"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report #117 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida April 26, 2017 Wednesday Chance of rain & 81 degrees Part #1 of 2 56 Pictures

Today ended the 111 Grand World Voyage for 2017. But it was also the beginning of the 15 day Panama Cruise to San Francisco for us. Considered "in transit" guests, we had been delivered two passes, and instructions for proceeding ashore today. The group of 43 of us back-to-back guests had to exit the ship before 10:30am in order to achieve the zero count on the ship. That meant we would filter through with the crowd of folks going home today, as well as the crew members who also had to pass through the US Customs and Border Protection check. Advising us that it might not be until 12 noon or later before we would be allowed to re-board, the last thing we wanted to do was sit and wait in the terminal.

All we needed were our room key cards, our passports, and the in-transit cards. Also we had to fill out the US Custom's form, but did not have to declare anything if we chose not to. We will have to do this again in San Francisco, where we will declare the few items we purchased overseas. Most everything we bought was locally-made, and definitely not extremely valuable. Considered local arts and crafts, most of our treasures are allowed duty-free. Different if we had purchased large cost items in the ship's stores, where your name would be on a list. One other detail is that we would not be allowed to bring any large personal items purchased anywhere on this trip off of the vessel. Especially if we had the idea of shipping such things home via the post office or Fed Ex for instance. It's simply not allowed.

Also for future reference, the dining room was opened for breakfast from 6:30 to 8am. Only half of our usual breakfast group was present, as some of them were going off in the expedited group (carry all of your stuff off). We said our goodbyes, and went back to the room to gather what we needed to leave the ship. By the way, we could have booked a 4 hour shore excursion for an airboat ride in the Everglades for $50 each, but we have done this many times in the past. Fun, but how many times can you do this? Other options on past cruises included a tour to the Las Olas area and a trip on a boat that goes into the intercoastal waterways. One other thing we have done is take a taxi to the Galleria Mall , a fairly short ride from Terminal 26, where we were docked.

On a past trips, which we cannot remember the year, we had walked to a Walgreens, but could not recall which terminal the ship had been tied up. Once we stood in the porter line with Barb, who had to gather her bags and go through customs, we headed through the check ourselves. The line of exiting passengers got longer and longer as there were few porters available to help everyone. Really made little sense to us, since there were no other ships docked near us this morning. We do have to admit, there appeared to be a much more controlled debarkation plan this morning, as the groups called to go off were spread out appropriately. Cruise director, Gene, always had problems controlling the crowds of folks blocking the stairwells and the elevators, because he called too many too fast. Today, many more crew members and security personnel were present to help the exit. If we had not been in-transit, or did not have the correct colored luggage tag, we would have been stopped and not allowed off.

It only took five minutes max to pass through the custom's inspection. On the way out, we figured we could ask one of the terminal workers where we could find a simple mall close to here. They thought we were crazy that we considered walking. One gal said to turn left and follow the tall light poles, and we might find our way out of Port Everglades, where there were some stores and restaurants.

We had the chance to say goodbye to Captain Jonathon, who was following a porter with a cart stacked with at least a dozen suitcases, and boxes of stuff. He indicated that he will be back for next year's world cruise, and possibly the 2019 grand world voyage. In the meantime, he will have about a 2 month break, then re-boards the ship for some of the Alaska runs. Truthfully, he looked very happy to be going home or a while.

So, we got out of the crazy terminal, and turned right, since the street lights went both ways. Turned out to be a good wrong turn, because we got to see the nearby terminals, which were empty today. There was also a good map of the area posted outside each terminal. Perfect. We copied down the streets and the way to nearby shopping and dining. No doubt, it was a long walk, but close as the crow flies.

Turned out to be the perfect way to get some exercise and use up time, since we might not be able to re-board the ship until 12 or 1pm. Surprisingly, the all aboard time was 3pm, with a mandatory muster drill at 3:15pm. It would be tight, but we had control by not taking a taxi or bus to town.

In a round- about way, we walked through the industrial port buildings (there were sidewalks all the way), and found that we were passing by terminals one and two. It was coming back to us, that several years ago, we were docked one time in the Princess terminal, and this was where a big name pharmacy was located. Funny thing, we never went beyond that drug store back then. We did have to walk past the gate to get out to the main boulevard, which was 17^th.

It was hotel row with restaurants, huge strip malls…….everything we needed. Spotting a Hilton, we went there and ended up staying for a poolside/quay side shared appetizer and beers. It appeared to be one of the older hotels, but once through the lobby, it was really nice. The "backyard" sat on one of the many fingers of the intercoastal waterway. We enjoyed a pile of chicken and cheese nachos and ice cold draft beers.

