PinkSandGirl

We are on our way! Late to Set Sail but smooth sailing so far! 🍹

We are about to Set Sail! 🍹

Lunch in Luminae Bourbon and Peaches 🍹

Haha! Yes. 🌞 😂 🍹

Muster complete. Bags in cabin. Walked around a bit. Met some Cruise Critic friends along the way. Now... we are all sitting at The Martini Bar until lunch. I still miss the ice! 🍹 Passionfruit Martini

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We are onboard. Have been! Before 11am! 🍹

This was the first sighting! 🍹

At the Port! Passport check and confirmed we don't have any weapons. 😉 🍹 Update: We are here!!! It happened so fast! Luggage taken by the Porter and brought in the building. Entered Retreat area. Multiple people asking to make sure. Boarding pass and passport check. Up the elevator. Brought in. Checked in. Snacks. Now waiting to board!!! 🥳

In the Uber! Next stop Terminal 25. Port Everglades! 🥳 There's more luggage you can't see. 😉 🍹

Yes. I'll add lobby pics, the pool, grounds, etc... 🍹

App shows the new icon: Boarding! Also received another notification from Celebrity about boarding time window. 🍹

Room Pics - Le Meridien Dania Beach 🍹

Ok, so. Have to get ready. I was going to meet my mom and dad for breakfast in the Club Lounge but I decided I needed a few extra minutes in bed. They are going at 8:00am. I am going to get ready. My boyfriend's train got in even later but he made it safe. Arrived, took luggage to room, said Hi! to my mom and dad then he wanted something to eat so I went downstairs and sat with him. I then needed to print something and spent way too much time on the hotel computer trying to fight with it but in the end, accomplished what I needed done. 😄 I'm all over the place in story telling. 😂 I started with the plan today then went back to last night. 😉 A quick recap then. We went to 'Happy Hour' in the Club Lounge. Um...yeah, definitely room for improvement. I'll post pics later. After we sat there talking we went to eat in the hotel restaurant. Food was good and again great service. They really do have some wonderful staff here. Then back to rooms for a bit. Yesterday ended up being a day we just stayed at the hotel all day which was nice. I had planned on going out and about but...nope. stayed in. Perfectly happy with that. I will also continue on from Travel Day once we boarded. This is like a movie that jumps around and you really have to follow. 😂 Oh yeah, did the Health Check-in. Celebrity. Please invest in IT improvement. We all had to say we forgot password (didn't) and re-set and even then the app was shaky. It said I needed a check-in time (I've had since they became available) so backed out. Eventually got the whole 2 health questions complete. Celebrity also sent a text reminding us to stay within our check-in window. This is why I have a printed X-PRESS pass for today. I do NOT trust the app or even the screenshot of it on my phone. 😂 Ok, let me get ready and also get those Celebrity Luggage Tags on the luggage!!! 🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳 Our friends are leaving between 8-8:15am. 🍹

Hi! Good morning!!! I just got that funny, nervous yet excited feeling. What day is it? The cruise is today!??!?!!! 🥳🥰 The cruise! Oh boy. I feel like a little kid. 🤗 All of the planning, getting ready, talking about it, anticipation...it's here. ❤️. It really is. 🍹

Very nice! Enjoy the Beyond! Have you cruised before? I was pleasantly surprised the humidity didn't 'hit' us when we walked out of the airport last night. Today was nice. Tonight after dinner we walked outside and you feel the humidity but nothing crazy. All day the palm tree fronds swayed. 🌴 Thank You! 😃 🍹

Yes! I said we now have to come in 2 days before. Especially how hectic we've all been lately. It was nice to have a relaxing day. I had plans to explore but nixed that idea and we didn't leave the property. 😉 🍹

The rain will bring greenery, hopefully soon for you. =). Thank You! 🍹

Hi! Yes! Thank you for commenting. 🥰 It was so funny when you and a few others did that. My mom and boyfriend (who aren't on CruiseCritic) would just laugh. Nice! A back to back that includes a transatlantic. So much time to really enjoy the ship! Have a wonderful cruise! 🥳 🍹

Ugh...sorry your hotel stay did not sound pleasant but thankfully it was only 1 night and then you enjoyed the Ascent. =). Yes. This hotel has proven again to be a great choice. 🍹

