Anchor Aweigh

 After a beautiful flight on British Airways from London City Airport to New York and a couple of smaller flights on American Airlines that we'd prefer to forget we arrived in Miami. Two nights sleep, no sightseeing and a lot of retail therapy later we are thrilled to be settled on Regent's Seven Seas Mariner for our South American journey.

Our Itinerary

It was lovely to put our feet under the table for a delicious fillet steak in the Prime 7 Restaurant this evening. The food, service and ambience were excellent as usual.

Bubbles a plenty

 23 November 2014

After several weeks of travel on land it was so good to board Seven Seas Navigator in Miami for another Regent Cruise.

We put the welcome bottles of bubbly away for another day..

and headed up on deck for a light lunch and a glass of bubbly

Christmas in Coral Gables

 23 November 2014

Last night prior to boarding our cruise today Regent put us up at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables. We took a drive around the area, an evening walk and had dinner at one of our favourite US chain restaurants, Benihana, after checking in to the hotel. 

As we wandered we noticed plenty of evidence of the coming Christmas season.

The Malls beckon

In Miami at the Intercontinental Hotel Doral where the staff we encountered on reception last night didn't speak English!!

Breakfast done. Walking shoes on. Ready for the Mall. Hoping to find some bargain fashions for the cruise.

Breakfast in Club Intercontinental

Art Deco

On the night prior to our cruise we stayed at South Beach in Miami at Mr Geniaus' request as he was keen to have a look around the 800 or so Art Deco buildings in the Miami Beach Historic Architectural District.

As well as going for a stroll on Wednesday evening we spent a couple of hours exploring the area before boarding our cruise ship yesterday. Our cameras went with us on our excursion. Aren't the buildings just amazing.

Sympathetic loos

Some buildings even have cars to match

Building decoration

Pink and pretty

A work in progress

I was captivated by this doorway

We enjoyed our exploration so much that we will try to take The Art Deco Walking Tour when our ship returns to Miami.

Ready For A Soak

It was A Slow and hot drive South to Miami from Melbourne,  Florida. 

The temperature Is hovering In The High 80s Today. I Was surprised And delighted To Be Greeted At reception at the Z Hotel in South Beach With An Icy Cold Glass Of Bubbly. The Porter Who Showed Me To Our Room Asked If I Was interested In A Spa, I Replied in the affirmative So He Sent Another Man along To Set It Up.

It Is Now Ready And Waiting For Poor Mr Geniaus who Is On A Hot Nearly 2 Mile Walk Back From Returning Our Rental Car.

I Hope He Likes Spas.

Maintaining Versace

At the Versace House