Six Days At Sea To Pack Thousands Of Suitcases

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Day 127, Grand World Voyage

Wednesday, May 10, 2023; At Sea, Atlantic Ocean.

Trivia question: How many pieces of luggage does Hotel Manager Henk estimate will need to be offloaded Friday morning in Port Everglades? Here’s a hint: There are approximate 1,400 passengers, and only 40 of us will stay on board for the next cruise.

Trivia answer: 14,000 pieces of luggage!

On most cruises you start to see luggage lining the hallways, waiting to be whisked away, around dinner time on the last day. Today it is starting 48 hours before we disembark. Moving and temporarily storing the luggage is a huge challenge for a crew that will also need to change linens, clean and turn around all the staterooms in just a few hours. And embark another 1,900 passengers and their luggage. I received an email that warned passengers boarding in Fort Lauderdale to expect delays.

I put my one – oversized – suitcase in the hall this morning. We got good news that U.S. Customs will not require us to carry these bags through inspection. They will go directly to our homes (for me, Eloise’s home in Arkansas).

I packed this bag a couple of days ago with all the things I won’t need for the next nine weeks. Frankly, I wonder if I needed them at all! I only used my snorkel equipment once. I brought (and bought) way too many clothes.

Last night was our last formal night and everyone was in glitter and tuxes. The night ended with a masquerade ball in the Crow’s Nest. I wish we would have more than five of these formal nights. They are fun and festive.

We also received of last “pillow gift,” this time the traditional commemorative plate. I haven’t kept any of my past plates and don’t miss having them, so I passed this one along to a friend who wanted extras.

We are busy booking final meals with friends. Today we have lunch in the Pinnacle Grill (a great bargain), and an early dinner with other friends. I’ll definitely have to pace my eating.

Future cruise consultant Neil has been busy booking cruises, which come with additional shipboard credit when booked on board. Here’s another trivia question: How many cruises did Jo book during this cruise?

Neil booking more cruises

The answer: FOUR! Yes, you read that right. I booked a 28-day Alaskan cruise for June 2024, a 53-day Japan cruise and a 50-day Mediterranean cruise for the fall of 2024, and the 2025 Grand World Voyage.

The “Legendary Mediterranean” hasn’t officially been opened for booking and the details of length and ports are to be determined, but Neil is taking advance reservations. I originally thought I would have to choose between that and Japan, as they likely will overlap by a few days. But I figured out that I can leave the Japan cruise in Honolulu just before the final ocean passage to Seattle and fly to Fort Lauderdale for the Mediterranean, which will sail round trip from Florida.

I wrote earlier about the two choices of grand cruises in 2025 – a traditional around-the-world and a pole-to-pole that circles the Atlantic, sailing around South America to Antarctica and then to Norway and Greenland. It was a tough decision, made harder by the fact that my sister Elaine chose the pole-to-pole. But I’m going on the around-the-world, in large part due to having more sea days and more ports I haven’t visited.

The hardest part is that I have good friends who will be on each cruise. I’m disappointed that we’ll be split.

I’ve saved the best news for last – I’ve ditched the leg brace! Other than some residual swelling, I have recovered from my knee injury, after just five weeks. I’ll still use the brace if the seas get rough, or perhaps while on my marathon shopping trip in Fort Lauderdale Friday. I want to get a new iPhone case, some cosmetics and toiletries, my glasses straightened after my fall, and maybe even browse Dick Blick art supply. I don’t have room to buy much.

It’s hard to believe that three weeks ago I was in a wheelchair. The only thing left is filing the trip insurance medical claim forms, which seem endless.