Day 43. 12 December. Ft. Lauderdale - Conclusion

Disembarkation Day is always a discombobulation.  Our natural wake-up-call came at 0520. Sometime during the evening another time change (#5 of the return) was snuck upon us. At 0530 the pilot boat roared along side and dropped off our Pilot. 0545 we were entering the harbor, with two more cruise ships behind us and three in port already. Busy place. 0630 we had backed in to a pier and were secure.

 Last night the passengers had placed their suitcases in the hallway. We had 9. This morning they were all being unloaded and carted into the terminal to be sorted into sections to make it easier to locate our bags. This is a turn-around day meaning the ship will be unloading its cargo (self-loading and unloading) of people during the morning and loading new cargo beginning late morning, then sailing late afternoon. It is also a re-provisioning port. It is also a time for inspection by US Health Officials. It is also a port where all crew must present themselves to Immigration Officials. All this, with the need to clean all cabins and public areas of the ship before the next cargo arrives, creates a well orchestrated frenzy on and off the ship. Along with the dockside activity of fork-lifts, trucks, carts, people and official cars there were the additions of two ambulances and a fire/rescue truck for a couple of our less fortunate cargoes. How many were on ice, I do not know.  At 9 were were supposed to get off so we sat around with friends in the Neptune Lounge and made many more good-byes. Sometimes it gets kind of emotional. From what I have heard, this has been the best Neptune crowd seen on this ship.

 0930 our group was called so we found out way down a few decks and signed out. There were plenty of hugs for us from crew. Ashore we found our 9 bags and placed them together then waited for a porter. When William S- came along we were confronted with a long line for Customs and Immigration. Some terminals have Global Entry but not this particular one.  In awhile we were cleared and William put our bags in the hands of a luggage delivery service we had contracted with and we boarded a shuttle bus for the airport. When we finally arrived at Hollywood Airport (no autographs today, thank-you) we zipped through security and found a nice quiet corner at the airline club to hole up for 4 hours. Our flight to Minneapolis was very fine, thanks to Ann - of Delta. The next leg was a bit testy and with an hour + between flights we easily found our next gate. The incoming plane was late, then they announced a mechanical problem. Not satisfied with that, they decided to complicate the matter by informing us that there was fog at Brainerd and that if they fixed the plane we still may not be able to land in Brainerd. Not to worry, if Brainerd was socked in we would go to Fargo. Anyone want off? Well, the plane was fixed and the Captain announced the fog was not yet to the no-go point so the passengers scrambled aboard, and after sitting around on the tarmac for a bit, hit the sky. About 1/2 hour later we were safely on the ground in Brainerd. Our taxi was waiting and we were back home about 2145.

Final Report

The voyage was 42 days in length and covered 11,584 nautical miles. 

(13,330 statute miles)

Countries and Protectorates:

US

France

Holland

Spain

Morocco

Great Britain

Italy

Portugal

Ports of Call (in order of call)
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Phillipsburg, St Maartin

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Lanzarote,Gran Canaria

Tangier, Morocco

Almeria, Spain

Valencia, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Civitavecchia, Italy

Naples, Italy

Sorrento, Italy

Messina, Italy

Palermo, Italy

Cartegena, Spain

Gibraltar, British Territory

Cadiz, Spain

Casablanca, Morocco

Ponta Delgada, Azores

Half Moon Cay, Bermuda

Fort Lauderdale, USA

Day 42. 11 December. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

0530 and we are up. What is with this early rising? Found a coffee machine though. The guy who always grabs the same deck chair is already there, in the dark with his 2 chairs covered in daily gear. No other chairs even have the mats on them yet. I suppose he slept there in case someone else wanted to use his chairs.

Pretty nice weather last night. It got down to 68ºF. The Internet was down again so posting yesterday had to wait and any emails will be collected later, hopefully. The net is expensive to access and the link so slow it eats up dollars in a hurry. Time for a change.

