is for the big spenders, but nice. Other coast is under rated. Marco island or Naples. Naples is pretty, we used to stay in treasure island near tampa every christmas. I would avoid ft Lauderdale or miami as too congested. I'm thinking palm bay area myself tbh. Edited December 10, 2020 by firefly333 Spellcheck quit helping me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ukigirl Posted December 10, 2020 Author #3 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Forgot to ask, what are you doing for Christmas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted December 10, 2020 #4 Share Posted December 10, 2020 For the past few years, we rented a house at the beach for Christmas and New Year, then cruise the first part of January. For this time of year, we always make the drive, and it is just about as long from PA. This year, we are doing the same (minus the cruise that we had to move to January 2022.) We have stayed in different houses north of Fort Lauderdale. The beach isn’t as busy up there, but we also have the benefit of our own private pool. This year it will be mainly cooking and doing takeout from a few favorite places around there. We will be enjoying our time with the small family circle we have been with here for the duration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen haywood Posted December 10, 2020 #5 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Christmas? Staying home. Not seeing anyone. Same as Thanksgiving. Mid-January we’re renting a condo on the beach at Amelia for a few days...again by ourselves. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldilocks Posted December 10, 2020 #6 Share Posted December 10, 2020 No...nada...home only. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcruzer2 Posted December 10, 2020 #7 Share Posted December 10, 2020 My suggestion, although it would add another hour or so, have you looked into key largo, they have great hotels, far far less populated and if your looking for paradise not crowds ,traffic or nightlife. KEY LARGO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magicat Posted December 10, 2020 #8 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Live and work in Mexico so we are going to Mazatlan over Christmas. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted December 10, 2020 #9 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Cocoa Beach is nice and quiet. We are going to spend Christmas there. Might be fairly empty since the majority of our Canadian snowbirds didn't come down and no cruise ships in town Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keksie Posted December 10, 2020 #10 Share Posted December 10, 2020 We moved to NW Florida to be near my son and will be having Christmas with him. We had Thanksgiving with him also. Last Saturday our county had it's Christmas parade and this next Saturday my son is coming up and we are going to a drive through display and then to dinner. It has been a little too cold to go to the beach for us but we will go on New Year's Day to a least walk a bit and take some pictures. I would say come to the Panhandle except it is kind of cold for the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted December 10, 2020 #11 Share Posted December 10, 2020 HaHaHa. No. We are under shelter-in-place orders again. We could go to our other house in the Sierra foothills, but it is easier to just stay here. And it snows there. We will have a small roast and then French dip sandwiches from the leftovers. (the best part of having a roast ) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey & Sophie Posted December 10, 2020 #12 Share Posted December 10, 2020 We will make the long journey from the upstairs bedroom down to the den. I may change out of my pj's but I'm not making any promises. I may make a ham & cheese quiche. Sunday nights are always sandwiches. Left over quiche qualifies. 10 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted December 10, 2020 #13 Share Posted December 10, 2020 home for us. Smoking ribs. Drinking whiskey. Watching a bit of NFL. We were going to go to our coast house, but the wife gave it to my younger sister and her family have it for the weekend. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lazydayz Posted December 10, 2020 #14 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Check out St. George Island in the Florida panhandle. It has a beautiful beach, is relatively unpopulated, with great seafood and awesome sunsets. Pretty much paradise and will save you hours of driving. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ReneeFLL Posted December 10, 2020 #15 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) We're staying home and being safe. We don't want to take the chance of spreading it or getting it. Things will be getting better after most people get the vaccine so it's not really that far off. Look at how the covid cases increased after Thanksgiving and especially in Florida. No thanks. Edited December 10, 2020 by ReneeFLL 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted December 10, 2020 #16 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) I might go for a bike ride, but it depends on the weather that day. Definitely taking the dog for a walk. Edited December 10, 2020 by twangster 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgmn Posted December 10, 2020 #17 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Here in UK we are allowed a three household bubble for five days over Christmas. It has to be the same bubble of three households for the whole period. Then we go back into our tiered level (here we are at 2, high). We are going to my youngest son and financee who live locally on Xmas day. Lots of firsts, first time in 30 years I haven't cooked Christmas lunch, first time the kids haven't woken up in our house on Xmas morning, no church, first time we won't see my other son on Xmas day as he is bubbling with his partners family. Thankful for small mercies though. We are all well and hope to go for a Boxing day walk with other son. