Rare Sherry MGM Posted February 25 #1 Share Posted February 25 This post was recognized by LauraS! "Congrats on your first "Live from..." Thanks for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic! See your post featured on our: Click: . . When you return, please consider submitting it to the site for publication as well: Click: Write a Review" Sherry MGM was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' I am sitting on an airplane cruising at 30 something thousand feet. Next stop Miami, Florida. I am trying to decide whether or not I can commit to a live cruise review. I will do my best but I can’t guarantee regular commentary because you know, I will be on a cruise. Life gets busy on a ship. Last November my husband stated that he wasn’t interested in travelling between Christmas and Easter because that is snowmobile season and he wasn’t willing to give up any time on his machine. I thought that my machine won’t miss me for a week and I would like to travel. Little did we know at that time that we would have so little snow in central Canada that we have only been able to ride twice this year. Not that I needed permission but I asked him if he would be OK with me going somewhere and he gave his blessing…what a sweet man. So the next day I booked myself into an Aqua class cabin on the Reflection cruising February 25. A 6 night duration with stops in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Bimini. I decided that this vacay would be all about ME! Recently the magical mixture of poor diet, no exercise, too much alcohol and every woman’s favourite - menopause, have really caught up with me and I’m not feeling great about myself. I plan to eat sensibly, drink alcohol in moderation, drink lots of water, get lots of sleep, do yoga and stretch, walk laps, learn how to meditate, think positive thoughts only, and basically try to be a better person. I figured that if I put it in writing on the internet I would be much more likely to actually accomplish some of these things. Feel free to hold me accountable. I also plan to have fun, I would like to see a comedy act, visit all the bars (even if I only have the occasional cocktail), silent disco, meet great people from all over the world, visit the casino, and whatever else that floats my boat, pun intended. I have been thinking about doing a live review for a while now. Seems like every woman that I tell about this trip looks at me wistfully, fully envious of what I’m about to do. “Sounds like heaven” is a phrase I heard more than once. I know that I am very fortunate to be able to embark on this journey and I welcome all to live vicariously through me. I was supposed to catch a connecting flight in Toronto to Fort Lauderdale but upon reaching the gate in Toronto the gate agent told us that anyone connecting to FLL needed to go to the customer service counter. That is NEVER a good thing. At the counter they told me that they changed the FLL flight to a slightly smaller aircraft and I would now be departing Sunday morning for FLL. I said no, that won’t work as I will miss my cruise, you have to get me there tonight. I pointed out that I booked this flight back on November 8 and that I have silver status in Westjet’s loyalty program so why am I getting bumped? The agent couldn’t answer that but then spent the next 10 minutes on the phone trying to find a flight for me. She offered me a flight to Miami arriving approximately 10:00 PM. Sometimes ya gotta roll with the punches. After what felt like several miles of walking (hello exercise) I arrived at my American Airlines gate. And on that flight is where I write this, complete with turbulence delayed inflight service, 2 loudly crying toddlers to my right turning the overhead light on and off in the mostly dark cabin and somebody playing a video game with the sound on despite several flight attendant announcements to the contrary. Positive thoughts are not currently what’s on my mind lol, I may have to indulge in some alcohol tonight. Oh look, the drink cart! I notice she isn’t charging anyone for the adult beverages and there’s nothing better than a free drink so don’t mind if I do thank you very much. I said drink less, not go dry and dammit I deserve it. So after landing in Miami I collect my bag and get into a cab to take me to Fort Lauderdale where I am spending the night at the Four Points by Sheraton Dania Beach. The elderly driver asks me where that is so I tell him the street address. He tells me to find it on my GPS, I can’t do that because my phone is dead and there was no way to charge it on the airplane…in 2024. He has a phone but refuses to look it up and starts driving, on the freeway doing 40 mph! It was terrifying. We were constantly honked at and I was sure we were going to be rear ended. When he finally gets off the freeway he turns right even though I said turn left. He drives a couple blocks and I very firmly said that he had to turn around and go the opposite direction and he just stopped dead in the middle of the road. Yes, more honking. Finally the hotel is in sight, I point it out to him and… he goes past it. I get him turned back and into the driveway of the hotel when the hotel shuttle bus pulls up behind him and honks at him to move. I could not wait to get out of that vehicle. He opens the back and puts my suitcase on the ground and steps beside a pillar to relieve himself right there in the front drive of the Sheraton. Just wow! Check in was quick and easy and in minutes I was in my room which is clean and inviting. I was going to say that I can’t wait for my adventure to start tomorrow but I think that it already started today. More tomorrow good night for now. 18 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mahdnc Posted February 25 #2 Share Posted February 25 (edited) What a start. Have a great cruise! I’ll be following along but don’t look at me for accountability! Maybe take an Uber to the airport when you disembark…. Edited February 25 by mahdnc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathed101 Posted February 25 #3 Share Posted February 25 Count me in to follow your newly started adventure! Bon Voyage, fair winds and smooth seas! