May 4, 2015

Well as usual when I have to be somewhere early I did not sleep last night in fact at 5:00am I was at the reception desk asking why I had not gotten the WC Video.  Apparently they were all being delivered at 6:00am.

Bill woke around 5:15 and he showered and dressed (I was already ready) we headed up to the Lido for a light breakfast as we had to be in the Galaxy at 6:45.  We did not get off the ship till about 7:15 We bought so much we needed to ship and quite a few of our friends on board have used Luggage Free so I contacted them and set it up. As we were leaving the ship for the last time and our key cards were swiped Captain Giske and Josef were there saying goodbye.  The Captain told Bill he enjoyed their conversations in the cigar lounge and hopes to see us soon.  

 We got into the terminal building and there was Orange 5 and all of our bags (9 + 1 box) where there as well we had our 4 carryons (extra large tote bag instead of purse). We headed out to the curb to find Luggage Free except no one was there!  There were a few of us waiting impatiently for them to arrive.  Sergio the head consignier came over a few times to see what was going on.  I emailed the company at 8:10 and said there was no one there and I was truly not a happy camper as this was the first time I was using them!  Finally someone showed up with a sign but still no paperwork and no truck.  Meanwhile they tried to put Bill and I in a luxury van with other people and I refused.  My paper said we had a private van.  Finally someone showed up and gave us a receipt for our luggage but still no TRUCK.  We were assured we could head to the airport so we did so reluctantly.   

We were flying Southwest so we were able to check 2 suitcases each and we took all of them down there but since they were so heavy coming back and we had 1 more and a box we decided to ship.  We got to the airport pretty early but since a few ships where in port disembarking we would rather be early.  We boarded the plane actually earlier than they said and Bill was off buying water which freaked me out as I had all 4 carryons and could not do it.  Thank goodness he made it back when it was my turn to go down the jetway.  We had a very unenventful trip.  We had to stop in Milwaukee as all the other planes and airlines left much later in the day and we didn't want to spend the whole day at the airport.  When you are ready to go home you are ready so I took this flight.  We were suppose to be in Milwaukee for 30 minutes.  We were not allowed off only people getting off and new ones getting on.  Well we had such good tail winds that we got there with more than an hour to spare so we were allowed off to get something to eat.  Not many choices so we each ordered a personal pizza and took it back on the plane.  We arrived in Phoenix a few minutes early and when we reached baggage claim there was a man with our name.  He already had a porter and we put our 4 carryons on and before we knew it our 4 bags were out.  He made a call to the Van driver and as we walked out he pulled in.  They loaded all into the van and we were home in our house by 6:30.  Except for Luggage Free it was stressless!  I did get two emails from Luggage free one telling me that they had all my luggage and the other one telling me they are not charging me the $50 administrative fee because of the mishap only the $2.80 a pound and all my stuff should be here by Monday if not sooner!

Until all 5 bags and 1 box arrive I will still worry.  A funny note.  We spent almost 4 months in our little cabin and when we got home I work up in the middle of the night and went to find the bathroom and walked into the wall and still couldn't find it then in the morning I looked around and wondered where the hell I was!  Ah I now have to make my own tea and everything else.  I did get all the bags unpacked when we got home and everything put away!

Tomorrow will be going through the mail  ugh!

Once again I am so pleased and blessed that we have been given the means and opportunity to circumnavigate the globe.  As I said before  "It's been an amazing ride"

May 3, 2015  @ Sea

Well here we are all the ports of this WC are done but not forgotten.

I loved all the ports including the ones that were not so great.  But Bill and I agree (finally lol) that Africa was our favorite of course that is after New Zealand but Bill loved Cape Town.  As with any cruise you have missed ports and you learn to go with the flow.  In the beginning we could not get in Roatonga  Cook Islands.  We made friends with a couple this is their 5^th time and they have never been able to get in.  But instead the Captain substituted Bay of Islands New Zealand and I must say this was definitely an upgrade.  Now I love the South Pacific but it is kinda like the Caribbean where all the islands all look alike same with the South Pacific. A friend told me after you do the Caribbean a couple of times you think you are in the same Island they just change the sign Welcome to:  Well yesterday we were in St. Thomas and they were having a sale on tote bags only problem was they said St. Marten!  This made me laugh!

