*BIG CATS INVADE THE CARNIVAL VALOR - 5/26/12*

StudMuffin

2nd Officer
Looking at the Hampton Inn Brickell....$125 govt rate...I would guess city employees would be considered govt employees, right?? We'd be a little south of Bayside, not sure if we'd be too far away, but it's new and we tend to prefer Hampton Inns...they give a consistent product. Free breakfast in the AM is always nice, too.

Looks like a very nice place...reminds me a lot of the new Courtyards they have been advertising with a Miami flare. Free breakfast is always good too. Looks like it is located pretty much in the same vicinity of the Hyatt / Hilton...just on the other side of the bridge.
 

oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
Looks like a very nice place...reminds me a lot of the new Courtyards they have been advertising with a Miami flare. Free breakfast is always good too. Looks like it is located pretty much in the same vicinity of the Hyatt / Hilton...just on the other side of the bridge.

Yep - it's only been open since January and has great reviews on TripAdvisor. Also got a quote back from one of the shuttle companies and it will be $25 each for the van from FLL to our hotel. I am fine with that. I am thinking we'll get to the hotel around 1-1:30, check in a grab a quick lunch, and maybe just chill out at the pool for the afternoon. Later on we can venture out for a bite and a trip to Walgreens or CVS. I think we'll be a little to far away from Bayside this year, but I see a PF Changs and a few other restaurants within a couple of blocks from where we'll be. Remind me, George, are you coming in Thursday afernoon or Friday?
 

StudMuffin

2nd Officer
Yep - it's only been open since January and has great reviews on TripAdvisor. Also got a quote back from one of the shuttle companies and it will be $25 each for the van from FLL to our hotel. I am fine with that. I am thinking we'll get to the hotel around 1-1:30, check in a grab a quick lunch, and maybe just chill out at the pool for the afternoon. Later on we can venture out for a bite and a trip to Walgreens or CVS. I think we'll be a little to far away from Bayside this year, but I see a PF Changs and a few other restaurants within a couple of blocks from where we'll be. Remind me, George, are you coming in Thursday afernoon or Friday?

Yeah, I seem to recall cab fare to Bayside being $10+from the Hyatt. CVS is right down the street from you. There is also that little italian rest we all had lunch at a couple years ago nearby for you. Staying Thursday in West Palm Beach...Friday Miami
 
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oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
That's what it looked like on the map - I liked that little Italian place we had lunch at. If I recall, we spent part of that lunch on our cell phones with Tommy ane Regina! I also just e-mailed another shuttle service and they appear to be $18 each way versus the other companys $25. And we've used the $18 company before...so if they confirm the rate, we'll go with them.

Totally different topic...considering buying an Ipad, Kindle or netbook before this cruise. Any suggestions or advice from anyone? My boss has me leaning towards the Kindle Fire. What do you think???
 

oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
Ok....just got confirmation from SAS transportation....$15 from FLL to our hotel, per person, then they'll pick us up on June 3rd for the same price, after the cruise, and take us back to FLL. I love a bargain, and we were happy with them when we used them last time. Yay!
 

StudMuffin

2nd Officer
Ok....just got confirmation from SAS transportation....$15 from FLL to our hotel, per person, then they'll pick us up on June 3rd for the same price, after the cruise, and take us back to FLL. I love a bargain, and we were happy with them when we used them last time. Yay!

That's who we are using after the cruise back to FLL...I think you recommended them to us? What time is your return flight?
 

StudMuffin

2nd Officer
That's what it looked like on the map - I liked that little Italian place we had lunch at. If I recall, we spent part of that lunch on our cell phones with Tommy ane Regina! I also just e-mailed another shuttle service and they appear to be $18 each way versus the other companys $25. And we've used the $18 company before...so if they confirm the rate, we'll go with them.

Totally different topic...considering buying an Ipad, Kindle or netbook before this cruise. Any suggestions or advice from anyone? My boss has me leaning towards the Kindle Fire. What do you think???


We bought Arrielle a netbook for Christmas (link below). It was $150 then, they have really gone up though.

Best Buy - Computers, Video Games, TVs, Cameras, Appliances, Phones

I've heard great things about the kindle fire / kindle touch. The touch supposedly has it's own built-in 3g / wi-fi ...no need for a hot spot or pay monthly ISP fee...