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lola2013 Posted February 25 #4 Share Posted February 25 You’re off to a great start…….😵💫. Can’t wait for more! Bon Voyage. Susan 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dctravel Posted February 25 #5 Share Posted February 25 Following too! Curious about life aboard Celebrity before our first cruise with them this summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Galaxy2004 Posted February 25 #6 Share Posted February 25 Following along and hoping you got the adventure part of your vacation out of the way and the rest is relaxing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tierun Posted February 25 #7 Share Posted February 25 The cabbie just got over on you. Uber would have certainly been a better choice. The meter never stopped running when he drove slow and made multiple wrong turns. So ridiculous and predatory 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DingoMom Posted February 25 #8 Share Posted February 25 Wow. What a start!! I’ll be following along. How much money was that taxi ride?? 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcmagnum Posted February 25 #9 Share Posted February 25 10 hours ago, Sherry MGM said: “Sounds like heaven” I said drink less, not go dry and dammit I deserve it. Drink less, not go dry!! That should be your motto for this trip!! Can’t wait to live vicariously through your trip report. Have a great time!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted February 25 #10 Share Posted February 25 Thanks for your post. What a way to start your vacation. The positive is that it can only get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sherry MGM Posted February 25 Author #11 Share Posted February 25 DAY 2 About last night - the cab ride from Miami airport to the hotel cost $123. I know I got “ taken for a ride “ but I will be submitting the receipt to WestJet as part of my claim for getting bumped. My original flight was to FLL not MIA. Uber was not an option for me last night because my phone was dead. Great sleep at the Four Points, had a shower in the morning using the hotel shampoo and conditioner because I didn’t want to dig through my bag looking for mine. Big mistake and a great reminder of why I don’t use hotel toiletries. I took their shuttle to pier 29. Easy peasy. Check in was fast and in no time at all I was walking the plank. There’s nothing like that subtle vibration that I feel when I board a ship, it’s very calming to me. Let the fun begin! First stop, drop my bag in the cabin and up to the gym to select my 3 free gym classes which are part of Aqua class. I chose 3 slow flow yoga sessions, 1 every second day. All classes are $20 and besides yoga they offer HIIT, RYDE which is a spin class, and WOD (workout of the day). Just a few years ago I would have done the WOD or HIIT but I am far too out of shape for those, maybe next cruise. Then off to the ocean view cafe for lunch. Spinach and spring mix lettuce with some chickpeas, onions and grilled chicken breast topped with balsamic vinaigrette. Then a tiny scoop of paella and some anchovies on the side. Eating sensibly. I took my time, chewing everything thoroughly and putting my fork down between bites. It was a lovely lunch. Then I checked in to my muster station which took all of 1 minute, way better than the old days. Something good did come of COVID! Sitting in the sun now soaking up some rays. The bright sunshine is showing how poorly I shaved my legs, I’ll have to fix that problem later. Last week they were hairier than my husband’s lol. Winter coat, what can I say. So far I have only taken the stairs and I plan to keep it that way. I do have a pair of fancy high heeled sandals though and they might force me into the elevators, but you gotta look good! I’ve been drinking water and unsweetened iced tea so far, I plan on a glass of wine later. Drink less, not go dry! I took this photo of the wall in the library and it has inspired me to work on my resting ***** face lol The world is a looking glass so be certain you are smiling More for you later tonight. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinderellen Posted February 25 #12 Share Posted February 25 Love your live so far! Travel days are the hardest part for me and yours was certainly challenging. I have to admit, I’m a crappy shaver too. If Anush is still the hostess in Blu, tell her hello from Ellen and Patrick. We were on the Reflection transatlantic in October. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted February 26 #13 Share Posted February 26 (edited) you should have takem dowm the cabbies number and made a report..He needs to be removed from duty! Hope you enjoy the gym and thermal suite and maybe book a spa treat! Great way to de-stress and motivate for good health. They have fruited water in the Relaxation Room. Edited February 26 by hcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss SeaBee Posted February 26 #14 Share Posted February 26 Love this, and following! For one, I’m on Reflection for the 3rd time, but first time since covid, in April. Second, I can totally relate to you! First year of full-blown menopause for me, so I get it. Can’t wait to read more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manmachine Posted February 26 #15 Share Posted February 26 19 hours ago, Sherry MGM said: I am sitting on an airplane cruising at 30 something thousand feet. Next stop Miami, Florida. I am trying to decide whether or not I can commit