128 Days Around the World

January 4, 2020

Leaving Fort Lauderdale

I woke up just before 8 am because luggage collection began at 8:30. Cruise Specialists has the bags collected and brought to the ship so I had only to take care of my carry-on. Since they had well over 100 rooms to collect from, they did not get to me until 9:35. My assigned bus time was 10:00, so as soon as they took my bags I went to the lobby, checked out, and waited for the bus.

The bus left the hotel at 10:15 and arrived at pier 26 at 10:40 (there were seven ships in port so there was a lot of congestion). First we went through security and then waited in a long line to check-in. It took almost an hour but Sherita and I were in line together so we could talk to pass the time.

After checking in we could go directly onto the ship. I was in my cabin by noon, took some pictures, and went to the Lido for lunch.

When I returned to my cabin, my first suitcase had arrived so I unpacked it. After the lack of storage space in my 2018 cabin, I was amazed by all the closets in this one. My second one arrived just as I was finishing up the first so I unpacked it as well.

The first stage of the muster drill began at 3:45 and it finished up just before 4:30. It was then time for the sail-away party. The Station Band played, some danced, and much alcohol was consumed. I met a number of people from the 2018 GWV as well as some who knew me from Cruise Critic or the blog. After a couple of margaritas I went up to “my deck” (the area in front of my cabin in 2018 on deck 6) and watched two of the Holland America ships leave and then Adventure of the Seas. We were the only one left. The captain announced that we were delayed because all the provisions and luggage had not been loaded.

I returned to my cabin and suitcase #3 had arrived which I emptied just before #4 was delivered. I had enough time to empty it before we started to sail away close to 7. It had started to rain by that time so I stood on the Promenade Deck as we sailed out of Fort Lauderdale.

I arrived to dinner a little before 8 and am at a table for six by the back windows. Only one other person showed up but she is moving tomorrow night to be at her usual table with friends. There were very few people in the dining room so hopefully I will have some tablemates tomorrow. If not, Kathy and Mike (from the 2018 GWV) invited me to sit at their table. We were given a pretty rose as we left the dining room.

There was no show tonight.

Waiting to board

My cabin - 1907

The first closet - closest to the door

Next two - there are double doors

The third closet (I am not using the bottom area to hang clothes - I don't need the space)

the final closet - I folded up the top shelf and have day clothes hanging here and using my fold-up boxes with swimming stuff in them on the bottom shelf