Hi_Cees

We just stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton- Miami Brickell Downtown. It was GREAT !!! We used uber x from MIA to the hotel at a cost of $19.12. When you walk inside go directly to the elevator to the 6th floor where the hotel lobby is located. We arrived several hours early and asked if they could hold our luggage for us while we did some sight seeing. They said there was no need and put us directly in a room. We walked 2 blocks to the free metro mover platform and did some sight seeing, went to the Bayside Market also. There are tons of restaurants, shopping (including a CVS for toiletries we did not bring in our carry on luggage) all within an easy walking distance to the hotel. They have a very nice breakfast in the morning with many choices. We took an uber x from the hotel to POM in the morning and the cost was $7.84.

We just returned from the Sensation out of POM. Our flight was changed and we ended up staying one night pre-cruise and one night after cruise. Our pre-cruise stay was at Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, Miami Brickell Downtown. We used Uber X from MIA to the hotel and the cost was $19.12. We again took Uber X to the POM and the cost was $7.84 for the ride. After the cruise (we originally intended to fly home that same day but our flight was cancelled by AA in advance and we opted to fly out the next morning.) we stayed at the Best Western Plus Miami Airport North Hotel & Suites. They offer a free shuttle and we made a reservation for the morning of our flight. No complaints about either hotel. Our pre-cruise hotel was right by the free metro mover and we used that to see the sights the before our cruise.

Thank you for taking the time to post all the great pics and info !!! Great review!!!

My husband and I love Nachi Cocom.

We took cash for tipping in January on the Elation. We tipped a dollar for every drink served (alcohol or non-alcohol, yes we had the Cheers pkg). I didn't feel it made a difference with the bartenders, but the wait staff seemed to look for me...lol. The last night of the cruise I hunted down my favorite server and gave her an additional $25 in cash. I think tipping is a matter of personal choice and you should do what feels right for you. I have a daughter who works as a server and it's a lot of hustle to make a buck to pay those bills.

AARP still has $100 cards available this morning. I just bought cards to pay for our Cheers pkg !!

Hard to believe AARP still had $100 gift cards when I logged in this morning. I just bought cards to pay for our Cheers pkg !!

AARP has cards available. Just placed an order !!!

Dang, I missed it again. I was at work. Just checked, sold out !! :(

I can't believe I missed it, well actually I can. I am subscribed to this thread but I must have missed that too. ** What a dork, after further investigation I was subscribed to the thread but did not have notification turned on.** My bad, but atleast it was a learning experience. ....lol.

We were just on the Elation last week, and enjoyed him a great deal. We thought he had a great energy that seemed to encompass all age groups in laughter and smiles.

Here are two more from last week.

I hope this pic of Mark posts ok. I had trouble the first couple attempts. We were on the Elation last week.

Awesome review, thank you for sharing. We sail on the Elation next month and are really looking forward to it.

Awesome, thank you for sharing. We are on Elation in January.

Great review, glad you had fun !! Thank you for sharing !

That sounds like fun, I hope you enjoy your trip !!

Sadly I am a prisoner of "what if & just in case". I am an over thinker who wants to be prepared for everything that might come my way. I promised myself that my next trip, in January, I am going carry on only. We will see if I can do it...lol :p

Thanks for posting the link ! :)

That sounds awesome, ENJOY !!!! :)

I believe I read the Sensation goes into dry dock Feb 2017. No idea what, if any, upgrades will be made.

I "shopped" for cruise items today and hope I will be happy with my purchases once on board. The plugmax is going to stay sealed in the package that clearly says on the back **This is NOT a surge protector**

173 very, very long days !! Elation :)

Thank you for sharing ! We are on the Elation in January. :)

I noticed tchrmom that you mentioned you stayed at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa Beach before. We have reservations there because of the location to the beach? We're renting a car so do not need long term parking. Is this hotel acceptable? Thanks!

Stayed at the Hampton last fall. Enjoyed the stay quite a bit. Found the bed to be most comfortable. Would not hesitate to book with them again.

:)