The view from my room was the best early this morning, as the Nieuw Statendam approached the coast of Ft. Lauderdale. It was still dark at 5:30am, and the lights of the city sparkled the closer we got. Looking at the aft TV camera, I could see a line of ships following us, like homing pigeons coming back to roost. Only one ship was not moving off shore, as it was the Nieuw Amsterdam that is being used as a crew quarantining ship.
The Caribbean Princess was already in her spot at pier two, we took pier 26, and the Celebrity Edge was right in front of us at pier 25. The Celebrity Summit was also docked, followed by RCI Odyssey of the Seas, and last to arrive was the Rotterdam.
It was nice watching the ships coming in, but it was really cold….not like Florida this time of year.
Breakfast would need to be early because I would have to be ready to go at any moment. Keeping it light, a continental meal would do. There was a short wait for the delivery, because no one else on the ship got to get in room service this morning. Just us shut-ins.
I had already packed up my few items yesterday, so when the call to leave came at 8:45am, I was ready. Janine said that Bill would be taken off first, then I would join him. The 4 or 5 person hazmat team showed up, took my two plastic HAL bags, put them on a rack, and then we proceeded up the hallway to the forward elevator. The last hazmat guy sprayed everything all of the way out. The elevator lobby was cleared out, then we entered and went down to deck A. From there, my room card was scanned, and we came out on the ground level.
Jonah, Bill, and the driver were waiting on the other side of the cyclone fence. Jonah said goodbye and promised me a fun birthday celebration upon coming back. Told her I would hold her to it. By the way, Bill was able to leave everything in our stateroom until we come back. Happy for that. He took only one suitcase of stuff for 10 days.
By 9:15am, we were on our way to the Ft. Lauderdale Coral Springs Marriott Hotel, located about a 30 – 40 minute drive from Port Everglades. There was little traffic, since today was a Sunday. Now here comes the funny part. The young masked, and gloved driver opened all of the windows to let in fresh air. Obviously he knew he was transporting a positive Covid person. He apologized for doing this, but said it was the law here in Florida. Remember it was cold this morning? Like in the 40's? In minutes we were freezing, having left the jackets in the suitcase. Seeing this, the driver turned up his radio very high as he sped at 75mph all the way to the hotel. The bad news was that this ice cold wind triggered a coughing attack, which did not stop until I got into the hotel lobby. I felt like I needed to hang my head out of the window like a dog. Oh what fun we have….
We worried that arriving so early at 10am, we might have to wait to check in. Nope, they were ready for us. The process was the same as every other place we have gone to, with the exception that we were handed a list of instructions with what we were allowed to do or not to do. This will apply for the five day Florida-mandated quarantine we have. And this applies to both of us, even though Bill is negative.
We are not allowed to visit public hotel spaces like meeting rooms, fitness center, pool, lounges, restaurant, or bar.
1. We may walk outside to get fresh air (wearing masks through the hotel lobby)
2. All requests to be made at Front Desk (dial 0)
3. No housekeeping services, but will deliver anything
No visitors
4. Room service meals are available with disposable trays and cutlery
5. All deliveries (including restaurant take-out) will be left at our door – have to wait 10 seconds to open the door
6. Complimentary items for the coffee and tea maker will be refilled
7. Trash bags will be given upon request
8. All outside food deliverers need to stop at the front desk first.
9. Any emergencies – dial 911.
Finally, they were sorry we were ill, and they promised to take care of us.
Once situated in our room (no balcony), it took a long time to catch up on emails and getting back reports written. At least the internet is working well here and it is fast. We were also given a list of local restaurants and cafes that will deliver food here. And we got a modified menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner items from the hotel's kitchen. Desserts too. Don't know if this was mentioned, but we are allowed $100 per person per day for food. That seems like a lot, but with the hotel prices, it might be tight eating three meals a day. Not that it matters, as the insurance will cover it.
Bill took a walk and found a Publix, a local supermarket. He came back with some groceries, and some fixings for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Although we do not have a microwave, there is a nice refrigerator that also works well. A few years ago, we spent about 12 days at a Sheraton Hotel, while waiting for the Amsterdam to go into a dry docking after a world cruise. Then we re-boarded and sailed through the Panama Canal to San Diego. Of course, we were not under lock up then, but spent the day eating out, walking a lot, and going to different malls. Many days, we stayed in and fixed our own mini meals, and visited the hotel's pool. The time flew by. So we can do this here.
There was a printed note in the room stating that it is normal practice for hotels to have a 5 day housekeeping policy. They claim that it meets their mandated sanitation and safety measures. Never knew that. As expected, we only had one each of the toiletries and two sets of towels. So we called and asked for more, and they brought it within minutes. A bag full of lotions, shampoos, soaps, etc. and six days-worth of towel sets. Anything else we needed, we just had to call.
Later in the afternoon, we were contacted by Linda, a rep from HAL's Family Assistance Team. She went over most all of the info we had already been told, leaving us reassured that all would be taken care of during our stay. In addition, she added that after our mandated stay here, we had the option of moving to a different hotel. HAL would only cover the charges for the same amount as they pay here. The difference would be on us. We told her we would think about it, and decide later.
Then we took a walk around the outside of the hotel, and located the pool. As nice as the pool area was, there wasn't a soul around. Of course, it was cool today. If it warms up in a few days, this will be a nice spot to get some sun.
It had been a long day, so we ordered dinner from room service. We had one chicken Caesar salad, and a cheeseburger (no fries), with a side salad. All was good, but expensive at about $50. That did not include any beverages or dessert.
Turned in early while watching old reruns of the Big Bang Theory. Loved it then….love it now.
One day down, and about 9 to go.
Bill & Mary Ann
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Report #37 Fort Lauderdale, Florida .........Transfer To Marriott Hotel..... Sunday-January 23,2022.
