Pre-Cruise NCL Epic Adveture Begins @ La Quinta Inn

         I am starting out this vacation with Jon and Tatty for our Epic Journey. Machael, Sonia  and the rest were due in on the Saturday morning. We left straight from school pn the Friday afternoon to catch our 5:29 flight on AA, which was very comfortable I may add. Jon made his way earlier in the day on 3pm jetBlue to FLL. Flights tend to be cheaper to Fort Lauderdale and the transportation to Miami Airport was easy. He took the free shuttle service (via the FLL airport)  to the Tri-Rail. Then the Tri-rail to MIA airport station which only cost $3.75.

         It was funny how we all met up at the same time. As soon as we got to the luggage carousel, Jon was there to meet us .We quickly got our hotel shuttle to La Quinta Inn Airport Hotel East.I chose this hotel because it was highly recommended on the cruise critics web page .  Not only did it provide breakfast in the morning, but it had  the Airport shuttle to the hotel and a free one-way port shuttle to the port of Miami so we can catch the boat.

         We arrived at the hotel around 8:30 PM and was told that the pool will be open until 10:00 PM.  The three of us looked at each other and said let's start the vacation right. We quickly changed our clothes, and went straight to the pool. It felt so nice and warm (after awhile). The amazing thing that we saw at the pool was this Caucasian woman.  She was hanging out with these guys that were also at the poolside drinking and talking, and she rolled up looking a little intoxicated ( I wished I had my camera).  The problem was that she didn't think she was intoxicated at all and then decided to jump in the pool.  Backside first.  Now on a normal night that would not be unusual, but I forgot to mention that she did not to have a bathing suit on.  She was but naked, and that was a bad sight.  Luckily, her friends got her out in time.  So besides that view, the three of us did manage to enjoy our moonlight swim.
Afterwards, we were hungry and decided to go to Benningan's for a cold beer and some food.  The walk back to the hotel was not that bad. It was really close.  We all said good night had a good night's rest because we knew what we were in store for tomorrow.

When we woke up in the morning and looking like P. Diddy, we anxiously got ready and headed for breakfast.  We met a lot of other people who were staying at the hotel going on other cruises as well.  So breakfast was quite crowded.  If you stay at this hotel do not expect a hot breakfast.  The hottest thing would be the boiled eggs, toast, or make your own waffles (which are Jon's favorite).It was unlimited so we definitely helped ourselves.  Our shuttle was not due to arrive until noon, which was OK because you could not get on the boat before hand.  KSA tours provided the shuttle service and if you wanted to make arrangements for a return pick-up to Miami Airport the cost would be $10.00(Fort Lauderdale: $65.00). We got to the port of Miami in no time.  I got my first text from my friend Machael, and it was of Sparkle drinking a Bahama Mama.  I screamed and said, "Wait for us!"













Two more tidbits before I end the pre-cruise info.  A good travel tip for you to remember is that it is never too late to call your credit card company or your bank to let them know you are traveling out of the country.  If you do not notify them, they will freeze your account. I actually only remembered as we were on the shuttle on our way to the Port of Miami.

Second tidbit: if you are worried about TSA then you need to travel with Tatty. As she was re-packing her bag the night before, she was telling Jon and I about how she didn't really have a lot of her aerosols or her liquids in clear bags. And um, like me she didn't check a bag. Shame on you TSA. Shame on you TSA. But luck Tatty.  Take a look and what she did not get in trouble for.