It's Tuesday afternoon and the ms Insignia is heading south-southeast at a brisk pace over calm seas under sunny skies toward the island of Aruba.  I am very slow, as usual, in getting the blog started, but I hope to continue at a more acceptable pace as soon as I catch up on the three days that have already passed.  So before describing the immigration boondoggle of visiting Cuba and the exciting wonders of Havana, I am off to . . .

30 June 2018:

Miami, Florida

We arrive at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami, FL just about 10pm, where we we are spending the night after our 4 hour and 10 minute flight from PHX.  The flight was quite pleasant--I even manage to nap through most of it.  Will and I have opposing aisle seats in the Premium Economy Section of the Main Cabin.  It is important to note the terminology of "Section," which differs from the Premium Economy "Cabin," (which does not exist at all on this flight--are you confused?  so is everyone else).  What it means is that although we have paid an add-on charge for our seats (the airfare is covered by Oceania Cruises), which give us a little more leg room, we do not get the extra perks that come with "Cabin," such as free luggage and priority boarding.  Fortunately, Will's American Airlines credit card does allow us two free checked bags per passenger (we have a total of three between us).

We enjoy a late dinner in the Catch Restaurant at the hotel and then a peaceful night's sleep.

1 July 2018:

Miami, Florida

Our room at the Marriott looks over the pool from the 11th floor. 

The hotel is attached to a small shopping mall with a number of restaurants offering better breakfast selections (and prices).  We opt for a Uruguayan steak house that serves everything the hotel offers, except for the buffet.  It's much quieter, too, and our waiter, a young man from Aruba, tells us how glad he is that we will be visiting his home island.

The complimentary Oceania bus is scheduled to leave the hotel at noon (thus negating our early-boarding privilege), but doesn't depart until almost 1pm, mostly due to the ineptitude of the baggage loader/bus driver, who looks like he might keel over in cardiac arrest from the heat of the sun and the extreme weight of his body.

Once we arrive at the terminal (about fifteen minutes from the hotel), we are able to board right away and have time for my favorite lunch (a steak and lobster sandwich on foccacio bread) until our concierge veranda stateroom is ready at 2pm.  The stateroom, midship on deck seven, somehow manages to have enough storage space for us to put away all of our clothes and stuff.   

The weather has stayed hot and humid, but the predicted thunderstorms have not materialized.  There is only one other ship docked at the Port of Miami, a Norwegian Line megaship, we we have lots of good views of the harbor and downtown Miami, which seems to grow exponentially every time I am here.

We make a reservation for dinner at the Polo Grill, one of two specialty restaurants on the Insignia.  The crew member taking our reservation (in person) screws up things so much that we are visibly embarrassed when we show up for dinner.  The maitre d' does find us a table, in the farthest back corner of the restaurant, after accusing me of lying about the reservation (not good service).  Dinner, however, was very good:  Surf & Turf for Will (preceded by super large shrimp cocktail and a deconstructed Waldorf salad; Rack of Colorado lamb (after shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque for me).

We skip tonight's entertainment and opt for early bedtime to be rested for tomorrow in Havana.

2 July 2018:

Havana, Cuba

Here's a brief preview of Havana, upon which I shall report more fully in the next blog entry.