Friday, April 25, 2025

8:30 AM

Crandon Beach, Key Biscayne, FL

April 27 - May 1, 2025

4 night Bahamas on the MSC Seascape

Tuesday (4/22):

Sandra & Jeff Arrival Day

• Sandra and Jeff arrive in Miami

• Enterprise Rental (Pick up a Chrysler Pacifica)

Wednesday (4/23):

• Get license at Miami Dade County Marriage License Bureau

• Appt: 2:15 PM

• 601 NW 1ST COURT, Suite # 1900, MIAMI, FL 33136

• Get supplies for guests (snacks for the evening and next day)

• Get wedding cake!

Thursday (4/24):

Family Arrival Day

• Mike/Kellie: 1:15 pm Southwest

• Wongs: 2:00 pm American Airlines

• Viselli/Schmidt: 4:03 Delta

• Settle in to AirBnBs

Friday (4/25) 

Wedding Day

Morning:

• 5:00 AM: Hair & Makeup

• 7:45 AM - 8:00: Ride to Crandon Beach 

• 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Ceremony at Crandon Beach

  • https://smallmiamiweddings.com/

  • Backup location: Paradise Cove pavilion 

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM: Photos on beach

• 10:30 - Noon: Vizcaya Garden photographs

Afternoon:

• • Noon - 2:15: Return to AirBnB for cake and champagne toasts.

  • 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Rusty Pelican (2:30 PM in VIP Room)

Eve:

• • 4:30 PM - Night: Relax at pool, beach, whatever! 

Saturday (4/26):

• Sleep in!

• Beach/Birding/Fishing/Explore Bill Baggs State Park

• Ship flowers back (Post office on Key Biscayne 10 AM - 2 PM)

• Miami Boat Ride?

Sunday (4/27):

Cruise Embarkation Day

• Drop off passengers:  Possible 30 minute ride to terminal.

• Return rental car @ 12 PM to 1717 N Bayshore Dr, Miami FL 33132

• Embarkation at the Port of Miami: 

  • Ship leaves 5pm

  • Aurea (Wongs/Sandra & Jeff) have priority boarding that can start at 11 AM.  

  • Fantastica (Schmidt/Viselli) can begin boarding at 12:30 PM.

Monday (4/28):

• Nassau, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

• Check excursions on MSC app

Tuesday (4/29):

• Ocean Cay overnight

• Check excursions (also for rentals)

Wednesday (4/30):

• Ocean Cay

• Check excursions (also for rentals)

Thursday (5/1):

Cruise Disembarkation Day

• 7:00 AM arrival

• Disembarkation

• Lunch (may be challenging with luggage in hand)

• Head to airport for flights home:

  • Viselli/Schmidt: 5:35 pm

  • Sandra & Jeff: 5:35 pm

  • Mike/Kellie: 2:50pm

  • Wongs: 3:30 pm

Apps:

• Airline apps

• MSC cruise app

• Lyft/Uber

• AirBnB

• Google Maps

Arrive at Airport:

• You'll first need to find your specific airline and check in/drop off check bag.

• You can check in to airline via app 24 hrs before flight if you like.

• Your check bag will get weighed (50lb max), it will be tagged and taken by the attendee.

Bags:

• Each of us will be traveling with:

  • Check bag (gets handed to airline attendees before TSA)

• Carry on (take with you, overhead compartment)

• Handheld item or purse (take with you, under seat)

• Put batteries/meds/glasses/passport in carry on! Anything important or fragile.

• Consider carrying on your wedding attire.

• Check bags can't contain batteries.

• Consider making space in luggage for souvenirs.

Getting thru Airport TSA (No Precheck):

• No belts with metal, and use easy to remove shoes

• Arriving 2 hours before flight is usually suggested

• Every airport is different, but can often feel rushed, so please make sure you do not leave anything behind.

• Deodorant and other products may sometimes be checked by TSA.

• No large containers of liquids or foods are allowed.

Airport Maps:

• Detroit airport map

• Kalamazoo airport map

Flight:

• Download the app for your airline if you wish

• Earplugs, masks, or headphones if you like (we like wearing masks during flight)

• Boarding happens in groups, older can take advantage of getting on first (do it!)

Arrive to Miami:

• Baggage Claim/Pick up luggage will have a bunch of signs

• Jeff will have rental vehicle for (Schmidt/Viselli) pickup 

• Uber/Lyft app are good to have on phone anyways

AirBnB:

• Wongs:  Agnes reservation @ Botanica Key Colony

• Schmidts/Visellis: Molly reservation @ Botanica Key Colony

• Sandra & Jeff: Sandra reservation @ fernwood

• Communication with host happens thru app if needed

• It's not really like a hotel

Port of Miami:

• 20 minute drive from Airport

• https://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/cruise.asp

Key Biscayne Shuttle & Golf Carts:

• https://keybiscayne.fl.gov/village_services/transportation/freebee.php

• Golf Cart rentals 

On Board:

• To see a map of the ship, open the app and when you are logged in, the middle button will open a screen with a map option

• Ship Map pdf

• YouTube videos that have been helpful:

  • 30 top tips and tricks for MSC's Ocean Cay private island

  • 25 Things Cruisers MUST Know Before Your First MSC Cruise

  • Ocean Cay walk around

• Photo Gallery of MSC Seascape 

• Deck Plans

Clientele:

• More Europeans than other cruise lines

Agendas:

• Daily agenda provided to room each day

Room:

• If possible, make request to have minibar removed

• No storing food in room refrigerators

• You will have a room steward

• You can make requests for water

• The safe is a good spot to keep your passport & wallets

• Many wall surfaces are metal and you may find magnetic hooks useful to hang up items

• The balcony may get windy and clips may keep things from blowing around.  

• Don't open the balcony and front door at the same time, the wind can make it slam!

Meds:

• Consider bringing ear plugs, Dramamine and other medications.

• CPAP devices can be used and there is a reservation request system on the MSC cruise website for fresh water for the device.  

Money/Cash

• Its good to have some cash on hand, for tips or offshore scenarios.  It is up to you!  

• You'll be paying a hotel service fee at the end of the cruise, but it is also available to be prepaid.

• Keep your key card with you at all times

Clothes:

• Water sandal/croc

• Couple of swimsuits

• White night

• Gala night

Towels:

• Make sure your room has the same number of towels

Electronics/Phones

• No surge protector allowed

• Unplug things when you leave room

• Have cords/battery pack

• Cell/Wifi/Airplane mode for phone

• App has messanging system?

Food/Drink/Dining:

• Buffet is always available.

• Dining Halls have assigned times and table seating. 

• Drink Packages are available for 

• Aura & Fantastica are specific packages that offer different amenities, like dining room options.

Terms:

• Fore - forward of ship

• Aft- back of ship

• Pier runners

Stops:

Nassau, Bahamas

• • You are not allowed to where camouflage in the Bahamas.  That is restricted for military personnel.  

  • Excursions can be reviewed on the MSC website. 

Ocean Cay

• • MSC Private Island

  • There will likely be a night party at the lighthouse.

  • Equipment rentals are available.

  • We suggest reef-safe sunscreen to help protect wildlife.