We came in to Half Moon Cay at 0730 and at 0800 dropped the hook. This island of the Bahamas is owned by Carnival Corporation and is set up for cruise ship visits with beach chairs, cabanas, snorkeling, swimming, a barbecue area, a couple of bars and some shopping stalls. It is beautiful and very well maintained. We rode a local tender ashore, walked the beach, ate a barbecue, walked the beach again then returned to the ship for an early sailing.

The noon report: At Anchor: 24º 34.52'N, 075º 57.60'W . Wind 7 knots. Temp 23C/73F. Sunrise 0737. Sunset 1816. Distance traveled of 448 nm noon-to-noon and a total of 11,306 for the voyage.

1445 the anchor came up and we began the leg that will take us along the islands and over to Ft. Lauderdale where we will disembark tomorrow morning.

At 1500 we attended an impromptu farewell party in the Neptune then returned for final packing and prep for dinner. It was a big dinner extravaganza followed by many farewells for our crew and passenger friends.

Another time change for tonight. I wonder what time we will wake up tomorrow.

The final report will be in a couple of days. I hope you have enjoyed this series.

Day 41, 10 Dec.Wednesday. At Sea. Crossing Day 6.

We managed to sleep in until 5 am. I imagine this will change when the voyage is over. Laundry and packing occupied time before lunch.

The morning shaped up to be a beautiful sea day with clear sky and WSW white cap waves against NE swells. No whales on whale watch this morning but many flying fish darting away from our bow. This is the last sea day and tomorrow will be the last port day before voyage end in Ft. Lauderdale.

The daily schedule offers Stretch at 7 am, Sudoku cards available at 8. At 9 guests can pick up recipe cards from previous cooking shows and at 10 learn how to increase one's metabolism. 10:30 you can get a free soft drink if you play the slots or go to a lecture on How to Stay Connected by using E-mail.. 11 is the final meeting of the book club or a Walk for a Cause followed by cigars on the after deck. A conflict arises because 11 am is also Sit and Stitch. 12 is feeding frenzy for which people had been reserving tables at 10 am. (Carry out day for the rest of us.) 1pm is visit with the Showroom at Sea cast.

2:30 is Shuck the Puck. (?) 3 is tea. 5 is Slurp 'n Burp with Shrimp and White Wine. 6 is first feeding. 7:45 second feeding. 8 pm is showtime with a tenor and a soprano. 10 is a repeat of 8. At 10:30 tonight is “Tacky Tourist Party” and I quote: “Put on your best/worst Tourist garb or show off your port purchases. Parade your best outfit and dance the night away.” (I can't wait to show off the post cards I bought in that alleyway in the Kasbah.) The drink of the day is Mai Tai. Conversation of the day is what we had for lunch yesterday.

One vessel crossed our path ahead of us, Northbound and hull up.

Noon report: Position 25º 12.69'N, 069º 53.60'W. Course 265º. Speed 17.9k. Wind SW 25 knots (force 6). Apparent wind off port bow at 42 knots. Depth 5530 meters. Distance 10,958 nm, noon to noon run 434 nm. Temp 26C/79F. Sunrise 0714, Sunset 1750.

Rain showers at 1215. Attempted lunch poolside but quickly abandoned that attempt. It was packed and at least ½ of the tables had been taken over for the day by people to read, sleep, play cards, knit, play dominoes, play video games or stare at others so there was nowhere for the lunch crowd to sit and eat. We beat a retreat to the dining room with many others.

Speaking of better facilities, there are still cabins without AC and some passengers are wondering if the AC will be repaired or will it still be out when the next cruise begins, which is the same afternoon as we dock in Florida. The ship is continuing on for a 7 day Caribbean trip then a cruise through the Panama Canal. I know of some people who are demanding a fare reduction because their utilities are not working. For us, our jacuzzi has not worked at all this trip and they cannot fix it. The office gave us a bottle of wine instead. Time for a change.

