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Room for 2 Nieuw Amsterdam on the rocks The mats that people were using and Pat and Tyler looking for fish . They found some that a lady was feeding and a turtle also The sisters of HMC Getting too crowded for us A fair number of people keep bugging us about our shell . Pat did meet a couple of ladies from the other ship who had paid and got no shell . They seemed to be very nice so we asked at the rental area if we could leave them the shell and she said OK so we waited until they got settled in before we left at about 11 AM . A quick look at the church on the way back . Leaving HMC to return to the ship Approaching the NA

You're welcome . This was the first time that we ever renting anything on HMC and my wife and I both think that they do rent them . We would advise to rent or go early . Some people moved into the shell next to us and got removed because they thought that they were free . About 10:30 it got really busy and we heard that they had over sold the shells and people who had paid found that none were left .

Friday October 28th HMC We were up early to pick a clam shell before it got busy so we were on the 1st Tender . The Nieuw Statendam was right behind us . As soon as we got off we made a beeline to the rental place before it got too busy The water was warm and clear and Pat and Tyler wanted to snorkel . I just took photos and guarded the clam shell as people were checking ours out and asking a lot of questions about it .

When we were ashore and returning to the ship one day we saw a former server from the Pinnacle who had been moved to the MDR . He invited us to one of the tables that him and his new coworker would be staffing that evening for the Gala . It was or only visit there and Joel and Ulysses took great care of us . And Ulysses made this beautiful drawing for Pat . I never cease to be amazed at how talented and helpful the staff has been on our recent cruises

We were enjoying a nice , calm sunny day at sea The Disney Wish We were told that we would have to drop a patient off in Freeport - which is not the nicest port in the Bahamas but it's may be the closest at about 67 miles from the Port of Palm Beach A safe two handed wave

We had a regular breakfast before meeting the Cruise Critic M&G in the Billboard on board at 1000 . A brief visit with the ladies on the Neptune Lounge . They were always so helpful . Near the Atrium they were going to have a lesson on how to make Margaritas and Mojitos Our former Retreat worker Ian showed us his cocktail moves We didn't get to see the whole thing as we had a special lunch set for the Retreat at noon .

Dinner with these ladies and this gentleman always brought a smile to our faces . And we love the variety and taste of the food .

As we walked back we went by an empty Sunset Pier Restaurant and Mallory Square which would be filled at sunset . Tyler had asked us if he could drive a jet ski and we knew that he would be thrilled and he was . The view from our room The red building was the old Post Office and customs house , now a museum . In order to rent a jet ski you had to pass a written boating test if you were born after 1988 A couple of people we late coming back to the ship which was blocking the sunset which is a BIG DEAL here and the main reason that some people get irate . We moved just before sunset and you could see the crowd gathered waiting for us to move . We heard a round of applause not knowing if it was for us moving or the sunset - but it was a good one

We decided to walk down to Duval Street to the Restaurant that we wanted to have lunch at . The lady at the Butterfly place had also recommended it and told us that half of the residents wanted cruise ships to visit and the other half didn't want any so they agreed to 1 per day and that we were the lucky one . So it was say goodbye to the butterflies and hello to friendly Fidel and walk over the rainbow road to Kaya Island eats . The king of the road is everywhere We chatted with the owner who grew up in Hawaii so it wasn't about the island of Key West as much as Hawaii . I really liked the wooden surfboard next to the TV and he said that it belonged to his Dad . I also liked the art work which was done by a local . The place reminded us of the place that we ate lunch at on Santa Catalina . We liked the Conch Fritters but the pork sliders were excellent http://www.kayakeywest.com/menu.pdf It looked like it might be a long wait for the men's room though

Just a minute or 2 away is the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory Rhett and Scarlet are residents Peaceful Coexistence

We were up a little early to beat the crowds and beat the midday heat We were there during Fantasy Fest and we had hoped to avoid some of the craziness by going early while the night owls slept it off https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_Fest We used to use the Conch Train to see the city but we found something that we like better We took the Pedicab to a photo hot spot before the crowds got there . It's about 1.3 miles - about a half hours walk away on bad knees . The driver was a wealth of information and answered our questions about where to eat . He's talking about visiting the cemetery which is a popular thing to do here especially a few days before Halloween . So we got our token been there done that photo for Tyler's mom and a little bonus . We love the eclectic architecture - it reminds us of Coronado Island

A couple of outtakes from Fort Lauderdale 17th Street causeway Lifes a ball on Royal Caribbean Pier 66 under repair The Coast Guard base Ocean skyline Fort Lauderdale was where we first got married and bought our 1st house .

