It's time! This was taken right before boarding but ya know, it's vacation day!
I'll let you know that every photo with the exception of maybe 5 were taken with my iPhone. I brought the nice camera and had every intention of using it but really, it was cumbersome. The phone is smaller and easier and with just the two of us, it worked out much better. We took a lot of selfies.
Travel day: SLC to Fort Lauderdale airport. Woot woot, it's finally here, travel day! Our plan was to travel from SLC at 8 am with a quick plane change in Vegas and then to Fort Lauderdale landing at 4:50. Guess what? All flights were on time, crowded, and easy. I had been checking in on FB, looking at our meet group, and seeing all kinds of unfortunate layovers. I was feeling pretty blessed to have an easy travel day.
The morning started early with my oldest DD and her friend driving us to the airport at 5:30 am.
If felt earlier than it sounds as I was up until late packing. The drive was easy and cold and we couldn't wait to get out of the chilly Utah air.
We arrived at the airport and were through security in no time. I got the pre-TSA screening, awesome, and they allowed Joshua to go through with me. Love speedy security lines.
First stop: Starbucks. Not that we weren't Starbucks junkies before but now that Gabby works there, we're fanatical. Still don't love their pastries aside from their lemon pound cake which is to die for. I was pretending that I was going to watch what I ate until the actual cruise. I blew it when we saw the Popeye's. why are their chicken and busy cuts so darn good?!
We look exhausted because we were. I always start vacations in total exhaustion mode. Is just the way it is.
Some gorgeous lake. I'm thinking Powell but I truly have no idea. Anyone know what lake is near Vegas? Lake Mead maybe?
And the only view of Vegas we'd get this trip.
We had an hour and 20 minutes to change planes which was plenty of time. We even had 15 minutes to charge apparatus.
Back in the air:
We landed on time and grabbed our bags. Our friends were picking us up from Fort Lauderdale, taking us to dinner, maybe a party, and then we were staying the night with them.
They were outside waiting for us when we landed. Amazing, it was so wonderful to see my friends and their children. It's been a few years.
Dinner was Indian which totally hit the spot. I apologize for the lack of pics from this evening but we were just so busy catching up. And honestly, I had about 3 hours sleep and wasn't fit for photos.
Our friends' neighbors were having an outdoor masquerade party and wanted to go. I kindly opted out but they really wanted me to go with them for a drink. I was pooped but it was hard to say no.....again. I was trying to mentally prepare for meeting a yardfull of folks I'd never met when it began to rain. And rain. And pour. Can you say Devine intervention? The party was cancelled. I know that makes me a party pooper but at least I'm an honest party pooper.
We spent a wonderful evening together catching up and celebrating my friend's DH's birthday with delicious wine and cake.
The kids played and Joshua crashed out early. Early travel is exhausting. Sorry no photos.
I woke up about 7 am and jumped in the shower, got ready, and then Joshua did the same. Our friends woke up a little later. They made a lovely breakfast of which I was too excited to eat most of it. Here is a pic of the kids at breakfast. Sorry for the look on
Joshua's face. I told him that was the last funny face and from then on nothing but a smile or I was going to kick his aft. Kicking each others afts was a running joke of the trip.
With our luggage all tagged up it, we were eager to leave.
Our PAT wasn't until 11:30 and we wanted to go SO badly. Love spending time with our friends but we had a ship to see.
To burn some energy we took a little walk to the local liquor store. I needed to grab a bottle of rum and a corkscrew for one of my FB cruise meet friends.
Here a pic of our friends' neighborhood. Their area is gorgeous.
Us:
And a quickie of my friend and I. She so tall and just as gorgeous. I hate standing next to her. LOL! She's as sweet as she is beautiful. If you recognize her it's because she was a very famous Israeli supermodel. No really. Like the Cindy Crawford of Israel. She stunning both inside and out.
The next set of photos are on the way to the Port of Miami. It was already 75* and beautiful out. That rain cleared the air they said. Yay for the rain.
There was some giant music festival starting today:
The port!!!
And the first glance of this beauty:
We could have literally jumped out of the car and ran over we were just so happy. Thankfully we didn't because it would have been a long hot run.
As we are pulling up:
this is supposed to be a pic of the boat and boarding area. That's the picture showing in Photobucket but the link must have an error. I have checked it 3 times. Strange.
Okay so this next part is a total blur. Once we were dropped off it couldn't have been more than 15 minutes before we were on the ship. It was a crazy fast experience. Like so fast. I snapped a few pics but really Disney is on their game and we didn't have a lot of standing time.
We gave the porter our four bags to check and were light and fancy free walking on the ship. I had a light bag with swimsuits, rum, IDs, and money. It was awesome traveling so light.
We checked in with Daniel, who was vey sweet, he gave us our info, told us a bunch of stuff of which I have zero recollection, and we were on our way.....
Boarding time:
And our first official Navigator. I can't tell you how happy I was to have this in my chubby little hand. I had been pouring over them online and couldn't wait to see them for our specific cruise.
Next up: it's Wonder time!!!! And our total score with cabin 7620. Wow, just wow.
To be continued.........
What ports? Thanks for jointing in and 
Im going to email you. I know you're very busy getting ready for the band trip so I'll try to make it short.
Joshua said we have to send it to Pum-ella. 
You're cruising in 3 weeks? Awesome! 
and 
