Friday we spent heading north, past Cuba again towards Fort Lauderdale. It was a bright sunny day, hot but windy. We found ourselves some beds around The Retreat pool and pegged out with our Kindles.

Sushi lunch in the buffet which was a nice treat. Then we went down to the cabin about 430 and packed. Our cases had to be out by 8pm so we got them done and outside the door before we went off for dinner. We ate in one of the speciality restaurants, Bistro sur la Mer, which is in collaboration with 3 Michelin star chef, Emmanuel Renaut. Really lovely food. ending with the best fillet steak we’ve had aboard. These speciality restaurants are extra to the cruise fare with a cover charge of $29 per head, but for the quantity of food you get and the quality, it is well, well worth it.

Had a final cocktail listening to one of the singers and then turned in. Heard the ship come into dock about 6am, this morning. We got up at 7, packed our cabin bag and headed up for breakfast, where we met Stuart and Fi. We were off the ship, just after 8am. Very swiftly through getting our bags in the terminal and then US Customs. We were waiting for our pickup from Park at the Port by 845 and on our way by 9. Found the car in the mega carpark and set off around 930 heading for Crate and Barrel , in Boca Raton, where Fi wanted to pick up some replacement wine glasses for a a set they have at home

Just to summarise on our cruise: we had a fabulous time on a beautiful ship and the luxury of it being less than half full. The staff were so happy to have passengers back and they really showed it. We loved the medallion that allowed us to do so many things from around the ship. We hated the app which was rubbish and needs a lot of improvement. We felt safe at all times, people abided by the rules… I have no idea if anyone had covid aboard…. we saw no sign of it and heard no rumours. We would definitely not hesitate to cruise again.

So…… that said, we headed back north to our new lodgings at Cocoa Beach, Anthonys on the Beach. Its a 1950s style motel that has been renovated and it is literally right on the beach and our apartment overlooks it – fabulous view. Cocoa beach is white sand and it runs for miles and miles, very quiet section around here. The sea is surfier, being the Atlantic, and no doubt when I dip my toes in tomorrow it will be icy.

Tonight we met Fran and Dave at a local restaurant called Florida’s Fresh Grill. We managed to get seated for an early dinner – mainly appetisers for us with some wine. 45 minutes later, we’d had the wine but no food….. and we’d told them we had to leave at 630. We’d arrived just after 5pm, so saying we waited 45 minutes is likely an understatement. In the end, I told them we would pay for our drinks but not the non arriving food and we would have to go – it was 630 and we had theatre tickets for 7. There was a minor struggle “it’s just on the pass…. can we box it for you????” etc but we stuck to our guns. Won’t be going back there.

We went to see a brilliant show at the Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach. The Edwards Twins who are singing impressionists and have done shows in Vegas and all over. One twin does male famous artists, the other, female divas. We had fairly low expectations to be honest but we were all totally blown away. They were phenomenal. Both of them had tremendous voices and range and could perform in their own rights, the brilliant impressions were on top of that talent. The one who did females did Barbra Streisand, Cher, Bette Midler, Celine Dion…. incredible voice….. the other brother did Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and a host of other male singers in a quick fire medley. Together they did Sonny and Cher and a duet between Andrea and Barbra. Honestly, they were so good.

Went home after that, tired. It’s been a long but good day.