We just watched our next ( loud ) cruise sail away - the Nieuw Statendam leaving in a week which ( we hope ) includes Grand Turk . This ship was our least favorite cruise a couple of years ago on our anniversary . For our sapphire anniversary this year we are going to and thru San Francisco to Kauai where we spent our 25th . A detail of my Florida Hawaiian shirt .

Dinner was at the Pinnacle Tyler's first time having Escargot and clothesline bacon And once again our friends in the Pinnacle took good care of us

Our new , revised schedule was Wednesday October 26 - Key West Thursday - @ Sea Friday - HMC with Nieuw Statendam Saturday - Nassau

We had a little free time before we ate lunch and met Tyler so we shot some photos of an empty ship waiting to go . A Sellabration at the Lido Pool We used to park at this lot but we prefer to park off site and they have a van deliver us to and from the ship The ladies in the Neptune Lounge had heard about Tyler so we introduced them before returning to our interconnecting rooms now that Tyler's balcony divider was open Time for our sail away at 1500

It worked out great . Just as we finished lunch we went down to meet him at the port and he had just cleared and was boarding as we met .

It was our grandson's 1st cruise on HAL so we wanted him to enjoy the suite life and it was only $100 for him to go for the week . We and he really wanted to go to Grand Turk where his best friends mom is from and still has family there . We wanted to SCUBA with him and there's a nice place there to eat . When we booked it we had to pay in full and the schedule was a day at sea , Grand Turk , HMC , Nassau and back the next day . About a month later HAL eliminated Grand Turk and rescheduled the trip with Key West taking it's place on day 1 . After we began the cruise in Vancouver we realized that when we folded out the sofa sleeper that it would mean at 6' 3'' Tyler's feet would be touching ours and that we would be on different schedules . So we canceled his stay in our room and got him the room next door where we could open his balcony to join ours . We went to our room first which was the same room that we had for Alaska . The clothes were hanging in the closet and we emptied our bags to put things away . We were in 5188 and he in 5182 . Our room was still in the cleaning process as there was a gift for the cabin attendant so we went and looked at our Tyler's room . Tyler's room A shower only - no small tub as in other class ships We headed down to lunch in the MDR

Good morning Port Everglades The last time that we were in transit was in Vancouver but we had a guide and left the port for a tour . This time it was a turn around to board for our next cruise . All of the in transit people met in BB Kings and there were about 25 of us . After about 15 - 20 minutes we headed out together Whether disembarking or embarking there's a long hall to walk The line for the eye scan . We had to swipe our old cards before we left the ship and had been given our new cards which we swiped when we reboarded . The agents and scanners were in the distance and the scanning process only took a couple of seconds . They had a line of chairs for us and after zeroing the ship we reboarded about 20 minutes later . It was much more easy and quick compared to Vancouver 😊🙂

We wanted to watch our last sunset at sea on this cruise so we ordered dinner for delivery

Some HMC outtakes This boat brought the food to the island to feed all of the hungry and thirsty people

While we were ashore the guys did a nice job of cleaning so we took some photos of the cabin which we submitted to HALfacts yesterday .

We returned to the ship after lunch to pack a little . HAL would be moving us again to a different room in the morning and we would be meeting our oldest grandson for the next cruise . It was his 20th birthday present .

We wandered down the beach a little enjoying the view and looking for the Lobster Shack . We had bought our lunch tickets the night before in the Canaletto but when we showed up we were told that we didn't have reservations so no lobster . Fortunately Weman who was managing the Canaletto recognized us and corrected the issue on the spot . It was quite breezy and the fancy paper plate tried to blow away . The wooden utensils may be eco friendly but they didn't cut it .

Thank you very much and we're glad that you are enjoying it . 🙂😊