Friday 4th Dec. Last day at sea.

We didn't wake up till 10.30am. These late nights are catching up on us.  Breakfast at 11.30Am and some folks were already having their lunch by then. It was 82 degrees on deck, the sea like a mill pond and a light breeze. Perfect. We were miffed to learn that the ship in the distance was the Norwegian Pearl which had been docked in Ocho Rios with us. It was still there when we left, giving their passengers longer ashore than us and yet it has overtaken us and is disappearing over the horizon. Ford Anglia V Porsche, no contest

We installed ourselves in our usual spot at the front of the ship, deserted as usual. After a while we went to the pool to cool down and there was a quiz on the big screen. I caught the TV section and was mortified that I knew all the answers. Of course the questions are tailored to the demographics of the passengers, old Americans, so it was all about Mr Ed, Bewitched, Miami Vice etc.  Back to the sunbeds and we could hear a bit of a song, La Vida Loca. I said that the next line was a bit lame " her skin was the colour mocha" and they obviously couldn't find anything to rhyme. Sandra comes up with " I tried to choke her, hit her with a poker, then went to the insurance broker". I'm impressed Good story line as well.  That girl missed her way, should have been a lyricist.

Not much to report otherwise except a moan. In the loos there are notices everywhere exhorting you to wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds and to use toilet paper to open the door when you exit, presumably because some women, and we have seen them, exit without washing their hands. But it says nothing about lining the toilet seat with loo paper and then leaving it there. I am getting fed up of hopping about to shove it down the loo with my foot. My flip flop is going to go down with the paper eventually.

We have just heard hot news that there is a special offer, today only, on wifi. 9 dollars for 15 minutes to allow passengers to check in their flight online. Up to now they have been asking 69 dollars for 30 minutes. Also we printed off our bar bill.  When we picked ourselves up off the floor, we noticed that there was a refund of 19.99 dollars each that we can't account for. Not complaining of course but puzzled.

About 4pm as we had missed lunch and it being the last day, I treated myself to a bacon butty and then blueberry crumble.  Why?  Because I fancied it and we have both been really good as far as not overindulging ourselves.  

We have to pack tonight and put our cases outside the cabin after dinner. So one last chance to dress up. We have everything on the menu as it is our last dinner.  Our waiter, Bien asks us to put in a good word for him on the survey email and we say we will. Photos taken with him 

And Moises, the Head Waiter. 

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