Early afternoon the wind shifted from the SW to the NW and continued at 26 knots. The change in conditions now has wind from the other side of the ship and we are experiencing a bit of spray from the bow. This is, after all, a ship.

Dinner with friends in the main dining room then a show after.

Day 40. 9 December. At Sea. Day 5 of Atlantic Crossing

0430 and we are awake. Those time changes at work, though no change in the wee hours of this day. The cabin stewards had been up early to create a zoo of towel animals along the pool on deck 11 which was discovered on the first coffee run of the day. Fortunately we got a look at the line up before the nearby deck chairs became occupied, which would certainly detract from the photo imagery of all that fine work.

Funny thing. I noticed that at 5:30 am someone had been up to the pool to lay claim to two deck chairs poolside. They were not actually occupied until after 9 am. The same goes for seats in the show room, library, and Lido restaurant and tables of the poolside area.

When the sun finally came up we had smooth seas, very low swells and glassy surface. Only a few clouds floated out there and those were on the horizon. The temperature climbed and a day of most pleasant weather began.

A 1 ½ mile walk around the lower promenade deck got us going then an uninterrupted breakfast at the trough. 10 am I reported to my whale watch station on deck 10 portside. Watch was easy today as there were no whitecaps imitating whales, just a smooth sea. The only thing I spotted was a flying fish.

Noon report: Position is 25º 48.09'N, 061º 53.37'W. Speed 18 knots. Course 266º. Wind SW 1 knot. Apparent wind off the bow at 19 knots. Depth 5,960 meters. Temp 27C/81F. Seas: Calm. Swells from North. Sunrise here 0642, sets 1716. Distance noon to noon of 429 nm, total distance 10,524 nm. About 720 nm to Half Moon Cay.

I know I write about food quite a bit. I have a right to; I am a Senior Citizen, or almost. So on to lunch, which today was in the Pinnacle Grill; best food and setting on the ship along with excellent service in a quiet atmosphere. Lunch today was a treat by our new friend Loretta and her guests included the pianist and violinist of Adagio, Tom the Irish pianist/vocalist, and four other friends of Loretta's besides ourselves. That gave us seven new friends after the crab cakes were finished.

There was another stint at whale watch, book in hand, on deck on a comfortable lounge chair. More packing and then a much deserved nap. Tonight was the final formal night of the voyage and was be topped off by the Captain's Ball. No shorts or tank-tops to the dismay of a few but a joy to many.

Before dinner was a cocktail party hosted by Cruise Specialists who we booked through.

Day 39. 8 Dec. Monday. At Sea. Day 4 Atlantic Crossing

Time change #4 last night may have had something to do with our waking up at 0430 this morning and remaining awake. It could also be due to last night's big dinner. The seas were still with us and wet decks indicate a rain squall or two had passed over. Throughout the morning we passed through rain squalls. At 0630 we had a thunderstorm with lightening.

find the rainbow

Breakfast in the Pinnacle. Court of Neptune after. (That's akin to morning coffee group.)

Noon report:

26º 23.04'N, 053º 57.10'W. Distance 10,095 nm. Noon to noon run of 469 nm. Wind S at 19knots (force 5). Apparent wind off port bow at 28 knots. Speed of 18.1 knots, averaged 17 knots. Course 264. Depth 5,740 meters. Temp 25C/77F. Sunrise 0611, sets 1643. About 270 nm from St. Maarten and about 1100 nm to Half Moon Cay, our last port of call before Ft. Lauderdale.

