Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Over the last few days we have been at sea.  We were due to anchor at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas on 3rd January but unfortunately the port was cancelled because of strong winds. It is something that the captain doesn't take lightly - putting lives at risk in order not to disappoint vs putting safety first.

Miami is a turn around port today, before heading out for the South American Grand Voyage.  I got off the ship for a few hours and went by bus into town for a wander.  Unfortunately I have never taken a sailor's mission bus so I was particularly nervous as to where to get dropped off, etc; and so was initially very reluctant to go.  Fortunately the chief engineer's wife was also going into town on the bus so I went with her; and on the way back I teamed up with the HR Manageress.  It was easier than I thought.

I spent a few good hours, having a wander around.  But no - I was good.  I didn't spend much - just picked up 2 packets of M&Ms (next best thing to smarties) and 2 packets of crisps.  Er .. and a bikini because my current one is just about to fall apart!

The Prinsendam is fully loaded and we are now setting off on the South American Grand Voyage - an 80 day cruise.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale - view from the ship

Yesterday was a sea day so I made use of the time to catch up on my blog and also start sorting through photographs and uploading them as well.

Most guests are staying on the ship but some were disembarking.  Unfortunately there had to be zero count (in other words the ship had to be empty of guests) on board at some stage in the morning and so we had to get off in order to go through customs and immigration even if we weren’t disembarking.  Fortunately the whole thing was done in a nice systematic way.  Everyone was given a specific time slot during which to exit the ship and head to border control so at least the terminal wasn’t heaving.  Crew had its own border control queue.  I could have clobbered the lass who dealt with me at the customs desk – such a rude, sour-faced woman.  Not even a smile or greeting …  I wished I could have asked her why on earth she stays in a job that she seems to detest. 

Once we were through customs and immigration I took time to sit down and read while waiting until I could board the Maasdam again.  Some guests took taxis into town; others looked for free Wi-Fi around the terminal or sat down to read.  In time word got around where there was free Wi-Fi and I followed the ‘hungry for Wi-Fi’ guests.  It turned out that the exit after border control was just a side entrance and we would not being going back to the ship that way.  There was a main entrance to the terminal was around the corner and also where the Wi-Fi was.  Just as well I didn’t hang around at the wrong entrance!  Eventually we were allowed to board the ship.

After lunch I had a bit of a nap and woke up after the Maasdam had set sail towards New York. 

Tonight we are going to meet up with some officers in the main dining room for dinner.  One of the officers is going to be giving us a talk about the battle of Jutland.  I’m looking forward to it, having heard one of his previous dinner talks sometime last month.  He would make a good history lecturer.

Tomorrow is another day …

Photographs - Views from the Maasdam