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 5:30pm

• Enterprise Rental (Pick up a Chrysler Pacifica)

Wednesday (4/23):

• Get license at Miami Dade County Marriage License Bureau at 2:15 PM 601 NW 1ST COURT, Suite # 1900, MIAMI, FL 33136

• Get food and supplies for guests

• 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 pm Delta

• Settle in to AirBnBs

  • Wongs:  Agnes reservation @ 101 Crandon Blvd (Botanica Key Colony)

  • Schmidts/Visellis: Molly reservation @ Botanica Key Colony

  • Sandra & Jeff: Sandra reservation @ 325 Fernwood

• Dinner: Possibly go out to eat at a nearby place or get food delivered to AirBnB

Friday (4/25) 

Wedding Day

Morning:

• 5:00 AM: Hair & Makeup

• 7:00 - 8:00 AM:

• • Jeff will get ready at Schmidt/Viselli AirBnB

  • Sandra will get dressed at Wong AirBnB

  • First Look:  We will see each other prior to the ceremony 

• 8:00 - 8:15 AM: Arrive to Crandon Beach 

  • Plan to pack some ceremony supplies (Kleenex for us)

• 8:30 - 8:45 AM: Ceremony 

  • https://smallmiamiweddings.com/ is our wedding planner company

Melissa - officiant, Gen - coordinator, Ozzy - photographer

• • Backup rain location: Paradise Cove pavilion 

• 8:45 - 9:00 AM: Family photos on beach

• 9:00 - 11:30ish AM: Crandon & Vizcaya Garden photographs

  • After Sandra & Jeff leave for Vizcaya, you are welcome to walk around the park, saunter back to the AirBnB along the beach or ride back and relax.

  • You're free to change into more comfortable clothing, just know we'll be heading out to the restaurant later. 

Afternoon:

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

  • 2:30 - 4:00 PM: Rusty Pelican (2:30 PM in VIP Room!)

Eve:

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

Saturday (4/26):

• Sleep in! Do what you want day

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

• 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)

• Celebrate Mike Wong's birthday at midnight! (May 1st)

Thursday (5/1):

Cruise Disembarkation Day

• 7:00 AM arrival

• Breakfast

• Disembarkation

• Lunch (may be challenging with luggage in hand)

• Head to airport for flights home:

  • Mike/Kellie: 2:50pm

  • Wongs: 3:30 pm

  • Viselli/Schmidt: 5:35 pm

  • Sandra & Jeff: 5:35 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

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 through app if needed

• It's not really like a hotel. These are condos

Port of Miami:

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

• Record breaking day at the port video

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:

  • Seascape video tour

  • Ocean Cay walk around

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

  • 25 Things Cruisers MUST Know Before Your First MSC Cruise

  • Buffet food on a different MSC ship

• Photo Gallery of MSC Seascape 

• Deck Plans

Agendas:

• Daily agenda provided to room each day and on the app

Room:

• If possible, make request to have minibar removed.

• No storing food in room refrigerators because it's not cold enough.

• You will have a room steward, say hello (we tip)

• 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.

Money/Cash

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

• Keep your key card with you at all times.

Clothes:

• Water sandal or crocs for rocky shorelines and around pools.

• Multiple swimsuits (its nice to have options!)

• MSC typically hosts parties with special themes, however we're not sure exactly which themed parties will be included on our cruise:

  • Sail away party (first night fun)

  • White night (where you typically where white clothing & there are black lights)

  • Gala night (more upscale dress)

  • Glow night (similar to white night)

Towels:

• Make sure your room has the same number of beach towels on the last morning.

Electronics/Phones

• No surge protectors allowed on board the ship.

• Remember to unplug things when you leave room.

• It's nice to have a longer phone cord for charging while relaxing in bed and a battery pack while out and about.

• WiFi is included for a single device per cabin. Additional WiFi packages can be purchased. 

• Putting you phone in airplane mode is usually a good idea to conserve battery life and prevent roaming charges. 

• The MSC app has a messaging system but we are unsure how it works.

Food/Drink/Dining:

• The buffet is available around 6:30am to 1am (late night pizza). 

• Dining Halls have assigned times and table seating. 

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

• Buffet and main dining rooms are at no extra charge, but not all food is complimentary, such as the chocolate store, gelato, sushi, etc.

• Everyone has a drink package.

Terms:

• Fore - forward of ship

• Aft- back of ship

Stops:

Nassau, Bahamas

• • You are not allowed to wear camouflage in some areas of the Caribbean.  It is for military personnel only.  

  • Excursions can be reviewed on the MSC website. 

Ocean Cay

• • MSC's Private Island

  • You can leave and re-enter the ship as you please.

  • Food closes at 3pm.

  • There will be a night party near the lighthouse.

  • Equipment rentals are available.

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

See you soon!!!