Category: Travel

Day 10 – Setting sail

Posted on by Libby Withnall

Kevin and I were both awake before the sun arose and went outside to watch it come up over the horizon.

I really missed seeing the sunrise (used to almost daily when I was able to walk my dogs early in the morning).

Kevin went to the front desk and asked for late check out, which we were granted. This meant we could have a more leisurely morning before packing and checking out.

Being a Sunday morning there seemed be a lot of dogs out for walks. These were just 2 that I spotted.

We had mini bagels for breakfast, gradually packed and got ready for the day. Just before 12pm we collected our luggaged, check out of the hotel (which we have loved staying at) and got an uber to the port.

It’s always exciting to get that first view of the ship. Our uber dropped off right beside bag check in. We then had to go through security – which as usual took quite a while – maybe 30mins or so. But then check in was so easy because we had done it all online and using their new app. Less than 5mins later we were done, had our photos taken and were walking on board. Since the cabins aren’t ready until 1pm we went straight up to Windjammers for lunch.

Unfortunately there wasn’t much at all in the way of vegan food and I wasn’t feeling up to asking one of the chefs so I just did the best I could – I had some salad to start and then this plate of carbs.

Just as we finished lunch we got the announcement that the cabins were ready so we made our way to ours. It’s all very much as expected and a nice decent size.

We spent time outside on the balcony and actually got to see a Mummy & Baby manatee swimming past. I was so excited !! Later we saw another one – but he disappeared pretty quickly.

I unpacked the bags we had and at 3pm it was time for Muster. Always fun – not !!! After muster we had a little wander around the ship (it’s an elderly crowd on this cruise so the lifts were busy for quite some time). I didn’t fancy walking from deck 5 to 9 – though we ended up doing that anyway !! And it was a struggle so not again ( 2 -3 flights UP maximum).

We headed back to our cabin sailaway. Luckily since it ended up being delayed by over an hour.

This did mean we were late for our 5.30pm dinner in the dining room as I really wanted to see and record sailaway. We were quite surprised to see the coastguard chase after a boat that had come too close us – and the M60 on the front of it !!!

Finally we left the dock and headed out of the harbour.

and we raced to the dining room. I was really happy to find they now have a vegan menu that I was able to order from. I had soup and a portabello mushroom with edamame. Both were lovely. Kevin, as you can see, ordered soup and steak.

We were seated at a very internationally diverse table with people from Finland, Sweden, Russia and Belgium. The downside being it was bit hard to understand at times.

I was seated next to the lady from Russia who, though lovely, was rather hard to understand I just responded based on her own facial expressions.

Since we were late for dinner we ended up missing tonights Welcome aboard show so we ended up just heading back to our room for an early night.

Day 9 – A relaxing day in Fort Lauderdale

Posted on by Libby Withnall

After a pretty good nights sleep I was pleased to find I awoke JUST as the sun was coming up over the horizon.

I enjoyed the sunrise from inside today as I worked on my blog and videos but I went outside every so often to take photos as the sun rose higher.

Our balcony/patio is by far the largest in this complex and we have such a lovely outlook. You can see how small most of them are – barely fitting a table and 2 chairs. So we definitely scored big time.

I had a few ideas of what we might do today but I was happy to just see how we both felt on the day. After such a big travel day/night and being such a lovely day we decided against heading out to explore the city. We did have to visit somewhere to pick up some supplies for the cruise – so we headed to Target. Before shopping we got a drink from Starbucks (with the intention of having a punctual lunch). We did our shopping and headed back to the hotel. We had thought about having lunch at the Sandbar Grill on site but then realized we had exactly the same view from our balcony. So we bought some salads and extras and made our own delicious lunch.

I had an Asian Salad with added sweet potato and Kevin had a cobb salad with add avocado. I do this kind of thing quite often when travelling and Kevin was surprised at how good it was. The secret really is adding something extra !!

