And we are off

Bag Drop-off
Terminal AA, Port of Miami, FL
Septemberb 27, 2026

Embarkation Day was not without its challenges. The challenges began right as we dropped our bags off and then had to park. It was not the smoothest process.

Let me explain.

South Miami Beach
Miami Beach, FL
September 27, 2026

I knew that our ship was docked at Terminal AA, and I had previously received a notice from Celebrity that we would also park at Terminal AA. I understood then that we returned that the ship would dock at Terminal A and we would have to schlep our bags to Terminal AA and depart the garage. Well that got changed. We dropped the bags off at Terminal AA and then drove to the Terminal A parking garage and then had to return to Terminal AA to depart. Sound confusing? Yup! And wait, the Post of Miami is a confusing enough to begin with.

The process to board the Celebrity Beyond was very smooth and we only stopped long enough for them to review our passports and verify us as the travelers. With the parling gymnastics wev arrived a mere 15 minutes before our scheduled time. That is the latest we have ever presented ourselves for boarding. 

Being Chased by Icon of the Seas
Atlantic Ocean
September 27, 2026

Our welcome aboard Concierge Class lunch was fantastic, although I didn't understand the non-English words on the menu--we chose wisely.

Our bags were a bit late arriving to the stateroom, but that allowed us to take a nice midafternoon nap. 

We were lucky to be able to watch the tense game between the Cowboys and the Ravens in the sports bar. I felt bad for Chris because the overwhelming majority of those watching the game were Ravens fans. We might have gotten a bit rowdy when the Ravens were the winniers with a 1 second remaining field goal. 

First Impressions: 

The ship is beautiful. It is 4 years old and wears it design well. 

Stateroom Door Secorations
Celebrity Beyond
September 27, 2026

The stateroom, however, is tough to enjoy. It is long and narrow and the much touted infinite veranda is a poor excuse for trying to convince people that dual use space is a good thing. So far, it is not. It becomes a problem when one of us is awake and desiring to sit on the veranda without disturbing the other. The motors for the blind and the window are loud! I am, however, writing on the veranda with the window closed and the blind half down. And it is too small--there are no recliners.

The crew has been fantastic even last evening when I could not find the room service menu to order or the promised bath robes. Within 15 minutes I had everything I needed. 

More to follow. And Monday Musings are on hiatus until next week.

-- Bob Doan, Atlantic Ocean near 2429N 07529W heading 210 degrees