November 9, 2021
Finally, after 22 months, we are going on an ocean cruise! We took Lyft to Hartsfield (ATL) Airport, then quickly passed through the luggage check-in, TSA security check, bathroom break, plain train, AND as we are entering Concourse A, Rob says, "Where's the roller board?" to which we realize that he never removed it from the TSA screening bin. YIKES!!!! We race back to TSA, but don't see the bag anywhere. I ask a TSA agent if anyone has turned in luggage to which she asks another agent to bring a piece of luggage, our luggage, over. Whew! We then get Rob a sandwich and settle in at our gate. It was a smooth, crowded, but short flight to Ft Lauderdale. We gather our luggage at Baggage Claim, and go to catch our Lyft ride to our Best Western Plus Hotel. Our Lyft driver was from Marietta! He had only been in FL for three months! Small world! He drops us off, we check in, and as we enter our room, I realize that we don't have the roller board. Double YIKES!! We think maybe we've left it in the lobby, so we race down there, but no luck. Rob checks the parking lot - nothing. We think that we've left it in the Lyft trunk so I frantically call and text him. No response. I'm truly panicking at this point. We DID NOT go out for dinner in case Lyft brings the luggage back. Finally, an hour later, he calls back and says that he doesn't even remember a roller board. It's at this point, we realize that the roller board was left at the baggage claim, Triples YIKES!!! I immediately call the airport, but of course, Lost and Found is now closed until tomorrow at 8:30. Well, drats! I was able to get a toothbrush/paste from the front desk, so I showered. We dined on power bars and water! I didn't sleep great. We got up at 7:00, had breakfast, and then I took Lyft back to the airport. The security guard suggested that I start with Delta, which I did. The agent sent me downstairs to luggage services, but after a quick search, the sweet lady then sent me to Lost and Found in Terminal 1. As I waited in line, I was a wreck. I just kept thinking of all of the items in that roller board, which was easily over $1,000! The couple in front of me had lost a laptop, and luckily it was there. I told them that I hoped my story would end like there's. The young man smiled at me, and said, "Don't worry, it will." Alex, from Lost and Found, took my ID after I showed him my report number. He was gone for a VERY long time. I was just about to lose all hope when he brought my roller board out! I was beyond happy! I told him that if it wasn't for COVID, I would hug him. I offered to give him a good write up so he gave me a slip of paper showing the best place! I called Rob, Ari, and Teri then returned to the Ride Share for yet another Lyft ride. Back at the hotel, I took another "good" shower and got ready to checkout! Another Lyft ride to Port Everglades where check-in took a bit longer, but at 1:30, we were on on the HAL Rotterdam in Stateroom 6126 where our luggage was waiting - A FIRST! As we were unpacking the Stewarts called and suggested lunch. Afterward, we checked in at our Muster Station, then returned to our room to settle in. Sail away - 4 PM. Farewell, Port Everglades.
Alan/Teri had ordered flowers for our room, which added a nice touch. We all (even Rob) enjoyed Happy Hour, then a delicious (awesome salmon) dinner. We spent some time in the BB King Lounge before turning in.
November 11, 2021 Sea Day Happy Veteran's day
We decided to have breakfast in the dining room, which was a mistake because it took forever! I went to work out, Rob read, and enjoyed coffee. After lunch, we enjoyed iced coffees while listening to Trivia. We attended the Future Cruise presentations, then took a long walk on the Promenade Deck. Dinner was super slow, due to the fact that this crew has not worked together. Sadly, my souffle was grossly underbaked and inedible. Plus, I missed the show because of the dining room. Bummed. T, Alan, and I went over to Billboard for a while to listen to music and eventually over to the Rolling Stones show. Time Change tonight. Art work outside of our cabin - thinking of you, David.
