Time to Say Goodbye

1Saturday 9 September – Time to say goodbye

 

The Plan:

After one final breakfast in the Lido, we will grab our carry-ons and wait for our disembarkation ticket to be called. By now we would have booked the HAL tour of Boston on our way to Logan International and await our flight ‘departing around 7 PM and head home. Hopefully after our luggage has. been checked in, and before we go through security we might have time to go back out and see some more of Boston.

 

The Reality:

 

Plans change, as weather hard a profound effect on cruise ships. We were scheduled to have a one day visit in the Port of Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, upon our arrival, we encountered winds in excess of 35 knots, gusting to 40 knots, and it was raining.  Because of the amount of the ships hull and superstructure above the waterline, it becomes a huge sail.  I noticed that when I was walking to breakfast with Barbara the effect of the winds was causing the ship to list to starboard..  Unusual situation for a harbor.

 

During breakfast the captain announced that, because of the high winds,  we would probably have to abort this dangerous docking procedure and just set sail for Boston. Later, this plan was confirmed, so now we are scheduled to arrive, at berth, around 5-6 Friday evening.

 

That being said, I am now writing my final (at sea) post somewhere in the North Atlantic.

 

In my “Time to Say Goodbye” time there are a few folks that have sort of “hovered” over us to make sure that we wanted for nothing.  We like the “fixed seating” of cruising since it affords us the daily opportunity to get to know those who serve us. Though we don’t have fixed seating in the Lido for breakfast, we tend to sit in the same section, with the same servers.

 

Our day starts with Ario, Arafin and Dayanti. all are from Indonesia.

 

All greet us in the same manner “good Morning Mr Jack or Miss Barbara”, always delivered with an honest grin or big smile. “May I get you some coffee, juice or water” Since this is a buffet type  restaurant, the are not expected nor required to bring you your food, but I know they would willingly do what ever is asked of them.  They all know exactly how you take your coffee.   Dayanti delights if getting Barbara’s WWU travel mug just right – half hot water, half coffee. The tables are never cluttered with dirty dishes and utensils. They are the best.  Their day starts around 6 AM and I’ll bet they don’t get to bed before 10 PM.

 

When we return to our room after breakfast Jime and Sapto have already come and gone and the room is spotless, and they attend it again in the evening while we are at dinner. And if they see us anytime in between, the greetings are always the  same.  During the 38 days, they must have had bad days, but it never shows “Hello. Mr Jack…Miss Barbara”.

 

For our first 25 days onboard we had fixed seating on deck four which happens to be where all the “as you wish” diners are seated. Our table mates were a family from Utah and although we were very compatible, one of the ladies was so soft spoken, conversation was difficult. I can tell you through our experience that the noise level here is unbearable at times.  Though our dining stewards; Wandra and Nazar were extremely professional and competent, their talents were stretched, thereby affecting the service to the “fixed tables”. On day 25, I had had it and asked that we be moved to deck five where all the tables were fixed seating.  I compared the difference of a high school cafeteria to a fine dining room….just unbelievable.  The “as you wish” diners are always sharing tables with people they’re have never dined with before, so everyone at that table had to out-talk and out-story-tell the others! Plus some have had before dinner libations, and think they are now comedians.

 

For our final 12 days onboard we are being served by Roki and Andry, just as professional as Wandra and Nazir, but working under less stressful conditions.

 

We dine at a table for four and our table mates; Arend and Beverly are two very delightful Canadians.

Our Departure:

 

The saddest part of cruising is the final two days….day 2,  packing….day 1, saying good bye to all those who have served us so well and to the very special friends we have made onboard….the “sunrise” boys at the oval table in the Lido; “Newfoundland Bob”, “sun-lakes Bob” and a couple of other regulars.   Their stories and fellowship enhanced my daily life so very much.

 

Then there was Lynn, from Australia, Mary from Kauai, Dorothy, and Mitzi, all from the Trivia Teams.  I took this picture of Mary as we were sailing in to Boston.  She was like a sister to me, and Lynn was the practical joker…with a heart.

Mike and Jeannie Price, our friends from Port Angeles, and Anita and Larry Lee, whom we have sailed with before.  Mike and I did manage to have breakfast together almost every morning.

 

Our disembarkation went as smoothly as ever and our “City Tour” on the way to the Airport was good…always helps to have a tour guide with a sense of humor. Her stories on the history of Boston showed her love of the birthplace of our freedoms….something a lot of our citizens need to experience.

I wish I could say that our experience with Alaska Airlines was as positive as was our flight to Boston with Delta.  Their ground service at Boston Logan left a lot to be desired, however having their plane leave on time and arriving about 45 minutes early in Seattle was a blessing.

 

As usual, our experience with La Quinta and their ground transportation was “first Class”.  Always a joy to stay with La Quinta SeaTac.

 

Right now we are awaiting our pickup by Rocket Transportation at La Quinta, to deliver us and our four suitcases home.

 

All things considered, this trip warrants a ***** rating.

 

Thanks for all your comments, I hope you enjoyed reading these sports as I did in putting them together, and don’t forget, I will be putting most of the photos in folders on OneDrvie if you care to see them.  Just send me an email request, and include the location.

 

Jack W Cummings VOV 2017 – From the sixth floor of the beautiful La Quinta SeaTac Motel