Colo Cruiser Posted March 29, 2010 #1 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Sunday March 28th, Hey all, Broadcasting live from the Renaissance Hotel FLL! We were picked up at 3:30AM Sunday morning and headed to DIA for our 6:00AM flight. Pushed back from the gate at 6:05 and sat. About 6:15 Captain came on and advised #2 engine would not start, uh oh. Maintenance was on the way out. They were able to start the engine around 15 minutes later. We started moving and lo and behold we stopped in the deicing area! There was no precip so it must have been dew on the surfaces. This took another 15-20 minutes so we were now almost 1 hour late. We were cleared and took off for Houston. We had a tight connection of 45 minutes but we had to head from terminal E to terminal C. We made it OK and arrived in FLL at 2:15 only about 15 minutes past our normal arrival time. It was very overcast and cooler at 74. Claimed our luggage and called Gold Coast Rental car to pick us up. Within 10 minutes we were at the office finished renting and drove to the Renaissance about 10 minutes away. Checked in and headed to the room to freshen up. We could see the Emerald from our room at Berth #2. Feels like I can reach out and touch her!! Headed over to Total Wine and picked up our needed cruise libations along with a case of agua. We rented the car so we could head to Miami for dinner at Versailles which our favorite Cuban restaurant in Little Havana. Had great meal with a Mojito and stood outside drinking my “cordidito” (expresso) actually 2! An excellent night. Headed back to the hotel and crashed, we were beat. Monday March 29th, We awoke this morning to thunder and rain. It stopped for awhile so we went over to Starbucks to have coffee and then lunch at 5 Guys Burgers on Cordova Rd. It is right behind the Embassy Suites in the mall area. Great burgers and DW had the grilled cheese. I decided that since we had our onboard purchases made so we took the car back and walked the 2 miles back to the Renaissance. It was showering every once in awhile and the sun even came out for a few minutes. We stopped to admire the landscaping at the Embassy Suites.... We stopped at Walgreens for some Arizona teas and then as we exited the downpour started!! OMG open the flood gates. By the time we crossed the street to the hotel we were soaked. No plans for the rest of the day other then figuring out where we will eat dinner. In the morning we will walk across the street and board the Ruby!!!! I will continue to post onboard when I can…… I will post a couple of photos in this thread but probably will not do any more on the Ruby due to time constraints and slow internet. Those I will do when we return home like I did with the Golden/Alaska photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northender Posted March 29, 2010 #2 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks for getting this going, Keith. I will be looking forward to your "live from" everyday. Enjoy:):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted March 29, 2010 #3 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Have a great time on the Ruby. Looking forward to reading your postings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ship101 Posted March 29, 2010 #4 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Colo Cruiser, thank you for the live post and the pictures. I enjoy reading your posts and will be following your cruise. Lucky you. When you are on the Ruby, could you check when Generoso plan to be back. We are planning a celebration for a friend's important birthday, you know those numbers with 0... and we wonder if Generoso will be back in December. Thank you again and bon voyage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted March 29, 2010 Author #5 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Colo Cruiser, thank you for the live post and the pictures. I enjoy reading your posts and will be following your cruise. Lucky you.When you are on the Ruby, could you check when Generoso plan to be back. We are planning a celebration for a friend's important birthday, you know those numbers with 0... and we wonder if Generoso will be back in December. Thank you again and bon voyage. Hi and thanks... Yes I will!! He is a great friend and I was planning in finding out his schedule anyway! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelnewby Posted March 29, 2010 #6 Share Posted March 29, 2010 I'm looking forward to your live from.. thanks so much - great pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goinsoon Posted March 29, 2010 #7 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks for the live from..........will be looking for more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oceans3 Posted March 30, 2010 #8 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Did you bring your fishing rod? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsqrl Posted March 30, 2010 #9 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I love Versailles, too. That's real dedication, though, driving to Miami for dinner . . . ! Glad to see you doing another Live; can't wait for the next report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolmama_1 Posted March 30, 2010 #10 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Looking forward to your postings! Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted March 30, 2010 Author #11 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Well the rain stopped early evening and the Tornado warning was lifted :eek:. Around 7pm DW and I walked up to the top of the draw bridge on 17th St and man the wind was blowing and cuts right through you, its chilly!! We then walked back to the Outback and had a great dinner. Beef tenderloin and crab stuffed shrimp with garlic mashed. They now have 14 ounce Cuervo margaritas for $3.50. Not happy hour, these are normal prices. Excellent meal and 4 drinks for 2 under $50. Can't beat it. Well on the walk back we had to stop at Stone Cold Creamery of course for some watermelon sorbet. Back at the hotel now getting ready to hit the hay. The big day tomorrow!! Ruby here we come. Night Night. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeymom21 Posted March 30, 2010 #12 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hope you have wonderful weather and a wonderful time! Your posts are always enjoyable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whimsy Posted March 30, 2010 #13 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Keith, you are making me feel like I am right there with you. We love staying at the Renaissance but have stayed at the Hyatt Place a few times too. We have been to Total Wine, Starbucks, Cold Stone, walked by the Embassy, gone to Walgreens, and walked up the draw bridge early in the morning to watch the ships come in. We like dining at Kelly's Landing for seafood. Where the Texaco station is on 17th street, it's right down the road to your right, in the strip mall to your right. Try it sometime. It's sort of become a tradition and we hit it everytime we have been to Fort Lauderdale. Your Cuban place looks good too. When we have a car we like the Rustic Inn. I will look forward to your postings from the Ruby as we sail on her in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hllwdcruiser Posted March 30, 2010 #14 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Will be avidly reading your daily live reviews. It was freezing here tonight in SoFL - but I think it is supposed to warm up for you tomorrow. Have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotrockstar Posted March 30, 2010 #15 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Good Morning Colo Cruiser! I'm here at the Crowne Plaza. Very nice hotel. Brand new. Looking forward to meeting you all finally!! Beautiful morning here in Ft. Lauderdale. Ciao 4 now, Hotrockstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy and Charlie's Mum Posted March 30, 2010 #16 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Well stone the crows! I think that is the most I have ever seen you write Keith! Nice review by the way! My friend Barb (Larsen) is on your roll call, have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLC535 Posted March 30, 2010 #17 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Keith - Bon Voyage !!! thanks so much for the "live from" and great pics, we will be boarding on your return, so take care of her & have a WONDERFUL cruise !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shifra Posted March 30, 2010 #18 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Looking forward to your trip reports and photos. I loved your Alaska cruise so I know this will be good. Hope you have lots of nice weather while on the Ruby. Happy cruising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett3 Posted March 30, 2010 #19 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Love how you mingled the pictures with the Live report! Looking forward to reading more and would love to see lots of pictures of the Ruby too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drews_Cruise Posted March 30, 2010 #20 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Great start, The photos are really nice and bring back some memories. Hope your cruise is wonderful. Tell us all, were up next. Drew:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted March 30, 2010 Author #21 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hey all!! Well I am sitting on my balcony as I type. Had an excellent nights sleep. Got up this morning and headed to Einsteins for coffee and pastries about 9:00 am. Have to get a head start on the pastry eating. It’s a beautiful day here in south Florida. I see the sun for the first time since Saturday!! Went back to the hotel and organized the suitcases and such for the walk over to the terminal. See the Ruby from our window! We secured the infamous tags to out suitcases. At 10:00 am we headed down to the lobby , walked across the street and into the port. Took 10 minutes. We handed the tagged case of water and our luggage to the porters and headed into the terminal through the Elite entrance and sat. At 11:30 sharp they let our group in and we proceeded to check in. Smooth as silk we were in our cabin by 11:45. Unpacked the carryon’s and headed to DaVinci for a quiet lunch. Godwin was waiting at the door and welcomed us with open arms. The doors were wide open and no discouraging to the HC at all. There were about 20 people total. Chrysalis and his DW joined us. For appetizers I had the avocado/shrimp and a salad. Then for the main course I had ate the best Salmon I have ever had, tender!! Man it was good. Apple Tartin for dessert. What a way to start the cruise. After lunch we received a call from Generoso in our cabin and dropped down to Michelangelo to say hi. We are now sailing out past the condos and everyone’s yelling and screaming, what a sendoff. I will post more later……………………… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted March 30, 2010 Author #22 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Had a wonderful sailaway and M&G at the aft pool bar. Absolutley wonderful weather. After we headed up to the cocktail party in Skywalkers. Todays drink special was a very large margarita for $2.99! They had Guac and chips with cut vegetables and dip, with assorthed cheeses. Also confirmed the after 8pm happy hour with several beers, well drinks and 3 specialty Pina Colada/Singapore Sling and can't remember the 3rd. its a great deal and I am glad Princess is offering these. We are now getting ready for late seating traditional at 8:15 in Bottchelli. Enjoy your evening! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynda90 Posted March 30, 2010 #23 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hi Keith, Thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Looking forward to reading your posts. Our group will be on soon, so take care of our great lady! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northender Posted March 30, 2010 #24 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Thanks. You are certainly off to a great start. I watched via the webam and look forward to "cruising" with you for the next 10. :):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted March 31, 2010 #25 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Enjoying reading your posts and just noticed in your signature 43 Princess cruises. Wow I'd love to hit half that mark. Glad to hear about those $2.99 prices. I'm wondering why Princess has chosen to do that? Perhaps passengers not doing as much drinking or staying up later. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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