November 12, 2021 Sea Day
We joined the Stewarts for breakfast in the Lido, then head to the Explorers Cafe for needlework and coffee. It's a beautiful day, so we spend time on our balcony, reading and watching the world go by. After lunch, Rob and I walk. At 6:00 pm, I attend Shabbat Services. I always appreciate how Holland America provides a place, wine, challah, prayer books, candles, and yarmulkas every Friday. I meet some really nice folks, each time we have services. T, Alan, and I attend the show, and then we meet Rob for our amazing dinner at the Pinnacle. Afterward, we stop by the Rolling Stone venue to enjoy some great music.
November 16, 2021 - St Martin
Rob and I had breakfast in the dining room before heading out to explore St Martin with T and Alan.
It is really sad to see all of the businesses that have closed. Between hurricanes and COVID, St Martin is truly suffering. Back on the ship, we enjoy coffee in the Crow's Nest before a late lunch. I workout, Rob reads, we both rest on the balcony. We ask for a table change in the dining room, and our new waiters are fabulous. For some reason, I'm really tired, so I decided to turn in early. I'm sound asleep when I hear Rob say that we are locked in our room. So, I call Guest Relations. This is a brand new ship, so they are mortified and agree to send maintenance right up. I fall back to sleep, and the phone rings. It is Guest Relations saying that our "Do Not Disturb" sign is out, so the maintenance crew couldn't start working until we told them it was okay. I fall back to sleep only to hear someone knocking on our balcony door! Jeepers! Rob lets the maintenance crew in because they couldn't fix the lock from the outside. I have no earthly clue how they go onto our balcony. Crazy! The next morning, Guest Relations calls, again mortified, and told us that they are sending us to any specialty dining room on them for the inconvenience. That's great by us!
November 14, 2021 St Lucia
Originally, we were told that we would not be able to get off the ship unless on a Holland America Excursion, but luckily, we were. So after breakfast with a couple who had been around the world 4 times and tea with the Stewarts, I went shopping on the dock. I found banana ketchup, a puzzle for Mom, and downloaded my email.
We went back to the Pinnacle Grill for another fabulous meal, then listened to the rock band with T and Alan.
November 15, 2021 Barbados
Breakfast in dining room, and then coffee on the Observation Deck with T and Alan. I walked around the shops in the terminal. Some very kind lady took my picture:
Back on the ship, we all had lunch, then went to the deck to read. I have never seen so many rainbows in one day. After dinner, we saw the production, "Planet Earth II" and then went to the Rolling Stones venue.
November 17 - St Kitts
We slept in today, had breakfast at the Lido, and then Rob and I explored the port shops.
Rob purchased his Mont Blanc balm, Piranha Joe's t-shirts, and HD ball. Back on the ship, we joined the Stewarts for lunch. T, Alan, and I tried to sunbathe but had to quickly duck out of the rain showers. After, yet another, delicious dinner, Alan and I went to the show, then met T for music at the Rolling Stone venue.
November 18, 2021 St Thomas
Breakfast in the dining room, then off to Alpha Jewelers. Rob was out of control and purchased a gorgeous diamond bracelet, two pairs of earrings, and gifts for our girls. Sony treated us to lunch at Glady's - fish sandwich and spicy Ginger Beer. We did some t-shirt and table linen shopping, downloaded our emails/texts before returning to the ship. Our dinner was fantastic as usual, as well as the music at the Rolling Stone Rock Room.
November 19, 2021 Sea Day
Love our sea days! Best of all, we booked two more cruises!
I attended Shabbat Services. We enjoyed one more amazing dinner at the Pinnacle where I fell in love with the candied bacon.
November 20, 2021 Half Moon Cay
It was an overcast day with high winds so we decided to stay on the ship and relax. I worked out, then spent the afternoon on the balcony listening to a book while doing needlework. Eventually, we had to repack for our journey home. Groan.....
November 21, 2021 - Travel home
Due to our late flight home, we were able to enjoy breakfast in the dining room, before leaving the ship. We took Lyft to the Fort Lauderdale Airport, waited for our flight, and had an uneventful trip home. Wonderful cruise, felt normal!
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