Day two - Miami

Background music: "Come Sail Away" by Styx

Up bright and early, we had a light breakfast at the hotel, then boarded the 11:00  shuttle to the Port of Miami.  Two ships in port, the Carnival Breeze and the Carnival Liberty.  The size of these ships never fails to impress.

We had Faster to the Fun, so we were able to bypass all the lines and board the ship fairly quickly.  We were in our cabin before noon.

Background music:  "There's Something About a Boat", Jimmy Buffett

Our cabin is on deck 8,, midship, port. A balcony cabin, our first balcony.  I'm in love.

We dropped off our carry on bags, took a quick look at the Fun Times, then headed up to the spa.  Scheduled  our appointments, then headed to the Lido for lunch.   

Music:  "Celebrate"  by K. C. and the Sunshine Band.  The party was already getting started around here.  We tried some fruity concoction from the bar -- I love drinks with an unbrella in them. I tried Guy's burgers -- a nice little burger with a good variety of toppings -- and chicken tacos -- very good but they do kick back.  The pirate king got a burger and a dish from the Mongolian Wok.  Both were excellent, but the line for the Wok is very long.

Took a tour of the spa after lunch -- they demonstrate several of their massage techniques, describe all the treatments, and encourage you to book. 

Then it was back to the cabin to begin unpacking. 

Music: "Safety Dance"

Muster Drill on the Valor 3 years ago was a royal PITA.  We had to report our our lifeboat station, stand there until everyone arrived, and stand during the safety briefing.

On the Breeze the muster stations are in the main dining rooms and the theater.  You can sit comfortably while you imagine scenes from Titanic and The Poseidon Adventure.

Background music:  "Sailing" by Christopher Cross"

Went back to the cabin to finish unpacking.  The pirate king took his camera up to the Lido deck to watch Sail Away.  I watched from the balcony.

At 5:00 we went back to the spa for the raffle -- didn't win. Ignored the hard sell.  Then back to the cabin, where I wound up taking a nap on the balcony.

I am already in love with the balcony.

Explored the ship a little before dinner.   There's live music in the lounge areas.  Shops look interesting -- the pirate king was impressed with the liquor shop.

We're in the Saffire Dining Room, upper level.  Table for six, but one of the couples didn't show.  Tablemates are a lovely couple from Mississippi, in a town that's considered suburban Memphis.  She was drinking a tiramisu martini that looked so decadent I had to try one too.

Dinner.  Pirate king ordered Caesar salad and a steak.  I tried the tropical fruits and something called " Sweet and Sour Shrimp", fried shrimp served over a bed of Asian rice noodles, with a sweet sauce for dipping.

Background music:  "Southern Cross", by Crosby, Stills and Nash. 

Our cruise tradition of sorts is to go to the Lido deck after dinner and find a spot to stargaze.  We saw only a few stars last night, but the moon was bright and there was a heat lightning storm a few miles away.

Back at the cabin, our shore excursion tickets have arrived.  Priblem --our Grand Turk excursion has been cancelled.  The king headed over to Guest Services to book another excursion.  More on that later.

Music:  "I Am The Walrus" by the Beatles.

Bet you can't guess what last night's towel animal was.