to a live cruise review. I will do my best but I can’t guarantee regular commentary because you know, I will be on a cruise. Life gets busy on a ship. Last November my husband stated that he wasn’t interested in travelling between Christmas and Easter because that is snowmobile season and he wasn’t willing to give up any time on his machine. I thought that my machine won’t miss me for a week and I would like to travel. Little did we know at that time that we would have so little snow in central Canada that we have only been able to ride twice this year. Not that I needed permission but I asked him if he would be OK with me going somewhere and he gave his blessing…what a sweet man. So the next day I booked myself into an Aqua class cabin on the Reflection cruising February 25. A 6 night duration with stops in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Bimini. I decided that this vacay would be all about ME! Recently the magical mixture of poor diet, no exercise, too much alcohol and every woman’s favourite - menopause, have really caught up with me and I’m not feeling great about myself. I plan to eat sensibly, drink alcohol in moderation, drink lots of water, get lots of sleep, do yoga and stretch, walk laps, learn how to meditate, think positive thoughts only, and basically try to be a better person. I figured that if I put it in writing on the internet I would be much more likely to actually accomplish some of these things. Feel free to hold me accountable. I also plan to have fun, I would like to see a comedy act, visit all the bars (even if I only have the occasional cocktail), silent disco, meet great people from all over the world, visit the casino, and whatever else that floats my boat, pun intended. I have been thinking about doing a live review for a while now. Seems like every woman that I tell about this trip looks at me wistfully, fully envious of what I’m about to do. “Sounds like heaven” is a phrase I heard more than once. I know that I am very fortunate to be able to embark on this journey and I welcome all to live vicariously through me. I was supposed to catch a connecting flight in Toronto to Fort Lauderdale but upon reaching the gate in Toronto the gate agent told us that anyone connecting to FLL needed to go to the customer service counter. That is NEVER a good thing. At the counter they told me that they changed the FLL flight to a slightly smaller aircraft and I would now be departing Sunday morning for FLL. I said no, that won’t work as I will miss my cruise, you have to get me there tonight. I pointed out that I booked this flight back on November 8 and that I have silver status in Westjet’s loyalty program so why am I getting bumped? The agent couldn’t answer that but then spent the next 10 minutes on the phone trying to find a flight for me. She offered me a flight to Miami arriving approximately 10:00 PM. Sometimes ya gotta roll with the punches. After what felt like several miles of walking (hello exercise) I arrived at my American Airlines gate. And on that flight is where I write this, complete with turbulence delayed inflight service, 2 loudly crying toddlers to my right turning the overhead light on and off in the mostly dark cabin and somebody playing a video game with the sound on despite several flight attendant announcements to the contrary. Positive thoughts are not currently what’s on my mind lol, I may have to indulge in some alcohol tonight. Oh look, the drink cart! I notice she isn’t charging anyone for the adult beverages and there’s nothing better than a free drink so don’t mind if I do thank you very much. I said drink less, not go dry and dammit I deserve it. So after landing in Miami I collect my bag and get into a cab to take me to Fort Lauderdale where I am spending the night at the Four Points by Sheraton Dania Beach. The elderly driver asks me where that is so I tell him the street address. He tells me to find it on my GPS, I can’t do that because my phone is dead and there was no way to charge it on the airplane…in 2024. He has a phone but refuses to look it up and starts driving, on the freeway doing 40 mph! It was terrifying. We were constantly honked at and I was sure we were going to be rear ended. When he finally gets off the freeway he turns right even though I said turn left. He drives a couple blocks and I very firmly said that he had to turn around and go the opposite direction and he just stopped dead in the middle of the road. Yes, more honking. Finally the hotel is in sight, I point it out to him and… he goes past it. I get him turned back and into the driveway of the hotel when the hotel shuttle bus pulls up behind him and honks at him to move. I could not wait to get out of that vehicle. He opens the back and puts my suitcase on the ground and steps beside a pillar to relieve himself right there in the front drive of the Sheraton. Just wow! Check in was quick and easy and in minutes I was in my room which is clean and inviting. I was going to say that I can’t wait for my adventure to start tomorrow but I think that it already started today. More tomorrow good night for now. Welcome to South Florida! I am laughing so hard I am crying… hope it gets better and fast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Love Posted February 26 #16 Share Posted February 26 Wow.....just wow! I am laughing at some of your experiences and comments, and certainly feel for you with other experiences! Given what you have endured so far and how you have handled it/commented, you have a fantastic attitude and I applaud you!! Love your motto of "drink less, not go dry!" Wishing you nothing but a fabulous time from here on out! