Well, here we are on our way back to Florida. On this final day at sea, we were able to finish labeling the rest of the photos and complete the last minute packing. Don't ask why, but it took all morning.
We had a reminder from the front desk folks that we still had some shipboard credit to use. They even sent a note yesterday saying the same thing. In the past, they never used to inform you of an overage, and if you did not keep track of it, you would lose it.
So we took the time to go shopping in the new Shops and did find some new merchandise. One off us collects the Mary Frances beaded and whimsical handbags, so that's where the credit went. Later in the day, we spent the remainder credit on Ricola cough drops which will keep for a year.
One thing worth mentioning is that if you need to get small bills like 5's, 10's and 20's, it is better not to wait until the last day. They always seem to run out of the smaller bills, and sometimes only have 1's available. Also, it is always a good idea to ask for a printed copy of your shipboard account, even though it is online. Some of us still prefer "paper".
While watching the news, we learned that the world has a new pope……Pope Leo 14th. And he is from the USA, which made us proud. It is refreshing to hear good and positive news for a change. And it will be a memory we will never forget.
Captain Frank came on with his last sea day talk. He said we still have 248 nautical miles to reach the Ft. Lauderdale pilot station early tomorrow morning. We should be docked before 7am, and it will still be dark. We are currently sailing between the Bahamian islands in a westerly direction in waters that are 15,000 feet deep. It was partly cloudy with 12 knot winds and sea swells up to four feet. The temperature was a balmy 82 degrees and the sea temps were 84 degrees. He expected no changes for tomorrow. The good news is that there was no rain in the forecast. Then he added his goodbye to the guests and crew that are scheduled to go home tomorrow. He was sincere when he said goodbye my dear friends. There was no mistake that we could hear Kimberly sniffling in the back round. We shall miss her cheerful voice saying – hello, hello, hello!
We still needed to pick up our Effy certificate for the jewelry we purchased. So when we went there, we were handed tickets for a raffle at 3pm. No harm in going since our work was finished in the room. It was a surprise to see only five guests with the tickets. Sales must have slowed down the last two days with the re-opening. Anyway, after the sales gal went into an unnecessary story about Effy, she finally began drawing a winning ticket. She picked six tickets before there was a winner. The little gift bag contained a scarf, a piece of small jewelry and some cosmetics. An elderly lady in a wheelchair won it, which was nice for her.
Then we put seven pieces of luggage out in the hall, and our room steward moved them a few at a time. The last two would go out before dinner. It really brought back bad memories from last year, since the final two bags went missing. History had better not repeat itself.
Lunch for us was two custom- made sandwiched from the Lido. We brought them back to our room and dined on the veranda.
One of us had an appointment for a haircut at 5pm. It took Bianca an hour, but it turned out perfect and will last him until mid- July.
There was a grand farewell at 10am in the World Stage with free sparkling wine. Knowing it could get really crowded as well as emotional, we did not attend. We do hope it was recorded and we can watch it later today on TV. There were all sorts of promotions all day because once we are in port tomorrow, everything will be closed.
We polished off the last bottle of HAL sparkling wine we had since day one. It was well-chilled. We are not necessarily wine drinkers, but this sparkling wine was not sweet, but dry. Dinner tasted even better with starters of a shrimp cocktail (not on the menu) and a bowl of beef and veggie soup. Caesar salads were enjoyed for both of us, then we had the ribeye steaks served medium rare. They were not as thick as the ones they serve in the Pinnacle Grill, but they were just as tasty. Dessert for one of us was a lemon tart and one scoop of raspberry sorbet for the other. We will miss our waiters, especially Kadek. He has been most enjoyable this whole cruise.
There was a show this evening with the World Stage Repertory Company with "Celtic Spirit". We are sure it was good, since we have heard many positive comments with this group.
By the way, there were a few tours available for the folks flying home tomorrow. Depending on your flight time, an everglade boat ride with a transfer to the Ft. Lauderdale airport was 4 hours and $90. The other one was Land and Sea Excursion for 4 hours for $100, also with a Ft. Lauderdale airport transfer.
As for us, we will get off the ship last and board a bus to our hotel for one evening. Our flight will be Saturday morning. This removes all the pressure to get to the airport on time, and gives us one day to relax.
We shall return with a wrap-up report when the dust settles at home. In the meantime, thanks for tagging along with us on this Grand World Voyage.
Bill & Mary Ann
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