Home › Uncategorized › Orlando to Miami, Florida; MSC Divina – 12/13/2014

Orlando to Miami, Florida; MSC Divina – 12/13/2014

Posted on Posted in Uncategorized

DECEMBER 13, 2014 (Saturday)

I have Michael’s computer and am writing this. We just sailed out of Miami (at night) and it was spectacular. Loved it. First I must tell you about our day.

We left the Barefoot in the Keys Resort at around 9:00 AM. We went a very short distance to the nearby McDonald’s Restaurant for breakfast (the usual – egg white McMuffins and coffee). Yummy. We drove just a little bit further down the road and got gas ($2.52 gallon). The drive today was almost 250 miles – from Kissimmee to Miami. The GPS took us on toll roads (cost us about $20.00) into Miami. Close to Miami the traffic got really bad.

Usual breakfast.
Usual breakfast.
Started with a top off.
Started with a top off.

IMG_1504

Topping off the Prius.
Topping off the Prius.
Okay prices.
Okay prices.
Sunny clear day for the drive.
Sunny clear day for the drive.
Turnpike service center, bathroom break and driver switch for us.
Turnpike service center, bathroom break and driver switch for us.

 

Lots of choices.
Lots of choices.
Nice commercial facility.
Nice commercial facility.

IMG_1515

IMG_1514

These birds were really loud. Florida is such a bird state, all kinds, everywhere we go.
These birds were really loud. Florida is such a bird state, all kinds, everywhere we go.
Dan Marino Blvd leading to Sun Life stadium.
Dan Marino Blvd leading to Sun Life stadium.
Really rough traffic in Miami.
Really rough traffic in Miami.
Edie liked the silhouettes of the gulls on the sound walls.
Edie liked the silhouettes of the gulls on the sound walls.
Really felt a lot like L.A.
Really felt a lot like L.A.
Nice skyline.
Nice skyline.

IMG_1547

We had made arrangements to park the car at a place called Safe Cruise Parking, which is managed and run by the city of Miami. As we were driving to it, I got really nervous because there are so many homeless people. Very sad. Haven’t seen that many in a long time. It’s their own little community. Anyway, we got to the parking lot and it does look safe (hopefully). We were able to catch the shuttle bus to the cruise dock within ten minutes of parking.

On our way to park our car, wow, so many homeless folks.
On our way to park our car, wow, so many homeless folks.
Strange operation. I gave them my key, they drove my car away to a place I don't know, then they bring me my key.
Strange operation. I gave them my key, they drove my car away to a place I don’t know, then they bring me my key.
Goodbye little beastie.
Goodbye little beastie.
We are on the shuttle to the ports.
We are on the shuttle to the ports.
Beds on the sidewalk.
Beds on the sidewalk.
First of many worries to forget about.
First of many worries to forget about.
Our driver.
Our driver.
Line of cruise ships.
Line of cruise ships.
Pretty woman talking to one of the kids.
Pretty woman talking to one of the kids.

There were at least five cruise ships docked. The shuttle bus driver dropped off at the other ship areas and the MSC Divina was the last to be let off. As soon as we got off the shuttle bus we were able to check our bags with the cruise ship. We then walked a very short distance and went through the line to get on the ship. The lines were long but it went fast and smooth. Very impressed with how quickly and easily it went.

In the terminal working our way to the counter.
In the terminal working our way to the counter.
Our ship.
Our ship.
Headed for the gangway..
Headed for the gangway..
Gangway to the ship in the background.
Gangway to the ship in the background.
Looking to my right.
Looking to my right.
Nice protected gangway.
Nice protected gangway.
On board.
On board.
Our balcony room.
Our balcony room.
Pretty woman living the life.
Pretty woman living the life.
Port view out our balcony.
Port view out our balcony.

 

We got on board and were able to get into our room. It has a large bed, a couch, and a balcony. It’s very lovely. We sat outside on the balcony for awhile and then went to the buffet to check it out. I think it was the biggest buffet I have ever seen. Must have been a quarter of a mile long and had salad fixings, meat carving, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, desserts, fruits, breads – and many other things we didn’t get to see.

We are on board, lets go to the buffet!
We are on board, let’s go to the buffet!

IMG_1604

IMG_1605

It was good food, but it was off, almost never what you expected.
It was good food, but it was off, almost never what you expected.
Looking around.
Looking around.

We walked around and went to the 4:00 PM introduction in the Black and White Lounge. It was just a ship employee going over a few things but it was interesting and fun to see the lounge. After that we walked around and got to see the beautiful Swarovski crystal staircase. We also got a drink package (15 coke or coke type drinks) for $30.00. Not a good deal but better than buying them individually.

Shapely lighted columns.
Shapely lighted columns.
Nice lounges throughout the ship.
Nice lounges throughout the ship.
Float plane.
Float plane.
Pretty woman communicating displeasure to me.
Pretty woman communicating displeasure to me.
Swarovski crystal accents in the center lounges of the ship.
Swarovski crystal accents in the center lounges of the ship.
Stair treads accented with encased Swarovski crystals.
Stair treads accented with encased Swarovski crystals.

IMG_1632

Dazzling stairs.
Dazzling stairs.

IMG_1634

 

By this time we had to head upstairs and get our life jackets so we could go to the muster station and do the demonstration. While at the muster station we got to visit with some fun people to pass the time.

A Norwegian ship leaving before us.
A Norwegian ship leaving before us.

We went to our dinner (first seating) and met our table mates. There were eight of us – a mother and daughter from Quebec, Canada (Danie and Denise); a husband and wife from Florida (originally from Wisconsin; Ron and Shirley); and a lady and her friend/neighbor from California (Zoe and Mary).  All very nice and fun. We enjoyed a leisurely dinner. Michael had a zucchini mushroom appetizer, a cold rhubarb soup, and a baked chicken with vegetable dinner. I had a shrimp cocktail and the baked chicken. Very excellent. For dessert I had the crème brulee with wild berries and Michael had the no sugar apple crisp with ice cream. He said it was also excellent.

Our sit down dinner.
Our sit down dinner.

IMG_1648

Shrimp cocktail for Edie. She really liked it.
Shrimp cocktail for Edie. She really liked it.
I had a portabello mushroom with marinara and cheese. Delicious.
I had a portabello mushroom with marinara and cheese. Delicious.
Cold rhubarb soup. Pretty good.
Cold rhubarb soup. Pretty good.
Edie had baked chicken. It was very tasty.
Edie had baked chicken. It was very tasty.
A fellow traveler had lamb chops.
A fellow traveler had lamb chops.
Edie had and loved cream brulee with wild blue berries.
Edie had and loved the cream brulee with wild berries.
I had a no sugar added apple pie with ice cream. It was heavenly.
I had a no sugar added apple pie with ice cream. It was heavenly.

We are tired and opted not to see tonight’s entertainment – a Frank Sinatra tribute. The ship is already lulling us to sleep. We have hung up the room service menu for our coffee in the morning. Life is good. Love it. I’m thinking we could live on a cruise ship.

Oh, Michael and I had made a promise not to take the elevator while on this or any cruise. After going up and down stairs (we are on the 13th floor and most of the eating and lounges are on the 5th or 6th floor) many times today, I broke down and told him (after we ate dinner) that I would probably have a heart attack if I had to walk up 8 flights of stairs while so full. He agreed and we took the elevator.

Anyway, that was our day. Hope yours was great!