Deck patrol this afternoon revealed 3 cabins on Suites Deck are now without AC. This is a constant problem with heat and/or AC and maintenance is always working on this somewhere aboard. Deck 9 had two cabins with apparent toilet overflows/leakage with carpet driers running. Water valves are failing and maintenance is always replacing a valve somewhere. The fleet is aging. Our cabin has wooden wedges between the ceiling and walls to absorb vibration. The furniture is worn and the deck furniture for our cabin is frayed. Despite these failings we enjoy the voyage with good food and outstanding service. Our Captain has managed our course on this passage to minimize the ship motion yet make our schedule. The Hotel Director has been patrolling with his officers checking on everything. Our Cruise Director Mark is always busy with planning and executing activities. Queen, our concierge, along with Josephine her assistant make sure everything goes smoothly for us. Today, and I suspect Queen had something to do with this, a table appeared in our cabin which can be raised to desk level height to make writing and typing easier on the back. She had seen me trying to work on the only table in our cabin which is a low slung coffee table; there is no desk in our cabin.

The laundry service has been superb and perhaps the best we have encountered afloat. The crew had a drill today to practice emergency efficiency in some particular aspect I was not privy to, having a nap on deck, in the sun, at that time.

Heading into the sunset.

Late afternoon we had more showers. Dinner tonight should be lighter fare in the Canaletto (“Italian” restaurant on one side of the Lido trough.) They have tablecloths, service and hot food. Friends Ray and Loren will dine with us. The main subject of conversation tonight is to be a joint cruise.

Day 38. 7 December. At Sea. Sunday.

Choppy night again. Every now and the the ship will shudder and rumble, as if we just drove a car over some 2x4's. Think of it as hitting several speed bumps. Then  up and down motion and a corkscrewing left-right-up-down and then stillness. Repeat. Love it.

Rain showers overnight and continuing in the morning. Nice rinse. More packing this morning.

Today's schedule has the usual Stretch at 7, Sudoko cards at 8. Sit and Stitch, a smile seminar, a hair show, a “Burn Fat” seminar and fruit and vegetable carving. Busy morning. Then the Frequent Floaters awards Part II. The afternoon offerings include High Seas Ballroom Dancing for newbies, lecture “inside a telescope”, high tea, nap time for beginners and Sip 'N Savor.

In an earlier posting I mentioned the snake in our cabin. With nothing else to keep readers returning to this rolling account and time running out, it is time to release the information. This happened about port beam 8 days into the voyage. I had just returned to the cabin that morning after a snack in the Neptune and Julie was in the dressing room. She asked in her “something-is-wrong”voice if I was back in the room. If so,would I please come to the dressing room slowly. Doing so, she directed my attention to an open closet and said “snake!” She backed out of the dressing room as I stared at the thing as it was weaving back and forth and up and down. It appeared from the life-jacket shelf on the top of the closet. Just before my sweetheart was about to flee the scene and run down the hall shouting “SNAKE!!!!!” I defused the crisis.

Snaaaake!

The SNAKE! Turned out to be felt door trim that had worked it's way up the channel due to ship motion and had curled up on the life jacket shelf atop the closet. When she opened the closet door the SNAKE! uncoiled and sprung out in front of her, weaving and bobbing from the ship motion. I am glad to have been present when the SNAKE! was discovered as having someone running down the hall, early in a voyage, hollering SNAKE! may have upset some other passengers and caused mayhem.

our general position at noon

Mid day report: 27º 15'N and 49º 53'W. Heading 247º. Speed 18 knots. Wind ESE 35 knots (8). Depth 4,060 meters. Temperature 24C/75F. Sunrise 0640, sunset 1706. Distance noon-noon 425 nm. Total distance 9,626 nm. Low pressure from SW. Seas should diminish tomorrow.

We sat in on the Frequent Floaters awards today. It was well attended for there is little else to do and the drinks are free. Lunch followed which packed the dining room.

That was followed by a walk through the ship and a good visit with friends followed by much needed nap. Then another walk about the ship and a deck walk.

Dinner tonight in the Pinnacle again.

We have passed mid-Atlantic now.

Days 36, 37: Sea Days 5, 6 December

5 Dec: After leaving Ponta Delgada the seas were as predicted and we had a choppy night. A time change during the evening again caused cameras and watches to be re-set. Our natural clocks take a bit longer. Fortunately this is a sea day so if we show up an hour early for Bean Bag Toss or Sit and Knit it won't be devastating.