  So this stop was a truly pleasant surprise we had mostly calm seas and some rain but overall it has been wonderful.  I was not sure how Captain Eiske was going to be as he is quiet and shy and Captain Glen was so outgoing.  Well he proved that he isn’t as quiet and shy as one thought.  He has a fabulous sense of humor and Bill spent some one on one time with him in the Cigar lounge.  He was in the Casino late one afternoon and I was playing on a poker machine and I hit four 2s  $200.  He patted me on the back and said congratulations.  Then everywhere I met him he asked if I had given it back yet!  He went out of his way to say hi and talk to us a few minutes even if we met him in town!  He was truly hospitable and we appreciated it!

I can’t believe how fast it went.  Unfortunately there were some people on here who I and lots of others would have liked to have thrown overboard.  To me when you are on for a WC it becomes like a little village or a family and there are always people who are pains.

Tonight was the balloon drop and I must say it really does feel like we just did this not that long ago.

The part I hate about the end of the cruise is saying goodbye to the crew and my friends.

Tomorrow we will meet in the Galaxy at 6:45 am to clear customs and drive to Ft. Lauderdale for our trip home.  I am sure I will be exhausted when we get home so I will check in a few days from now.

Thank you Captain Giske for getting us safely around the world.

Thank you to Gary and the entertainment team

Thank you to the Dining Room team

Thank you to the Lido team

Thank you to Housekeeping

It's been an amazing ride!

Balloon Drop

May 2, 2015 @ sea Last Formal Night

Well today is day one of 2 sea days before we reach Miami and the end of this WC.

Bill and I both had been asked to be in a Tommy Bahama fashion show and we said yes.  Bill had a hard time finding pants long enough so he bowed out.  I had to wear the blouse I bought in the beginning of the cruise!  We thought they would bring stuff on board like the Joseph Ribkoff people did but they didn’t.  It was an okay fashion show and the girl from Tommy Bahama was new to this.

After the fashion show I headed back to the room  to see if they had taken our luggage.

Before we knew it it was time to get ready as tonight is the Captain’s Farewell Party.  They are always so interesting this is what was consumed on the 108 day World Cruise

Cookies                                    91,692

Fresh Eggs                       250,200

Ice Cream                         11,075 pounds

Beef Tenderloin               12,200 pounds

Rack of Lamb                      4,200

Whole Chicken                   14,400 pounds

Coke                                    16,420 cans

Water sparkling and still 115,900 Liters

Wine                                     36,450 bottles

and last but not least

Toilet Tissue                     32,100 Rolls

We used 14,990,450 gallons of portable water

We sailed 32,833 nautical miles or 37,791.5 land miles.

We headed to dinner after the cocktail party and we had a wonderful dinner and then headed to the show.  Tonight is called Serenity Pops they bring in all kinds of orchestra people to perform and Brett Bullock the VP of entertainment is the conductor.  They have been doing this for 10 years!  It was a great show and about 2/3 into it the idiot in front of me decided he wanted to lounge back in his chair causing the table to tip and my whole glass of water was thrown into my lap and the glass clanked onto the floor.  The wife told her husband what he did and he just shrugged his shoulders.  Meanwhile my lap was drenched as were my shoes.  I did say Oh out loud and jumped up.  Now I know accidents happen but to not even acknowledge it was just pure RUDE.  There have been several Rude people on here and I am glad I am getting off soon!!!! So I had two options one to pick up Bill’s glass and pour it over his head  and ask him how that felt or 2 just walk the hell out of there and change.  I had to use the hair blower on me and the shoes.  I took the high road but I must say if we don’t get off soon I might punch someone!

