Live from the Beyond! May 18, ABC Sailing

[hcat]

Maybe the planned update was postponed.  We won't go back til we see photos!   We like the location and Hilton Points but was very shabby..still had  good service!

[AbbyCruiser45]

I’m up early because I can’t sleep anymore! Boarding day!!! The flight got in eventually, about 2 hours after the original time. It was largely uneventful otherwise. The funny thing is that I normally fly Southwest into FLL but I had some credit with Delta so I went with them. When we landed I had a moment of panic that I was in the wrong airport because I didn’t recognize a thing! I did not realize there were multiple, unconnected terminals at FLL and I’ve walked the one with Southwest dozens of loops before a flight. 

 

As for the Embassy Suites, we have a renovation in progress! So far they’re working on the top two floors. It smells a little bit like paint but otherwise I didn’t notice anything. I’m not sure how long it’ll take but for now it’s not impacting the guests. Eventually I assume they’ll renovate the lobby area which will have the biggest impact. Hopefully they’ll post on the website then. You can see some protective fencing on the top two floors in the picture here. 

 

We had a nice dinner at 15th Street Fisheries last night. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the hotel, but it’s right on the water and the food is always really good. The walk was hot on the way there but breezy on the way back!

[hcat]

thanks for the update on ES.. sounds like a refresh but maybe not as extensive as I imagined..time will tell.

 

We like 15th st Fisheries..There are so many good choices near 17th St hotels..plus places to buy wine and last minute items for the cruise.  

ENJOY!

Edited May 18 by hcat

[AbbyCruiser45]

There she is!

 

[AbbyCruiser45]

Just now, hcat said:

thanks for the update on ES.. skunds like a refresh but maybe not as extensive as I imagined..time will tell.

I think it will be. Learned more this morning! They plan to do the whole lobby and breakfast/restaurant area. They’ll move the check in to a hall and the breakfast to a conference room. No timeline on that though. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

It’s finally here!  Happy embarkation day! 🥂

[ch175]

Looking forward to following along - I’m doing ABC on Reflection in December. Have fun!

[hcat]

link to Port Ev webcam . perfect view right now!

 

https://www.portevergladeswebcam.com/

[horseymike]

Hope you have a great cruise 🚢.

Looking forward to reading all about your trip. 😎

[CarolCoupon]

We're on this sailing, too. Currently in the Retreat Lounge with a cold rose, getting a wifi sign in issue fixed. Needed a new room card.

Stayed at the Riverside Hotel last night, first time there. Loved it!  Enjoyed happy hour dinner at Del Friscos. Took a water taxi "cruise" and saw SpaceX. 

[hcat]

from the webcam shots it looks a bit breezy but clear..Hope you will have nice weather for Sailaway

[AbbyCruiser45]

We’re onboard and unpacked! Super smooth embarkation day. We were on the ship, mojito in hand by 11:30. I have to say, they took most of the issues with the Edge and improved them. I love the redesign of the Martini Bar and Sunset Bar. I’m a little disappointed that most of the terraced area of the Sunset Bar is smoking though. I would have thought it’d be in a smaller section on the other side of the bar. 

 

The inside room is perfect. A cozy little cave! I sleep so well in inside rooms. As usual with Edge class there is tons of storage. I have everything unpacked and hidden away in drawers!

 

So far we’ve just done a tour of the updated areas and had lunch in Oceanview. Lunch was great. They had some southern fried chicken which was honestly some of the best fried chicken I’ve had (and I’m from the south!) We’re taking a breather now but head out soon for another drink, sailaway, and then we have dinner reservations in Eden! I’ve never been so I’m super excited to try it out. 

[CarolCoupon]

We're one suitcase short of being unpacked. Met our stateroom host who is on the lookout for it.  Yet to meet our Butler Audrey. 

Our excursions are a DePalm island Celebrity excursion, a cooking class in Curacao and golf carts in Bonaire.

Edited May 18 by CarolCoupon

[Tyler414]

 "I’m a little disappointed that most of the terraced area of the Sunset Bar is smoking though. I would have thought it’d be in a smaller section on the other side of the bar."

 

 

The smoking section is 1 of 4 small sections on the starboard side, near the aft of the ship.  The port side aft of the ship does not have a smoking section.  The sunset bar is directly aft.  There are three small smoking sections on E-class ships.  The entire rest of the ship is non smoking including the casino. 

[AbbyCruiser45]

3 minutes ago, Tyler414 said:

The smoking section is 1 of 4 small sections on the starboard side, near the aft of the ship

It is actually 3 out of 4 sections, at least for this sailing. 

[AbbyCruiser45]

12 minutes ago, CarolCoupon said:

We're one suitcase short of being unpacked. Met our stateroom host who is on the lookout for it.  Yet to meet our Butler Audrey. 

Our excursions are a DePalm island Celebrity excursion, a cooking class in Curacao and golf carts in Bonaire.

We’ll be on De Palm together! Hopefully you’ll get your luggage soon, that’s always nerve wracking!

[Tyler414]

6 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

It is actually 3 out of 4 sections, at least for this sailing. 

Correct, 3 out of the 4 are non smoking...

[AbbyCruiser45]

Just now, Tyler414 said:

Correct, 3 out of the 4 are non smoking...

No, three out of four are smoking. Which is why I used the phrase “most of the terraced area” in my original post. 

[hcat]

loved the photos.  we enjoyed BEYOND!

[Tyler414]

6 minutes ago, Tyler414 said:

Correct, 3 out of the 4 are non smoking...

Strange, my previous three Beyond sailings were just the one.  Maybe its a special cigar sailing, so its increased to make room for the the cigar smokers?

[AbbyCruiser45]

3 minutes ago, Tyler414 said:

Strange, my previous three Beyond sailings were just the one.  Maybe its a special cigar sailing, so its increased to make room for the the cigar smokers?

Yeah I’m not sure! We’ll see if there’s any event. My parents, who were sailing with, have sailed the Beyond before and it was also just 1 of 4 that were smoking. It could just be how someone arranged the ash trays on the turnover day, or it’s the new set up. I’ll see if it changes through the sailing. 

[CarolCoupon]

33 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

We’ll be on De Palm together! Hopefully you’ll get your luggage soon, that’s always nerve wracking!

Got the last one, all unpacked! Heading to the Sunset Bar for sailaway. 

We contacted DePalm about shaded areas available, and booked the flamingo beach seating. DH is doing a helmet dive excursion there.

Looking forward to a great cruise!

If anyone has Beyond Retreat questions,  please ask away. 

Abbydancer, enjoy Eden!!!

[Stem to Stern]

Inside cabin looks huge!

Looking forward to your Eden report.

I don’t want to miss out on ordering all of the can’t miss items there when we try it for the first time on our next cruise.

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

Great pictures.  I would totally book that room!  Looks so pretty and I agree, it's great for sleeping because it gets super dark.  Glad your embarkation day is going well!

Edited May 18 by Georgia_Peaches
typo

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Have a great sail!!! Good to see an inside - I'm pondering it for some of the cruises I'm considering as it's less than the solo stateroom.