TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10---FLIGHT & HILTON MIAMI

         Jane picked us up at 7:45 this morning.  We headed for the Parking Spot (North) to leave the car.  I still get an American Airlines employee great discount there.  Dallas rush hour traffic was not bad for us and we were parked by 8:15 and on the van to take us to Terminal B at DFW.  No curb side luggage check in at that terminal so up the elevator to the ticket counter we went.  Got bags checked and through TSA pre-check in 15 minutes so we were at our gate by 9:00.

        Our flight departed the gate 15 minutes late due to running out of carry on luggage space so several other passengers had to have bags checked.  

       We had a smooth flight and the flight attendant gave Rebecca & Jane an extra small bottle of wine and I got three Woodford Reserve bourbons.  We arrived at the gate at MIA on time and headed for long walk to baggage claim.  Raul, our Blacklane limo driver, was there waiting for us with a baggage cart and all our bags showed up in about 15 minutes.  Off we went to the Downtown Miami Hilton.  We stay at this hotel or next door at the DoubleTree every time we come to Miami for a cruise.  These hotels are not far from the Port of Miami.

        Raul was excellent and had us at the hotel in about 20 minutes despite the traffic.  Lots of bridge and road construction here.  Nice big Cadillac ride!

        This nice young man checked me in.  Due to my Hilton Diamond status they had upgraded us to the best suite available here.  

        It is a bath and half with separate bedroom with two queen size beds.  Lots of big windows looking out at the bay and where the cruise ships dock.  I will have photos of that view tomorrow as now getting dark outside.  It's 5:10pm and I just heard the horn of a cruise ship departing the port.  It is an overcast, gloomy day here in Miami and upper 70's.  Rain is in tomorrow's forecast.

        Jane and I walked a block down the street to a Publix supermarket and got some wine and cheese for Happy Hour.  I will make a Manhattan with my bourbon.  Will have one as soon as I publish this post.

        Our very good friend and cruise mate, Marcia Rector, is staying next door at the DoubleTree.  She has been invited here for some vino but not sure she is coming.  She flew down from Toronto and may be too tired.  We will be having dinner with her at Prime 7 (steakhouse) on board the Mariner tomorrow.

        Ok, that's it for today.  We will be boarding the Mariner at noon tomorrow.  Next post will be from our suite onboard.    CHEERS!!!!!