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/en_US/images/abn/2011/com/pcon/kindle_brand/kindle_print_2.pdf
 

oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
That's who we are using after the cruise back to FLL...I think you recommended them to us? What time is your return flight?


We're at 12:30, I think. Flying United back and home by 3:30. We did use SAS before and liked them. The drivers are nice and they are where they say they will be. They tell you to call them and they are usually waiting around the corner at a designated spot to get you.
 

4evercruzin

Carpenter
Sheree,
Are you and Greg all settled in now? I am sure you are ready to cruise! Glad you have the final details worked out.

What is everybody doing for excursions? I need to do some more research. We are open to ideas/suggestions.

Jim,
Is your daughter cruising with us or was she unable to get off work?
 

Reginak

Shore Excursion Manager
Looking at the Hampton Inn Brickell....$125 govt rate...I would guess city employees would be considered govt employees, right?? We'd be a little south of Bayside, not sure if we'd be too far away, but it's new and we tend to prefer Hampton Inns...they give a consistent product. Free breakfast in the AM is always nice, too.

We use Hampton Inn a lot for my work travel.
 

Reginak

Shore Excursion Manager
That's what it looked like on the map - I liked that little Italian place we had lunch at. If I recall, we spent part of that lunch on our cell phones with Tommy ane Regina! I also just e-mailed another shuttle service and they appear to be $18 each way versus the other companys $25. And we've used the $18 company before...so if they confirm the rate, we'll go with them.

Totally different topic...considering buying an Ipad, Kindle or netbook before this cruise. Any suggestions or advice from anyone? My boss has me leaning towards the Kindle Fire. What do you think???

I have an Ipad and like it but you do need Wifi or the data program. You can dowm load movies ans books when you have wifi or data plan and then watch/read later (by the pool oron a cruise).
 

oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
Sheree,
Are you and Greg all settled in now? I am sure you are ready to cruise! Glad you have the final details worked out.

What is everybody doing for excursions? I need to do some more research. We are open to ideas/suggestions.

Jim,
Is your daughter cruising with us or was she unable to get off work?

Hi Barb - I think I will be all settled in when the rest of the furniture we purchased arrives....I told Greg that I will try my best to be done by the end of April. No idea on the shore excursions....if any....for us. We're really looking for some R&R and I imagine we'll be doing little more in the ports that walking around a bit, catching some sunshine, and drinking a few frozen drinkies!
 

oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
Regina - that's how I started to like Hamptons - just for work. Then when Greg and I travel I usually suggest that we stay there too. I remember that we stayed at that nice one the night you guys dropped us off in Orlando after we met at Margaritaville.

I am not sure what I want to do about the ipad, kindle thing....I am just look for a new inexpensive lightweight laptop, if there is such an animal!
 

oriolesfan22

2nd Officer
Hi Barb - it's actually Essie. It's a really bright pink with a shimmer. I am at my parents and it's actually packed up in my car for the ride home, but when I unpack I will make note of the color!

Also, I am happy to report that our new and renewed passports were in the mailbox yesterday morning. Greg and I are relieved! It was a bit stunned when I took a look at them and saw that they were just a few short months from expiring! It was very quick - we mailed them on St Patrick's Day. A very quick turn around. Shout out to the US Govt! Haha.

Picked up more random stuff today for the trip....Tums, Aleve, etc. I just need to make sure that the stuff that needs to get packed at home doesn't get mixed up with the stuff that needs to get unpacked still!

Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Easter weekend. George, how was LA? Barb, did you have family over for dinner? Glad to see you on FB. The picture you have on there of you and Greg at dinner is a good one - you both look wonderful! (Is it because the Big Cats weren't with you???? lol)
 

4evercruzin

Carpenter
Sheree,
The family came over for breakfast. Greg and I had a relaxing day. We have been eating at home trying to save money for a cruise in Sept. I am a newbie to facebook. DD is trying to teach me how to use it. I don't seem to have time to even read any of the messages. I do well to post here. Feel free to sign us up for the meet and greet as I don't have a clue how to do it. LoL Thx about the pic. It was the second pic DD found. The first one didn't have Greg in it. No, it wasn't because the Cats weren't with us. We would have had lots of fun with you too as always!
What did everybody else do for Easter?
 


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