  The first two suitcases were packed in anticipation of the end of the trip. Starting early by packing what clothes we won't need on the return as well as mementos acquired while make the final packing quite a bit easier.

With large swells throughout the day the Internet satellite connection is not good and trying to connect just sucks up expensive minutes so no posting has been made after the Gibraltar post.

Noon report 35º 30.31'N, 031º 47.07'W. Course 245º. Speed 16.6 knots. (We must maintain an average of 16 knots for timely landfall.) Wind E 25 knots (force 6). Depth 2,780 meters. Sunrise 0701. Sunset 1652. Seas (swells) 8-10'. Apparent wind port quarter aft at 9. (Actually, it is called “left side” now.) Temperature 18C/64F. Distance 8, 797 nautical miles. 327 nm made good in the past 24 hrs.

Formal attire was the dress code this evening. The dining room was decorated, the staff attired in chef jackets and hats, a special menu prepared all that was followed by a stage show featuring a violin duo.

…...................................................................................................................................................................6 Dec: 0530 and we were awake. No reason. Just awake. Coffee was discovered and the day began. It was very quiet at this time of day. Still no Internet access so toher tasks are addressed. The rolling and pitching isn't bad at all, in fact there are moments of no motion whatsoever. After the sun came up either the horizon was all over the place, or the ship was all over pitching, rolling and corkscrewing about with the horizon being the immobile line of reference. Take your pick.

The day' schedule arrived. 7 am is morning stretch. 8 one can pick up sudoku cards. 9 is tying gift bows. 10 is 5 steps to flawless skin. 11 Sit and Stitch or cupcake decorating. 11 is a lecture “The Astonishing Computer.” 12 will be first Frequent Floaters* award lunch; everyone else to the trough. 1 pm is a free footprint clinic. 2 is “relieving back pain”, 3 is Tea time, 4 is bingo, 5 is Slurp & Savor, 6 is back to the trough for the early feeding, shows at 8 and 10. Second feeding at 8.

(*Frequent Floaters is a rewards program of the cruise line. Of 1,200 some people aboard this trip, 1,000 will receive a status recognition for loyalty to Uncle Hal. Free champagne guarantees a large turn-out. This has created a hierarchy among the passengers for many enjoy the bragging rights and implied due respect of having paid for so many days aboard ship with Uncle Hal. This status of “experienced” floater is very often flouted in from of newbies and can be an irritating source of conversation. )

When attempting to access the main dining room for lunch we found no open seating for the first batch of Frequent Floaters was having a luncheon in there. That's the first time many have been in there for lunch. Anyway, we went on to the Pinnacle for an fine outstanding lunch alone. This was a large lunch and afterward we waddled back to the cabin for more packing and a nap. I slept through the “Relieving Back Pain with accupuncture” seminar.

The daily report: 32º 29.14'N, 39º 03.08' W Course 240º. Speed 19.4 knots. Wind E 31 knots (force 7). Apparent wind just abaft the port beam at 21 knots. Depth 3,160 meters. Seas 2-3 meters. Sunrise 0723. Sunset 1730. Distance noon-noon 384 nm, total distance 9,201 nautical miles. 740 nm from the Azores. About 2,000 nm to next port. Temp 20C/68F. Averaged 17 knots since Ponta Delgada and must average 17 knots for timely arrival Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. A low pressure area lies ahead moving up from the SW. We will enter that tomorrow and expect rain and winds with seas increasing and more motion to the ship.

With some alarm we realized that the social calendar was now squeezing events into the remaining days at tonight was prime example. At 5:45 pm we were ordered to report to the Explorers' Lounge for a bubbly concoction of refreshment to be followed at 6 pm by a seven course Cellar Master's Dinner with wine pairings back in the Pinnacle. At 9 pm we waddled out of that.