Friday, March 20 & Saturday, March 21
I sit here, paying penance for my spring break sins via sore muscles from my return to the gym (I’d been away for a little over a week). For spring break this year, my parents generously took us on another cruise, this time on the Holland America Nieuw Statendam (or, New Stadium, as Hubs called it). We flew down to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, the 20th of March for a Saturday sailing date. Pro tip: We always fly the day before a cruise to account for potential delays.
Despite the lack of paychecks and predictable staffing shortages due to the DHS shutdown (thanks, Trump), we actually flew through TSA (see what I did there) and made it through security in record time: walked into O’Hare at 8:09am and got to the other side of security by 8:26am.
Upon arrival in Ft. Lauderdale, we made our way to baggage claim. TG & I both needed to avail ourselves of the facilities. We tag teamed it so there would be two of us to get the 4 suitcases off the belt. TG went first, then I went. When I returned, I found Hubs straining to see if he could spot our bags. Then I looked for TG, who emerged victorious from the throng with all four suitcases. I tell you – luggage retrieval is TG’s superpower.
We called for the hotel shuttle and headed for our stay at Aloft – the same place as in July. We also walked to and dined at El Tamarindo Café, where Hubs and I ended our meal with Cuban coffee.
We walked back from dinner and hung out at the pool bar, where we chatted with some interesting (>-<) characters and the same awesome bartender as on our previous trip. We actually recognized each other! He’s a man of many talents: award-winning chef, mixologist, and most recently, painting. He and TG even shared photos of their art.
After TG, and later than we should have, Hubs and I went to bed. We woke the next morning and partook of the hotel’s meager breakfast bar. I had a bagel and cream cheese… not very exciting. Mainly, I just wanted coffee. When I tried to fill a cup, nothing came out of the dispenser. A woman behind me said, “Oh, it’s out of coffee, but she’s making some.” I turned and gasped. That got a chuckle from those waiting behind me.
My parents drove in from home to meet us and be our Uber to the cruise port. After several wrong turns (don’t ask), they finally got to our hotel… and drove right past us. Yes, I called them to inform them of this (Mom and I were laughing – Dad, not so much) and they circled around and came back. This time, both Hubs and I stood at the curb, frantically waving. Success! We loaded our luggage into the back of their SUV and made it to the cruise port. There, with my parents 4-star Mariner status, we enjoyed a speedy boarding process and began our voyage.
Step Counts:
Friday: 8521, Saturday: 12,611