Miami to Virgin Gorda, BVI
(Two Days At Sea)

We flew into Miami a day early so that we would not be rushed or miss the ship. It was a good idea because while we had priority delivery on our bags at MIA, it is a very difficult airport to maneuver in. It took almost 30 minutes to get from the gate to baggage claim and our bags still did not arrive for another 30 minutes.  The Marriott we stayed at was okay, but maybe we will do more research before our next time out of Miami as there was nowhere to eat but in the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood was not a place to walk around in. We were among the first to board the ship and our cabin was ready so we dropped off our hand baggage and went to have the light lunch they provided.

Our cabin was everything we hoped for and more - two separate room areas and two bathrooms. We have a large deck with a table and four chairs at one end and two lounges around the curve. Sergei, the butler we had last year is our butler this year as well.  He has been promoted to the larger suites.  Last year we rarely asked him for anything so this time we have to remember that it is his job.  There was a beautiful arrangement of white roses in our living area and fresh fruit and little cakes to nibble on.  So the marathon eating binge begins...

As we walked around the ship someone waved and the two couples we met on the Panama Canal trip are also on this one. As they said it was worth every penny to get away from Rockford, IL and Davenport, IA. We are sure that we will end up having cocktails at sunset with them as we did last time. Apparently a lot of passengers on this trip are people who have been on Oceania before so maybe we will see someone else we met before. In fact, these friends also are going on the new ship next year, although they are on the "shakedown cruise" and we are on the "repositioning cruise" a couple of months later, so they may have more excitement than we do as the crew works their way through all the glitches, etc. Apparently, the first cruise booked solid (1200 people) in 1 hour and that would be all regulars.

The Caribbean is much smoother and the weather is certainly warmer than we had last time. We have booked the restaurants we like so we are looking forward to exploring new places.

After two smooth days at sea, we arrived at Spanish Bay, Virgin Gorda. We did not sign up for any shore excursions so were "independent explorers".  After a light breakfast we went ashore in a tender.  The harbor is too small for ships to dock and actually too small for the larger ships to come to.  We walked around the area and were too lazy to get one of the "cabs" to take us on a tour so did not see a lot of the island.  What we did see were all the lovely sailboats anchoring and coming in to Buck's Market to get provisions.



Blurry photos through our hotel window in Miami in the rain.

The cruise line terminals and the marinas on the morning of our departure.

We are finally on board and looking back at Miami. You might be able to see some of the many dolphins that were swimming around the ship while we were docked.

Activity around the ship. The fueling barges have just finished filling us up. The constant ferry traffic to the nearby islands.

The Miami skyline from our deck as we pull away.

Our cabin/suite both indoors and outdoors. Now that we have had two bathrooms we may never be able to get used to the regular cabin again. We will be looking for those upgrades.

On board during the two days at sea.

Virgin Gorda

Drinks on our deck as we leave Virgin Gorda.

Daryl enjoying one of many steamed lobsters at dinner.