MSC Divina

Today we are driving south to Miami and checking into the Miccosukee Resort, a Seminole resort and casino.  Our travel agent has arranged a good price for the group (NARFE), which includes free parking and shuttle to the port.  We have never found an inexpensive, reliable place to park the car away from the port.  At the port is $20 a night, very convenient but very expensive.  This cruise is seven nights, so that would be $140, but if we had driven ourselves down today and stayed overnight in our usual hotel in Miami Springs, we would have had the hotel bill as well as the $140.  This way we are getting a night in the hotel, a free breakfast, safe and secure parking at the hotel, and a free shuttle to and from the port for about the same amount.  Sounded like a good deal.

I might write a blog tomorrow morning from the hotel if they have good wi-fi.  Otherwise there will not be another blog until Sunday, January 25.  We will be home Saturday afternoon on the 24th, and our friend Rudy will be waiting here for us.  He is staying two nights and then Mark's cousin Ron arrives for four nights. 

I had a good day of healthy eating yesterday and dropped down to 266.  I have recorded that weight in my Lose It! app and in my log book. So I am leaving for the cruise at an even 266.  When I get home, I'll weigh on Sunday morning.  My plan is to make healthy choices and use moderation at meals and with alcohol.  I also plan to hit the gym and walk as much as possible during the cruise.  I have had these goals before on some cruises, notably back in 2010 on the 4 week cruise to Hawaii and through the Panama Canal.  During those four weeks, I think I gained 8 pounds, or two pounds per week.  I went from 208 to 216, if I recall correctly.  That seemed horrifying at the time!  LOL!  I have been on cruises where I gained 1-2 pounds per DAY, so to gain only 2 per week meant I must have been doing something right occasionally.  If I make healthy choices and exercise when possible, I think I should maintain my weight.  If I come home and still weigh 266, I will consider this a huge success.