Welcome To Miami

We awoke very early this morning with great anticipation for the start of our World Cruise adventure.

We were picked up at our home by two vehicles arranged by Crystal Cruises. This included a Town Car for us and an Executive Van for our luggage. The vehicles arrived 15 minutes prior to the designated pickup time, as we expected. The drivers were very professional. We then made the 45 minute trip over to the airport to check in for the first of our two flights.

As we first drove up to the airport we saw a very long security line but that was for other airlines in another area of the terminal. In no time we checked in for our flight. With all of the luggage, a few people around us asked if we were moving. Keith explained that Anne Marie likes to take a lot of shoes with her for long weekend trips.

The World Cruise fare includes air and all our flights are first class. So, we were fortunate that we could get on a security line that was for business and first class passengers. The line was longer than the norm, particularly because of the time we boarded. We think that is due to passenger's being advised to arrive to the airport earlier than normal. We would say that going through security was no different than normal. They did run Keith's carry on bag through the security x-ray machines twice but that was not unexpected given all of the electronic related gear that we have brought with us for this adventure. We also saw a special dog that was apparently being utilized to look for explosives.

The good news is that both of our flights were on time. Given the weather conditions at both airports we expected to have some delays.

After we landed at Miami International Airport we were met there by the personnel from the ground transportation company who with the help of an airport porter ably helped us collect our luggage and escorted us to the vehicles for our drive over to the Hotel.

We were last to Miami in early 2007 and we immediately noticed a difference. The last time we were here we couldn't get over the number of cranes were set up in the downtown area and the number of large buildings were being constructed. This time we did not see even one crane.

We checked into the hotel very quickly and were pleased that we received a nice upgrade. After getting settled we took a nice walk and then enjoyed a nice dinner back at the hotel.

We then did some unpacking. We did notice that airport security went through our bag that is essentially devoted to cosmetics and other toiletry items. They had gone through several of the items. Again, this is understandable given the current environment.

We will spend five nights in Miami before we board the Crystal Serenity. Our daughter and son-in-law will arrive on January 1 and our son and his fiancé will arrive on January 3, the day before we board the ship.

We are excited to be in Miami and to have the day of traveling behind us. Tomorrow we need to pick up some personal care items that we were unable to take with us on the plane. This will be our first ever New Years Eve in Miami.

The forecast for tomorrow is 80 degrees.

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step"

Keith and Anne Marie