Getting Started
Trip Start
Jan 03, 2008
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Trip End
Apr 27, 2008
Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island,
Cayman Islands
Sunday, January 6, 2008
To start our Grand World Voyage we traveled 2400 miles east from San Francisco to Washington and then, south to Ft. Lauderdale. Here's Mom, bright and chipper, at 6 am on Thursday, January 3rd.
Grandma at the SFO Airport
We had clear flying weather until we were about 100 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, where we flew through a squall. We landed in gale-force winds and 50-degree weather and wondered if the weather would be a challenge at the beginning of our voyage.
Is this Enough foir 4 Months?
Dining at the Hollywood Beach Marriott
January 4
Friday, January 4th, the day of the start of the cruise was breezy, but sunny and clear-and much warmer than the day before. We were shuttled to Port Everglades in the morning and were ready to board the MS Amsterdam by noon.
At Port Everglades
The ship is relatively small, which is what a lot of returning world cruise travelers like about sailing with her. We talked with several expert travelers while we were waiting to embark and everyone was very enthusiastic about the trip. One couple had just finished the 64-day tour of the Pacific, which they had enjoyed immensely, and they were looking forward to starting the 114-day trip.
The only complaints we heard were later in the day and all were related to the fact that the ship was booked solid-perhaps even over-booked. Some people had been moved from their assigned staterooms-and one couple was in a stateroom that had also been assigned to someone else. Luckily, all was in order for us.
We are at a table for 8 in the Upper Dining Room for dinner. Our table mates are a lot of fun; all are retired (or mostly retired) and come from careers in the railways, education, and career counseling. With Patrick and Jude, our traveling companions, we have education well-represented. We are a companionable group-with a lot of good story tellers.
We have not been doing much more than eating and relaxing. It's a joy to be able to look at the sea all day long-the water is a deep blue, the sky is clear, and the winds are calm. What more could we ask?
Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island
Grand Cayman Island at 10 am
Georgetown in the Afternoon
Georgetown
Departing Grand Cayman Island
Comments
Now I'm jealous
I was okay with all this until I saw the pictures of Georgetown but now I'm jealous. It looks like you guys settled into shipboard routine pretty easily - with all the sitting and eating you better check to see if there is a tailor on board. Have fun and keep us posted.
Rhode Island
I also am sooooooooo jealous! All that R&R looks great! And, both of you look great!
My father's uncle was one of the engineers on the Panama Canal(Louis K. Rourke)- I don't know if you have seen those pictures, Aunt Jan, but we will have to share with you and Kit if you haven't seen them yet- quite a difference!! Lots of mud and rocks back then-
I would love to go through the canal some day- Thanks for sharing!