Travels with Irene

My niece and I were giddy with excitement and lack of sleep as we got on the shuttle bus from the Ft Lauderdale hotel to the Port Everglades Cruise Terminal on Sunday Jan 4.  We kept counting our carry-ons, backpack, purses, roller-wheeled sewing machine case, cardboard map tube, and water bottles as we exited the shuttle to make sure we left nothing behind.  What a relief to see that our AirTags showed that our four large suitcases and two 50# duffel bags had moved from the storage warehouse where they had been sitting since their UPS shipment three weeks earlier.  That was a pretty good indication they would show up in our cabin before we sailed!

The embarkation process took some time as we had to show our various visas, and the luggage we took with us had to be examined. Finally we were able to board the Volendam, one of Holland America’s smaller and older ships.  I was disappointed I could not get a good photo of the ship due to its location so close to the entrance of the cruise terminal  But I did see that the company had painted large letters on the bow of the ship: 2026 Volendam Grand World Voyage.  Every person in every one of the 52 ports we will visit will see that. I’ll post a photo from one of those ports.

We had a huge pile of luggage when what we had taken on the airplane and train was added to all the luggage shipped earlier.   

We did a little unpacking, put our special signs on the door, went to a quick dinner in the Lido Buffet, and then watched the receding skyline as the ship left the pier late in the evening.

The next day, we continued to unpack, taking time for some ship activities, exploring the ship’s nine decks from bow to aft and from port to starboard.  We loved walking around outside on the Promenade Deck (3^rd deck) where 3 .5 times around equals one mile.  I’ll write a future blog about the myriad of ship’s activities available on sea days and even on port days if a person wants to stay on board. 

The closet shelves are now organized with good use of packing cubes, our formal and dressy outfits are hanging to get all the wrinkles out, the storage drawers under the beds are filled with extra toiletries and medications needed for 133 days, the bathroom shelves are organized with baskets and zippered bags, and the suitcases are jammed under the beds.  O, and the winter coats, boots, hats, scarves, and gloves along with sweaters and sweatshirts, are in two of those suitcases, awaiting switching with capris, short-sleeve shirts, and sun dresses when we approach southern South America and Antarctica. 

 My cabin home is ready!