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Land of Ice and Snow Posted February 26 #17 Share Posted February 26 Love this and following along from Atlantic Canada….wishing you a fabulous cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sherry MGM Posted February 26 Author #18 Share Posted February 26 “Don’t Let The Old Man In” is the title of a song by the late Toby Keith. There is a line in that song that says “Toast each sundown with wine.” I’m going to do just that all week and here is my first: Off to BLU for dinner about 6:20 and I got seated immediately. Service was great as usual. I ordered 4 appetizers instead of a meal. When the last one came I realized I needed a little more protein so I asked for a small plain piece of salmon to go with the salad and that was delivered within 3 minutes. Here are some pics: Roasted beet salad - delicious Grilled Calamari - 4 rings of cold calamari, it wasn’t very good Baby spinach salad - Roquefort cheese, craisins, toasted prosciutto, black pepper emulsion, this was hands down the star of the evening for me. I don’t like craisins but the sweetness of them against the blue cheese and pepper emulsion was delightful. With the small piece of plain salmon it was excellent! I also had the vichyssoise soup which is served cold and with no garnish of any sort but was very good too. No dessert for me so I was out of there by 7:30. On previous cruises my husband and I would have 2 to 2 1/2 hour dinners but when you are by yourself it gets a little lonely. Off to the casino to kill some time before the 9:00 comedian. I got 2 beers in the casino while I was playing that cost me over $200 - better luck tomorrow. The comedy show was not the best I’ve seen, many people walked out. Off to bed for an 8:00 AM yoga class, I don’t even know who I am anymore, I’m never awake before 10 and certainly not to exercise but look at me. Good night. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mahdnc Posted February 26 #19 Share Posted February 26 Good night. Have a great cruise day tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lastdance Posted February 26 #20 Share Posted February 26 (edited) You really do have a sweet hubby; mine only wants me to travel with family, or very intelligent friends, especially out of the country🙃 I guess he is saying that a few are not that smart? Anyway, enjoy your cruise by yourself and have a wonderful adventure! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Edited February 26 by Lastdance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sherry MGM Posted February 27 Author #21 Share Posted February 27 I wrote this yesterday and forgot to post it. Slept like a baby gently rocked all night long. I get my best sleep on ships. I set my alarm for 6:30 this morning to attend the no charge 7:00 AM stretch and release which was to last 1 hour. In reality it is 30 minutes of stretching followed by an attempt to sell you shoe inserts that cost $348. The 8:00 slow flow yoga was overbooked so they moved that to the lawn club on deck 15. This was disappointing to me for several reasons. The grass was wet, I was cold and the worst part was the music playing from the public speakers was definitely not conducive yoga. I just couldn’t get into it and I left about half way through. Hopefully Wednesday’s class won’t get moved. I then went to the spa cafe for the build your own Greek yogurt which is advertised to come with blueberry, honey, chia seeds, pineapple, strawberries and flax seeds. They had yogurt, plain, nothing to put into it. I tried taking some chia seeds from the bowls but I was told they were for the smoothies for purchase only. So I took an avocado bruschetta that had no avocado in it. I gave up and returned to my cabin and ordered a pot of coffee and a toasted English muffin from room service. 50 minutes later I got my coffee which was very good, hot and strong, and a cold English muffin. Better luck later. I spent the rest of the morning on my balcony in my bathing suit, at least there nobody can see my hairy legs lol. I’m planning to go to the main dining room for lunch, there is a Cobb salad on the menu that I would like to try. Had lunch in the main dining room, Cobb salad was ok, dark chocolate ice cream for dessert though, yum! Then I spent the afternoon in the Persian garden which is complimentary for Aqua class passengers. This area has heated ceramic tile lounge beds, sauna, steam room, etc., very quiet and relaxing. Then I showered up and got ready for dinner. And yes I shaved my legs better. Here is yesterday’s sundown photo: The wine I am drinking is from a bottle that I brought from home. It’s my favourite cheap Canadian ruby red and I brought it because it’s called Clarity and the name seemed to fit with my trip. I also have a lovely bottle of Caymus Zinfandel that I intend to open tomorrow. Dinner in BLU, had the macadamia nut crusted sea scallop which was tasty: Creamy crab bisque also good. And the miso maple glazed baked salmon which was very very good! Then I closed down the casino at around 1:00 AM. Nothing dry or even damp about last night as I woke up with a wee hangover this morning. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinderellen Posted March 1 #22 Share Posted March 1 Looking forward to hearing more about your journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunandShade Posted March 5 #23 Share Posted March 5 I was hoping to hear more about your trip, but I’m going to assume you enjoyed your vacation to the fullest. You deserve an escape from the pressures of life (and the pressures of a live report). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbfb Posted March 5 #24 Share Posted March 5 So the big question!!!! Are the footstools back in the balcony? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailmama Posted March 5 #25 Share Posted March 5 How is the general conditions of the ship? Are the rooms in shabby conditons as I read in many reviews? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now