Bill with our great waiter Jorge

Me with our assistant waiter Nenad

Bill with head waiter Augusto

May 1, 2015  St. Thomas US Virgin Islands

Today we are in St. Thomas and are a little disappointed as they are celebrating Carnival today and tomorrow so all the shops in the downtown area are CLOSED!!!!!  Not something good to tell a shopper!  There were some shops by the port some where open and some were not.  I really didn’t need anything but I did find a perfume on board that does not make me have an Asthma attack so I wanted to price it.  The ship’s prices are pretty good and you don’t pay tax but I thought St. Thomas might be cheaper.

We were suppose to arrive around 2pm.  This was a change to the original itinerary as we were told early on that immigration could not handle all of us on the 4^th so instead of Grand Turk they substituted St. Thomas for immigration.

The Captain announced that we would arrive earlier than they thought and we were in around 1pm.  Our time was scheduled for 3:15 but they started earlier and we were done by 1:00pm.  Everyone was required to do a face to face with the immigration people and it went quickly and smoothly.  After we were cleared I headed off the ship in search of the perfume and Bill headed up to work out with Leanne.  I did mine early this am.  I did walk in and out of all the shops and I did find the perfume and it was $10.00 cheaper than the ship and the ship was $8.00 cheaper than Barbados!  So I got a bottle and headed back to the ship.  Ilene and Andy found me in the Bistro I had promised Ilene I would help her with her jewelry purchase so I ran up and put my stuff down and out we went again.  I left a message for Bill to meet us out there.  Ilene got a beautiful necklace and we left them while they were waiting for the lady to ring it up.  Bill and I were on the hunt for free fast internet but alas the café was closed so after walking in and out of the same shops I had been in we headed back to the ship.  We had a very relaxing rest of the afternoon on board!

We had made reservations in Prego for 8pm and asked Nelda and Sheldon to join us so we had a lovely dinner.  We sailed from St. Thomas at 10pm but we didn’t realize it as we were in the show.  Jimmy Travis was tonight’s entertainment and we think he is hysterical so we could not miss that!

All in all a nice day in St. Thomas I would have liked to get into town I wanted to go to Mr Tablecloth but  probably best as I can’t fit anything else!

2 sea days so we can pack up all this “Stuff” we bought!

No Pictures today didn't want to lug the camera to show you port shops!

April 30, 2015  Barbados

We arrived into Barbados at 7:00am.  We had an early breakfast and headed to the beach before 9am.

We decided to go to Carlyisle Beach as it was recommended by a few of the crew.  We had looked into some of the resort day passes but since we are only here till 3:00pm and have to be back on board by 2:30 and Bill wants to find a cigar shop so we figured we didn’t have enough time.  So we took a Taxi to the Boatyard bar and restaurant.  It was $15. a person this included a locker, lounge chair, umbrella, rest rooms, and showers and one drink either alcoholic or not and transfers back to the ship!

We were the first ones on the beach and it was the most beautiful white sandy beach and the bluest water.  About 4 other couples from the ship showed up and we just enjoyed it.  I was so relaxed I could have stayed there forever but even with sunscreen Bill was starting to burn so we packed up and were getting ready to head out.  As we were leaving all the crew were arriving.  The taxi driver dropped us at the cigar shop that was in walking distance of the ship so that was great.  We walked around the outdoor mall and then walked back to the ship.  We showered and relaxed.  Last night was the Concert  “Billy Joel”  we have seen this every segment and enjoy it as much as the first time.  Tomorrow we will be in St. Thomas.  This was not on our itinerary but we were informed quite a while ago that Miami could not handle immigration for the whole ship and crew so we had to give up Grand Turk and go to St. Thomas for immigration.  We are not expected to get in until 2pm and will be there until 10pm.

Did someone say “SHOPPING”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The water is the same no matter where you take your picture

Nice place we had the first lounges.  

Beautiful white sand beach