Sunday, October 22, 2023
We had our bags out of the room by 10:00 last night.
I woke up at 6:00 and we were already docked at Port Everglades. We ate breakfast in the Lido.
Everything was going smoothly until we tried to open our safe to remove all our stuff. Chuck tried the combo a couple of times, and then the safe started beeping and would not open. Heart stopped.
We found our room stewards cleaning some rooms that had already been vacated. They said that only Guest Services could deal with the safes. I headed for Guest Services but, on the way, found a couple of officers in one of the halls. They came to look at it and said that it was counting down and once it was finished, we could try again or they would be back and use their code. Once the time elapsed, the officers were back and the safe opened with their code. We got our stuff and went to the Lounge on Deck 2 to wait for our number to be called.
The self-assist people were already leaving the ship with their luggage. We also saw many of the crew leaving too for their well-earned vacations. It looked like the entire BB King Lounge band was departing. A whole new band would be embarking that day and probably performing by that night.
Our number was supposed to be called at 7:45 but the Cruise Director said that the luggage was not yet in the port luggage holding area, so we had to wait. Last time we were in Ft. Lauderdale, I had booked a 2:00 flight and we got off the ship so quick, I decided to book a noon flight today. Wouldn’t you know today we would have issues. Finally, at 8:15, our number was called.
We found all of our pieces quickly and then lined up for Customs. Since this trip began in Europe, we had to meet with the Custom agents face-to-face. The last time, our cruise started and ended in Ft. Lauderdale, so we were able to use the facial recognition system they have in place. Luckily, the line moved fairly quickly. With a quick look at the passport and a “Welcome Back,” we were out the door to the taxi stand line.
Quick taxi ride to the airport and we were able to drop our luggage at the outside Delta check-in. The attendant said we could check all of our luggage for free if we wanted to do so. Chuck checked both of his but I had to hold on to my bag because my carry-on had my camera with its batteries.
Once inside we found the CLEAR line so we were able to get to the front of the Security line. In Ft. Lauderdale, you can keep all your electronics in your bag but you still have to remove your shoes, etc. (non-TSA pre-check). Our gate was just right around the corner from Security so no long walk.
We could have made the 10:40 a.m. flight if we had done self-assist this morning. We need to consider it for next time.
The flight was uneventful and we were picked up on time by the shuttle company. I was glad that I remembered where I had parked the car and that it started after all those days just sitting in the lot.
Once we got home, Pumpkin usually greets us like long lost loved ones. This time, he just glanced at us on his way out the door. The difference – he had live-in staff, instead of drop-in, this entire time so our presence didn’t really matter. Oh well, we were glad to be home. Time to think about getting ready for the upcoming holidays.
Wait! What about Copenhagen, Latvia, Ponta Delgado, and Half Moon Cay? Why didn’t I talk about those ports? As I mentioned, Ponta Delgado was missed because of high winds and waves.
At Copenhagen, I had researched what dock we were going to berth, and it was going to be very near the city center. Because of that research, we booked a private tour. Then, I discovered that we were not going to go there but at a dock much farther away from the city center and our tour operator. Because our day there was very short, I just was not comfortable being so far away from the ship and having to rely on taxis or the shuttle service. We just ended up cancelling and staying on the ship. I should have just booked a ship’s tour on such a short day with the possibility of so many different docks. Lesson learned.
At Latvia, we also had a private tour planned. We docked at the correct dock. Unfortunately, I had started feeling bad the night before a sea day. I went to the ship’s doctor hoping for a steroid shot and some prescription-strength cough medicine. Instead, I got a COVID test (negative) and a flu test (positive – even though I had gotten a flu shot 2 weeks before the cruise). I was given a Tamiflu prescription and a small bottle of knock-off Robitussin. I was also quarantined to my room for 48 hours. The quarantine would have been longer if I had been running a fever but since I was fever free, I was released after 48 hours. So, I missed the sea day and the day in Latvia. Chuck could have gone on the tour but he chose to stay on the ship with me. He had a flu test and it was negative, so he was not quarantined.
Half Moon Cay, the private island owned by the Carnival Corporation (HAL’s parent corporation), was the last port before we arrived in Fort Lauderdale. We have been to the island several times on both Holland America ships and Carnival ships. We just decided to stay on the ship, pack up, and enjoy the balcony one last day.
All in all, we did enjoy this cruise despite the rough weather at times, difficult walks, and my illness. I appreciated all the beauty and history that each city or town had to offer. I especially liked only having one long over-night flight to endure and the relaxing sea days back. Looking forward to the next one.
Until next time –
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius
