Jan. 31, 2009 Saturday
Drove to airport to catch 9 am flight – arrived in Fort Lauderdale without incident although gate was still occupied by another aircraft we waited on an active runway for our turn to get off the plane. Meet Cheryl at baggage claim around 2 pm and although luggage took a very long time we were happy that we were not delayed and headed off to find a taxi. We were told to go upstairs which we did only to find out we had to return back to luggage claim and out those doors to get our cab. We had already decided to forgo the buses that Carnival provided to those who had purchased air with them. So we are off to start our quest to find penguins.
After a short taxi ride to the pier, we located a porter to check in our luggage and headed off to the VIP line, must to the disgust of the other passengers who at this point we found out had been waiting in line over 2 hours – passing the first check point with only a few passengers voicing their opinion about us cutting in line we passed the second VIP check point and found the line to go through security – well this is where we found new friends Bob & Betty and Joe and Michelle – little did we know we were going to get very well acquainted during the next several hours. After clearing VIP security and finding the escalator out of order we were again in line waiting out turn for the elevator to the second level check in – this is where our adventure truly started………….. we were the next group of people waiting to get on the next elevator when the Carnival personnel come rushing through telling us to evacuate the building – not knowing why and since there was obvious panic in their voices – others behind us actually pushed us outside on to the street.
While we were standing in the street watching authorities blocking off the area and after about 30 minutes escorting us into a cement building that Royal Caribbean was nice enough to let us use as they had no ships in port that day. Debbie was scolded by some “man” in a trench coat for taking pictures during this very serious situation. OMG – that is a whole story by itself. Carnival attempted to keep us informed as to what was going on but since the FBI, port authorities and the sheriffs departments had taken over the port there was little they could pass along to us. We found out the next day that all ships and boats had to anchor at sea and were not allowed in as they had closed the entire harbor. We had heard the helicopters but really did not know what had happened. So many hours had passed and Carnival finally brought us water and sandwiches which of course were devoured by the people instantly taking much more than they needed leaving most without anything left to drink or eat. I did forget to tell you that some had taken the paper towels from the restrooms to sit on leaving no toilet paper or towels to use to wash your hands. But at least we had one restroom for about 1100 of us to share.
They finally got the “situation” under control and we were allowed to start the boarding process over again starting with deck one in groups of 100 people. This process went quite well and we were all aboard ship by 9 ish but while waiting to get our room cards the lights in the whole building went out--apparently they are on a timer. We finally set sail around 11 PM and it was obvious we were moving because he was leaving very quickly. Dinner had passed but we did manage to get a piece of pizza and several glasses of champagne that Cheryl had purchased while we waited for our luggage to arrive. About 1:30 AM we got our luggage and after unpacking we hit the bed very, very tired but finally on our way…….
February 1, 2009 Super Bowl Sunday
Of course we awoke late but had breakfast in the dining room – then off to the boat drill since we were locked up in the building last night being held hostage so they postponed the mandatory boat drill until 10 AM this morning – went to check out the spa – dinner – super bowl party – early to sleep.
February 2, 2009 Monday – Formal Night
Buffet breakfast too late for dining room – exercise room Cheryl fell off treadmill while I was biking – proof positive that exercising is hazardous to your health contrary to popular belief– Captains party – dining room – lady passed out at my feet and cut her head on the table going down. We found out later she was drunk! After dinner we went to the casino and Cheryl had good night at the 3 card poker table so apparently she needs to fall off the tread mill more often. Again the dead ex’s slot machine was good to me.
February 3, 2009 Tuesday – Dominica
Again too late for dining room – early arrival in Dominica – not main dock – Pacific Princess (tendered) and Carnival Victory at main port. Cheryl is such a klutz today – I think when she fell off the tread mill she must have hit her head. LOL After dinner came to cabin to watch Little Miss Sunshine – horrible receptions or bad disc but before the end of the movie (about 10 minutes left) the screen went blank so we did not get to see the end of the movie. Finally went to sleep very annoyed and awoke several times during the night as it was very windy and rough seas.
Drove to airport to catch 9 am flight – arrived in Fort Lauderdale without incident although gate was still occupied by another aircraft we waited on an active runway for our turn to get off the plane. Meet Cheryl at baggage claim around 2 pm and although luggage took a very long time we were happy that we were not delayed and headed off to find a taxi. We were told to go upstairs which we did only to find out we had to return back to luggage claim and out those doors to get our cab. We had already decided to forgo the buses that Carnival provided to those who had purchased air with them. So we are off to start our quest to find penguins.
After a short taxi ride to the pier, we located a porter to check in our luggage and headed off to the VIP line, must to the disgust of the other passengers who at this point we found out had been waiting in line over 2 hours – passing the first check point with only a few passengers voicing their opinion about us cutting in line we passed the second VIP check point and found the line to go through security – well this is where we found new friends Bob & Betty and Joe and Michelle – little did we know we were going to get very well acquainted during the next several hours. After clearing VIP security and finding the escalator out of order we were again in line waiting out turn for the elevator to the second level check in – this is where our adventure truly started………….. we were the next group of people waiting to get on the next elevator when the Carnival personnel come rushing through telling us to evacuate the building – not knowing why and since there was obvious panic in their voices – others behind us actually pushed us outside on to the street.
While we were standing in the street watching authorities blocking off the area and after about 30 minutes escorting us into a cement building that Royal Caribbean was nice enough to let us use as they had no ships in port that day. Debbie was scolded by some “man” in a trench coat for taking pictures during this very serious situation. OMG – that is a whole story by itself. Carnival attempted to keep us informed as to what was going on but since the FBI, port authorities and the sheriffs departments had taken over the port there was little they could pass along to us. We found out the next day that all ships and boats had to anchor at sea and were not allowed in as they had closed the entire harbor. We had heard the helicopters but really did not know what had happened. So many hours had passed and Carnival finally brought us water and sandwiches which of course were devoured by the people instantly taking much more than they needed leaving most without anything left to drink or eat. I did forget to tell you that some had taken the paper towels from the restrooms to sit on leaving no toilet paper or towels to use to wash your hands. But at least we had one restroom for about 1100 of us to share.
They finally got the “situation” under control and we were allowed to start the boarding process over again starting with deck one in groups of 100 people. This process went quite well and we were all aboard ship by 9 ish but while waiting to get our room cards the lights in the whole building went out--apparently they are on a timer. We finally set sail around 11 PM and it was obvious we were moving because he was leaving very quickly. Dinner had passed but we did manage to get a piece of pizza and several glasses of champagne that Cheryl had purchased while we waited for our luggage to arrive. About 1:30 AM we got our luggage and after unpacking we hit the bed very, very tired but finally on our way…….
February 1, 2009 Super Bowl Sunday
Of course we awoke late but had breakfast in the dining room – then off to the boat drill since we were locked up in the building last night being held hostage so they postponed the mandatory boat drill until 10 AM this morning – went to check out the spa – dinner – super bowl party – early to sleep.
February 2, 2009 Monday – Formal Night
Buffet breakfast too late for dining room – exercise room Cheryl fell off treadmill while I was biking – proof positive that exercising is hazardous to your health contrary to popular belief– Captains party – dining room – lady passed out at my feet and cut her head on the table going down. We found out later she was drunk! After dinner we went to the casino and Cheryl had good night at the 3 card poker table so apparently she needs to fall off the tread mill more often. Again the dead ex’s slot machine was good to me.
February 3, 2009 Tuesday – Dominica
Again too late for dining room – early arrival in Dominica – not main dock – Pacific Princess (tendered) and Carnival Victory at main port. Cheryl is such a klutz today – I think when she fell off the tread mill she must have hit her head. LOL After dinner came to cabin to watch Little Miss Sunshine – horrible receptions or bad disc but before the end of the movie (about 10 minutes left) the screen went blank so we did not get to see the end of the movie. Finally went to sleep very annoyed and awoke several times during the night as it was very windy and rough seas.
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