After lunch we had planned to relax out on the deck and go for a swim in the pool (which is heated) but Kevin discovered I had failed to pack the swimwear he wears under his boardshorts. Which meant we had to go back to Target. He also wanted a precision screwdriver so he could fix the screen on my camera which was coming loose. We did this and bought a few items I hadn’t seen earlier. Then when we were in line to pay I saw a man ahead of us with 2 Thomas Kincade puzzles that I do not have. So went back to the toy department to find them. Then through check out.

We browsed a few more shops but didn’t buy anything else, then got our 4th Uber of the day back to the hotel. Then went for a lovely swim.

The water was so nice and warm and we enjoyed our time here – though Kevin did get a very small cut on his foot (though we now think it was from the room as I did the same thing the next morning).

After our swim we went back to our room. Kevin had a nap and you know what I did – blogged and vlogged. And there was a bit of dog stalking spotting.

Later in the evening we heated up our Amy’s meals and enjoyed dinner while watching some Vlogmas videos by the only youtuber we both quite enjoy – Charlotte Ruff.

Day 8 – Travel to Fort Lauderdale

Posted on by Libby Withnall

Today we were ALL up early to say farewell to Christy – who had to leave for airport at 5.30am for her two flights to Iowa to spend 3 weeks with her fiance Makayla, whom she was actually meet in real life for the first time.

It has been really nice having Christy with us for the last week and I know she will have an amazing time with Makayla. Seems odd though that we now won’t see her until next year (she arrives back in Australia on the 2nd January.

We didn’t have to check out until 10am so I had plenty of time to finish waking up, have some time on the computer and then get ready and finish packing. We finished off the last of our Chef Kenny’s meals for breakfast. Odd I know, but the food was too good to waste – and we didn’t eat until about 9am so it wasn’t too early :-).

Just before 10am Kevin completed the check of our room and we checked out of the Wyndham (highly recommend – just avoid the time share presentations they offer) and ubered to the airport. and took advantage of curb side check-in (you just give them a tip). We were here in plenty of time since our flight wasn’t until almost 1pm. We got through security (I had my bag checked this time – it’s normally Kevin’s) and then found the gate to sit near.

Kevin had lunch chosen for the plane but I went in search of a vegan option – which was hard to find. But I did manage to get a salad baguette.

Around 12.30pm boarding began. Just yesterday I had pais (about AU$200 to choose our seats – window for Kevin, aisle for me, as neither of us wanted to be stuck in the middle for a 4.5 hour flight. But this morning we got an email to say our plane type had changed and our seats moved. It was good that it was just two at the side so both our needs could be met and we were seated together (we weren’t going to be). However we had now moved into the section of plane that could have paid less than $50 for seat selection !!!! I somehow made the mistake of booking the cheapest seats – which at the end of the day probably cost as the same as having paid more upfront. We did get 2 free checked bags (only had to pay for one) – we think this might because of our Qantas Club/One World Membership.

We took off about 1.30pm and had a nice easy 4.5 hour flight to Miami. I enjoyed my lunch and read on my kindle – in between little naps.

Kevin had the window seat so got the enjoy the sunset as we flew across the country.

We touched down about 8.30pm and by the time we walked to the baggage claim, collected our luggage and headed outside it was getting close to 9.30pm. When Kevin initially requested an uber it quoted about US$118 fee and a 50min trip (according to my research it normally took about 30mins. We then invested Super Shuttle which was going to cost US$77 but we would have to wait 30mins before we left. We decided to head back to Uber and this time were quoted US$45.

However it was indeed a long trip – there was at least accident, possible two and our driver got slightly lost when his Uber app crushed. I’m really not sure how long it took us but I’d say over an hour. We gave a generous tip, so we paid about the same as the super shuttle but had a private car deliver us straight to our destination – the Sun Tower Hotel & Suites. Once again we were told we had been upgraded since we were the last people to arrive and the Ocean View Suite was free.

The lobby of The Sun Tower & Suites

The room is lovely – but of course, we wouldn’t see the view until the morning.

