Saturday 5th \ Sunday 6th Dec 15. The journey home.

Our cases disappeared from outside our cabin during the night so we only had our travelling bags and the clothes we stood up in.  Out of the cabin by 8.30am as requested and a leisurely breakfast overlooking Fort Lauderdale docks.  We were labelled Orange disembarkation, mainly Brits, and asked to be at the Casino at 9.30 am, no, not for a quick round of poker, just a meeting point. Because of the incident in San Bernadino, immigration procedures were being beefed up.  Suffice it to say, it took nearly 4 hours to disembark, get through immigration, on the coach and set off for Miami.  We were hoping to drop off the bags at the airport, having checked in online last night, and go into Miami for a bit of sightseeing/shopping.  No time now but in any case we are getting a bit tired with all the queueing and it's drizzling warm rain.

So we hunker down in the airport lounge.  Not much to do except have a dry chicken sandwich and a big beer. We balanced the books and blew the remaining dollars on perfume and dark rum.

Plane left on time but the journey was to be endured rather than enjoyed but we did get a nice little goody bag this time.  I found 2 empty seats together so adopted the foetus position on my side for a while and slept fitfully for an hour or so. Half watched 2 films and walked round a bit.

And so into Heathrow, more queues through immigration though by now we are sleep walking and waving goodbye wanly to people we met on the cruise. It's 7am and we have lost a night's sleep.

Taxi on time, same driver.  Home within the hour. Straight to bed only to wake several hours later groggy and befuddled.

But it's been a great trip.  On a cruise you only get a snapshot of the places you visit and it can be rushed but I like the way you go to sleep in one country and wake up in another.  No humping luggage about, huge variety of food, activities, people to meet up with, excursions, entertainment.  Have loved dressing up in the evening, choosing cocktails, eating lovely food, dancing the night away and sitting under the stars on balmy nights after an exotic day out.  And of course, laughing non stop with my lovely friend. Thanks Sandra xxx