Ft. Lauderdale - Turn Around Day

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

For most of the passengers, this was the end of their cruise. For us, it was "Turn Around Day", and the beginning of our second week of cruising. After going to the Western Caribbean for our first week, now it was time to sail to the Eastern Caribbean.

Actually it was the announcement for those passengers doing "self-debarkation" that woke me up. We had considered doing breakfast in the main dining room to avoid the last-day-of-the-cruise crowds at the Lido buffet but nixed that idea when we found out they were only serving until 8 am.

Michelle sent a message via Navigator app when they were on their way up to the buffet and we met them there. We took our time eating as we listened to the different debarkation groups being called when it was their turn to leave the ship. While we were eating, a lady sat down beside us and was holding a bag of ice on her ribs. She was in pain and obviously not happy. She explained that this cruise was to have been a mother/daughter trip and at the last minute the daughter's boyfriend (whom she didn't like) invited himself along. The boyfriend had suggested they do an excursion in Key West (on the first day!) where they were pulled behind a jet ski and she had been flipped off. She had been in pain ever since and suspected that she had broken her ribs. She might have been the only one on the ship who was glad the cruise was ending.

Michelle went back with us to our cabin while we waited for the in-transit guests to be called. Jon had already left to pick up their car that was parked at the port to go out shopping. He was determined to get some athletic shoes so he didn't have to play pickleball in his water shoes! Twice there was an announcement where passengers were called by name and asked to get off the ship. It was a little after 9:30 when the ship was finally cleared of all debarking guests and the in-transit passengers (like us) were called to the theater. From there we were lead off the ship in a group and through a passport check.

Not everyone followed directions however, and we were left standing in the terminal until everyone made it off. I'm not sure, but to me it looked like a couple hundred passengers were staying on for the next cruise. The couple standing next to us in line had gotten on the ship in Montreal and had been on for five cruises!

Several tours were available for passengers doing the back-to-back cruises, but I just wanted to stay on the ship. For a few hours we would be able to enjoy an almost empty ship. Michelle and I changed into our swimsuits and went to the midship pool. With blue skies and warm temps, the retractable roof was open.

Bob went to the gym to work out and then met up with us at lunch time. We ordered a couple of pizzas (something I had wanted to do all week and just hadn't gotten around to it). While we were waiting on the pizzas, we went through the salad bar line. We sat at a table on the aft deck and watched as clouds were starting to build. The rain began and by the time we had finished eating, it was pouring. We moved inside the buffet and got some dessert and coffee and moved to a table near the midship pool. The roof was still partially open and the rain was coming in pretty heavy until they closed the roof.

Michelle was starting to worry that Jon wasn't going to make it back on the ship in time. He was texting us updates and we were all relieved when he announced he was onboard. Bob, Michelle and I sat in a hot tub and watched as all of the new passengers were arriving...excited to begin the cruise.

Around 3 pm I went back to the room to shower and get ready for dinner. I had hoped to be done in time to watch sail away from the aft deck as we had the previous week, but the wind and rain would have undone all of the work I just did to get my hair fixed.

While I was in the cabin getting ready, Bob had gone out on the Lower Promenade deck and watched as the supplies were being loaded onto the ship.

Dogs sniffing the crates.

Lots of pineapples!

We were not required to attend the muster drill for this cruise so I met Bob at the library. We sat in the comfy chairs and did some last minute "internetting" while we still had a cell signal. It was raining quite hard at 5 pm when the Veendam sailed out of the channel. Instead of being on the top deck and waving at the webcam (as we had done the previous week) we watched from the large windows in the library.

The Konigsdam was docked next to the Veendam. 

What a difference a week made! Last week we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale under bright blue skies!

A cozy place to read. Bob got in the habit of coming to the library each night before dinner while I was getting ready.

Pretending to wave to the webcam as we sailed by.

When we got to the dining room at 5:15, Michelle was there alone. Jon was back in their cabin finishing up some work while he still had a cell signal. Michelle ordered for him and he got to the dining room about the same time as the food was served.

Once the ship reached the open water it began to roll...big time. The movement intensified to the point that Jon and Michelle were both starting to feel sick. They had brought motion sickeness patches, but had not put any on for the last few days when the seas had been so calm.

They excused themselves and left for their cabin. Bob and I decided to skip dessert and get something in the buffet later so we left too. Once we got up and started to walk we realized just how much the ship was moving. We went out onto the promenade deck but didn't stay long...it was so windy!!

At that point we both agreed that we really didn't want to go to the Lido for dessert, but went back to our cabin for a quiet evening instead. We each took a dose of Meclazine but Bob worried that he might have waited too long. The best place to avoid movement was his bed, so he crawled in shortly after 8 pm and within a few minutes was sound asleep. I tried to work on my blog notes, but found myself getting so sleepy I just gave up and joined him at 8:30.

Throughout the night I woke up several times and was aware of the ship movement. At times I could hear groaning and gurgling noises as the ship rolled. I thoroughly enjoyed being tucked into my bed and being rocked all night long.