October 10, 2022
Courtney picked us up to take us to the airport at 3:15 am. The airport was a bit more crowded than I expected at 4 am but I guess many had early flights. Check in was a breeze We just two small bags that we checked because they contained items that would not make it through security. We did send 4 bags ahead using Luggage Direct the Holland America Line (HAL) has partnered with.
We met up with the HAL representative when we landed in Miami. We recognized him from the last cruise we took. It was 9:30 am and the shuttle would arrive at 11 am and take us to Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale. The Port Terminal was crowded. We were probably the first group to board. Experience has taught us that the more you do at home, the faster check in will be. HAL makes it pretty easy but many still do not either read or understand the emails that are sent to them. Bag tags are a good example. HAL used to send send them out just before the cruise but now they must be printed after online check in. The tags are printed on a standard letter size piece of paper that has directions on how to fold the tag and then has a “staple here” mark. Really? You are going to trust a gorilla to handle your bag and your tag will remain on? Best go to Amazon and order some bag tag holders for HAL tags. Many show up with no bag tags but expect that their luggage will actually show up to their room. Luggage is placed on the bus and then delivered to your stateroom.
Items needed for check in:
Boarding pass – available on the HAL Navigator App. Many did not register the app and instead tried to print a paper copy. It ain’t happening. Move to the long line please.
Yellow Fever certificate, Covid 19 vaccine record, Covid 19 negative test (within 3 days of cruise) HAL has decided to use the VeriflyApp. This app stores testing information that the user uploads. Who has access to this? I’m guessing our government does. We chose not to do this and had to move to the line on the left for folks with paper documents. This line was a fraction as long as the “good citizens” line. Win number 1 for our side.
Photocopy of passport, yellow fever certificate, and Covid 19 vaccine record. Did you make a photo copy? If yes move to the short line (the other line was jammed). Win number 2!
Last stop was a photo for ship the check in with a photo of passport for verification.
Have your stuff together and you will move through quickly. It is nothing like the old days of checking in for a cruise. Most of the information is uploaded on the HAL website.
We are on the Verandah deck and are close to the bridge. Two floors up to the Lido for food and the gym. Perfect location.
This is probably the largest room we have ever had on a cruise ship. Bathroom with jetted tub, queen sized bed and then a nice sofa, coffee table and desk. Balcony has 2 recliners and a table.
We went up to the Lido for some refreshments. One couple recognized us from the World Cruise we did in 2019. I remember that the first day on that cruise was like a high school class reunion. People that do the long cruises tend to do them over and over. I didn’t see much of that yet. Probably lots of Covid 19 fear in cruising still.
We headed back to the room as luggage was on our mind. One bag had arrived already. The next 5 bags trickled in over the next 5 or so hours. Organizing the room is essential when living in such a small place. We both agreed that we probably over packed. We shall see how it goes. Valuable closet space is filled with useless items like life jackets and wooden hangars. Every rod has enough hangars to fill the entire rod from end to end.
In the past, the first day on a cruise would be a mandatory drill at the muster station. This is the areas where lifeboats would be boarded. People would show up with a drink in their hand and pretend to listen. Most discussed the quality of the Gin in their drink or the dessert bar in the Lido. Today, cruise lines now just require a passenger to check in with key card at the muster station and then watch the drill on the tv back in their room. I’m sure this greatly enhances the safety on the ship. There is really nothing one can do to calm passengers. If the life boats are being launched, panic will ensue.
The ship was supposed to leave at 4 pm. The Captain delayed push off twice because of items on the dock that still hadn’t been loaded. at 7 pm we finally felt the engine start and the ship begin to rock. We were off to Portugal, our first stop.
We finished unpacking and decided to watch a movie and then bedtime. Bedtime arrived during the movie for both of us. I heard the Captain come on the loud speaker at about 10 pm. The ship was turning around. A medical emergency. I did feel the ship come to a stop when we got back to the port. I also felt us moving again about 3 am. Only 11 hours behind schedule. I think we will be traveling quite quickly across the Atlantic.