"BON VOYAGE" AND "WELCOME" PARTIES!

What better excuse to throw a party than one's imminent departure on a Grand World Voyage?  We couldn't pass up the opportunity to invite our friends to see us off at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Escondido (San Diego) the night before we left.

As we left our friends back home, we met our new ones at a "Welcome Party" in Ft. Lauderdale . . .

These events marked a wonderful beginning to an incredible journey ...

BON VOYAGE PARTY
     Last night, January 4th, we toasted, hugged and bid a fond farewell to our family and friends, at least for a while ...

I'm so lucky to have such incredible people in my life, who were so happy for us that they came out to wish us well.  I can only hope that my adventure will inspire them to carve out their own one day (and to invite me to their "bon voyage" party) ...

OFF TO FLORIDA
     The next morning, we flew out at the brisk hour of 6:30 a.m. (eery, watching the sun rise over downtown San Diego from an airplane window).  The hardest part was leaving my dogs; I could tell they were "on to me", and I fear that they will hate me forever for leaving them for 4 months.  It's strange looking out over the San Diego skyline, beaches, Sea World and mountains, realizing I won't see them again for a long time.  With nervous excitement, I quickly prayed for everyone to be safe, and we headed off ...
     We flew 1st class via U.S. Airways, but I have to say first class isn't what it used to be!  We got "free" checked bags, but they charged us $2 per bag anyway (beyond the skycap's tip) - nickle and diming at its finest.  I'd looked forward to starting our trip with a Mimosa, but they had no Champagne (so it was screwdrivers instead).  There was no music, no movie, no TV -- no entertainment of any kind!  A flight attendant told me they took out the wires and electronics to save money on fuel.  For "breakfast", we got a "cookie" in a small plastic wrapper (I passed).  For lunch, it was a caesar salad with soggy croutons, some bland, flavorless chicken (as if one had warmed a frozen diet entree), and some strange-looking orange, mushy substance which I dared not try.  Essentially, they took what used to be served in coach and served it up as though it were first class fare.  For 10 times the normal fare (over $3K round-trip for 2), we got shorter security lines, earlier boarding, wider seats with a shared arm rest, free drinks (even while waiting for others to board) and free food (if you want to call it food), served by attentive and friendly flight attendants, and a nearby bathroom reserved for our section.  Worth the cost?  You decide.
     We arrived in Florida a bit late, at 4:30 pm.  I was told we'd be picked up at baggage claim by someone from Cruise Specialists (our travel agency).  I was picturing a sign saying, "Sondra and Bill", after which we'd be whisked away (quickly) to the welcome party.  Well, there were people there, but with signs for Holland America.  They told us to get our bags and then sit down and wait.  After waiting for some time, we were herded in a group of app. 20 outside, to a curbside area, where we had to wait some more ... while breathing in toxic vehicle exhaust.  Finally, we boarded a bus en route to the Westin Ft. Lauderdale.  The bus was so cold that everyone was freezing.  When we got to the Westin, they didn't let us off, so we could smoke, warm up, etc., but instead left us on the bus for several minutes while they ran around.  They seemed pretty disorganized and unempathetic to how uncomfortable everyone was on that bus.  It brought me back to that feeling I had while on a Carnival Cruise Line (a close "relative" of Holland America) -- mooo!  Anyway, we learned not to take the bus, where we could be held hostage and frozen alive.  Tomorrow, we'll take a cab instead.

Our First Airplane

Sondra & Bill Enjoying (Some things about) First Class

View from Plane Coming Into Ft. Lauderdale - That's NOT our Ship

Ft. Lauderdale

First Thing Bill Does On Arrival - Talk on the Phone!

WELCOME DINNER
     We missed the welcome party, because it took them so long to get us to the hotel, to let us off the bus, and to get us checked in and have our bags brought to our room.  But we were eventually welcomed with a dinner with "friends we hadn't met yet".  It was great to meet Judy, Pauline and others I've been corresponding with on Cruise Critic (a website for cruisers to meet before traveling).  We got our first chance to meet the people with whom we will share this magical odyssey, and we had some "banquet" food (i.e., more chicken) which was at least edible:

The Welcome Dinner Hosted by Cruise Specialists

Sondra & Bill at Welcome Dinner

After dinner, I "enjoyed" two X $18 (yes, $18) rum and cokes from the Westin's bar.  Welcome to your "vacation"!