Our waitress gave us directions to find one of the largest supermarket chains along with some rather large malls with the discount clothes stores, post office, drug stores, and chain restaurants. If we had turned left out of the check gate, we would have even found a brick oven pizzeria. And despite the fact that every local person we asked said it was too far to walk, it was do-able, only taking us less than one hour each way. Like we said months ago, most locals do not walk that far, because of the sun, heat, and humidity. At least there was a breeze today, and despite that fact that the forecast said rain, it never did. Nothing close to it…..

After lunch, we did a little shopping, getting what we needed at the grocery store. Our last stop was at the pharmacy to treat ourselves to ice cream cones, chocolate and vanilla Drumsticks, covered with chocolate chips in sugar cones. Many crew shuttles passed by us as we headed back, full of dozens of staff and crew members we know. They had paid $11 to ride here, since they usually only get one hour to shop grab a quick lunch. By the way, free wifi was available in the entire Port Everglades area for everyone.

We had ½ hour after we got back to the ship before the mandatory emergency muster drill at 3:15pm. The good news is that it will be our last one for this cruise. The promenade deck was jammed full of newly-embarked guests, an indication that this re-positioning trip was sold out. It always is, since the price was right.

Our good friends from home found us going back inside the ship from the drill. It so nice to see them, and we will have two weeks to catch up on home news.

Later at the Bon Voyage sail away party on the aft deck, we ran into more friends that we met on the Tales of the South Pacific last fall. Wonderful folks. They had a much harder time getting to Florida with everything that could go wrong….did. They will need this two week cruise to recouperate. Anyway, at least the sailaway party was back, after one month of having them in the Crow's Nest. Guess we got better fuel today that will spew far less gritty smoke. We got to this sail away 10 minutes late, and must have missed the appetizers passed around by the bar staff. The evidence of empty shotglasses sat on the back counter on the soiled dish cart. Of course, drink carts were set up with their specials for this occasion.

It was so windy after we left the port, that several of the tall tablecloth-covered cocktail tables blew over. When one large rectangular drink table blew off of its stand, flying into the back railing, the waiters finally gathered them up and put them away. That was an accident waiting to happen. Some folks we did not even know remarked about the absence of the sail away music, asking where's the band? Oh, they have not been here for two years now. There was not even the piped-in music.

Now that we have begun the 15 day re-positioning cruise, we got gifts delivered. One was a bottle of fine champagne (not the sparkling wine) from Orlando Ashford, compliments for being President's Club members. Bart, the hotel director, sent a plate of assorted chocolates with a cute little card, the smallest card we have seen. And also in another tiny envelope, was our promotional $100 beverage card from our travel agency with the cute little card. Must be the "green" paper-saving thing once again. However, we never look a gift horse in the mouth, as the saying goes.

Turning in our in-transit cards, we asked for a copy of our shipboard account to find all of the promised credits had been posted….always a good thing. One of the promotions was "tips included". They did this by adding the total amount as a credit to our bill, which will be taken off daily for 15 days. A good deal we think. Also, we had two letters left on our bed. One was a health advisory with the usual warnings about hand washing, etc. Sure hope everyone follows this advice. The second letter informed us of the zika virus advisory and preventive measures to avoid it….we hope. And finally, the big pitch for the next 48 hours is the purchase the specially-priced beverage packages. The actual packages and prices were not provided, but would surely be accessed in any bar or the Explorations Café. We noticed that the art folks were back onboard with Park West. If we recall, they were not present at all on the world cruise.

Well, dinner had some fine choices, and it had to be better than the horrible ribeye steak from last night's farewell menu. We re-located to table 81 on deck five….at a table for 4, but only for the two of us. Our waiters were also new to us…..Mohammed and Prio, his assistant. Our head waiter was Made, also new to us, and just embarked this morning, replacing Presty. Having a table for two means hot food, and quick service. Have to admit, we had the best prime rib, even better than on the world cruise. Tender, cooked perfectly, and really tasty. Dessert was vanilla ice cream and one apple strudel….both excellent. Even better, our meal was done well before 9:30pm, which was fine for us as it had been a long day.

A really long day for our room stewards, who had to turn over most all of the rooms. By last night, they had removed all of the grand voyage bags, and today, delivered new luggage for this trip. They did have extra help, but we found they were still on duty when we came back to our room after dinner. Hard workers for sure.

Looking forward to a couple of days at sea now…..

Bill & Mary Ann

Terminal 26 – Port Everglades Ft. Lauderdale