But lets back up and start the day from the beginning...
The ship was already docked in Ft. Lauderdale by the time we woke up. The first order of business was to check in for our flight now that I had cell service. The good deal we had gotten on our flights was a result of booking Delta's "Basic Economy" tickets. The price was right, but we were not able to choose our seats ahead of time. Back when I had checked in for our flight TO Ft. Lauderdale I was given the option (although very limited) to choose seats. This time, however, all I got was a message saying that seats would be assigned at the gate. Rats.
The other internet business that needed taking care of was completing the information on the Mobile Passport App. The final information (such as Pier number, etc.) had to be completed within 4 hours of going through customs. Done.
As we were packing up the night before, it had occurred to us that we had not been given the usual customs declaration form. We even stopped by Guest Services to inquire and were told it had been discontinued. Hmmmm. I was hoping to use the Mobile Passport App, but had planned to have the paper form ready just in case.
Our flight wasn't leaving until 3:35 pm and we had requested the latest time possible to leave the ship. We took our time getting ready and then had a leisurely breakfast at the buffet.
We left our cabin at around 10:00 am and our color was called shortly after we went down to where we would disembark. Being one of the later groups to disembark made finding our luggage easy...not very many bags were left. When we got to the customs area, I stopped to ask if there was a special line for using the Mobile Passport App and was told "no" it was no longer being used. What??
We were directed to the customs agent (with no line) and all we had to do was show our passports. That was it...and we were through. So easy...but so weird with all of the concern over border security.
Once we were out of the terminal, I called for a Lyft. There were several ships in port so we waited and watched the driver's GPS location on the app as he tried to make his way through the security gate. When he finally started moving we watched him (for real, not the app!) drive right by us and then turn around and drive right by again going the opposite direction.
After a couple of phone calls to the driver with poor reception, I gave up and cancelled the request and started over. We waited for awhile, and then Lyft cancelled the next driver! Finally the third time was a charm or would have seemed like a charm had we not been waiting almost 45 minutes to get picked up!
According to my receipt, the ride to FLL from Port Everglades was 3.74 miles, took a total of 10 minutes and 43 seconds at a price of $11.23. I was glad we hadn't been in a hurry to catch a flight. Other people waiting with us were equally frustrated at trying to get Uber or Lyft and gave up and just took one of the taxis available.
There were no problems with luggage weight as I anticipated and it didn't take long to get through security. At the gate we were told that there wouldn't be anyone to handle seat assignments until one hour prior to the flight which made me uneasy.
Another concern was a call we got from our #3 son who was supposed to pick us up at the Minneapolis airport. A problem had arisen and he wasn't going to be able to get there. After a few phone calls back and forth we discovered our #2 son just happened to be at a seminar at a hotel next to the airport. The seminar was ending just about the time we were to land and he would be right there to pick us up. Thanks to God for answered prayers (and cell phones)!
Eventually a long line of other passengers started to form once the gate agent appeared. I was relieved to find out that we had been given seats together...but not quite so happy when I realized that they were in the very back row. The seats did not recline and they were right next to the line for the bathroom...but at least we were on the plane. Not everyone else waiting for the flight was so lucky.
It was a rough flight, but with the in-flight entertainment and and a video I had downloaded to my Ipad, the time went fairly quickly. We gained back an hour by switching time zones, and then got a bonus hour that night when daylight savings time ended.
I had kept the window shade down while we were watching a movie and lifted it just in time to see the sun set.
Once we landed and got our luggage, I called my son and told him we would be waiting by door #6. A short time later, he called to say "I'm here by door #6, but I don't see you...and oh...my phone is about ready to die." That started a flurry of back and forth calls and texts that in hindsight is funny, but was pretty stressful at the time. Turns out he was on the departure level and we were down a level at baggage claim...both at door #6. He made multiple passes in and out of the airport, but each time missing the correct exit. Once again God was looking out for us. The phone battery lasted until we finally connected!
It was an hour to get back to our other son's house where we had left our car (both sons live in the same town.) After the long day of travel we opted to spend the night rather than face another three hours on the road to get home. (And spending time with the grandkids made the decision to stay over quite easy!)
Although the cruise was full of uncertainty and not everything went as planned with our ports, the good memories definitely out-weighed the bad. In my mind, the week was somewhat of a trial run with Holland America and it passed the test! We already had two much longer cruises booked with Holland America prior to this one and I am happy to say we are looking forward to them even more now!
Stay tuned. We will be cruising again in the spring and putting a big check on my bucket list! 😊
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