Going home after a cruise is never the easiest of days. We were up early and expected to be off the ship by 7:30. We headed down to our assigned lounge and heard the announcement that we were already called about 20 minutes before. Actually a good thing because the crowd had moved on by then. We cleared Spanish arrival immigration; found our luggage in the few that remained and were on the bus in very short order. It was probably the best departure from a cruise that we have ever ha porters all over the place. At the airport all the luggage was taken off the bus and ready to go.
The delta check in was quick enough as I had done all the getting ready stuff a few days ago. Then the wait which did not seam that long. Then the 9 hour flight to JFK. The food was probably the best we have had on a flight in a long time. Of course on international flights they serve wine, then refill. Always a bonus. We settled in to watch movies or sleep.
Next up was the arrival at JFK. We were on time getting here and tried for an earlier flight to Tampa. No luck so we settled in for a few hours. About an hour before we were scheduled to go they cancelled the flight because they did not have a crew. We had to rebook for the next day. That took a bit but they did give us a food voucher and a room voucher for the Crown Plaza. Boy this airport is huge. We finally got the shuttle stop ( by sky train) and made the hotel by 8. Easy check in and then quickly to bed. The shuttle for the morning flight left at 4:30. We could not sleep anyway. We tried again for the direct flight but it was oversold by 5 seat so no chance of getting that one. Back to the flight to Atlanta and then to Tampa. Got “breakfast on the voucher”. Ready and boarded on time. Should be in Atlanta with 90 minutes to spare,
This is the point where it becomes a flight from hell. We sat on the ground for just short of 2 hours with not chance of making our next flight. First it was loading luggage and then it was a mechanical problem. SURE! Then we had to contend with rebooking to Tampa, We finally arrived in Atlanta. Good thing they rebooked us on standby and then a definite seat on a later flight. We made the earlier flight and finally arrived in Tampa around 4 pm. Charlie was waiting and got us home quickly. So about 40 hours after we started, we were home.
The cruise was very were not expected. CHANGE. However we will be ready to go when we find a good cruise to take. Maybe Alaska!
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