Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 #1 Share Posted January 7, 2023 This post was recognized by LauraS! "Thanks for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic!" SteelCityCruiser10 was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' Hello Everyone & Happy New Year! We (DW and I) are embarking on another ( much needed) adventure on Explorer of the Seas (again) for an 8 night Southern Caribbean itinerary beginning tomorrow 1/7. We have sailed EX 2 other times. 2020 - as part of a side to side and in 2018 for Alaska (also did a LIVE). We are departing from Miami and currently residing at the fantastic Hampton Inn Miami Brickell which we have stayed several times before. Always have had a good experience here so we keep returning. We have an 11 am boarding time and signed up for the 10 am hotel shuttle which is the first available time slot. $8/person We have traveled from the Pittsburgh area (in case you haven’t deduced that from my username 😂) The 6 am flight was a bit rough as far as wake up times go but we have since napped and cashed in our hotel free drink vouchers so all is well here!! 🍻 Hey… look at the bright side, our flight left on time and we made it to Miami without a hitch so we are grateful of that. We know traveling can be equally frustrating as rewarding at times. We have sailed several times during COVID and this is the first where pre cruise testing isn’t required. Thank you baby jesus! lol Cannot wait to get this thing started!! Cheers all 🍻 Mark 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #2 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Here is the itinerary: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #3 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Quick comparison of home vs Miami. Yeah… can’t complain about this weather in Miami. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Quick side note: we originally booked a center hump JS. I had bid on royal up (at low levels but not bare minimum) for all levels of full suites except the 2 bed GS. 3 days prior i received notice our bid was accepted for a GS. YAY!!! LOVE IT! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #5 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #6 Share Posted January 7, 2023 All systems go: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Come on home … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted January 7, 2023 She’s home 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #9 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Getting caffeinated and ready to get this show on the road 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted January 7, 2023 #10 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Will be following along! We're doing southern Caribbean next week on Odyssey so excited to see your week! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuCruise Posted January 7, 2023 #11 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Explorer is the one Voyager class ship on which I haven't been so it's always fun to see new things. Excited to follow along. Have a great cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havin'fun Posted January 7, 2023 #12 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Have a wonderful cruise. Explorer has always been one of my favorite ships! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted January 7, 2023 4 minutes ago, Havin'fun said: Have a wonderful cruise. Explorer has always been one of my favorite ships! Thanks!! She is a great ship. Excited to see/hear what she gets in her dry dock. Probably just need to book a post dry dock cruise to see for myself 🤔🤪 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #14 Share Posted January 7, 2023 view from hotel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunedinmaiden Posted January 7, 2023 #15 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Off topic, but go Steelers! We live in FL now, but were season ticket holders for 36 years🏈 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishgal432 Posted January 7, 2023 #16 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Question on the hotel, Did they offer a free airport shuttle? How did you sign up for the 10 am shuttle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #17 Share Posted January 7, 2023 13 minutes ago, dunedinmaiden said: Off topic, but go Steelers! We live in FL now, but were season ticket holders for 36 years🏈 Nice!! We’ve still got a shot at the playoffs! 🤨🤨 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #18 Share Posted January 7, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, dunedinmaiden said: Off topic, but go Steelers! We live in FL now, but were season ticket holders for 36 years🏈 Nice!! We’ve still got a shot at the playoffs! 🤨🤨 Edited January 7, 2023 by SteelCityCruiser10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #19 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Closer… 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Traffic jam 😩 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #21 Share Posted January 7, 2023 1 hour ago, irishgal432 said: Question on the hotel, Did they offer a free airport shuttle? How did you sign up for the 10 am shuttle? No shuttle from airport but the rail system is doable and free right from the airport and drops about a block away from Hampton Inn Brickell. we rented a car this time but have done the rail in the past. Didn’t like dragging luggage on the sidewalk for a block though. shuttle sign up to port is at the concierge desk on the first floor. 10, 11, 12 and 1 times available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Explorer is last shuttle stop … oh the pain and suffering… 😣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #23 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Hello there Symphony! and Bliss too 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SteelCityCruiser10 Posted January 7, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted January 7, 2023 (edited) Finally- suite check in was blazing fast. Edited January 7, 2023 by SteelCityCruiser10 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tree_skier Posted January 7, 2023 #25 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Following along. I love live reviews! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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