Welcome almost aboard Carnival sign

Carnival Cruise Sailaway From Miami.

Day 259 –  November 16th, 2014.

“Cruise check-in day”

We checked out from the hotel in Miami easily and took a cab to the cruise terminal. It was about 20 minutes away and cost $35 or $41 AUD which was not as close as we wanted to be according to where the hotel was situated.

At the terminal we had our bags taken and the guy asked for his tip, bloody cheek. (I’ll give you a tip, don’t ask for your tip as it is something voluntary dude)

The first glimpse of Carnival Splendor

“The smoothest security and then check-in”

Then we joined the line of people to go through security. It was moving quickly and it was not long before we had that behind us. It was up to check-in next and the obligatory health form to fill out, then to the counter to get our cruise cards and up and onto the ship. No photos allowed… Opps.

Going through security and then check-in

All up it was less than 25 minutes from taxi to the ship, the quickest ever. And the Miami terminal had FIVE ships in today.

The only thing with boarding so quick was that the cabins were not ready until after 1.30pm so we had lunch at the Lido buffet which was very busy and made worse by the people with some larger bags than just carry on items!!

“Balcony cabin 8346”

Anyway lunch was nice and a welcome joy from the fast food we had been exposed to in town. At 1.30pm we got in to our cabin #8346.

First glimpse is that it’s a nice balcony cabin just at the beginning of the aft section of the ship. Our bags took a while to arrive this was quite slow but and I was happy to change my shoes.

The bed in our cabin #8346

We headed back out to familiarise ourselves with the ship and did the usual walk around. The spa was again showing you all the treatments and expensive as normal.

The Cloud 9 Spa & Gymnasium on Carnival Splendor

“The emergency drill was civilised and not complicated with no life jackets required”

Lifeboat drill on Carnival Splendor

“Carnival Splendor eases away from the dock”

Then we enjoyed a beer as we sailed away out from Miami past the other ships as we were first to leave, the others soon followed like a procession down the strip.

Carnival Splendor eases away from the dock

The first of five ships to leave Miami

We chatted at the rear of the ship to a couple, Stan and Marlene for a while before getting ready for dinner.

Cruising from Miami

Dinner for us was at the 8.15 seating the late option, all the early places were taken when I booked. So this gave us plenty of time to explore the ship.

“The first of five ships to leave Miami”

The five ships left one after each other from Miami cruise terminal

Sail away with other ships in Miami

“Dinner in the Golden Pearl on Carnival Splendor”

Our table is at the back of the Golden Pearl dinning room on the top-level. It is a long table for ten however only six guests are expected. Unfortunately it was just the two of us tonight. Dinner was fine, very fast service with little to any outstanding interaction. Very average indeed.

Our dinner table and meals

We had an early night after a walk around on the way back to the cabin.

Sunset in Miami