Miami and Sea Days - 05-07 February 2019



05 February 2019 - Tuesday
Miami, Florida - 7:00am to 6:00pm

Today is a "turnover day' with passengers disembarking and embarking so things are a bit crazy.  The Terrace Cafe closes at 8:00am so Phil and I get in just under the wire.  

We venture out to walk to downtown Miami -- just over the bridge -- it does involve climbing over some "jersey barriers" to get to the side of the bridge with the sidewalk -- but we are successful. 


Pat at Entrance to Port of MIami.

Bayside Shopping Center is close by so we take a look -- but alas nothing is open -- we are too early.   We continue walking through Bayfront Park with a very nice view of Riviera sitting at her dock.

Moving on we head to Marshall's -- I know they are open -- then to Ross Dress for Less -- then to CVS so Phil can get some cough medicine for the cold he doesn't have.  

We have lunch at a tavern in a small hotel across from CVS -- the only good thing about this place is they have a big screen TV allowing us to watch the Patriot's Victory Parade through Boston. 

We take an UBER back to the ship -- and who do we bump into as we enter the terminal but Sharon and John.   They will be traveling on Riviera for the next 12 days -- great to have them on board.

This afternoon brings the usual commotion and confusion of an embarkation day and, of course, the mandatory safety drill at 5:15 pm. 

Tonight the four of us dine in Toscana -- the Italian restaurant -- such fun to catch up.



06 February 2019 - Wednesday
At Sea

We are up early -- but don't have breakfast till 9:00 am -- John joins us, as Sharon is not a morning person.

A sea day usually means reading and working on the blog -- which is exactly what I do.

Later in the afternoon, the four of us play Trivia -- apparently we are not as smart as we thought we were but we are only four -- most teams are eight.  We need Dave, Patte, Beth and Jack  to join us but alas they are all in Florida.

Tonight is the Captain's Cocktail Party with open bar all over the ship from 5:45 to 8:00 pm.


Filleting the Dover Sole at Jacque's.

Our dinner tonight is in Jacque's -- the French restaurant -- and it is the best.

We turn our clocks ahead one hour.



07 February - Thursday
At Sea

Phil and I have passed from Silver to Gold on Oceania as of this new segment so we have earned two complimentary spa treatments each -- up to $430 for four treatments.     Since Phil is not interested in the spa for anything, I'll just have to carry on using both certificates.

I mull over whether or not I should try acupuncture -- and decide - "why not?" so I make a consultation appointment for Saturday morning.   We spend the rest of the day reading -- writing and enjoying the calm seas. 

Sharon chatting with another "student" after Cooking Class.

Sharon and John have a cooking class at 4:00 pm -- so we pop in at the end to see how they are doing.  Then they meet us in the Terrace Cafe for a light dinner -- since they eat what they cook in class.  The salad bar this evening is particularly good -- lots of unusual vegetables.

An Ominous Sky as we head to Aruba.


Thanks for Reading.

Pat


Location: Miami, FL, USA

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