Back in Time - Travel Day. Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 There were supposed to be 5 of us flying but there were 4. My boyfriend, on Monday, decided he didn't want to fly so he took the train. He is still currently on it due to weather delays along the way. His ETA is now 9:12pm. Over the years he has become very NOT fond of flying and after our flight experience last year, he was way too nervous so decided he couldn't fly. He is currently still booked for the return flight though. Mercedes Sprinter picked us up. Nice driver. Huge vehicle! The driver said it was good we had that for the luggage. 😂 We have the same vehicle for when we go home. The limo/car service is one we've used before. Very happy with them. Nice drivers, safe and vehicles are clean and new. Traffic wasn't bad at all getting to the airport. PHL - Philadelphia International Airport We flew out of Terminal C. All of our luggage was unloaded. Thanked the driver and in we went. Question: Why do doorways into places, like an airport, have a lip to get in? The luggage does not wheel properly over the threshold...especially when you have 3 suitcases you are wheeling. 😆 The counters and kiosks were closed in C so we went to B (right next to it). It was SO busy. Looked for Priority. All the way at the other end. The kiosks weren't working properly in the Priority section. 2 people working at the counter. Once we got up there, the guy was very efficient and friendly. Our friend had a wheelchair assist noted in the reservation. A gentleman came right over. Verified where we were going and we were all able to go. He took us to an elevator. Asked if we needed to use the bathroom. He said it was nuts upstairs. Hehe. Little did we know for ourselves. The elevator opened right up to TSA. He took her and us to a separate line. It took awhile to get through because they were really looking at everything (via the scanner). I'm fine with that as long as they do that for everyone going through - want to be safe! We passed 😄 (except our friend had an expensive shower gel taken). I gave her baggage guidelines to follow. 😉 The bottle wasn't full so she thought that would be OK but the bottle size was larger than allowable so that's a no go. We arrived to Gate C22. The airport was SO busy yesterday. SO busy! We didn't go to the Admirals Club due to time and location. I went searching for evian. No where. The stores that previously had it, did not. Bought another brand. I then found a Starbucks to get an Iced Tea. My mom and dad each went to get a drink and snack. Boarding was on time. (The plane arrived just before we got to the gate). Group 1 boarding 6:16pm. This post is already a book 😄 so I'll start a new one that picks up with boarding. 😉 🍹

Pre-Cruise Arrival We used to fly in the morning of. Never had a problem but can't imagine doing that now. Then started arriving the day/night before. I have to say, I like the 2 day before arrangement. Today isn't a crazy, frantic day. 🥳 🍹

Good morning from sunny, breezy Fort Lauderdale! Some clouds come and go. It was morning when I started typing this. 😉 I fell asleep before setting my alarm but woke up when my mom called. Slept well. They were getting ready and then going to check out the Club Breakfast. I quickly got ready - an achievement for me 😆. Didn't know if the options would be enough but it was. Friendly service. After we sat for a bit and talked we came to the lobby to check in for tonight's stay. Same rooms. (When I originally booked, it was just for tonight). Since then we have been hanging out in the lobby talking and enjoying some drinks. It is surprisingly not crazy hot or humid. It wasn't last night either. Update: I have tried typing this up a few times now. 😉 Our wonderful family friend was picked up at 2:00pm and she is on her way to Naples. We'll meet back up on the 22nd. My mom and dad have some luggage rearranging they are doing. I have some computer work and then want some pool time. My boyfriend is en route. I didn't tell that story yesterday. I will. 😉 Palm Trees when I opened the curtains this morning! 🌴 ❤️ Will post more pics and also give travel day details. 🍹

Hotel All checked in. Nice like the last time we stayed. Very accommodating and friendly. Le Meridien Dania Beach. It may be by the airport but you wouldn't know it/think so. I'll post room pics that I took but wanted something to snack on so came to the lobby bar for a snack and cocktail. 🍹 Espresso Martini - for me Ocho Old Fashioned - for my dad Grilled Chicken Panini Bar Hotel Sign

Landed safe! Have all of our baggage! Waiting for shuttle. 🍹