DFR Travels: Thursday, March 9. Packing Day...

Blue sky, moderate seas.

Day 65 of 66 really, as day 67 is in Fort Lauderdale. Two more sleeps.

At sea on the way to Fort Lauderdale.

Last night we had a relaxing dinner in an Italian Restaurant with new acquaintances. It was a vey relaxed and pleasurable end to a good day.

Yesterday it seemed that Fellette became a bit edgy later in the day. Upon questioning it turned out that it was the packing that was to be done by 3.00 PM today that was bothering her. That is because we are having several cases being shipped home as part of a 'free' service that is part of the package we have with HAL.

It is complicated because of always-new security concerns about what you can and cannot ship that way. We also have to itemize the contents of those cases. We spent a few spare moments before dinner last night about what goes in what case, etc. To make today easier. Fellette always has done the actual packing, that included folding and putting into cases. I was more involved this time.

Another issue is that we should really bring home with us all the stuff we bought on the trip even though it could go in the cases being shipped later. Our fear is that if we break a Canada Customs Regulation we could loose our Nexus card. The benefits of that card are only fully realized when you lose it!!!

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Well, the end is nigh! Great trip, I think that I behaved very well this time. I am repeating myself I think, but to me at least, it is quite a challenge to be in close proximity to about 550 strangers for such a long time. We did not choose the passengers and we have a very broad cross section of the population that we are rubbing shoulders with. It gets a bit intense after a while as it is not really our lifestyle.

Eating is one thing on board and HAL sure makes it easy to overeat. Drinking is another, and I continue to be amazed at the amount of alcohol that some, [many] people can consume. We heard from two sources that one couple bought a 48 bottle package, and then another 24 because they ran out. Remember the cruise is really 66 days. Consider that there are many, many other places and opportunities to drink other than your purchased wine. I don't know why they are not dead or at least a diabetic. [I suppose some are diabetics actually].

Gambling: There are only a small amount of people who we have seen in the casino. Most are regular attendees, most smoke and have a drink at hand. Different strokes for different folks.

I really think that Fellette and I are a small slice of society that does not really like to or feel the need to spend a great deal of time socializing or smooching in a large group. We prefer a more intimate time with like-minded close friends.

Yesterday was an example of, for me, too many people and too close, it was bit outside my comfort zone as we walked off the ship along with some 16,000 [?] other folks in St. Maartin [or however you spell that name that I see in so many spellings]. Gail gave me some good advice as we strode with the horde: "You just have to get inside yourself" she said. Good advice indeed.

Tonight was the last of eight or nine formal nights on this cruise, our last chance to get all dressed up, tuxedos and all. After that the captain hosted a farewell toast for 1/2 hour before the show in the Showroom Lounge. A fabulous half hour. We went into the Showroom flanked by about 30 members of the crew, from the captain on down to the girls that fry our eggs in the morning. A bit humbling for me, well done.

The crew had made a whimsical five minute video of them behind the scenes in various circumstances, many with the giant three foot stuffed Penguins that have been in evidence since we sailed.

Great day even if it was a bit hectic to get our packing and paper work ready by the afternoon deadline. The documents and packets for each piece of luggage, [5] was in our room when we came to the cabin after the show. The situation for people having their luggage shipped to Canada is completely different and more complicated as the luggage has to be sent across an international boundary.

We had a problem and Gail and Jim helped solve it this evening: there was a bottle of champagne in our fridge and we had to get rid of it before we left for home. Problem solved! [Nice shirt Jim] The girls always look gorgeous, especially on dress up nights.