Once we were up, we began packing and getting ready to leave for the port in Ft. Lauderdale. Pam and Mike had a fog delay the day before and didn't get in until late afternoon -- if they had waited until today to arrive, they'd have missed the ship! Kateva was going to meet us at the Miami car rental return place and drive us to the port, but we had to get there first. Which doesn't sound like that much of a challenge, we were less than 10 miles away, but there wasn't any easy way to get there without being on a toll road And we didn't have a toll tag and had already incurred SEVERAL toll violations because we got trapped on the toll road and couldn't get off! Not like Houston area freeways at all! So we plugged the airport destination into the Waze app and told it to avoid tolls--we should've just sucked it up and paid the fine because we had to drive through some seriously sketchy parts of town and stuck out like sore thumbs! We also had to stop for gas and it was so scary, Rich just got back in the car and we found another place! LOL We eventually made it, though, and were able to pay Thrifty directly for the tolls for a small fee, so at least that worked out. Kateva showed up right after we got outside, and we were on our way to the port. Once we arrived, we waited a few minutes for Pam and Mike so they could get in line w us. Good thing, too, because I had Preferred boarding (due to all my cruising) and the other 3 didn't. We got to jump all the way to the front of a VERY long line and were able to board fairly quickly. We were just kind of wandering around looking around at stuff when we came across the Provence dining room and it was open for lunch. We decided to go ahead in and avoid the buffet. They were serving a limited menu but I had smoked salmon and crawfish appetizer with Chateaubriand steak--OMG , melted in my mouth it was so tender!! Chocolate soufflé with vanilla bean sauce for dessert, definitely not a Jenny Craig lunch!!! We finished up eating and left to find our rooms. We are in B527, Honnert's are right next door in B531. Our luggage had been delivered, so we set about unpacking. Our stewardess showed up, first time we've had a female! Very pretty gal from the Philippines, Jacqueline. Easy to understand and very helpful with everything so far. Muster was at 3:15 and we lucked out and got a table for 4 to sit down at during our safety drill. Once that was over, we gave the boys our life jackets, and Pam and I went in search of a Coke. We ended up going to the buffet for iced tea instead and watched this enormous yacht sail past then stop and wait for the drawbridge to open--that's how big it was! By this time, it was almost 5:00, and we were to be seated for dinner at 5:15. We had been assigned to a table of ten in spite of booking this cruise well over a year ago and requesting a table for four! I met w the Maitre D as we were being seated and he assigned us to another dining room at a small table beginning tomorrow night. The bad thing about the large tables is that dinner takes at least 2 hours and we like to be able to go do some other activities after we eat. You miss stuff or have to stay up late otherwise. Rich and I went back to the room so I could take my antibiotic, then met up w the Honnert's at the theater. A comedian was performing and he was hilarious! I haven't laughed that hard or much in a long time! The 6th game of the World Series was on the big screen outside, so Rich and I lucked out and found two loungers and started watching. The wind was HOWLING however, and my hair was just flying around, I hadn't put it up and didn't have a ponytail holder on me. So--I watched one inning and left for the room. Rich came in not too long after, we had both had a full day and were ready for bed. Since it was 10:30 at that point, we didn't feel too badly about it. :)) We are at sea the next two days. Ashley--if you're reading this, would you please call Dr Long and let him know that I'm better. Not healed but at least not worse. Xoxo