Cruise 2011- Day 6

Cruising and arriving Fort Lauderdale

Updated: 02/17/11

When we woke up on Thursday, Day 6, we sensed that the ship was not moving.

We rushed to our balcony to see what was the matter. Nothing!

We were 'parked' off-shore waiting to move to the dock at Fort Lauderdale.

By the time we had our showers, we were moving into position at the dock.

As the ship turned, we could see more of the Fort Lauderdale shoreline.

It is amazing how a ship weighing 138,000 tons is 1,020 feet long and 158 feet wide can be maneuvered into place.

As we  approached the dock, we could see a huge line of taxis waiting for our departing shipmates.    

Soon, we were almost touching the dock.

After assuming tugboats we almost obsolete, a ship and a tug were seen approaching us on the Intracoastal Waterway. So, some use still exists for tugboats.

All luggage had to be in the hallway outside all staterooms no later than 11:00pm last night.

 So, it was already in bins ready to be handled quickly. After we were docked, the task of getting all the luggage to the pickup location was primary.

A quick turn-around keeps the cruse ships on the move earning money for the cruise lines. That means that everything must be 'ship shape' - inside and out. From our balcony, we watched this fellow doing what appeared to be washing the hull.

Later, as we walked under the long blue canopy to customs, the bare spots on the hull were being painted. Maybe the sprayer was removing loose paint so the hull could painted.

Our luggage was long gone. The crew seems to have handled the docking and luggage handling well. Our carry-on pack was loaded.

The only thing left to do was eat ... again. Our last breakfast served in the dining room wrapped up our time onboard.

Departure times from the ship were coordinated with the requirements of the individual passenger. The passenger list included people from 46 countries.Those who had connecting travel plans departed first.  Then, the rest of us were 'released' to leave our staging area. We did not go to our staging area in the Metropolis Theater. We stayed in the dining room enjoying a leisurely breakfast until they announced everyone could leave the ship.

This is the time to say how great Ashlyn and Lily were on the entire cruise. Michelle and Steve had signed them up for "Kids Club" the first day. They never used the "Kids Club" drop off center. They wanted the girls to have the total experience of a cruise - the girls behavior made it possible. We are sure Michelle and Steve were proud that they received compliments on how well behaved the girls were from the ladies at the table next to us in the dining room and from our head waiter. Sharing our first cruise with them added to our experience.

Michelle and her family had reservations at a hotel in Hollywood, Florida for two nights. They extended their stay in Florida to see some of the sites of southern Florida.

It was apparent to us when the "Park'n  Go" driver dropped us off at the truck . . . our first cruise was history.

Our first stop on the way back to the HitchHiker was a Wal-Mart ... a pink Wal-Mart. Because Big Cypress RV Resort is 40 miles from anywhere, we took advantage of our time in a 'big city' to purchase supplies for the next week. 

Ah, home again. On the road to the campground, alligators could be seen sunning themselves.

Michelle called Thursday night to tell us that from their window at the hotel, they watched the Navigator of the Seas heading to sea with new passengers. The same day we arrived - that IS a fast turn-around.

The crew members on our ship were from 60 countries. We learned how important a good evaluation is for them. They are hired on eight month long contracts. Therefore, their performance in serving YOU, determines if they get another contract.

While we recommend a cruise be included in your travel experience, unlike many of our 'Prior Destinations', we will not list fees and dress requirement because the cruise you choose will dictate them.

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