Although the hour was very late we still felt like we should eat dinner. It might be 10.30pm but it was only 7.30pm in Vegas. There were only two places available at this time through Uber Eats and one happened to be vegan. Kevin ordered a burger – but they used beyong burgers patties (which I’m afraid of since they are supposed to taste very close to real beef) so I got cheesy chilli fries. They were pretty yummy but I didn’t even manage half of this serve.

We stayed up till about 12am to let dinner digest a little and then headed to bed.

Day 7 – The Venetian, High Roller & RUN.

Posted on by Libby Withnall

We had a great last day together in Vegas. As usual I was up about 5.30am. I actually enjoy this time as I’m working on my blog or editing a vlog I can watch Vegas wake up.

We have been going very slow in the morning – it’s how I tend to go with fibro these days and Christy & Kevin seem to be in go-slow holiday mode as well. We didn’t even have breakfast (yep, bagels again) until after 10am.

Finally we headed out via uber, getting dropped off at Treasure Island and walking across the bridge to the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. I think this is my fav. of the resorts on the strip. Love the atmosphere and the fact that there are some “more affordable” shops and it isn’t all luxury brands.

We first stopped by the LOVE sign…

and the gorgeous Christmas displays.

We then explored more of the Venetian and visited a few of the stunning art shops/galleries.

Of course Kevin had to buy another fruit stick from Godiva. And Christy managed to make a new friend.

From the Venetian we walked up the strip. I really don’t like this part of the strip – it is always so hectic and busy (even during the day).

We walked up the Linq Promenade – which we had never been too before. It’s really a rather nice area – though mainly restuarants.

But we were here to go on the High Roller (another thing we had not yet done in Vegas). And it was such a gorgeous day for it today.

The whole trip takes 30mins and it was really nice to sit back and enjoy the view, though I think Kevin was most excited about high speed Tesla charging station that was right beside the High Roller.

By now we were all getting hungry so decided to Uber back to the apartment so we could last nights leftovers for dinner – which I very much enjoyed. Christy and I both then did a bit of packing and sorting and then resting until it was time to head back out. We had a booking for Nacho Daddy but I mucked up the timing and we realized that we would be rushed for the show tonight. So I cancelled the booking and we headed straight to the Luxor. One thing I definitely won’t miss about Vegas is having to walk though the smoky casino sections of the hotels.

There was nothing much on offer for us in the food court but we did come across this lovely looking restaurant.

I ordered what I thought was Fried Rice with Cauliflower & edamame but turned out to be Cauliflower fried rice with edamame. I’ve never had cauliflower rice before so I didn’t think of it when I read “cauliflower fried rice” !! It was quite nice but I would have preferred rice. I only ended up eating half of it. Christy had a bowl of jasmine rice and Kevin had a pepper beef which he really enjoyed. It came with asparagus which he’s always claimed not to like (though I’ve told him many times that fresh is very different to canned) and he LOVED it.

We had to chase down out server so we could get our cheque and head to the theatre to see RUN.

No this show is pretty different for a Cirque De Soliel show and it’s their first live action theatre show. It’s all about 2 rival gangs and they do a great job of setting the scene as you enter.

We may have been sitting a bit too close to the stage because there things happening all around and in the aisles. It was noisy and bright and very busy. I really enjoyed certain parts of it and thought others were just okay. I can appreciate the work and effort that has gone into this production but as someone who isn’t a big action movie person it really wasn’t quite for me. So I’d definitely recommend for people who love action movies and flight scenes (Kevin & I always complain that they go on too long) then I’d recommend this show for you. If not, then maybe see other Cirque shows before this one. Christy said she enjoyed it and Kevin said it wasn’t as bad as the Avator one (which we were all disappointed with). Mystere is Christy and my favourite, Kevin’s is KA (which for me is very close behind Mystere.

After the show we got an Uber back to our room. I then had some delicious peppermint bark vegan ice cream before heading to bed.