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted December 10, 2020 #18 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) According to the health authorities, all of our social bubbles have been popped until Jan. 4th. No exemptions. Edited December 10, 2020 by Coralc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodgem Posted December 10, 2020 #19 Share Posted December 10, 2020 We are spending Christmas alone. This will be the first Christmas in 28 years without my parents. One of my son's is vulnerable and my parents are worried they may inadvertently pass Covid on to him. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox02554 Posted December 10, 2020 #20 Share Posted December 10, 2020 NOPE ! we were just up graded to a red zone 😢 , but it's OK saw the Grands for thanks giving ( both house holds had been isolated for 2 weeks prier) but I'm back to work as an essential worker and I am not taking the chance of getting any of by loved ones sick 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox02554 Posted December 10, 2020 #21 Share Posted December 10, 2020 6 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said: We will make the long journey from the upstairs bedroom down to the den. I may change out of my pj's but I'm not making any promises. I may make a ham & cheese quiche. Sunday nights are always sandwiches. Left over quiche qualifies. Don't forget to swing by Port-a-back yarda for some fresh air ❤️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted December 10, 2020 #22 Share Posted December 10, 2020 8 hours ago, Coralc said: HaHaHa. No. We are under shelter-in-place orders again. We could go to our other house in the Sierra foothills, but it is easier to just stay here. And it snows there. We will have a small roast and then French dip sandwiches from the leftovers. (the best part of having a roast ) I feel same way about turkey sandwiches And you can add bacon to them😉😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare livingonthebeach Posted December 10, 2020 #23 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) 11 hours ago, Ukigirl said: My other question for you Floridians is where would you suggest going besides Fort Laud? We usually sail from there and spend 2-3 days prior to the cruise so that’s why we are familiar and comfortable going there. I'm happy you chose my native State for your vacay. If a beach R & R is in your plans, Florida has a lot to offer in the way of beaches. We have 1,350 miles of coastline, second only to Alaska in the US. Starting with the northern beaches of the Emerald Coast, my favorites are the beaches of the Panhandle, i.e., Destin, Ft Walton, Seaside, Watercolor. There you will find the whitest sand, sand dunes and sea oats. On the Northern East Coast, St. Augustine, Amelia Island, Fernandina and Ponte Vedra Beach are gorgeous and full of history. Right now though, for a Southern Floridian like myself, it is way too cold up there, although you being a Michigander, might think it is warm. Moving down the coast, on the West, there is St. Pete, Clearwater, Sarasota, Sanibel and Captiva Islands - beautiful beaches with lots of seashells to be found and gorgeous, drop dead sunsets. On the East side, the Space Coast beaches of Cocoa and New Smyrna, offer lovely beaches as well as close proximity to Disney and the Kennedy Space Center. I find these beaches easier to walk on as they are flatter than in most areas. Further South, on the West Coast is Naples and Marco Island which offer great golf and the Everglades as their backyard. The counterpart on the East Coast is Palm Beach County, home of Delray Beach, my favorite in that area. Delray not only has a quiet, pristine beach but also a well defined downtown area with lots of quirky little boutiques and outdoor restaurants. Moving down the coast, Fort Lauderdale and Miami have a lot to offer in the way of night life and culture but the beaches are more crowded than other Florida spots. If secluded beaches, (although fewer nice beaches), boating, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking are high on your list, there is no better than the Florida Keys -- From Key Largo down to Key West. Key West, although the pricier of all the Keys also has the Papa Hemingway attractions as well as a downtown area with museums, shops and restaurants. Whatever you choose, enjoy the Sunshine State! A lot will depend on how much you want to drive -- remember except for the Keys, the further you drive, the more crowded it gets. As for me, I plan to stay on my beach in So FL for Xmas, reminisce on my past sailings as I see the empty cruise ships offshore and some slowly go by and dream of the days when I can go back to cruising... Edited December 10, 2020 by livingonthebeach 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly361 Posted December 10, 2020 #24 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Nope. Christmas dinner is in the freezer we didn't know if we could get them fresh at the last minute 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare livingonthebeach Posted December 10, 2020 #25 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) Ooos - duplicate Edited December 10, 2020 by livingonthebeach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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