December 28, 2019

Not much longer!

There is just one week to go before the cruise begins. I have been busy this past week getting ready.

The week began with my getting my cabin assigned.  This is my first cruise taking a "guarantee".  With a guarantee, you can often get upgraded (no charge) to a better category of cabin.  I did not have any specific cabin in mind as I have in the past so a guarantee worked for me.  As it turns out, I was upgraded from an "F" category (which I paid for) to a "D" category which is actually a four category upgrade (EE, E, DA, and then D).  My cabin is much further aft then any cabin I have ever had so we will see how I like it - I always book forward cabins and often the front-facing ones.  It is also considered "mid-ship" which is often the most expensive for each category.

This week I have been completing small things that need to be done like getting a haircut, picking up some cash, filling out travel memos for my credit cards, buying a few last minute clothes, etc.

Today I put away the Christmas things and brought my suitcase in from the shed.  Although I have not started packing the case, I do have things laid out and my packing list is complete (I hope!).

I leave for Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, before dawn.   I will be doing daily reports starting then.  Be sure to sign up for e-mails to be sent to you when I make a new post.

For those of you on Cruise Critic, I will also be doing a "Live from..." report which will be the same as this blog except I will only post pictures here, not on Cruise Critic.  This is my seventh blog and, I am ashamed to say, I have just figured out to make the pictures larger so you will no longer have to squint to see them!

Smooth sailing until next time!

December 16, 2019


After having an extra bag or box to send home at the end of my three long cruises, I decided to start with an extra suitcase this time.  I am shipping three (HAL pays for two) and I will be taking a smaller suitcase with me on the plane with clothes for my two days in Fort Lauderdale and those items that cannot be shipped ahead (medicines, electronics, jewelry, etc.).  

FedEx is scheduled to pick up my bags later today between noon and 4 pm.  The two previous times they picked up my bags they were closer to noon.

Only two and a half weeks until I leave!

Smooth sailing until next time!